Read~Enjoy~Review

Chapter 7 – A Made-Up Family

"Um, did I interrupt something?" Ruby asked as Regina left, her brow arched.

Emma sighed and lay back again. "You have horrible timing! What are you doing here?"

"Checking on you and Henry! I thought you'd be back by now."

Myranda cleared her throat and Emma popped her head up. "I'm sorry, Myranda, you can go. Thank you for bringing Ruby up here."

"You're welcome." She said with a curtsey and closed the door.

"I'm not coming back." Emma said as Ruby flung herself on the bed next to her best friend. "Regina wouldn't help Henry unless I said I wouldn't go back."

"What? Emma, she can't do that!"

"She can! She's protecting us." Emma then explained what happened with Henry.

"No! Are you serious? I mean, I knew your parents were upset with you, but to poison Henry?"

"Well, it's all on them now. I'm going to rule with Regina and Henry is to be her heir. Let them swallow that!"

Ruby bit her lip. "Emma? Do you think Regina would allow Granny and I to move to her kingdom? I don't want to live with and answer to them. We have money, we can rent or buy a place."

"I'm sure she won't mind; besides, I think I'd have a say in it as well. Though, I won't present it like that."

"Okay, now tell me what it is I interrupted."

A month later and Emma and Regina still hadn't gotten to find time to themselves as there were things planned as far as announcing Emma's reign with Regina and throwing a party. Ruby and Granny had been invited to stay in the castle, though Ruby would not do it for free. That was why she was now Emma's lady's maid, and Granny insisted on being Henry's nanny.

Regina had invited the heads of the Cinder and Frell kingdoms to Emma's 'coronation' of sorts and was a bit surprised when she heard from both.

"Thomas and Ella are coming." She said, coming into the study where Emma was reading, Mal was painting, Ruby was drawing, and Granny was crocheting. "I wasn't at all surprised that Callum and Freya were coming as he's reached out a few times since Daniel's death, but I honestly didn't expect Thomas and Ella to come."

"That doesn't surprise me." Granny said. "They seem like genuine people."

"Or mom and dad are sending them as spies. I'm sure they have to wonder why they weren't invited." Emma looked up from her book. "Do the other kingdoms yet know I'm here?"

"There are rumors." Mal stated. "However, nothing has been confirmed. Of course, your parents are acting like they're the victims and you simply ran away."

"Well, in a way, I guess I did. I just wish I had proof of what they did. I can't very well go accusing them with no proof."

"Unfortunately, I agree." Regina said, sipping her tea. "It wouldn't exactly make us look good."

"How are you presenting this?" Ruby asked. "I mean, how are you announcing how and why this is happening?"

Regina put her teacup down. "Honestly." She looked at Emma and then back at Ruby. "I've wanted Emma to rule by my side ever since she abdicated her crown in the White Kingdom. It makes sense if I say I asked her and then asked for Henry to be my heir. He has my father's name, and it fits. If there are more questions, that's just too bad. They will either accept my reasonings or not. Honestly, there's nothing I absolutely need from any of the kingdoms, but it would be nice to get in some good trade deals again."

Ruby bit her lip. "I don't mean to be rude, but once Emma abdicated her crown, she no longer received education on ruling, among other things, and I'm wondering if anyone will bring that up."

Emma glared at her. "What do you mean 'among other things'?"

Mal smirked. "I think it's obvious, Princess. Compared to others who have gone through all the training, your posture is wrong, your table manners are atrocious, you speak like a commoner, and you dress…"

"Okay, okay, I get it." Emma grumbled, but sat up straighter.

Regina reached over and put her hand on Emma's knee. "Don't change, Emma. All those things that your parents specifically would see as faults are things I see as attributes. You are perfectly imperfect and that is one thing that drew me to you."

Emma knew she was blushing and wished she and Regina were in the room alone. "Ruby's right though, I did stop getting formal training, but since I've been here, I've read every book available about this kingdom."

"That's a great start." Regina said with a smile. "You'll get training, Emma, I'm not worried about that. I have time set up for both of us to meet with various advisors – financial, head of guards, trades – so honestly, I'm not worried." She kept her hand on Emma's thigh and looked to Ruby. "I accept Emma as she is, just as you do, so I could care less if the other rulers have any issues."

Granny smiled, putting her yarn down. "That's so refreshing. In our old kingdom, Snow and David would have never accepted that." She looked sadly at Emma. "I always hated the way you were treated simply because you were yourself. I'm just sorry I never stepped in."

Emma smiled back at her. "You couldn't have, and I know that. Besides, maybe it was all supposed to happen because I'm happier here and now than I ever have been. So is Henry." She looked at everyone. "You know what he said today? He said he finally feels like he has a family with everyone. He said he finally feels like we're both loved and cared for." She hated it, but she had tears in her eyes. "I can't thank you all enough for that and…well I feel the same way as him. I feel like I finally fit in."

Mal smiled warmly. "Princess, you do. I know I'm the guest who won't leave here, but it's because, like you, I feel a bond here. We're a made-up family."

"Okay, this is getting far too sappy." Regina said with a smirk.

"I agree." Ruby said, though she did love this little family. "Granny, I think it's time you and I head to bed."

The two bid their good nights and Mal followed suite, leaving just Emma and Regina. Emma put her hand over Regina's. "I know you said you accept me, and I do believe you but…maybe it wouldn't be bad to have someone teach me how to act proper. If you're going to be doing trades and such, I'm sure we'll be having visitors more often and I don't want to embarrass you or myself."

Regina turned more towards Emma. "If that would make you feel better, I know someone who will do it. Emma, I don't want you to change though. I want your fiery spirit and your challenging attitude. I want the feisty princess I have seen throughout the years. I want the girl who meets challenges head on and doesn't take no for an answer."

"Woman." Emma said with a smirk. "I'm the woman who does that and I won't change, I promise. I simply don't see why I can't do all that and still be refined enough to sit and be with other royals."

Regina smiled. "Then, Princess, I will bring in the best."

"When do you start calling me Queen?"

Regina chuckled. "You will always be Princess to me." She licked her lips and leaned forward, kissing Emma's.