A look into how the agreement began.
Regina pushes the remaining bits of dust into the pan and deposits them into the trash. She frowns at the contents beneath the stainless-steel lid. Coffee grounds, an empty carton of milk and the little amount of dust that gathers from the inactivity the house has been through in the past two months.
For six years, the mansion was filled with music, black and white movies, smells of good food and of course, the beautiful laughter that escaped the lips of the girls she loved more than anything. They were a happy family, just the three of them. It was all a lie, but given the amount of those Regina has had to live through, this was her favorite. She had two people that looked at her as if she could do no wrong. And to be fair, Mayor Regina Mills was perfect to the untrained eye. A politician that no one could beat, devoted wife and mother. She and Mary Margaret donated to countless charities, made sure that everyone had a place to sleep at night. The domestic violence shelter had been her cursed persona's crowning achievement, even though she didn't quite understand why.
The curse was supposed to give her everything she ever wanted: power, a feeling of belonging, having no one look at her like she was evil. And she got all of that, plus a little bit more. The catch was, outside of not being able to remember her true motivations, she was married to the catalyst for all of it. Not only that, but she was raising the baby that was prophesized to be her downfall.
Regina still hates Snow White on some level. This is the girl that couldn't keep her mouth shut. She's the reason Daniel died. Or, at least part of it. Cora manipulated her, it's what she does best. For so long, Regina wished Snow could've been stronger. Risen above it. She somehow did every time Regina went after her.
Because she's not Cora. She actually has a heart beating within her chest. It has splotches of darkness, but she's sure if she looked now, it's lightened some. And the savior-her daughter-has everything to do with it.
Regina gave up on her dreams of children, even long before she took the potion. She was never going to bring a child into the castle with Leopold, that was simply out of the question. Her father had thought it wise to let her come into this world and be raised by Cora, it'd be selfish to do the same. No, she thought those dreams had died with Daniel. And then for six years, she raised a beautiful, smart little girl. On the outside, Emma is a blend of both of her parents. David's curly blonde hair, Snow's doe-like green eyes. She's sturdy, like her father with a sharp chin that resembles her mom. Inside, she's got both of their determination, David's tact and perhaps…a bit of Regina's snark. She's already a mini-lawyer, trying to negotiate everything. Regina tried to blame it all on Kathryn, who often babysat for them, but her best friend shook her head.
"That's you, Regina," Kathryn once told her under the curse. "That's all you."
Under the curse, they believed to have used a sperm donor. Regina had foggy memories of Snow's pregnancy, the curse opening on them bringing her home from the hospital. For six years, Emma was the only person that aged and no one ever questioned it. She went to school, made friends and came home to tell her moms all about it. Mary Margaret worked at the school; Regina somehow always managed to make it home for dinner. A happy family of three.
It's still a mystery how the curse broke. Emma had kissed their faces a million times throughout her short life. And yet, on her sixth birthday after uncovering a leatherbound book of fairytales, a simple kiss to Regina's cheek caused a rainbow ripple to overtake the town.
They've been stuck here for months since, though some farmers are working on growing magic beans for those who want to return. By the grace of the Gods, Regina is still alive. It was the last thing Snow did for her, and Regina knows she didn't even do it to save her. Emma is truly the only person who wants her around.
Which is why Regina can't figure out why Snow would spare her life, to then turn around and say "Stay away from us".
Regina fought. Yes, the way she came about being Emma's mother was the curse but she didn't plan on it. Now, she's raised her. It's not fair to have her ripped from her arms. Every time she pleads with the woman she once loathed, Snow reminds her that nothing real came from that curse. She has no legal claim to Emma and even if she tried, the judge would lock her in an insane asylum.
For once, the tables are turned. Regina is at Snow's mercy. The woman she taunted and thought she hated, now feels just the same way. Except, Regina doesn't hate her. Not anymore. The curse may have manufactured their marriage but it only brought forward the love that Regina buried deep for Snow so long ago. Rumpelstiltskin says that even the strongest love potion cannot force someone to love you forever. Regina knows, her love isn't bound to the laws of the curse. It's real. She wants Snow, Emma, she wants their family
But Regina isn't just the mayor of this town. She was once the queen who destroyed Snow's life. Any hope or love Snow had for her vanished the moment they confirmed David's death. Regina has spent just as much time trying to figure out how to rescue him as she did Daniel, with similar results. He's gone. Even if he came back, it'd only solidify her place on the outside of their lives.
This curse was supposed to give her everything and instead she's back where she started. Miserable, heartbroken and alone.
Returning the broom to the closet, Regina walks into the entry way and nearly trips over the same pair of purple rain boots that she refuses to put back in place. It's her one reminder that a child once lived here. In her haste to leave, Snow forgot about them. Almost all of Emma's belongings are now at the loft charmed by the Blue Fairy's magic to keep Regina out. Her full-sized bed and a few other bits of furniture are all that remain in the space themed bedroom Emma helped decorate for her 4th birthday. Regina wonders what kind of room she has at the loft.
Her body jolts at the sudden click of the door. Regina's fingers twitch, ready to throw a fireball at whoever managed to get past the protection spell. Slowly turning around, she comes face to face with…Snow. Her fingers relax and without her consent, a warm feeling spreads across her body. Snow's hair is still chopped off into the pixie cut that the curse forced upon her. She still wears the comfy navy cardigan now paired with a long-sleeved white dress. The holidays are right around the corner and the weather has cooled considerably to show it.
