**Emotional chapter ahead. TW as mentioned previously**

Also, I obviously don't know what happens when we die, so in this story, it's what I'd like it to be.

Read~Enjoy~Review

Chapter 2

Emma smiled softly as she watched Regina use her magic to finish a letter she was working on. Seeing her wife behind the desk made her think back to when she first met Regina. When she saw her wife, she still saw her just as she had that day, though with more love.

"Stop staring dear." Regina said with a smirk "I can feel your eyes on me."

"Sorry, I was just admiring my beautiful wife." Emma said, stepping into the office. "I haven't seen you in here for so long."

Regina sat back. "I get sick of our room and the living room." She held her arms out. "Come here."

Emma walked over but hesitated. "I don't want to hurt you."

Regina rolled her eyes and pulled Emma into her lap. "Emma, I can't handle doing talks like my mother did. We have too many kids and grandkids and I don't have the emotional strength. So, I've been writing letters so I can be sure everyone knows what they've meant to me."

Emma's eyes grew watery as they always did when they talked about this. "Regina, it's okay. I don't want you spending the last of your time writing letters, baby I want you to be with us….with me." She admitted. "I know that's selfish but…" the lump in her throat grew with the tears in her eyes. "I need you." She whispered, unable to use her voice.

Regina held her wife close to her, her own tears forming. "It's not selfish or if it is, I don't care." She stroked Emma's hair as her wife rest her head on Regina's chest. "I couldn't write you a letter." She admitted "We've been through too much in the last 42 years to write everything in a letter, Ems."

Emma sniffed and nodded. "I get that. Regina, I know you love me, so don't worry about any of that with me."

"It's more than that." Regina said, rubbing her wife's back. "Emma, I…I can't believe this is goodbye, you know? I just can't bear the thought that we will never see each other again so I'm not going to believe that. I am going to believe we will see each other, and we will be together still."

Emma closed her eyes, listening to the beat of her wife's heart. "Baby, I want to believe that too but…I mean…if it's like I'm imagining and everyone we've lost is there, that means Daniel will be there and I know he was your…"

"He was my first love, yes, but Emma, you're my True Love. You have nothing to worry about."

"I'm not worried, Regina I just…I want you happy, no matter what world, realm, wherever we are, I want you happy and if he's there waiting for you, I don't want you to pass up that chance to be with him."

Regina shook her head and cupped Emma's cheek, making the woman look at her. "If he's there, he's there as a friend, Emma. If the afterlife is how I picture it, he knows how much I love you and he would know that I'm going to wait for you."

Emma gave a nod and kissed Regina before resting her forehead on Regina's. "I'm scared." She admitted in a whisper. "I'm scared to be without you, and I'm scared…I'm scared I'm going to die of a broken heart. The kids don't deserve that."

Regina lovingly held her hands on Emma's cheeks. "I'm scared to be without you, Emma. Take time to be sad, but please, please don't waste the rest of your life being depressed. Please promise you'll try to get by somehow. Be with the kids, the grandkids, be with Mal, Anslie, just please don't be alone."

Emma could only nod as her tears fell and mixed with Regina's. After a bit, she slowly opened her eyes. "Is it time?" She knew Regina was tired and knew her wife was ready.

"Emma…I…I think it may be tonight. Make sure the kids all get their letters."

Emma sniffed and tried to hold back her sobs. "Do you want to see them?"

Regina softly shook her head. "They may be upset at first, but they have the letters. I just want to be with you and maybe Mal if you're okay with that."

"Yes, of course." Emma said, nuzzling Regina's neck. "Let me get you up to our room."

Regina just nodded and let Emma use her magic to move them. Once in their bed, Emma quietly called Mal who came over, using her own magic. She sat on the bed and took Regina's hand. "Are you in pain?"

Regina shook her head. "Nothing I can't handle." She looked at Emma. "I changed my mind. I think the kids should have a choice on if they want to be here. Just the kids though, and Lilly and Layla, Anslie too if she wants, but no grandkids. I just can't with all of them." She held up her hand. "Promise me you won't try to act strong just because they're here."

