I'm back! My muse for little Emma is so strong. I know that one day, I'll have to 'age' her, but for now, let's just enjoy some little Emma with Mommy Gina and Mama Mal. Also, those of you hoping my stories come faster because of the quarantines, I'm sorry but those don't apply to me. I'm in the healthcare field and though I 'only answer phones', we're VERY busy. Also, my once a month updates may be slowed down due to the fact that my dad is having some health issues and I am trying to spend more time with him. Anyway, I hope you enjoy.
Read~Review~Enjoy
Chapter 5
"Regina, don't you think you're going a bit overboard?" Kathryn asked as Regina put more items into the shopping cart. Regina had asked her friend to come shopping with her while Mal took the girls to school. Regina took the rest of the week off to get ready for the party and was glad she had because the party was growing more and more each day.
"No, Kathryn, I don't think I'm going overboard. This is a huge day not only for her, but for us as well. This is the day our family is complete." Regina stated, checking more items off her list. She could say she was doing this as a planned and calculating move to make Emma love her and Mal more therefor making their bond stronger for when her twenty eighth birthday came, but the truth was, Emma turning twenty-eight was the furthest thing from her mind. Regna really and truly wanted Emma to feel like part of the family. She was only with them a few weeks, but Regina loved that little girl just as much as she loved Lilly and she wanted to make this party a big one. "It's important, Kathryn."
"I know, Regina, I get it. I just…how does Lilly feel about all this? About Emma getting all this attention?"
"She's getting just as much attention. Yes, this is Emma's adoption day and party, but we're also calling it our family day. Lilly will tell us if she's feeling left out, don't worry."
Kathryn chuckled a bit at that. "You're right. I should know better. By the way, I'm really happy for you and Mal. I mean, I thought you were all happy before, but seeing you now, you're all even happier than before."
Regina smiled. "Thanks, Kathryn, we do feel much happier and complete."
Mal had brought the girls to school and pulled Ashley aside. "I was wondering if you could help me out?"
"Sure, what can I do for you?"
"Regina and I decided to adopt Emma. We're having a party on Saturday and she's inviting the whole class. Could you please make sure everyone gets an invitation before they leave today? One is also for you and your husband. I know it's last minute, but please consider coming."
Ashley took the invites and smiled. "Sean and I will be there. Thank you for including us and yes, I'll make sure everyone gets one today. Congratulations, by the way. Is that why Emma seems to be happier today?"
"I hope so. We're hoping this will help her understand that she is here to stay."
Ashley gave a nod and looked to Emma. "She had such a good day yesterday up until it was close to time to go. She was so convinced that you weren't coming to get her, no matter how much I told her you were."
"If that happens again today, even if it's right before picking up time, and if you can of course, feel free to have her call me. I know she's not your only student, so I know it may not be easy, but I won't mind."
"I will do my best, but hopefully we won't need to worry about that."
On her way out, Mal saw Mary Margaret and smirked. She and Regina decided to invite the woman purely for selfish reasons. Even if the woman didn't know Emma was her daughter, they wanted her to see the little one with them. She tried hard to hide her smirk when she saw the woman see her and flinch a bit. "Oh Mary Margaret, I was hoping I'd see you." She handed the woman an envelope.
"What's this?" She asked, taking it.
"An invitation, dear. We're adopting Emma and having a party for her and hoping you'll come."
Mary looked surprised. "Oh. Wow, yes, I'll be there. Thank you and congratulations."
Mal gave a nod. "Thank you." She then headed out of the school, texting her wife and going to meet her at Granny's. They went over a menu for the party and Granny couldn't help but marvel at how one little girl could change these two women. Sure, Mal had always been a bit kinder than Regina, but she was still very much guarded like Regina. It seemed this little Emma was as good for them as they were for her.
"So, are you inviting the whole town?" Granny asked with a chuckle. "That's great. Honestly. I think it's great to invite everyone to celebrate. I can make up the burgers and hotdogs ready the night before and we can warm them on the grill once we're at your place."
