Almost to the end.
Bella jogs to the diner and opens the door, only to get tackled by a brunette blur. Bella flounders a bit to keep her balance, but it doesn't make a difference. She crashes to the street and groans when a piece of concrete jabs her in the back.
"Oh my God! I am so sorry," Ruby apologizes. "I got excited and lost my balance."
"You're a wolf," Bella wheezes, rolling to remove the rock from her spine. "And you lost your balance."
"It happens! And are you hurt? Please say no because your Mom might kill me."
Bella smiles at Ruby and says, "I'm fine, wolfie. I missed you too, by the way."
"Is this why you said our food wouldn't be ready? Because you're playing around with her Highness?"
Bella and Ruby twist to see Rosalie, Peter, and Emmett coming down the sidewalk. Ruby smiles sheepishly, and Rosalie removes her sunglasses. The sun catches her just right, and Bella's dazed by the way the light hits her skin.
"Hi, I'm Peter."
Bella blinks and tears her eyes away from Rosalie to the vampire next to her. She scrunches her nose and asks, "Are you the other one Jasper mentioned? I met Charlotte yesterday."
"Yep! I'm Charlotte's worse half."
"Sweet. I'm Bella, Rosalie's baggage."
"What a wicked pair we make, huh?" Peter jokes.
Ruby snorts and finally pushes herself off the ground. Bella lays there for a minute before Ruby yanks her up by her shirt. Bella windmills to keep from falling again, and she glares at Ruby.
"Quit yanking me around and tackling me before I break something," she huffs.
"Why do you smell less human?" Ruby asks, cocking her head.
Bella refrains from touching the mark hidden by her shirt and says, "Maybe it's all the grease fumes you've been inhaling."
"Maybe. Oh!" Ruby snaps her fingers and points over her shoulder. "You want me to make your usual?" she asks.
"Please. That's all I came for."
"Can you make our food first? The Princess can wait a little longer," Rosalie says.
Bella bites her lip and smiles tightly at Ruby, who looks between Rosalie and Bella oddly before she leaves. Emmett and Peter follow her, and Bella stares at the ground as Rosalie gets closer.
"I take it you're still mad."
"You say that like I'm not well within my rights to still be upset."
"Rose, I said I was sorry."
"You think that changes what you did, but it doesn't."
"No, I don't. I'm just-"
"Last night was a mistake." Bella frowns, and Rosalie folds her arms. "I shouldn't have let you back in so easily because it's going to take more than angry sex to make me forgive you, no matter how much I understand why you did it. We're not in a good place, and I shouldn't have let you think that we are."
"Rose-
"You should eat so you aren't bitchy at the luncheon this afternoon," she interrupts.
"Don't do that. Don't deflect."
"I'm protecting myself," Rosalie corrects.
"From me?"
Rosalie exhales sharply and touches the mark on Bella's neck, and she says, "I thought when we did this, you understood what all it meant."
"I did! I mean, I do."
"No, you don't. If you did, then you would have known leaving the way you did would cause a chain reaction. I will forever be grateful to your mother for getting me to leave town because if she hadn't, I would've wasted away until you got back. That's not something I should have to go through, and I can't go through it again. I won't. I don't trust you enough to stay, and I'm prepared for you to leave."
"I am not going-
The door to the diner opens, and Rosalie steps back. She puts on her sunglasses and waits for Emmett and Peter to get close with the bags of food.
"Enjoy your breakfast," she says.
Rosalie walks away with Peter, and Emmett stops briefly to squeeze Bella on the shoulder. Bella watches them walk away, willing Rosalie to turn around, but she doesn't. Bella puts a hand to her stomach to calm her nerves and forces herself to go into the diner.
Regina pokes her head into the room and knocks on the frame. Isabella doesn't stop her workout, but she pauses just enough for Regina to know she's listening.
"What happened this morning?" she asks.
"Consequences of my actions coming back to bite me in the ass."
"You knew it would happen."
"Doesn't make it any easier to go through."
Isabella punches the bag so hard it rips at the seam, and sand slowly pours from the opening to the floor. She ignores it in favor of switching to the speed bag. Regina sits on the couch and watches Isabella alternate between rhythms, the sound echoing in the small space. When she felt Isabella's heartbreak that morning, she remained in her office out of habit. Over the six months, there were moments where Regina felt heartbreak, pain, fear, and anger that she couldn't help with, and Regina became accustomed to ignoring the outbursts. But then Regina saw Rosalie, and she put two and two together. Regina tracked her daughter down and was unsurprised to find her beating away her emotions.
"You should be getting ready for the luncheon," Isabella says, slightly out of breath.
"What happened to you healing while you were gone?" Regina asks.
"I mourned Charlie, mourned my past, and I moved on," Isabella says. "This is not a consequence of that. This is me frustrated at not knowing how to navigate anything anymore. I don't know where I stand with you, and I damn sure wish I didn't know where I stood with Rosalie..."
Isabella trails off and knocks the speed bag off the hook. It clatters to the floor, and Isabella falls next to the bag. She rips off her gloves with her teeth and tosses them across the room to the nearby chair. Regina crosses her legs and props her head on the back of the couch.