"Of course, my love." Emma said, getting her phone out.

"You're sure you're okay with that?" Regina asked, knowing Emma had said she wanted to be with her alone.

"I'm sure, baby. You're right, they should have the choice."

"Make sure they know they don't have to."

Emma nodded as she typed in a group message to their families app. Hey kiddos. Mom thinks it's time and wants you each to have your choice on if you want to be here. She'd love to have each of you kids, Lilly, and Layla come if you think you want to. She's sorry but she can't handle more than that, but I'm sure your partners and kids will understand. She then sent a message to Anslie explaining Regina's wish to see her should she want to. It only took a second and there was a knock on the door. As Emma went to open it, Mal used her magic to make the room bigger and added seating for everyone.

Henry and Lilly hugged Emma before coming in, followed by Oliver, Eva, Malory, and Layla. Everyone was subdued as they came in, hugging Regina and sitting around the bed. Addie, Gabby, and Lottie came in and again, hugged Emma before coming into the room. Addie sat by Oliver while Gabby and Lottie sat by each other. Emma looked at her kids, the twins by each other, Layla respectfully letting Eva hold Ry's hand, her hand on her wife's back for support. Lilly and Henry sat together, and she felt such a loss that Chris wasn't there. She looked at her wife in the middle of the family and saw how much it meant to her that they were all there.

There was a soft knock at the door and Emma opened it to see Anslie there. The younger blonde hugged Emma tightly. "We're here for you, Emma. Please don't forget that."

"Thank you." Was about all Emma trusted herself to say. She stood back but when the others noticed, they all shifted so she could come sit by her wife. Emma swallowed and came over, taking Regina's hand.

Regina looked at her kids. "I have letters for all of you. I'm sorry, I just couldn't take the emotional toll of talking to each of you. I love you all so much and it would be too hard. I don't know how my mother did it."

"It's okay mom." Lottie said quietly, the others nodding in agreement. "Mom, we're going to miss you so much."

"She's right." Addie agreed. "You don't owe us anything, but I want to tell you that I have been so blessed to call you my mother. Honestly, between you and ma, we had perfect lives. Thank you so much for everything you did for us."

Oliver held his sister. "Yes, thank you for being the best mom ever."

Gabby sniffed and nodded her agreement. "I'm going to miss you so much. All the cooking we'd do together." She smiled softly. "You had eight kids and I feel I can speak for everyone when I say that none of us felt like you didn't have time for us."

"She's right." Henry said with a smile. "You both were amazing at giving us each special time, so we never felt left out."

Eva let out a mixture between a laugh and a cry. "Even when I was a little brat, you always knew how to talk to me and make me see I was wrong with out making me feel stupid or bad."

Ry nodded as she closed her eyes. "When I was sick, I know I wanted Ma more, but I always knew you were here too, and you made me feel safe."

Emma stood and went to the window, needing to get some air. She let the kids say what they wanted to say and talk about old times and great memories. She felt a hand on her back and leaned into Mal's touch. She had no idea how she was going to do this.

Ry nudged Eva who looked around at Emma and then her siblings. "Mom, we love you so much, but we don't want you to feel you have an audience." Eva said. "I think you, Ma, Mal and Anslie should be together."

Henry nodded as he leaned forward and kissed his mother's temple. "Be at peace, Mom. I love you."

"I love you too, my Prince." She said and squeezed his and Lilly's hand. "Grab your letters from by the door."

Henry looked over to Emma, but saw Mal was holding her and decided to take the letters for himself and his family. Oliver, Addie, Gabby, and Lottie each said their own goodbyes and kissed Regina before getting their letters and heading to the patio to be with Henry and Lilly.

Layla leaned in and kissed Regina's temple. "You've been the best mother-in-law I ever could have asked for. Thank you for raising such an amazing daughter."

