A/N: This story is based off of two artworks by ItalyMystery over on Ao3. If anyone wants to check them out, the first piece is World Book Day and the second is The NeverEnding Story.
Emma never really was one for believing in fairytales. She didn't see the point of them at all. Thought they were immature and foolish for being full of hope that everything can work out and life can have a happy ending.
Well life is a lot different to fairytales. Real life is a pain in the backside, hope can be paralysing and the author's of those fairytales clearly have their heads stuck in the clouds.
It isn't until years later – when Henry turns six – that Emma's opinions towards fairytales start to change. Henry has always been an optimistic child growing up, always looking at the bright side of things and that never-ending pool of hope in his eyes never dries up. So when he comes to her one night – his favourite book of fairytales in hand – pleading with her to help him read, she can't say no.
As the days go on, Emma - reluctantly at first - begins to understand through reading with Henry, that there is more to fairytales than first meets the eye. That fairytales exist, not just to spread hope, but to teach clear lessons. Through the eyes of an adult she is able to understand that they teach children how to handle problems; that bad things happen to everyone and that life is full of challenges but they can be overcome.
Soon enough Henry's optimism becomes contagious and gone is the once pessimistic woman, replaced by someone who is still a little reluctant but more hopeful for better things to come.
As luck would have it, Henry's Mother's Day gift that year is a book of fairytales. A small golden book matching with gilt edges, with the words 'Fairest of Them All' embossed in a deep metallic purple on the front cover.
It's beautiful.
And Emma, not wanting to disappoint her son, promises she will read at least one page every night before going to sleep, the radiant smile she gets in return making it worth her while.
It turns out the book isn't a collection of fairytales after all, but rather a story about a young girl whose happiness is ripped away by her overbearing mother, who is forced to marry the King who simply wants her to be his trophy wife. Emma doesn't understand why this book would be classed as a fairytale. There is nothing to say that this could even be a children's book at all.
As Emma bears witness to the adversity and hardships the young girl – Regina – faces at the hands of the man to whom she is wed, she can't help but relate to her character, connect with her in a way she has never connected with anyone her whole life. And Emma soon finds that she can't put the book down, has been drawn into the story in such a way that - even if she could - she doesn't want to stop reading. She is awestruck, doesn't understand how one can't yield in such circumstances and needs to find out more.
Regina grows into a beautiful young woman as the story goes on, making the most of her difficult situation and becoming a Queen who is beloved by all in her kingdom. One who - despite the King's jealousy and efforts to cast doubt in the hearts of those who have come to love and trust her dearly - remains resilient and steadfast in her belief for better things to come. She faces her problems head on, never gives in, refuses to let her enemies win and continues to fight back with such ferocity that Emma is often left breathless, a dull ache in her chest.
A week later, as she nears the end of the book, Emma realises with frightening clarity that she feels something profound for this woman. That through the pages of the book, as she witnesses Regina's journey, she has come to care for and cherish her very deeply. It's this thought that causes Emma to read slower, to stop picking up the book every chance she gets, for fear that she'll be left with nothing but a broken illusion when the book comes to an end.
Unfortunately this approach doesn't work. Regina is like a drug and Emma is a helpless victim, one who can't go for very long without her. Eventually she resigns to the fact that she will just have to reach the end of the book to find out Regina's fate.
And so she does.
After days of preparing herself for the inevitable end, for saying goodbye to Regina, she lies in her bed; finally picks up the book and opens it turning all the way to the end. There on the last page is a picture of Regina, even more stunning than Emma imagined her to be. Her beautiful silk white gown fitting her slender figure perfectly; she stands facing an apple tree – the one from her childhood - Emma remembers. And Emma is in awe, feels the ache in her chest increase tenfold. Cursing whoever wrote this book for making this goodbye harder than it would have been in the first place.
But she has to do it. Knows this isn't healthy behaviour for an adult woman who lives in the real world. So she continues reading the last few words of the book written just underneath the image of Regina. There it reads: 'True love is magic. The only magic strong enough to transcend realms and break any curse.'
