Bella knows she's in trouble. She feels it in her bones, but the fear of punishment is overshadowed by the excitement vibrating in her veins. Bella hovers in the background as her mother sends her guards to every house in Storybrooke. Citizens are heralded out into the streets, some in their pajamas. They're in the parking lot of the library, and Bella stands on the steps. Emmerson stands a little behind the columns, leaning against it as he calms himself.
"Are you okay?"
"Not really," he admits. "Regina is very angry with me."
"With me," Bella corrects. "Mom is angry with me, and you are unfortunately caught in the crossfire."
"How can I make it better?"
"By being there for her. She needs to know you are with her."
"I'm always with her," Emmerson says. "And I always will be. She's my forever."
"Gross." Emmerson punches Bella in the arm, and she laughs. Bella quickly goes somber, and she clears her throat. "I think- I know Charlie would've really liked you," she adds.
"I wish I could've met him."
"Me too."
Emmerson tugs Bella into his arms and kisses the top of her head. Bella closes her eyes and lets a tear slip free before she pulls away. The door opens behind them, and Regina exits the library with Rosalie. Regina refuses to look Bella's way, but Bella barely notices as she takes in Rosalie's outfit. Rosalie crosses her arms and cocks her hip, getting Bella's attention.
"Say one word, and I will add another month to your punishment," she warns.
Bella clenches her jaw at the reminder but nods. Rosalie holds out her hand, expectant, and Bella escorts Rosalie down the stairs and kisses her cheek. Rosalie allows it, but Bella knows better than to push her luck. She hurries back up the stairs to Regina, who stands stiffly at the top. Regina exhales through her nose and finally looks Bella in the eyes.
"Why?"
"I needed a good enough reason to make them think I turned on you."
"And removing our heart?"
"We needed you to break Emmerson's heart. If it helps, Emmerson wasn't on board with it, and he had no plans of giving the heart to Blue."
"Did Charlie tell you? About Sara?"
"No."
"Are you saying you knew?"
"You let it slip through the cracks in our link," Bella confesses.
Regina smooths down her dress and says, "I see. Now, this time I suggest you tell me the truth about why you did what you did."
This is the part Bella was not looking forward to because the truth would changes things for them both.
"Everything I said to you I've wanted to get off my chest for a while now. And I will confess that I wanted to hurt you like I've been hurting the last few years and…." Bella trails off. "I needed to release that anger toward you once and for all," she finishes softly, her voice cracking at the end.
"You meant to hurt me," Regina whispers.
After a moment of hesitation, Bella admits, "I did."
Regina flinches, and an uncomfortable silence falls between them. Bella looks up at the sky and wills herself not to break down in front of all these people. She had hoped the conversation would happen in the privacy of the mansion. Still, Bella should know by now Regina needs answers sooner rather than later.
"Where do we go from here?" Regina asks.
"I don't know."
Regina puts a hand against her stomach, a clear sign she's fighting her tears, and Bella places her hand against her mother's cheek. Regina gives a start at the touch, and Bella brushes away the tear that slips free with her thumb.
"I know I should have been more honest with you and myself about how I feel. I should have known that things were not that easy to move past, and I should have never used this as a way to hurt you. I hid the pain from you because I figured it would go away if I ignored it, but everything backfired. I was selfish in what I did, especially by dragging the others into my plan. But while I have no idea where we go from here, I do know that even if we never find our stride again, I will still be on your side. I will still support you, love you, and care for you, even if it is from a distance."
Regina clears her face of any emotion, and she brushes past Bella as she goes down the stairs. Bella releases a shuddering breath and turns to the crowd as Regina tells them what will happen now that Snow and the others are gone. Bella knows exactly when the mental link she shares with Regina snaps, and the last connection to her mother causes the heart in her chest to break even as it still beats.
Rosalie heard every word of their hushed conversation, felt the pain in both mother and daughter, but Bella was the first to run from it. Rosalie sits alone in their kitchen, and she tilts her head when she hears the door open. The familiar footsteps make Rosalie stand up straight. Regina turns the corner and stops when she sees Rosalie. Without the dress and the makeup, Rosalie notices her soon-to-be-mother-in-law (hopefully) seems smaller. Shyer. Regina fiddles with the sleeves of her hoodie.
"Is she here?"
"No." Regina deflates, and Rosalie kicks out the barstool. "Sit. I'll make you some tea," she says.
"Rosalie, I can't-
"Sit down, Regina."
The woman nods and settles on the stool while Rosalie goes about making the drink.
"Are you not going to yell at me?"
"Why would I do that?" Rosalie asks.
"I hurt her."
"Though it pains me to say this, you were right to react the way you did."
"I let myself get comfortable with her, thinking that the wounds were not that fresh, but I was wrong."
Rosalie pours the water into a mug and hands it to Regina. Rosalie isn't sure how to navigate this. But with Regina, it's easy to see what's wrong, and despite the fact she's about to break her mate's heart, she knows it'll be better in the long run.