"It's not too much to ask in short notice?" Regina asked, not for the first time. "Because I think the cake and cupcakes are more important."
Granny shook her head. "It's not too much at all. Ruby loves to bake and she and I can decorate. I promise, Madam Mayor, everything will be perfect."
Regina smiled. "Thank you. I know you said I can pay you after, but I insist on paying at least half now."
Granny and Regina went back and forth and finally came with an agreement. Once paid, Regina and Mal left to go to Regina's office to get the paperwork. Again, it wasn't actually needed as any record of Emma before Storybrooke was now gone, but they wanted it for Emma as much as for them as well. They had one made up for her and for the family and already had a double frame ready for when the papers were all signed. Regina printed them off and smiled at Mal. "You know, when we first planned all this, I figured we'd destroy Emma within the first day. I'm so glad you talked me out of that." She moved to her wife and wrapped her arms around her. "She's just the sweetest thing and really completes our family."
Mal held onto her wife, feeling things her heart hadn't felt in a long time. "She really is, and she's much better with us than she would have been with them. They'd ruin her and spoil her and make her something she wasn't meant to be." Mal kissed Regina softly. "And don't worry, my love, she will be loyal to us, no matter if we tell her bad things about Snow and Charming or not, because we are showing her love – real and true love."
Regina's brows furrowed a bit at that. "We have to be careful though, Mal. True love can break the curse. I think it hasn't happened yet because her heart still isn't sure she can trust us and I want her to, I really do, but we must discuss what could happen if the curse breaks early."
Maleficent sighed, knowing Regina was right. "It's really a double-edged sward, isn't it? We want her to love and trust us, but we don't want to break the curse. Regina, I don't think I can hide my feelings for her, and I've seen you with her, you can't either.".
"You're right. As of now, I'm trusting the prophecy when it said it will be on her 28th birthday. However, I do keep quite a bit of cash with me for if the curse does break early, we're taking the girls and leaving."
Mal raised a brow. "I thought the point of the curse was revenge. How would we get revenge if we're gone?"
Regina sighed and went back to her desk, looking at the papers. "I thought it was too, and maybe in some ways it still is, but…I don't know, Mal, Emma's changed everything." She traced her fingers on the paper. "I know we've only had her a short time, but my heart has already shifted gears. It's like…yes, they sent our child here and we were lucky to get her back, but we also have their child and…I only want the best for her. I want her to feel our love, Mal, the love others said we don't have. So, maybe it's not the same kind of revenge, but…"
"But we get to love her, and they don't, and that is revenge. I get that, Regina and I agree with it, but why would we leave if the curse breaks?"
Regina turned and looked at Mal. "To keep her. Mal, can you imagine her confusion and frustration and hurt if the curse broke early and she found out her birth parents are alive, and we kept her from them? Can you imagine our hurt if her parents tell her their side of everything and she hates us? Maybe it's selfish, maybe it's even wrong, but I want her to love us for as long as possible. I want her to see us for us, Mal, not for who they think we are." Tears fell from Regina's eyes and Mal moved to her wife, wrapping her arms around her again.
"Then that is what she will see, my love. But that also means that we can't, or shouldn't, talk badly about Mary Margaret the frumpy schoolteacher, or David Nolan, the idiot rancher. She needs to see us for us, and if she remembers us talking badly about them, she'll think we purposely brain washed her, and she wouldn't be wrong. If the curse does break, we go and wait until she's older to return."
"I agree, but after the party." Regina chuckled, wiping at her eyes. "I want Mary Margaret to see how much Emma loves us, even if she has no idea who Emma is."
Mal grinned. "That's why we invited her. Now, let's get our babies and go home."