"You had every right to be angry with me. I was selfish, I still am, and back in the Enchanted Forest, I did things to ensure that you and Charlie stayed in my life. I had already lost Daniel, and I was not going to lose you two either. Your mother threatened that, and I cannot say I would have let her go. Do I regret killing her? No. Do I regret not telling you? Yes. That is my truth, and I will own that for the rest of my life. But your mother was not the only one who became a threat. Blue, the Huntsman, Snow, and even Gold did things that would have taken you away from me, and I could not let that happen. But when we got to this realm, when I saw the life you could have without me, I made a very unselfish decision and let you go. But I guess it was still a selfish act in the long run.
"We bonded, we shared a heart, and I pushed you out of my life to make amends for the pain I caused you- pain that you were unaware you had until you were well into your twenties and living your own life. It was wrong of me to push you away after what happened, and it was wrong of me to assume that you were the only one who needed to heal. We both did very foolish things to hurt one another, Isabella. We broke each other's hearts, betrayed each other's trust, and we destroyed our bond. But…"
Regina slides off the couch and sits in front of Isabella on the floor.
"I think what happened has given us a new opportunity to start over fresh. Emmerson is my soulmate, the person I will spend the rest of my life with, but you are my True Love. Yes, I know there are different kinds, but you are the one person I cannot live without. I want to make things right and build something that cannot be broken in the future. I want my daughter back at my side. You are my Princess, and none of this would be worth it if I cannot fix this."
Silence falls between them. Isabella flounders for a response, and if it weren't for the heart they shared, Regina would've felt like her words had fallen on deaf ears. Isabella lets out a watery laugh and crawls across the room to lay her head in Regina's lap. Isabella reaches up, traces her finger down Regina's nose and cheek, across her jaw, and down to her chin. Regina grabs her hand after the second pass and holds it close to her chest.
"I am sorry that I could not be the mother you deserved," she says.
"And I am sorry that I couldn't be the daughter you needed." Isabella squeezes the hand in hers. "But I want nothing more than to give it another shot. All that I am is because of you, and I want my future to include you and Emmerson. You're my Mom, regardless of what happened in the past, and you're right. None of this would be worth it without you."
Regina lets out the breath she'd been holding and leans back against the couch. Isabella suddenly sits up straight and crosses her legs. She holds out her hand and smiles.
"Hi, my name is Isabella Swan."
Regina clears her throat and grabs Isabella's hand.
"Hello, Isabella. My name is Regina Mills. It's nice to meet you."
Isabella drops Regina's hand and glances at the clock.
"We have about an hour before the luncheon. How about I make us some tea, and we just… talk?"
"I'd like that."
Emmerson glances at his watch for the fourth time. Belle comes over and pats him on the shoulder.
"She'll be here," she says.
"What if something happened? She said she'd meet me at one, and it's one fifteen."
Belle grabs Emmerson's arm and points to the side. Emmerson turns, and he sags in relief. Regina walks down the sidewalk with her arm around Isabella, who leans into her as they laugh.
"Guess they made up," Belle says.
"Was there any doubt?" Emmerson asks.
"Not from us, no." Emmerson frowns and looks at Belle, who adds, "There were a few guards who didn't think Regina would forgive Bella."
"Must not be the ones who pay attention," Emmerson replies.
Belle smiles knowingly and ducks off into the diner as Regina and Isabella get closer. Emmerson taps his wrist once Regina's in front of him, and she rolls her eyes.
"Sorry. Someone set the wrong alarm," Regina says.
"You said one!" Isabella exclaims.
"I said I needed to be here by one," Regina laughs.
"Same thing."
"And that is why we are late. I truly am sorry, darling."
"It's okay. You're worth the wait."
"Gross."
Regina pushes Isabella toward the diner and says, "Go tell everyone we'll be in a moment."
"Sure thing, Mama."
Isabella hits Emmerson as she runs past him, and he barely misses smacking her on the back of the head as she runs off. Regina wraps herself around Emmerson and kisses his cheek.
"You look handsome."
"Thanks. Adella was able to fix the shirt, so it wasn't so tight at the top."
"Remind me to send her a personal gift then."
"Keep it together, Miss. Mills," Emmerson teases.
"No promises."
Emmerson ducks down and kisses Regina on the lips, playfully biting her bottom lip as he pulls away.
"I love to see you happy," he whispers.
"Same here. Now, come on. I know the others are waiting for our grand entrance," Regina says.
"Fine, fine."
Emmerson leads Regina into the diner, and he freezes at the family standing in the center of the room. Regina slips behind him toward the other side next to Isabella and Alia. Emmerson blinks in shock, and the man in front of him steps past his wife and children. He runs his hand over his head nervously and rocks on his heels.
"Hey, Swan. Long time no see."
"B-Braydon?" Emmerson stammers.
"Yeah. Um, see, your lady found me on Facebook. She asked if I remembered you, and of course, I told her yes. I'd thought about reaching out a few times, but I didn't know what to say, you know? But when she invited us to the wedding, I just-
Emmerson slams into Braydon without realizing it and wraps his arms around him. Braydon stiffens for a moment, then he hugs Emmerson back. Emmerson hugs him tighter when Braydon starts to cry and loses his battle with his own tears.
