A/N: Thank you all, as always for the attention this story has gained from every single one of you, and continues to gain. I meant to post this last night, but honestly the chapter wasn't finished and I got home late from a baseball game. But, here you are. Happy reading, everyone! :)

A little trigger warning. There is a bit of violence regarding this chapter.

Regina sat in front of her vanity table that was found in her bedroom. The light bulbs around the mirror being the only item to light up the bedroom with a somewhat dim ambient. She was freshly out of the shower, dressed in one of her white bathrobes. Her hair had already been combed over. Now she was just applying some lotion on the skin of her legs before bed. Slowly her hands slide up across her calves, followed by her thighs.

Thank God Leopold did have a lot of work to catch up tonight. Which meant, she could probably fall asleep before having to deal with him in the privacy of their bedroom.

It was bad enough he had to be such an ogre at dinner this evening. Regina shook her head at the reminder of the displeased look in her daughter's eyes, plus the discomforting shift in Emma Swan's body language.

What a bastard Leopold could be. Criticizing the poor girl's hopes and dreams toward her career, and stepping all over them like a boot stepping on an ant. Except Emma Swan was far from being an ant. Regina has only known the girl for a few hours today, but just by meeting her and having the pleasant chance to chat a little tonight during dinner, she could tell there was so much potential to Emma.

Regina reached for the lotion again, squirting some against the palm of her hand before placing the bottle back on the vanity. With her lotion free hand she undid the terry-cloth of her bathrobe, just enough to be able to open up the hems as she looked at herself over in the dim lit mirror. She pulled on one of the hems with her free hand once again, just enough to expose her shoulder before she began smoothly rubbing the lotion there, moving her hand in an up and down motion all the way to her neck and part of her bicep.

Squirting just a little more lotion in the palm of her hand, she repeated the same motion toward her other shoulder- her bruised shoulder- that stopped her in a pause for a moment as her sad gaze looked through the mirror at the reminder of a beating she had endured earlier today before her daughter's arrival. Bastard. She thought to herself, wondering how in the hell did her life ever sink so low?

'Leopold White is our key to a secure and financial future, Regina. Think about it. Out of anyone he could have gained interest in- he chose you.'

'And what if I don't want to marry him? What if I don't love him?'

'Who says you have to love him? Don't be foolish, dear. An opportunity like this doesn't come knocking on your door a second time. Love doesn't matter. You're doing this.'

Of course love didn't matter. For her mother. Cora never truly cared about love, or about her- at least not enough to worry about what kind of monster she was forcing her sixteen year old daughter to marry a man she did not love nor cared to be with in the first place. Then again, Cora was every bit a monster as the man who was now her husband was.

Her mother never loved her. She had a so-called 'tough-love' feeling for her, and Regina had known this well ever since she was a small child. Her father on the other hand, was everything she had ever envisioned herself becoming. He was a good, kind hearted man, correct, hard working and he loved Regina from the day she was born.

She missed her father dearly.

He probably would be rolling over in his grave right now if he could see the kind of life her mother brainwashed her to have.

Hell. She would be his most major disappointment.

That's how Regina felt most days. Like a fucking disappointment.

The brunette hissed upon placing the cool lotion against her skin, her hand moved slower than it did against her other shoulder. Sitting in front of the vanity mirror, Regina rotated her body slightly, enough to take a good look at her shoulder blade, and was surprised to find the bruise ran all the way down her shoulder blade.

Leopold's beatings always had a way of surprising her. Even when she expected them.

The sound of rich laughter caught her attention, forcing her out of her thoughts and out from behind the bench as she walked over to her bedroom window. Upon looking down into the backyard, she had a good view of the swimming pool, which was being enjoyed by Audrey and Emma as they playfully splashed each other until Audrey was a screaming menace, followed by a rich pit of laughter once Emma dared to pick the girl up over her shoulder and leaned back hard against the water, causing another splash.

This brought a small smile to Regina's lips as she witnessed how happy the young couple seemed to be, and what fun they were enjoying in their own little bubble of happiness as they now shared a sweet yet passionate kiss within them.

Audrey was really in love. And that warmed Regina's heart as her mother. She had never personally experienced that alienated feeling before, but she knew what it looked like. And this was it.

And this girl Emma, she seemed to love her daughter equally, or at least care about her enough to treat her right.

What else mattered if not her daughter's happiness?

"You're still awake? I figured you would be sleeping by this hour. You usually are." Upon hearing Leopold's voice as he entered their bedroom, Regina could feel her little happy-motherly moment turn to a frown.

"I couldn't sleep." She said this as she remained herself trained looking out the window. Her voice was low.