Emma sat in front of her window that Saturday morning, watching the dark sky lighten and take the stars away. Her fingers ran along the stitching in her blanket as she kept watching the sky. "I don't know if you're up there or out there, but this is Emma, your daughter. Some people tolded me you was bad people for leaving me, but I don't think they was right. I don't think you wanted to leave me or you wouldn't have maded me my blanket. I think something bad happened to you and you was taken from me. Anyway, I just wanted to let you know that I'm okay and I finally found people to be my family." The little one smiled, not knowing that both her 'new' mothers were at her door, listening. "They're so good to me, mom and dad, and they love me like I was their baby. I love them too, but I'm still scared. I know, deep down, that they won't hurt me, but what if they decide I'm not who they thought I was?" She teared up, all her fears taking over her. "Like what happened to me b'fore. I don't want that to happen again and it's so hard. It's hard to not know how to act all the time and to always be scared of getting in trouble. It's been easier here, because they keep promising me that they won't send me back, and my tummy doesn't feel tight all the time, but I can't stop the worry, guys." She moved, kneeling and pressing her hands to the window. "Can you guys do me a favor? Can you send me a message or a signal, so I know this is okay? Let me know you're okay with Gina and Mal 'dopting me. I think it would be easier if you did that." She pressed her little button nose to the glass and held her breath as she waited. Regina and Mal held their breaths too, each wondering if they could summon any kind of magic to give the girl a sign. Emma smiled wide as she saw one last shooting star, and she sat back on her knees. "Thank you." She said quietly, letting out a breath.
"Emma, sweetie, it's very early." Regina stated, coming in and sitting next to Emma.
"I know, mommy, but I couldn't sleep." She said, crawling into Regina's lap.
"Is anything wrong?" Maleficent asked, sitting next to them.
Emma shook her head, but then shrugged. "Not really wrong." She said, chewing her lip as she tried to find the right words. "I'm trying really hard to have my brain and heart both know that you will keep me always, but for some reason, the little voice keeps telling me you won't. I know you're 'dopting me and that really, really helps, but I still get a funny feeling in my tummy sometimes." She looked at them and looked down. "I'm sorry. I know you're trying to help me, and I'm trying too. I really, really am."
Mal took Emma's hands and lifted her little chin to look her in the eyes. "We know you're trying, Emma. We know this is new and hard for you, sweetheart, and we're not upset with you at all. We just want to make sure you're okay."
Emma gave a nod. "I am now. I gotted a sign that everything is gonna be okay." She smiled at them.
Regina smiled back. "Everything is going to be perfect, Emma, and if it takes you a while yet to trust us, we do understand. However, you do have a party later, and I think you should try and get some sleep first."
They tucked Emma back in, and both took turns kissing her cheeks before they left the room. Regina looked at Mal. "Was that your magic?"
Mal shook her head. "I thought it was yours."
Regina shook her head. "Maybe it was a sign for all of us." She said with a smile. The two women didn't go back to bed as they wanted to start getting everything ready.
"Emma! Emma wake up, sleepy head! It's your adoption day!" Lilly called out as she ran and jumped onto Emma's bed.
Emma rubbed her sleepy eyes and stretched before giggling at Lilly's excitement. She sat up and hugged Lilly as the brunette dove at her. "You're going to be my forever sister."
Lilly hugged her back. "Forever and ever and ever sisters."
Regina smiled from the doorway. "That's right girls. You're both so lucky to have each other." She came and sat on Emma's bed. "Neither Mama nor I have a sister."
Lilly moved to Regina's lap and even though Emma was going to, she stopped seeing Lilly beat her to it. Regina shifted Lilly and pulled Emma over so both her girls were on her lap. Lilly looked at Regina. "Thanks for getting me such a good sister."
Emma smiled at that and laced her fingers with Lilly's. "I got the bestest sister."
Regina smiled and kissed both girl's heads. "Okay girls let's get ready."
After a smaller breakfast, since there would be a lot of food at the party, Regina helped Lilly get dressed first while Emma went with Mal to brush her teeth. Emma then went to get dressed and smiled at Lilly in her dress. They had almost matching dresses for today and Emma was beyond excited. Though she wasn't always a girl for frills, today, she wanted to feel special. Lilly's dress was a light yellow and had a pale green bow on it while Emma's was pale green and had a yellow bow. They hadn't been sure which girl would wear which dress, but it was decided that the yellow brought out the brown in Lilly's eyes while the green made Emma's greenish blue eyes pop beautifully.