"Stop trying to fix it before you're ready. If you even want to fix it," Rosalie says. "You're allowed to be angry and hurt. Don't do what Isabella did and let it stay inside of you until it comes out at the worst time. Live in the emotion, let yourself feel it, and trust your heart to know the right step to take once it passes. If it doesn't pass, and you want to move forward without her, you are well within your right to do what needs to be done to protect yourself."
Regina's lip quivers as she tries not to cry, and Rosalie brings the woman into her arms once she breaks down.
Emmerson settles on the grass next to Isabella and stares at the mural. Isabella shifts and brings her knees to her chest.
"I am not going back to the house."
"No one wants you there anyway," Emmerson replies, shrugging. "Hook is angry with you, as are the guards, and you don't even want to see Granny."
"So, you all hate me now?"
"We're disappointed in you," Emmerson corrects.
"That's worse."
"You lied and hurt Regina in the worst way."
"And yet you still came."
"Because I want to know the real reason you did what you did. You knew your decision would ruin your relationship with Regina, and you did it anyway. Why?"
Isabella lays her head on her knees and says, "I wanted to break her heart, remind her of her sins, and I needed to do it in front of everyone she loved and hated."
"Do you regret it?"
Isabella doesn't answer.
"Did you know Regina never took anyone's happy endings away?" Emmerson asks.
"What?"
"She told me that no one should be forced to marry or love someone just because someone else said it was right. Regina left them to figure it out on their own, just like she did, and she says that kind of freedom can be exhilarating if you let it happen. Regina wanted everyone to experience the ups and downs of love, sexuality, and heartbreak. All of it without a filter and the perfect life the Enchanted Forest often gave them. Regina made them work for what they wanted and fight for what they needed. The curse was petty in origin, but Regina has always had everyone's best interest at heart."
"What does this have to do with me? With what happened?"
"I wanted to add as much as possible to your guilt." Emmerson stands and brushes off his pants. "You fucked up, but…." Emmerson bends down and taps Isabella over the heart. "Regina's love for you is the only reason you are still here, and that heart will be the only thing you are left with if you don't grow the fuck up and stop hiding from your emotions. Let them move through you because if you don't, you'll lose a lot more than Regina the next time."
Emmerson leaves Isabella on the grass, and he doesn't go back when he hears the heartbreaking cries that follow in his wake. No matter how much he wants to.
Bella's a coward, but she's also aware Regina can't heal with her there. Neither can Bella. They rushed things, and that's no one's fault but Bella's. She should've been honest when she had the chance, and now she's in limbo. Regina's not answering her calls, neither are the others, and Rosalie's treating her like she's made of glass. Bella leaves the letter on the front porch and hops in her truck. Rosalie thinks she's at the grocery store, and Bella wants to keep it that way. She tightens her hand on the wheels as she passes the store, the library, and finally, the station. Bella steps on the gas pedal and drives over the barrier with no issue. Her memories remain intact, yet Bella feels the emptiness at once. She keeps driving until Storybrooke is miles and miles behind her.
Six Months Later – New York City, New York
"Miss Swan!"
Bella turns and smiles when she sees Brandon at the door. He's a freshman that she's taken under her wing, and it's always good to see him. Bella puts down the boxing gloves and relaxes against the wall.
"Did she like it?"
"Yeah! She was so shocked to see me cook something that wasn't ramen," he laughs.
"I'm glad."
"Where'd you learn the recipe anyway?"
"Family secret," she answers softly.
Brandon bounces on the balls of his toes before he says, "Thanks again for your help. Mom really loves lasagna, and I wanted to make her birthday special."
"It was my pleasure," Bella replies genuinely. "Get to class before the bell rings."
Brandon salutes and rushes off to get to class. Bella chuckles and goes back to setting up her room. She scratches the side of her neck out of habit and pauses at the raised skin she works hard to ignore. Her senses kick in, and Bella looks over her shoulder.
"Jasper? What are you doing here?" she asks.
"Helping a friend."
Jasper glances at the door, and Bella follows suit. Emmerson removes his sunglasses and relaxes against the doorframe. Bella blinks at the person standing in front of her, and there is a large amount of restraint on her part not pointing out the extra muscle Emmerson seems to have put on. If anything, Bella focuses on the sheer fact Emmerson is in New York to begin with.
"Em- what- what are you doing here? How did you even find me?" Bella exclaims.
"Bounty hunter by trade, remember? And you're going by Izzie Mills. Dumbass."
"I thought you quit," Bella says, ignoring the last part.
"See, I did, but I'm getting married," Emmerson explains. "I needed to hunt you down so someone can walk my fiancée down the aisle. Plus, the entire family misses you, and we want you back sooner rather than later."
Bella doesn't know how to respond to that. Emmerson puts on his sunglasses and gestures around the room.
"You have until the end of the week to find your replacement." Emmerson tips an imaginary hat to Jasper. "I'll be outside when you're ready," he says.
Emmerson walks out before a response comes from Jasper, and Bella's mouth opens and closes a few times. Jasper appears at her side and pats her on the shoulder.
"If it helps, Ruby wanted to be the one to come and get you," he teases.
"How did you know- what- fiancée?" Bella stammers.