More laughter could be heard coming from outside just as Leopold removed his shirt, remaining in a plain white t-shirt that he always slept in.

"What on earth is Audrey doing out there?" He asks, nearing the window and standing right behind his wife, close enough for him to see what was going on outside of his window.

"Her and Emma are enjoying a late night swim." There's a ghost of a smile that touches Regina's lips as she says this.

Leopold being Leopold was not amused by this, but his eyes remained trained on the young couple below him. "What do you think of this Emma Swan girl?" He asks.

Regina shrugs, "I frankly don't know much about her yet to be sure, but from what I do know, I think she's a nice girl with a bright future ahead of her."

"Bright, you say?" Leopold chuckles in a mocking manner.

"She thrives on excitement just as our daughter does. Frankly, I think she's good for Audrey."

"If I didn't know any better, Regina, I'd say you are quite fond of her yourself." Leopold's voice was low, which Regina hated the way his tone carried every single time his voice got low.

Regina turned to face her husband, finding him towering over her as their eyes met. "Now you're going to second guess what I say, when you practically asked me for my opinion? And besides, what's wrong with liking someone nice for our daughter to date? Isn't that what you should want as well, as her father?"

"It is." Leopold gave off a nod. "On that we can agree. Why, the way I see it, Audrey is the one good thing you've ever done in your life, and if anyone ever hurt her in any way… I would personally see to it that they met their demise."

The brunette's brow raised, "Yes…" She couldn't help but chuckle at the irony in his words. "I'm sure it would be tragic for you to discover that Emma or anyone else she dates was beating on her, wouldn't it?"

"Now, Regina…" Leopold's gaze intensified. "I would be careful of what comes out of your mouth next. Do not dare to question the love I feel for you and my daughter."

"Love?" Regina chuckles and releases a low scoffing sound. "I highly doubt that a monster like yourself knows the meaning of that word, dear. Especially for Audrey." She brushes past him wanting to make her way toward her bed, but is roughly grabbed by Leopold's strong grip as it wrapped around her wrist.

Once again, his act of violence surprised her, because the thing about Leopold White, was that he wasn't just a violent man. He could be frighteningly intimidating as well as frighteningly strong.

Upon feeling his strong grip against her wrist, Regina quickly used her other hand to grab onto her husband's own wrist, giving the window another quick glance as if to make sure the surprised grunt that escaped her a moment ago hadn't alerted her daughter or her girlfriend of what was happening right now between Leopold and herself. But, that only made matters worse, given that Leopold grabbed onto her other wrist as well, quickly pulled her to the wall beside the window for a more private setting and released one of her wrists to use his entire forearm against his wife's throat, helplessly pinning her against the wall.

The slam against the wall didn't hurt as much as his forearm pressed against her throat, or the fact that his monstrous grip was crushing her wrist right now.

All Regina could do was grunt in a pleading manner as her now free hand gripped onto the man's bicep of the arm he was using to keep her imprisoned between him and the wall behind her. She could feel his other hand pinned her wrist against the wall as well. The rich laughter from outside only grew louder, at least that's how Regina was deciding to listen to it right now, until her husband's voice was the only sound in the world for her. She hated that sound. The way every word growled out of his lips, making her feel his hot breath against the skin on her face. It was practically worse if he had a couple of drinks and was angry.

Not that he was an alcoholic. Although, Regina wished he was. Bastard would probably be dead by now if that were the case.

Leopold's eyes quickly looked out the window before his dark gaze trained right on Regina's fearing and angry eyes. "Don't fight me," he whispered in warning, creating more pressure against her throat with his arm, enough that Regina's hand forcefully tried slapping it away.

And as always, upon command- because even his threats were filled with command to her- Regina's body would stop trying to fight, except for escaping.

"Now, I don't think I need to tell you that I don't need you to tell me what I can and cannot feel. Especially for my own daughter. Because it so happens that I do love Audrey. I love her very much, and if you ever dare to think otherwise than what I say again, I promise you Regina, I may just kill you myself to make my point clear."

His eyes were so menacing as he looked into hers, that Regina couldn't think of anything else to do but nod. This wasn't the first time he had threatened her with killing her himself. Regina knew in some way that he wouldn't do it, because if he did that would mean that she was safe from suffering anymore of his kicks, or punches, or slaps across the face, or being stuck with a belt until the skin was bruised and lashed just right. It would mean that Audrey would hate him if she ever found out he even hurt her. It would mean that he would end up alone, wifeless, and that was the last thing a man like Leopold wanted. But somehow, even if Regina knew that he would never dare kill her- there was always that ping of doubt deep within her heart and mind that would frighteningly tell her otherwise.