Regina squeezed her hand. "Thank you for loving my daughter. Be here for her, she's going to need you."

Eva let out a small laugh mixed with so much emotion. She hugged her mother, not wanting to let go. "I'm not saying goodbye, mom. I didn't say it to Gramma and I'm not saying it to you. I'll see you later and I love you more than any words can express."

Regina cupped her cheek. "I love you, my little Bumble Bee."

The two waited by the door as Ry stood and hugged her mother. "I don't want you to go, but I know you have to. Mom, I love you so much and I've never doubted your love for me." She lowered her voice. "Don't worry, we'll take care of Ma."

Regina cupped Ry's face. "I'm counting on you, baby girl. Take care of your Mama." She kissed her daughter and watched her go by Emma.

"Ma, we're all heading out so you can be with mom." She hugged her blond mother tightly. "We're all here for you; you don't have to be strong for us, Mama. We're here to support you."

Emma felt her tears fall as she hugged her baby girl. "I'll do my best to not…"

"Mama, you'll be sad and that's okay. You're allowed to be sad, we all are, but you're not alone. You're going to feel alone, but we're here."

"Regina, are you in any pain?" Anslie asked, always in doctor mode first.

"I'm okay Anslie. It's going to hurt; I've already been told that."

"Yes, but I can give you something for pain."

"I've got it." Mal said softly as she sent magic through to Regina.

Regina smiled at her friend before taking Anslie's hand. "Anslie, you've been the most amazing sister-in-law and friend to both Emma and myself. Please know, I consider you my family and I always have. I love you."

Anslie smiled softly. "I love you too, Regina. I'm so proud of you, just so you know. So damned proud of you." She looked between Emma and Mal and then back to Regina. "I know you love me, but I think you should be with Emma and Mal. I'm going to go be with the kids. Regina, I love you and I know your mom and sister are waiting for you."

Regina smiled softly and hugged the blonde. "Watch over my babies?"

"You know I will."

When it was the three of them, Emma came back to the bed and laid next to her wife. Mal sat on the other side of Regina, wanting to send her comfort. "Regina, you are my oldest and dearest friend. I've outlived so many, but you…you're special to me." She said, tears in her eyes. "Anslie said it and I agree; I am so proud of you. I've seen you go from an innocent young girl to a woman pushed into a corner, a woman full of the need for revenge, to a mother, a woman in love, a wife, a grandmother, Regina, you've done amazing things in your life."

"Thank you, Maleficent. I love you so much. I have a letter for you, I…I'm sorry but I can't.." She took some breaths.

"Shh, darling, it's okay. Now, spend the rest of your time with your wife." Emma looked at Mal who smiled softly. "I'm just going to give you two some space; I'm not leaving you."

Emma nodded and watched as Mal went to the other side of the room. She looked at Regina and knew it was time. "I love you so much. Be in peace, my love."

Regina snuggled into her wife. "Emma, I love you so much. Just…just be with me." Emma nodded softly as she held her wife. After a while, Regina took a deep breath and slowly let it out.

"Tell everyone I say hi." Emma said softly, knowing there would be no more breaths. Finally, she let her tears fall and she sobbed into Regina's neck.

Maleficent came over and rubbed Emma's back. "Let it out, baby girl, just let it out. Take all the time you need." She said, her own tears falling. "Do you want to be alone?"

Emma shook her head, taking breaths. "I am alone now." She said, sobbing again.

"No, Princess, you're not alone. You can be said, you can be angry, you can feel however kind of way you want to feel, but you are not alone."

Emma wiped her eyes. "I know. I do know that. I'm sorry I…" She blinked a few times. "I need to call the coroner and get everything taken care of."

"Honey, you don't have to do any of that. Regina gave me all the information and Anslie and I are taking care of it." She rubbed Emma's back and kissed her head. "Do you want me to get Ry?"

"I don't want to upset the other kids but…yeah, I want Ry."