And Emma is beyond confused. Doesn't understand how this can be an end. Regina didn't get justice, wasn't able to be freed from the cruel clutches of the King; wasn't able to find her happy ending. What kind of fairytale is this?
She slams the book shut, attempting to reign in her anger knowing her son is sleeping soundly next door. She looks down at the cover of it, remains unmoving, studying it for what seems like hours and then finally holds it to her chest tightly - an embrace of sorts as she feels tears fall.
Why? She doesn't know exactly.
Except she does.
Has understood now, after studying the cover; attempting to make sense of it all, that this isn't the end. Regina's story will continue; maybe she will get her happy ending but Emma won't be there to witness it, that part of the story isn't something that will be written, but it's something the reader gets to decide for themselves.
And Emma doesn't know how to deal with that.
So she cries.
Lets the tears fall until she feels she could douse a flaming forest with them.
And then finally, finally, Emma - rolled up into a ball, book snuggled firmly against her chest - falls asleep.
...SQ...
It's been months since she has finished the book. Yet Regina still hasn't left her. Emma wonders at times – if the author hadn't decided to stop writing - what Regina could be doing in her story. Most likely she would be righting some kind of wrong, standing up and giving a voice to those who aren't strong enough to do so for themselves and Emma finds she's smiling to herself at the most inopportune of times. The people around her often thinking she's going mad for doing so.
At least once a day Emma opens the book to the very last page, sits and smiles as she studies Regina's image. Strokes the page gently, imagining it's Regina's soft cheek. She tells Regina things about her life, things she's never said to anyone before, whispers them with such longing as if she's whispering sweet-nothings against the shell of Regina's ear.
On one such day – her 28th birthday – she finds it hard to keep her emotions under control. As she talks to Regina she feels everything overwhelm her at once, the crushing weight of the world and its expectations, and she's just so tired.
A tear drop falls at her longing, "I wish," she whispers, "I wish..." but it's simply too difficult to go on. To utter those words; to say her wish out loud means to acknowledge something that doesn't already exist and Emma knows deep down, knows this is ridiculous, but still she wishes in her heart anyway.
A flash of rainbow light shoots from the book then and before Emma can react she's pulled into it. Not quite believing what's happening she squints - as the light surrounding her dims - in an attempt to make out her surroundings.
And there she stands in all her glory; facing her beloved apple tree – Queen Regina.
Emma's eyes widen, her heart rate skyrockets; not quite able to comprehend the situation.
"M-My, My Majesty," she whispers. And Regina turns; gasps,
"It's you." Before Emma can say anything, Regina runs to her, holds her face stroking softly. "Emma, you're here," she says, tears falling from her beautiful eyes as she studies Emma's face with so much love and longing.
And Emma feels her breath hitch, doesn't know how Regina even knows of her existence, feels her skin burn where Regina touches and,
"H-how?" is all she can say.
"You've been living in my dreams. Always telling me you believe in me, to never give up and to keep going, for one day I will be free," Regina replies, smiling as she settles her soft gaze on Emma's sea-green orbs. At Emma's silence, she adds, "Well, what are you waiting for?"
And Emma's brow scrunches together, "What do you mean?" she asks quietly, afraid she is dreaming and any loud noise will wake her up.
"Kiss me," Regina says; then proceeds to press her lips gently against Emma's. And once again a bright rainbow light flashes and Emma remembers.
Feels as though she has been drifting out at sea and finally she has reached the shore. Watches as everything around them transforms back to what it once was. The Enchanted Forest, two kingdoms united by the love between their two Queens. Watches as her son comes running up to them, arms wide open crashing into their legs. Regina scoops him up, squeezing him in a tight embrace, causing him to giggle and squirm. She presses a soft kiss to his forehead and then pulls Emma into their shared embrace.
And as they stand there, their fragmented lives becoming whole once more, Emma feels her heart and her memories become whole once again too. Immediately she is overcome with happiness, knowing that she will be able to witness Regina's happy ending after all. And she thinks yeah, fairytales are not so bad after all, considering she kind of is one.