Like an alarm that you could never turn off for good, no matter how many times you hit the damn snooze button.

"Are we clear, dear?" He hissed right before his wife's face.

There was no way Regina could respond, not even by nodding her head in forced agreement. Not when Leopold's arm was squeezing against her throat tighter and tighter until he practically heard her gag a little for a breath of oxygen, followed by a sharp gasp once he finally released her and went about his nightly routine within their bedroom as if what he had just done was the most natural thing in the world.

He just let her be to deal with her coughing all on her own, not even bothering to turn her way as her body rested exhaustively against the same wall he had her pinned against mere moments ago.

And while Leopold headed into the bathroom, slamming the door behind him. Regina had her hand against her throat, followed by her chest once she was able to catch a good breath of air into her lungs. Her eyes, which had been closed, parted open slowly.

Do you know that familiar feeling that comes over one's body when they feel like they are being watched?

Well, it was that very feeling that sank at the pit of Regina's stomach in that moment.

Her eyes looked outside the window, and found the pool empty with Emma standing just outside of it, a towel in her hand as she was drying off. But her actions came to a complete stop once she noticed Regina through the second floor window. She was staring up at her!

Regina remained still for a moment, her focus maintained on her daughter's girlfriend as she stood right at the bottom with her head tilted up, looking up at her like a freaking statue. This filled the brunette with sudden anger. Anger at Leopold, anger at herself, anger at Audrey for bringing this girl here- whom Regina wasn't sure what she had or had not seen.

So what? Even if she had seen something, it didn't mean anything. You're stuck here. She thought to herself, growing even angrier.

That's when Regina took it upon herself to close the bedroom curtains to their bedroom window, but not before looking down on Emma Swan one last time.

"Emma!" Emma turned to the sound of her name being called by Audrey, her face glistening with droplets of water. "What are you looking at?"

"Nothing," the blonde smiled, patting her face lightly with the towel Audrey had given her.

"Come on, let's head inside." Audrey nods toward the house.

Emma runs back to the lounge chair to reach for her phone before heading inside, but before doing that, her eyes give the second floor window one last glance, seeing the curtains had officially remained closed.

A smile plays on her lips as she takes her girlfriend by the hand and heads right inside the house through a back door for the night.

The following morning, everyone was seated at the table for an early breakfast. Everyone, except Leopold, given that he had to work early and would probably be home late. It was one of those days Regina truly enjoyed.

Imagine that. What kind of wife would prefer for her husband to be away from home all day due to work, instead of waiting anxiously for his arrival?

She would.

Regina lived on those days. She loved it when it was just her own self in the confinements of the house. Or in this case, her and Audrey.

She knew Audrey hated when her father had to slave at work all day, but she understood. Audrey didn't mind doing things with her mother one bit either. She had missed her dearly, and her famous chocolate chip pancakes.

The house was certainly quiet and felt at peace without Leopold here. So much that Regina sighed in content as she savored a sip of her orange juice that morning.

"It's a shame dad has to be away all day, isn't it?" Audrey broke the tranquil silence.

"Your father loves to work, dear. You know that." Said Regina, taking a calm bite of one of her pancakes.

Everything was calm and better with him gone.

"I know," Audrey frowned, looking down at her last piece of breakfast on her plate. "I was just hoping to spend more time with him this summer, that's all. You remember last summer? He literally had to travel for work."

Ah, yes. Regina remembered that summer well. She almost wanted to smirk at the peaceful memory. At the last minute, just as last summer had begun, Leopold was called to travel to Tokyo on business. Halfway across the world and away from her! That was nice.

Suddenly, Regina felt guilty for feeling so happy that he was gone for the day upon looking at the disappointment on Audrey's face.

If only she knew what monster her father could turn into, she wouldn't be this sad.

And now, she hated herself for even thinking that.

"Well, it's a good thing you have Emma here to keep you company." She smiles, hoping that would cheer her daughter up. It did. Audrey instantly grinned.

"True," Audrey's cheeks grow a shade of pink as she plays around with the last bit of her breakfast, as if she was remembering something…

"Audrey," Regina glared her way. "Now, you know I only ask this because I worry about you."

"Mom, please don't." Audrey chuckles, brushing back a strand of long hair in embarrassment. Because who wanted to have the sex talk with their parents? And at twenty-four years old!

"Have you two…?" Regina nods.

"Mom," Her daughter murmurs under her breath, avoiding her mother's gaze until she no longer could.

"You know you can talk to me about these things, don't you?" Regina didn't mean to pry. She was just being a good mother. That's all she ever tried to be.