Emma got dressed quietly as Regina helped her with her tights and shoes and then tied the bow around her waist. "Emma honey, are you okay? You're awfully quiet."
Emma nodded and looked at Regina. "I don't wanna wake up from this dream." She said quietly her eyes filling with fat tears.
Regina smiled softly and pulled Emma closer, kissing her forehead. "This isn't a dream, my love. This is real and today, you will officially become our daughter. Forever and always."
Emma swallowed the lump in her throat. "No matter what? No matter what I do? Even if I do something really naughty or make you really mad?"
Regina smiled softly and took her pinky finger and looped it around Emma's pinky. "I pinky promise that nothing you do will make us send you away. Nothing you do will make us not want you, Emma Swan, and nothing you do will ever make us stop loving you." She then brought their joined pinkies to her lips and kissed them.
Emma smiled and her tears vanished. "I promise that I will be a good girl as much as I can. I also promise that I will do my best to believe you after I'm 'dopted that I'm never going nowhere with out you and Mama and Lilly. Oh and I promise that I will always, always love you and Mama and Lilly." She kissed their pinkies and Regina then hugged her.
"Emma, you don't have to be perfect, you know. You are a child, and no one expects you to be perfect. There will be times you will be mad, sad, upset, frustrated, all those feelings and you won't always know how to express them. There will be times you do things that are naughty. Lilly does, and you will too, and that's okay. We don't expect you to be perfect, we don't want you to be perfect, Emma, we want you to be you. We want you to feel like any other child, Emma, and any other child get in trouble sometimes, but that's okay."
Emma listened and nodded with a smile. "I understand, Mommy, and I promise I am believing that more and more each day." Emma kissed Regina's cheek and then went back into the bathroom so Mal could do her hair.
Mal was a wiz at hair and loved doing little braids and things with both girls' hair, but especially loved doing Emma's. Emma loved to have it done and sat nice and still for Mal, Emma's hair did whatever Mal wanted it to do, and Emma's curls were so fun to work with. Lilly wasn't much for having her hair done, but she had managed a crown of braids with special green butterfly clips. Lilly did not want her hair curled so her long dark locks fell straight down her back. Emma, however, loved when Mal did her hair to look really curly. Once her crown of braids was done, Mal used the curling iron to bring out more curls and then finished with yellow butterfly clips. She noticed Emma's eyes watching her in the mirror and saw the little one chewing her lip the whole time. So, once she was done, Mal turned Emma to face her. "What's bothering you, little bird?"
Emma smiled a little and then shrugged. "I'm scared for today." She said quietly. "Everyone is gonna be here and I don't like to talk to lots of people."
"You don't have to talk to everyone, Emma. It's nice to say hi to those who say hi to you, but you don't have to if you get tired. You also don't have to hug anyone you don't want to hug, Emma. Who you talk to and who you hug is completely up to you."
Emma nodded and felt a bit better, but then her other question was right there. "Mama? Will I still be your Little Bird after my name is Emma Mills?" They had talked about Emma changing her last name to Mills like the rest of them, and Emma had been okay with that, but she really liked being Mama's little bird and didn't want that to change. She'd never had a nickname other than 'kid', 'girl', 'child', 'brat', or her least favorite 'waste of space'. Regina had seen red when Emma told her about the family that called her that.
Mal gave her warm smile and kissed Emma's forehead. "You will always be my Little Bird, sweetie." She rubbed her nose on Emma's. "Remember, you're going to be Emma Swan Mills, so you'll still have that name." Emma had agreed to having it be her middle name because, after all, it was a part of her.
Emma smiled and wrapped her arms around Mal. "Good. I love being your Little Bird."
Mal smiled as well. "Okay, let's go downstairs and see what Mommy and Lilly are doing."
Before Emma had even hit the bottom step, Lilly was rushing towards her. "Emma! Emma there's ponies! Real life ponies!"