"We can talk about it on the way there. Emmerson said a week, but our flight leaves in two days. We both know you better be on the plane with us when we leave. We're staying at a hotel near your apartment, and I hope to see you soon."
Jasper leaves, and Bella plops into her seat.
"Fiancée?" she repeats to herself.
Storybrooke
Regina turns and twists on the mini-stage. The dress is more form-fitting than she's used to, but it works. It helps the dress is in black and not white. Regina smiles as she looks in the mirror. Belle, Adella, and Charlotte stare with various looks of approval.
"You look amazing, Gina," Alia says. "Swan's going to faint."
"I hope so after the hell he has put me through these last three weeks."
"He's excited," Belle chuckles.
"And infuriating. Why did I agree to…." Regina trails off at the fifth person in the mirror. "Bella?"
Isabella puts down her bag and shoves her hands into her pockets. She grins awkwardly and says, "Hey, Mama."
Charlotte coughs and stands, Belle and Adella quickly following suit, and they hurry out of the room. Regina takes in the changes. Isabella's grown out her hair to her lower back, and there are more tattoos on her neck and arms. Regina swallows her nerves and gestures to her dress.
"What do you think?" she asks.
Isabella gives her a crooked smile, one that eerily looks like Emmerson's, and says, "Swan might not make it to the end of the wedding to get it off you."
"Do not be crude," Regina snorts. "Do you like it or not?"
"Yes."
"Good." Regina points to the bag on a nearby hanger. "That is yours. Go put it on," she orders.
Isabella takes the bag and follows the signs to the dressing room. When she's gone, Regina releases a breath she hadn't known she was holding. Charlotte pokes her head back into the room and smiles.
"Pete says it will work out better than you think," she whispers.
Regina nods, and the vampire is gone again. Having Peter around is a blessing and a curse. The three additional vampires helped keep Rosalie from falling into depression without Isabella, and the free reign Regina gave them to travel made things easier on everyone. Regina loses track of her thoughts as she thinks about the last six months.
The barrier had all but fallen, but there was a better security system keeping Storybrooke off the map. Everyone could leave and return as they pleased, and Belle made help books for those who left for them to know how to operate in the 'real world.' It took less than a month for everyone to warm up to the new routine. Regina is proud to say there hasn't been any conflict beyond the normal drunken behavior at Euphoria and the Rabbit Hole. Ruby's club has been a massive hit. So much so that Regina's planning to do a little Pride parade for the town as the LGBTQ community seems to grow more and more. Millers Heights has opened its doors, and both groups are merging well. Everything's been going great… until late at night when Regina cries in Emmerson's arms. The emptiness Regina feels with Isabella's absence grew until it became an acceptance that Isabella will return on her own terms. Archie helped a lot with that part.
Plus, it's not like Regina went after her. Rosalie came over one afternoon, tears in her eyes that would never fall, and she gave the letter to Regina. One month became two, three, and by the time Emmerson proposed, Regina was afraid Isabella wouldn't be there for the wedding. But she is, and Regina's heart feels whole again.
"Mom!"
Regina blinks hard, and she looks at Isabella in confusion.
"Sorry, you weren't answering me."
"No, it's- stand up here."
Isabella jogs up the stairs and stands next to Regina. She wears an all-black dress with long sleeves and a thigh slit up the side. Regina exhales at their reflection, mother and daughter, and the distance still feels like it threatens to tear them apart.
"Gina?"
"Yes?"
"I'm sorry."
With that, Regina's control over her emotions disappears, and she brings Isabella into her arms. She holds her daughter the same way she did the first time she arrived in Storybrooke. They would have a long road ahead of them, but at that moment, all Regina could think about was how much she missed her daughter. The first piece of their new puzzle falls into place, and Regina can only imagine what the final image will look like at the end.
Rosalie steps out from the trees and sees Isabella in the clearing. She lets out a breath and picks up a rock. Rosalie chucks it at the back of her head, and the rock stops centimeters away. It hovers in the air for a moment before it falls to the ground.
"Childish," Isabella mutters.
"So is running away."
"Touché."
Rosalie wastes no time in speeding across the clearing, and she sits next to Isabella. Rosalie scrunches her face in annoyance.
"You smell different," she mutters.
"I changed shampoos."
"Change back."
"Okay."
Isabella gives Rosalie a sly grin, and Rosalie pushes Isabella off the rock. Isabella laughs from the ground and leans up on her elbows.
"Are you unhappy to see me?"
"Very."
"Can I at least come home?"
Rosalie stands and turns away.
"Is that a yes?" Isabella shouts.
Rosalie looks over her shoulder and says, "If you beat me there, you can stay."
"Wait, what-
Rosalie uses her vampiric speed to blur out of sight, and she laughs when she hears Isabella's curse. Rosalie appears at the house only to find Isabella on the porch with her bag at her feet.
"You do realize my way is faster, correct?" she asks.
"I know. I was counting on it." Rosalie grabs Isabella by the pants and drags her into the house. "Because I need you here so you can feel just how much I have missed and hated you for the last six months," she says.
Isabella visibly gulps as the door slams shut.