Snow and David asked around to find out where Emma was, "she's where?" Snow asked in shock.
"She's been staying with Regina," Ruby said, "the woman can't really take care of herself."
Snow and David went to Regina's and Henry answered the door. "We're here to see Emma," Snow said.
Henry let Snow and David in, "just wait here and I'll see if it's okay."
Snow and David waited in the hall while Henry went into the living room. The two peeked around the corner. Regina was lying on the couch and was clearly in pain. Emma was sitting on the side of the couch massaging her extremely swollen legs. Regina noticed Snow and David before telling Emma to stop. Emma turned and saw her parents. "I'll be right back," she said softly. Emma walked up to the couple, "what are you doing here?"
"We needed to see for ourselves to believe her," David said, "she doesn't have the greatest track record."
"I'm sure you two being here is making her more uncomfortable."
"Emma, it's fine," Regina said from the couch.
"Then I guess you two can have a seat. Henry, could you leave us for a bit?" Emma asked although Henry knew it was more of an order. Snow and David sat in chairs while Emma returned to her spot.
"Did you come here to enjoy my pain and misery or did you have something to say?" Regina asked, "ow," she hissed.
"Sorry," Emma said, "that spot's really bad."
"I'm sure you heard why we're here," David said.
"Yes, but I get the feeling there's more."
"Snow said we should check out your story. That's why I'm here."
"When did this problem start?" Snow asked. "I never once saw you dealing with it in the Enchanted Forest."
"That's because I didn't have it then. It's just a side effect of the curse."
"Gold said you were supposed to sacrifice the thing you loved the most. That would have been your father."
"My father is still alive. The mausoleum is a front. I could either sacrifice the thing I love the most or something to make my life difficult."
"You chose your father's life over your comfort?"
"I sacrificed my horse thinking that's what I needed to do. It wasn't and I made Rumplestiltskin tell me so I didn't make the same mistake again. He said I could choose between two people and one was my father. I was unwilling to sacrifice either and asked for another way."
"Who was the other person?" Snow asked.
A look crossed Emma's face that only David noticed. That told him who the other person was, "it was you," David said.
"No, it wasn't," Snow told her husband and then saw the look on Regina's face, "was it?"
"Yes," she said.
"I thought the dark curse was to punish me."
"Rumple manipulated me into thinking that. It was really so he could get here. That's why he never lost his memory. I cast it so I kept mine."
"I was one of the things you loved the most?"
Regina yelped in pain before she could answer, "sorry, babe, this leg's just as bad." Emma hadn't realized what she had said.
"Babe?" David asked.
"Emma," Regina scolded the sheriff.
Emma looked up and had a guilty expression on her face, "sorry."
"For sleeping with the enemy or the way you revealed it?" David asked.
"She's not the enemy," Emma said irritated. "Gold is more the enemy. Besides, Regina told me about the curse months ago and how to end it. I just had to find true love's kiss to stop it."
"I didn't need to know that," David said.
"It was Henry," Regina rolled her eyes, "she kissed his forehead and that broke the curse."
"Look, I know this is a lot to take in," Emma said, "but this is my life now. If you both want to be a part of it then you have to find a way to accept this."
"She's right," Snow said.
"Just give me some time to get used to this. This is all a lot to take in."
"That's understandable," Regina said.
"If we hadn't placed Emma in that wardrobe, what would have happened?" David asked.
"I honestly don't know. If I had to guess it would be that since you were hurt and in a coma, Snow would have had her. Emma's father would remain unknown and I'm not sure if the curse would have been broken. It might have been sooner or not at all."
"You guys did the right thing," Emma told her parents, "as painful as it was for everyone. It was still the right thing."
"Regina, if the curse is broken, then why are you still like this?" Snow asked.
"I sacrificed something meaning I no longer have it. Breaking the curse doesn't change that."
"Can magic change it?"
"The only other ones with magic are Gold and Blue. I doubt either is eager to use it to help me. Maybe help me to my grave."
"Henry, could you get the compresses out of the freezer?" Emma asked. Henry rushed to get the items his mom requested and gave them to her. "Ready?" she asked Regina. The woman just nodded. Snow had been sitting by the side of the couch where Regina's head was. When Emma began to put the compresses on, Regina shut her eyes tightly and grabbed Snow's hand.
Snow started rubbing her hand on Regina's head, "shh, she's almost done." The princess noticed tears running down the woman's face.
"Done," Emma said.
Both Snow and David had begun to feel sorry for Regina. She was utterly miserable and had traded her physical comfort to save her father's life. Now, she wouldn't have had to sacrifice anything if she hadn't enacted the dark curse, but there was nothing that could be done about that.
A week later, Regina opened the front door, "David, what are you doing here?"
"Emma said the kitchen faucet isn't working right."
"Oh, she didn't tell me you were coming. Sorry," Regina stepped aside and let the man in. She began to lead David up the stairs and to the kitchen, "if you need anything just let me know. Help yourself to any food or beverages." The mayor left David alone to his work.
David was working on the sink for twenty minutes when Regina limped in. She hadn't been limping before. "Something wrong?"
"Sorry, I just need my compression wraps from the freezer."
He could tell it was a chore for the woman to be walking. David stopped what he was doing and went to the freezer. He took the compression ice packs and Regina's arm. David helped her to the living room and placed the wraps on. "Just text me or yell if you need anything else. Oh, do you need help putting your legs up?"
"A little," she answered, "thank you."
David smiled and patted Regina's shoulder before returning to his task.
That night, Emma prepared a romantic dinner for Regina. She even cooked. "I didn't know you could do this," Regina said.
"My mom helped me."
"Ah, that explains it."
"Shut up," Emma laughed.
"Well, this is just wonderful. I don't remember anyone ever going to this much trouble for me before."
"Get used to it because this is it. I don't plan on going anywhere, ever."
"Good because I don't want you to."
"Marry me?"
"What?"
"I love you and our life more than anything. Marry me, Regina?"
"Of course," Regina whispered and kissed Emma. The mayor was presented with a ring that had a ruby center stone. Snow and David were happy for their daughter. They had really come around to accepting Regina. Henry was thrilled and couldn't wait for their family to be official. Things were really looking up for them, but that's usually when things start to go wrong.