"Honey, you won't upset them. I'll send her in."

"Thank you." Emma said and she stroked Regina's forehead, fixing her hair. She knew her wife wasn't there, but while her body was, she'd make sure her hair wasn't in her face.

"Mama?" Ry asked quietly. "Oh Mama." She said, going to her blonde mother and holding her. "I'm here, Mama. You let it out."

A blinding white light made Regina gasp and she knew; she just knew she died. She felt lighter, younger, just better. She looked around as the light started to dim and smiled as she saw a figure walking towards her. "Daddy?"

"My darling daughter." He said, holding his arms out to her and embracing her. "I've both waited and dreaded this day. I'm sorry you're here, but at the same time, I'm not. I've watched you through the years and baby, I'm so proud of you."

"You have? You are? Wait…does that mean I can see Emma?"

"You can, but not right away. Come, the others are waiting."

Regina looked around as she walked. "Where are we? It looks like a mix of the enchanted forest and Storybrooke."

"This is your afterlife. We are all here, but what it looks like to you is different to what it looks like to me. I know that sounds confusing, but you get used to it."

"Mother?" Regina said, smiling as she saw her mother looking younger and healthier than ever. "How do you look so young?"

Cora smiled and hugged her daughter. "We all do here. We go back to when we felt the healthiest. You, my dear, if I were to guess look like you did the day you met Emma." She cupped her daughter's cheek. "Once you've been here a while, you can change how you look to a degree."

Snow, David, Zelena, Ruby, Lacey, and even Granny all greeted Regina with warm hugs and hellos. Suddenly, Regina looked up and gasped. "Christopher?"

"Hey mom." The boy said, for he looked just like he did when he died.

"Oh my baby boy." She said, going to him and hugging him. "I've missed you so much."

"I'm so sorry, mom. It was all my fault and I hate that Ma blames herself."

Regina cupped his cheek. "You know your Ma." She said kissing his other cheek. "Have they been taking care of you?"

"Yes, of course they have."

"Regina, let us show you around. The sooner you get acclimated here, the sooner you can see Emma." Snow said.

"Is she okay?"

"She's sad." David said, honestly. "She's heartbreakingly sad, but she's got Ry with her."

"Right now, you just worry about you." Cora said softly and she took her daughter's hand to show her around.

Regina's body had been taken two hours ago but Emma just couldn't get out of bed. She had sent Mal and Ry home and she lay in bed, hugging Regina's pillow. It smelled like her and gave her comfort. There was a soft knock at the door and Emma sighed, knowing her family needed her. "Come in." She said softly.

Oliver came in with a tray and set it next to the bed. "Ma, you have to at least drink the tea – Mal's orders." He sat next to Emma and took her hand. "I'm sorry, Ma. I…I'm just so sorry."

Emma slowly sat up and let her son wrap his arms around her. "I'm sorry too, Ollie. You lost your mother and I'm probably making you feel like you lost both your moms."

"Not at all." He assured her. "Ma, it's only been a few hours. I mean, if this was a year from now, maybe I'd feel different, but even then, I'd understand."

"What time is it?" Emma asked, looking around towards the clock. "It's only six? It feels like midnight at least."

"Mom, just drink the tea Mal made for you and go to bed. I'm staying in your guest room and the twins are right next door. We're all here, ma."

"You don't have to stay here, Ollie."

"I want to."

"Is everyone out there?" She asked, nodding to the door.

"Mal, Eva, Ry, Henry, and the girls. Everyone's partners and kids are in their own homes."

Emma nodded and ran her fingers through her hair. "Did you all eat?"

"They are now. I wanted to bring you a tray first."

"Let's go join them. I know no one expects me to, but I want to be with my family."

"Ma. Come sit down." Gabby said, moving over to make room.

Emma did and while she picked at her food, she did drink her tea. She smiled as she listened to her kids talk about memories of their mother.

"Remember when we all went to Boston and mom actually ate a hotdog?" Ollie asked, chuckling.

