As time went by and things calmed down, Regina did have an easier time getting around. She could go days walking unaided. Every now and then she'd trip or stumble, but it wasn't nearly as bad as before.
"Mom," Regina turned to find her son standing in the kitchen. It had been so long since he called her that. "I'm so sorry," he began to cry and Regina rushed to pull him into a hug, "I feel terrible for hurting you in every single way I did. I'm the reason this is all permanent. I'm so sorry."
"Henry," Regina knelt to look her son in the eye, "don't blame yourself for this. It was an accident. You wanted me to let go and I didn't. While I don't condone what you did, I know that it wouldn't have happened if I had let go."
"It's not your fault so it has to be mine."
"We can both be at fault. Plus, I'm fine and I'm not mad."
"Why not?"
"I realized that there are far worse things in life than having a little trouble getting around."
"I'm sorry your life has sucked so much."
"Well, it didn't suck nearly as much once I had you." Henry smiled and hugged his mom, "I love you so much, Henry."
"I love you too, mom."
"Aww," the two turned to find Emma in the doorway, "this is so adorable." Emma joined the hug, "yay! One big, happy, complicated, slightly messed up family."
It was true, but Regina wouldn't trade the life she now had for anything in the world.
Regina realized that the hearts she had did not belong to anyone in Storybrooke. She had to find a way to return to the Enchanted Forest to return the heart. She did have her father's heart to protect it. There was one heart that she wasn't sure she shouldn't destroy. It belonged to her mother.
"Regina!" Emma yelled when she arrived home. Regina walked into the hallway to her fiance. Emma had proposed under the apple tree a few weeks after Regina and Henry had reconciled. Henry urged his mama to make the move. Snow and David gave their blessing and support. "I found a way to get back to the Enchanted Forest."
"How?" Regina asked and Emma held up a small object, "a magic bean?"
"Yes, they open portals. You just think about where you want to go and throw it to open the portal that leads there."
"I know that, but is it safe for me right now?" Regina asked.
"Don't worry," Emma placed a hand on Regina's stomach, "our own little bean will be fine." Regina had reversed the spell that made it so she couldn't get pregnant. Emma had found Henry's father and the man agreed to be the donor. Regina was only three weeks along.
"We'll have Henry stay with your parents."
"Actually, he's going to stay with Granny and Ruby. My parents are coming too. They want to help as much as they can."
"Okay, I guess we better get ready."
Emma had told her parents to meet her and Regina at the mayor's vault. They hid inside until the two arrived. "How are we going to take the hearts?" Snow asked.
"I'm going to send them through the portal. David, can you send us to the castle? I have a vault there too. It's empty because everything is here, but that would help me send them," Regina said.
David nodded and opened the portal. He and Snow went through while Regina used her magic to send the hearts. She and Emma then went through as well. Regina led the other three to her vault. They all checked to make sure the hearts were all there. "How should we do this?" David asked.
"I think that the three of you should return the hearts," Regina answered.
"If you return them, then it will help redeem you here," Snow said.
"We'll be right beside you. We won't let anyone hurt you," David added.
"Call everyone to the castle. It will be easier than searching," Regina said.
David and Snow went to summon their people. Emma stayed in the vault with Regina. "I'm really proud of you," she said as she rubbed Regina's back.
"It feels good actually."
"I'm excited to meet your father."
"I can't wait for the two of you to meet."
"What about your mother?"
"I'm not introducing you to her. The last time I introduced her to someone I loved, she killed them right in front of me. I need to talk to her first. Plus, she's the one who didn't want her heart."
Emma helped Regina get the hearts upstairs and then the two sat with Snow and David as they awaited the people. Once everyone had arrived, David and Snow walked out to reassure everyone. Before allowing the people to enter, Emma came out to speak. They figured it wouldn't hurt for the people to hear from the savior. She used a magic mirror to project the video she had shown the people of Storybrooke. It appeared to affect these people the same way. Emma returned to Regina while Snow and David led everyone to the room. Regina apologized to each person as she returned their hearts to their bodies. Each person forgave Regina and congratulated her on her engagement and pregnancy. After everyone left, Snow, David, and Emma noticed Regina had become depressed.