"I missed you so much," Braydon cries. "I didn't know what to do without Bryan, and I pushed you away. I'm sorry, I'm so sorry. Please don't hate me."
Emmerson shakes his head and murmurs, "I shouldn't have left the way that I did, and I've never forgotten you. Never. But I was too scared to look you up. I was afraid you hated me."
Braydon pulls back in disbelief. "Why would I hate you? You were just trying to help, and I was too angry at the world to let you in. You did everything right, and I was so focused on the fact that I'd lost a brother that I didn't see I still had one with me until you were gone."
That causes a fresh wave of tears, and Emmerson uses his sleeve to wipe his face. Braydon does the same, and they share a laugh.
"Ah, man. No more tears. Introduce me to your people," Emmerson says, clearing his throat.
"Right!" Braydon points to the pretty redhead at his side. "This is my wife, Giselle. And the little people in front of her are Bryan Monroe and Emma Marie."
Emmerson blinks in surprise, and Braydon rubs the back of his neck.
"When we had them, I told Giselle I wanted to name them after the people who meant the most to me at the time. Is that alright?"
"It's great! I mean, a little overwhelming, but in a good way." Emmerson kneels in front of the twins. "Hi, it's very nice to meet you both."
"Hi," Bryan greets shyly. "I like your hair."
"Aw, thank you. I really like your Batman hat."
"You like Batman too?" Bryan exclaims.
"Absolutely! If it's alright with your parents, how about later on I show you my comic books? I got a whole bunch saved for when I meant another Batman lover. Deal?"
Bryan nods his head so fast the hat nearly comes off, and Emma tugs on Emmerson's shirt.
"Can I come too?" she whispers.
"Of course," Emmerson whispers back.
Emma gives him a crooked smile, her two front teeth missing, and Emmerson stands up straight. He holds out his hand to Giselle.
"Sorry about that."
"No, it's fine," Giselle laughs. "That'll keep them from demanding to see Captain Hook's ship all night."
Emmerson pauses, and Giselle winks.
"Don't worry. Braydon knows I was a Princess in another world. My first relationship didn't quite work out, and then my true Prince Charming rescued me from living the rest of my days as a housewife." Giselle shrugs and leans into Braydon's side. "So you can imagine my surprise when the reformed Evil Queen reached out to my husband and told him his old friend was the child of Snow White and the other Prince Charming."
"And that they're getting married," Braydon adds cheekily.
"I see we have a lot to catch up on," Emmerson jokes.
"That we do, brother. That we do. But after we eat. I'm hungry, and that lasagna looks pretty damn good."
"Language, Daddy!" Emma scolds.
"Sorry, sweetheart."
Emmerson snorts and says to the rest of the crowd, "You heard the man. Let's eat!"
Rosalie watches Isabella carry Emma around on her shoulders during the luncheon. She sips at the blood cocktail Ruby made for her and sighs when Peter sits down next to her.
"She'll give you all the time in the world, you know?" he asks.
"Did Jasper send you over here?"
"Nope, Gina did. Jazz is drunk on happiness. He ain't worried about your moping."
"I'm not moping."
"Yes, you are. I get it. If Char did something like that to me, I'd be acting the same way."
"So why the grief?"
"Oh, this isn't grief. This is me doing something for the Queen."
"Just because Regina forgave her doesn't mean I have to."
"We both know you already forgave her, Rosie."
Rosalie bristles at both the nickname and the comment. Peter slaps his knee and stands.
"Trust yourself. You'll be surprised at what happens next."
Peter walks away before Rosalie can respond, and her attention is diverted when she sees Isabella carrying Emma her way. Isabella expertly navigates the crowd to reach Rosalie.
"Okay, little person. This is Rosalie," Isabella says. "She's my Supergirl."
Emma grins, and Rosalie tries not to smile. She finishes her drink and licks away the blood from her lips, putting the glass on the opposite table. Isabella moves Emma to the chair and bends down next to her.
"Rose is strong and fast. She can also do something Supergirl can't."
"Really?"
"Mhm. Rose can make the rest of the world slow down."
Emma gasps, and Rosalie gets the hint. She touches Emma on the arm. She focuses her gift, and Emma looks around in unadulterated glee when the crowd starts moving in slow motion.
"This is so cool!" Emma shrieks.
Rosalie ends her gift and moves her hand, but Emma holds onto her hand. Rosalie tries not to let her shock show, but Isabella sees it and winks.
"I'm going to get you some juice, okay? Rose will keep you safe," she says to Emma.
"Okay!"
Rosalie panics for a bit at being left alone with a kid, but the panic is unfounded as Emma leans forward.
"Are you really her Supergirl?" she whispers.
Rosalie gives a slight grin and says, "Only for her."
"You love her like Mommy loves Daddy? Because you look at her like Mommy looks at Daddy when he isn't looking."
Rosalie doesn't even hesitate as she says, "I do."
"Good."