Emma's eyes went wide and a smile grew across her face. "I never seen a real-life pony before."
"Then come on!" Lilly said, pulling Emma's hand.
"Lillian Mills! Be careful. Don't pull her." Mal said, for about the umpteenth time since Emma came to them.
"Sorry, Mama." Lilly called behind her as the two ran towards the back door. She then looked at Emma. "Mommy said we can say hi to the ponies and ride them before everyone else gets here."
The two stepped out to the backyard where Regina was talking with David as his assistant was saddling up the ponies. She smiled over at her girls. "There's my beautiful baby girls. You both look like little princesses."
They came closer, Lilly smiling proudly and Emma smiling shyly as they did so. "Mommy, I tolded Emma about the ponies! She's never seen a real-life pony."
Regina smiled. "And did you pull her arm?" Regina asked, knowingly. This was something they were really working on with the little one.
Lilly looked down at her feet. "Just a little bit. Mommy, I was so 'cited, I couldn't help it."
"Honey, we've talked about this over and over. You can't pull her around like a doll." Regina said in her strict voice.
"It's okay, mommy, it didn't hurt or nothing." Emma said, hating when Lilly got talked to like that.
"I know honey, but Lilly needs to learn to be careful."
"Sorry, mommy and sorry Emma." The little one said.
"It's okay." Emma said, hoping that was the end of it. "Can we see the ponies now?"
Regina chuckled and reached for Emma's hand. "They're getting the ponies ready, baby, but I'd like you to meet someone." Though Regina's heart was (mostly) in the right place where Emma was concerned, she couldn't stop that internal glee she felt when introducing Emma to David, much as Mal felt when introducing her to Snow. "Emma, this is David. He works at the ranch on the edge of town and has brought a small petting zoo for you and the other children to enjoy. David, this is our Emma."
Emma loved the way 'our Emma' sounded coming from Regina and she smiled at the man. "Hi. Thanks for bringing ponies." She said in a cute, quiet voice.
"It's very nice to meet you, Emma." He said with a smile. "You're a lucky girl to get adopted and have a special day."
"It's a special day for me too." Lilly said, a little grumpily. "I get to have a sister."
David chuckled and knelt down. "It is a very special day for you as well, little one. Congratulations on gaining a sister."
Lilly smiled at that and then looked over. "Emma! The ponies!" She was about to run over when Regina grabbed her arm.
"Not like that, Lilly." She said softly, not wanting to scare either the girls or the animals. "Honey, you can't just run up to an animal like that or you'll spook them." She moved her hand down to Lilly's and, holding both girls' hands, slowly walked over to the ring where the ponies were set up. "Now, you have to be calm and gentle, my loves, so you don't scare them."
Lilly calmly went to a black one and listened as the younger ranch hand explained how to gently pet the animal. Emma was a bit more reserved, but she saw a golden blonde one and went over by her. "You're very beautiful." She said quietly.
"That's Peanut." David said quietly as he came up beside Emma. "She's a sweetheart. She loves to have her nose rubbed." He held his hand out and the pony rubbed her nose on his hand. "Want me to help you?"
Emma nodded a little and let David take her hand, guiding it to the pony's nose. She wasn't quite tall enough, but the pony put her head down to meet her hand, making Emma smile. Regina cleared her throat as she moved closer, figuring David had enough time with her daughter. She pet the horse and then held her arms out for Emma who happily came to her and let herself be picked up. Mal was out and doing the same with Lilly.
"Can they ride them?" Mal asked, knowing Lilly wouldn't wait much longer.
"Yes of course." David stated, making sure the saddles were on properly. "Lilly, that one is named Ladybug and I think she likes you." He said, helping her onto the pony. He showed her how to sit and hold the reigns, even though the ponies knew what to do, it made the kids feel special.