"Babe, what's wrong?" Emma asked.
"He didn't come," Regina answered softly. "Maybe he is dead."
Emma sat next to Regina and held her. A guard walked in and told Snow and David that there was another visitor. The two went to see who was there and returned to the room. "Regina, this man says you have his heart," David said. He and Snow couldn't help the smiles on their faces.
Regina looked up, "Daddy!" She ran to her father's arms but quickly left to grab the box. Regina apologized to her father as she returned his heart.
"I hear you have found your true love," Henry Sr. said.
Regina motioned for Emma to come closer, "Daddy, this is Emma, my fiance. I hope that's alright."
"Are you happy?"
"More than I've ever been."
"Then I'm happy. Plus, how could I be angry about having the Savior as a daughter-in-law?" The man reached out his hand for Emma to shake, "it's wonderful to meet you, Emma."
"Likewise, sir," Emma smiled.
"Call me Henry."
"Well, our son's name is Henry," Regina said.
"What about papa?" David suggested.
Emma turned and looked at her father in surprise, "really?"
"Sure, why not?"
Emma turned back to Henry Sr., "is that alright with you?"
"That sounds wonderful."
Suddenly a puff of blue smoke appeared. Regina stepped in front of Emma. "Well, well, well," a voice said, "look who finally returned." The smoke disappeared to reveal Regina's mother, Cora. Unbeknownst to Regina, her fiance and future in-laws had come up with a plan to give Cora her heart back. "Mother, before you say or do anything you need to know something. I reversed the potion I took all those years ago. I'm three weeks pregnant."
Henry Sr.'s face lit up and he hugged his daughter. He waited to hug Emma and gave her a look so she knew he wasn't ignoring her. He was protecting her from Cora. The Queen of Hearts was also thrilled and walked up to hug her daughter. While hugging Regina, Emma snuck around to Cora's back and shoved the heart back into place through the woman's back. Emma quickly moved to the side as Cora got her bearings. She looked at her husband and then her daughter before smiling. "Henry," she ran to hug her husband.
"Please don't leave me again," the man was referring to when Cora removed her heart and he lost the woman he had fallen in love with.
Cora saw Snow and David standing there. She walked over to make amends to Snow for killing her mother. Cora offered her life as retribution. Snow explained that everyone was trying to get past all of the killings and move forward. She said the same thing David told Reigna after the spell was broken. It would take time to forgive, but she was willing to try. Cora was thrilled to find out Reigna was engaged. She said it would take some getting used to because her fiance was a woman, but she too was willing to try.
"Would you two like to go live with us in Storybrooke?" David asked.
"You're okay with that?" Cora followed up with.
"You're family," Snow answered.
Henry Sr. and Cora decided to go back with everyone. They were amazed by the modern world and loved meeting their grandson who called them pop and gigi. Emma and Regina offered their spare room to the couple and they gladly accepted.
Regina was sitting up in bed when Emma climbed in, "what are you thinking about so intently?"
"I didn't tell my parents about my injury."
"So?"
"What if I have an episode tomorrow?"
"You haven't had one in over a month."
"Then I'm probably due for one."
"That's not how it works and you know it."
"Emma, I don't want to scare them or make them think I'm incapable of taking care of myself and my family." Emma sighed and got up. She left the room and her fiance confused. Ten minutes later the blonde returned, got into bed, kissed Regina, turned her lamp off, and laid down. Regina left her light on while she remained upright and staring at Emma, "so are you going to tell me where you went?"
"To tell your parents. They're fine and said they'll help in any way you need them to."
"You told my parents?"
"Now you don't have to worry."
Regina leaned down and kissed Emma's temple, "thank you, dear," she whispered. The mayor turned off her light and snuggled next to her true love.