"Yes! And she drank coke!" Henry added. "That was the week you let that swan take my phone."

"Yes, and we all ended up in the pond." Ry said, smiling at Emma. "You thought you were in so much trouble."

Emma smiled softly. "All your mom did was laugh."

Eva smiled at her mom. "What was your favorite memory of her?"

Emma looked at her daughter. "You expect me to just have one?" The group chuckled and Emma sat back, thinking. "Well, I'd have to go with an appropriate one since I'm assuming you kids don't want to hear about our sex life." She joked.

"Oh gods no. I heard enough as a kid." Henry said, winking at his mom.

Emma chuckled, remembering the 'oopsie' on the bus ride down to Florida. "Way back when I first came here, I was in the hospital and your mom…she risked everything by telling me the truth of her past. She did that for me; so that I'd see how much she really loved me and wanted me out of my coma. She did that knowing I could have left her. I mean, she gave me amazing kids and an amazing life, but the fact that she'd be willing to break her curse early for me has always meant so much to me." All the kids smiled softly at their mom. "Oh, and my twenty first birthday was pretty spectacular. I had just had you girls not long before and your mom planed for me to spend the day with my parents; something I hadn't really done yet. I had so much fun learning to sword fight and to shoot a bow and arrow, oh and ride a horse. Then we went shopping and I even agreed to wear the dress my mother picked out for me. When I got back, no one was home, but there was a note to follow a path and that's where the castle was. Everyone was dressed as their Enchanted Forest character and we had a grand ball. It was pretty amazing."

Henry reached over and took Emma's hand. "I remember that. I know I was only small, but I remember dancing the night away."

Emma smiled at her son, tears filling her eyes. "I'm sorry. I don't want to cry but…" She took some deep breaths as Eva came over and rubbed her back.

"If you need to cry, you cry. You have every right to cry, Ma."

"It's just…my life didn't even start until I met your mother. Everything before that was shit…well almost everything." She said, looking at Henry. "Now, I have no idea how to do this without her, but what's worse is I have no idea what happens to her soul. Is she alone? Does she simply not exist? I just hate not knowing."

"I think she's out there with everyone else we love and she's okay. Ma, mom is okay." Lottie said, her own eyes filled with tears.

Emma nodded, swallowing the lump in her throat. "She's okay."

"Ma, do you want us to stay with you tonight? Or maybe even Ry?" Eva asked, knowing the bond Ry and Emma had.

Emma shook her head. "You all have family to get back to." She looked over at Mal. "Maybe Mama Mal will stay with me?"

"You know I will, Princess."

Emma smiled thankfully and yawned. "Mal, did you put something in my tea?"

"Well duh." She said, earning a laugh from the group. "You're mourning and need rest; I'm giving it to you. Say good night to your kids and I'll go get changed and come lay with you."

"Thanks, Dragon." Emma said and looked at her kids. "Mal wouldn't answer me, but do you guys know if they've got everything covered? Mom's cremation and her wishes and all that?"

"Yes Ma. Don't worry. Mal and Anslie are handling it." Eva assured her. "Go get some sleep."

Emma hugged and kissed each of her kids before going into her room and laying down. Mal was already there and opened her arms for Emma to cuddle with her. "Come here, Princess."

Emma did and again, let herself cry. "I miss her so much, Mal. My heart hurts. It literally hurts so bad."

Mal did some magic to make sure there wasn't actually something wrong, and then sent some calming magic to her. "I know sweet girl, I know. It takes a while, but it gets…better. I mean, different, but not as hard."

"Thank you for being here for me, Maleficent."

"You're most welcome. You and Regina were here for me when it was Lacey. I'm here for you. But now, I want you to stop fighting it and sleep."

Emma smiled softly at being caught and let out a breath. "Good night, Mal."

"Night, my Princess."

Emma closed her eyes and fell into a deep and dreamless sleep, knowing life would never be the same.