Regina looked at Emma. "You ready to ride Peanut?" Emma shrugged, her thumb coming up to her mouth. "Emma, are you scared?" Emma nodded and put her head on Regina's shoulder. "How about if Mommy stays right beside you?" She asked and Emma took a breath before nodding again. Regina got Emma in the saddle and kept her hand on Emma's leg to show her she was still there. After two times around the ring, Emma felt comfortable enough to let Regina go stand by Mal and the two took pictures of their baby girls.
Granny, Ruby, and a few other waitresses that Granny had hired came next and started setting everything up, shooing Regina away and insisting they had everything under control. Kids from school with their parents started arriving and the castle bounce house was set up just in time. Lilly was in her glory playing with the other kids, but Emma didn't like to be too far away from Regina or Mal. She said hello to her teacher, and anyone else her mothers' introduced her to, but she still didn't like being too far from them.
Maleficent smiled watching Lilly and then searched out for Emma, seeing she wasn't too far from where Regina was talking to her assistant. She went over and held her arms out, causing Emma to rush into them. Mal lifted her high and then brought her to her hip. "What's up, Little Bird? Why aren't you playing with your friends?"
Emma sucked on her thumb and rested her head on Mal's shoulder. "Too many people."
Mal chuckled and went to sit down with Emma on her lap. "Honey, if you're worried about losing us or us losing you, that won't happen."
"I know, Mama. I just want to be close to you and Mommy. It's our day, right?"
Mal smiled softly. "Yes, it's our day baby. Should we go get some food?"
Emma nodded. "Can I has a cheeseburger?"
"Of course you can." Mal helped Emma make a plate and the two sat at a table with Ashley and a parent to one of Emma's classmates. Lilly and Regina joined them soon afterwards and Emma felt good that her family were all at the table. After they ate, Mal picked up Emma and Regina picked up Lilly and they all made their way to the patio.
"Can we please have all your attention?" Regina asked and waited until the conversation dulled down. "Today is a very happy day for our family and we appreciate all of you coming out here to help us celebrate." Emma saw everyone look at them and she put her head on Mal's shoulder. Mal rubbed Emma's back reassuringly as Regina looked over and chuckled. "As you can see, our Emma is much shyer than our Lilly." The group chuckled at that. "Anyway, I think it's time we make this official." Regina announced as judge Albert Spencer stepped forward.
He cleared his throat and looked at Emma. "Emma Swan. Are you happy to have Regina and Mal adopt you? To be your forever family?"
Emma blushed and nodded, but after Mal whispered something to her, she put her head up. "Yes, sir. I want them to adopt me."
He smiled. "Great, congratulations." He signed the papers and handed Regina the pen.
"Thank you, Judge Spencer." She said and then put Lilly down so she could sign her name. Mal then signed hers and they put the other paper in front of the girls. "You guys both put your names on here." Regina whispered and the girls both carefully wrote their names.
Mal smiled as Albert stepped aside and faced the yard. "Citizens of Storybrooke, it is my honor to present to you our newest member. Miss Emma Swan Mills."
There was a round of applause and Emma smiled, though she still clung to Mal's leg. Chatter began again and Mal and Regina took the girls inside for a moment. "Girls, we wanted to just explain to you what happened." Regina said, sitting at the counter with Lilly on her lap.
"We just signed our names." Lilly said, shrugging.
"I just got adopted." Emma said, then looked worried. "Right? I did just get adopted, right?"
"Yes, baby girl, you are adopted. You are ours and we are yours." Mal said, lifting her to the counter. "That paper we all signed says that we all promise to be a family."
"A real family." Emma said wistfully. "A forever family. A family all of my own." She wiped at the tears on her face. "Why am I crying? I'm so happy."
Regina smiled and kissed Emma's cheek. "Those are happy tears, my love."
"You all gots happy tears." Lilly commented. "Why don't I gots happy tears?"
Mal chuckled and kissed Lilly's forehead. "One day you will." She then looked at Emma. "Welcome to our family, Emma Swan Mills. You're stuck with us forever now."
Emma smiled and opened her arms wide so that everyone could gather into a group hug. This was the happiest she had ever been and she didn't want the moment to end.