"Snow," she breathes. "What are you doing here?"
"We need to talk about last night."
"I didn't tell Emma to come here, I never do."
Since Snow shut her out, Emma has come home several times in tears. Begging to live there again, asking what she did wrong. It takes all Regina has each time to not burst into tears as she gathers the sweet baby into her arms and presses a dozen kisses to her face, assuring her it's not her fault but rather her mama's. The rest of her strength comes by driving her back to a frantic Mary Margaret's loft. She could keep her, shield them from the world that loathes Regina. But that would make her Cora. She will not be the mother her own was.
"I know," Snow says. Any happiness or hope that she once carried in her voice has vanished over the past couple of months. "And I also know despite how much I shouldn't trust you; you'd never hurt her."
Regina chokes back a sob. "She's my only light right now."
Snow purses her lips. "Did I ever tell you how I came up with her name? I mean, before the curse?" Regina shakes her head, hanging onto every word. This is the most Snow's spoken to her since that damn rainbow ripple overtook their lives. "It means universal, but also whole. The minute I found out I'd become a mother, have a daughter, get a chance to right the wrongs of everyone whoever failed me…I felt whole. Emma is the best thing that ever happened to me."
Regina blinks a few times, starving off the tears. She doesn't dare interrupt. Snow opens her mouth a few times, but it takes a good two minutes before she continues.
"When we found out the wardrobe only took two, I hated that. I wanted her to have two parents. And then…this happened." She gestures around the mansion. "She had two mothers. It should've been David."
"It should've," Regina whispers hoarsely. He annoyed her so much, but she would do anything to trade places with him so Emma could have the father that gave his life for her.
"Just as I should've gotten to have my mother to adulthood, but much of life isn't fair. I should've known that by now." Snow shrugs, a brief look of grief overtaking her. When Regina instinctively steps forward to comfort her, she shakes it away. Regina folds her hands together, willing herself to not touch her. "My daughter hates me."
Regina's heart all but shatters into her chest. "No, Snow. She loves you. You were always the fun one, the…"
"Well, she hates me now. Because I won't let her see the woman who is responsible for us being here. The catalyst for her father's death."
"She doesn't know. She's only person who doesn't know everything I've done."
"Emma's innocent. Light, literally. She's the savior. Her heart is pure. Blue says she's got magic brewing within."
Pride explodes within Regina. "Magic? Light magic?"
"She hasn't used it yet. We don't know when it'll come into effect, if ever."
"You can't let Blue teach her. Or Rumple." Snow goes to speak and for the second time, Regina dares to interrupt. "No. I'm sorry. I know she's yours and you don't have to bring her to me but don't trust them. Blue refused to help me at every turn and Rumple…well…you saw it."
Snow nods and Regina holds her breath, praying to Gods that her words are getting through to her.
"I'd never trust them either," Snow says simply. "I think it should be you."
Regina nearly chokes as she exhales. "Excuse me?"
"I think…" Snow shakes her head. "Archie thinks it's only to cause Emma harm if I take her away from you forever. I gave birth to her, but you two…you built a bond. I kept telling myself it was just the curse. It forced you two together."
"Maybe the curse made me her mother, but the love I have in my heart for her…it's real."
"And I can tell it wasn't just the curse for her either. You're her…" Her lips slightly curl and Regina isn't sure if she's fighting a smile or a frown. "Mama. She wants you. Who am I to deprive her of that?"
Regina's eyes light up and she can feel a smile of her own forming. "Do you mean it?"
"Every other weekend. You'll pick her up on Friday afternoon and keep her through Monday morning when she goes to school."
Two weekends a month. She'll see her daughter for six days a month. It's not nearly enough. Snow speaks on that before she can.
"I know you want more but this is all I can give you right now, Regina. It's all the grace I have left. Do not make me regret it."
"I'll take it," Regina says, instantly. "Please. I'll prove to you. You can trust me."
"Well, I can't say I ever fully will again…but with Emma, we'll see how it goes."
"Thank you," Regina whispers. Tears dance down her face. "Thank you so much."
"It's for Emma."
"I know but you didn't have to do this. So, thank you."
Snow nods. "I'm going to pick her up from school and this one time, I'll bring her to you. Going forward, we'll swap at the park." She hesitates. "And um, I get all the Jewish holidays and Christmas Day…you can have her Christmas Eve and Easter."
The tears pick up force. "Really?" The curse had made them a multi-faith family, celebrating just about everything with Emma. Christmas had been Regina's favorite time of year. The traditions they have on the 24th alone are magical.
"I'll pick her up as soon as she wakes up. But this way, you two can still make cookies and wear matching pajamas."
Regina had already bought them before the curse broke. A pair for Snow sits in a shopping bag, sandwiched between Regina and Emma's.
"Thank you," Regina repeats. "I just…you have no idea what this means to me."
"If I lost her, I'd go crazy. Just don't make me regret it."
"You won't. I promise."
Snow still doesn't look convinced but nods. She disappears out the front door without another word. Regina leans against the wall, a squeal escaping her lips before grabbing her coat and keys. She needs to buy toys and clothes for her daughter.