"Yes," the girl smiled. "I know, mom. And I'll talk to you about anything, but that."

"I just want to make sure that you are being careful, that's all." Regina shrugs.

This makes Audrey chuckle, "Well, you definitely don't need to worry about me becoming pregnant. Like ever, so," she takes a sip of her orange juice to hide another blush that's run up her neck.

"Is she good?" It was an innocent question, but Regina's eyes grew wide upon realizing the way it sounded, and because what followed was the loud clatter of her daughter's fork as it was let go against her plate.

"Well, if you'd like to find out, why don't you go test her out for yourself?" Audrey laughed, joking along and feeling successful upon seeing Regina's cheeks grow crimson red.

"Audrey!" Regina snapped at her. "That is not what I meant."

"I'm joking, mom. It's called humor."

"Well, you have a twisted sense of humor, dear." Regina grinned, shaking her head.

Audrey enjoyed her last sip of orange juice before she said, "She is a really good person, mom," her voice was gentle now. As gentle as her eyes as she talked about Emma. "All jokes aside, Emma is so loving with me. She cares for me, you know? She really does. Intimately… She's very passionate." A grin stretches across her lips as she says this. "And you haven't seen much of her yet, but she is a romantic." She rolls her eyes in a playful manner. "Something I'm not very much of, but that doesn't seem to bother her."

Regina smiles upon hearing about all this new found information on Emma Swan. She was happy for Audrey. She deserved whatever Regina couldn't have in life. And more. That's what any mother would want for their children.

"Have you ever…" Now it's Regina's turn to play with her food as she wanted to know more about her daughter's relationship with Emma. Something she never did. "Thought about doing something romantic for her in return?"

Audrey shrugs as she tries to come with romantic scenarios in her head on the spot.

"I know you don't need me to say this to you, Audrey, but, things need to be mutual in a relationship. Imagine how wonderful and cherished Emma would feel if you ever did anything romantic for her."

That was true. And it wasn't as if Audrey never gave Emma anything- she did. But if she was being true to herself, she was always more of a receiver than a giver in their relationship. At least when it came to romance and gift giving. Did she feel horrible about it? Of course, she did. Did she want to change that? Of course, she did.

"Well, I would love to make her feel cherished. I mean, obviously I know that it isn't enough to tell a person that you love them. You have to show them. Right?"

Regina nodded, "That's right."

"I mean, take you and dad for example," Audrey innocently chuckles. "I'm sure that if he weren't romantic with you from time to time, you would think he was cheating on you. I certainly wouldn't want Emma to think that of me."

Leopold a romantic? That was a riot in its own words. He didn't know the meaning of that word. It wasn't in his vocabulary.

"I'm sure she doesn't think that of you, Audrey. She wouldn't be here otherwise." Regina brushed off her daughter's comment regarding her experiencing any kind of romance.

"Well, given your experience with romance. What would you suggest I do?" Audrey asks intriguingly.

Regina froze, because her sad truth was, she didn't know romance. Personally. She only knew of it from what she had read about in books or seen in a film once. But that was once upon a time ago. She couldn't even remember the last time she had seen a movie. Let alone enjoy anything with anyone that was interested in her.

The very last time Leopold dared to have a sweet gesture with her was when she had Audrey. He was the happiest man in the world given the birth of their beautiful daughter that he decided to gift Regina with a bouquet of flowers.

'Audrey is the one good thing you've ever done in your life.' His words from last night make her want to throw up. And as much as she hated hearing that, or as much as Regina hated admitting it to herself- he had been right. Their daughter was the only good thing for Regina. She was the only good thing that came out of this marriage.

"Mom?" Her daughter's voice snapped Regina out of her thoughts. "Are you okay?"

"Yes. Well…" Regina put her train of thoughts in motion. "Why not plan a nice evening out that the two of you can enjoy together? Take her out sightseeing? Plan a picnic." She shrugs. "It's such a nice day out today. You don't want to spend all summer cooped up in here, do you?"

Audrey perked up. "Hey! How about that horse riding lesson?"

"Oh, I don't know." Regina shook her head.

"Come on, mom. What could be more romantic than a nice day out in the open field?"

"Audrey, we are talking about doing something romantic for your girlfriend. It won't be as romantic if you have me tag along to teach her how to ride a horse." The brunette smirks.

"Well, let's ask Emma!" Audrey's eyes move to her girlfriend who enters the dining room, freshly showered after her morning run.

"Hey," Emma smiles at Audrey, bending down to place a quick kiss against her lips in greeting before she takes a seat beside her. "Good morning, Mrs- Regina." She corrects herself.

Regina is thankful for that and flashes her a small smile. She wonders if she had seen anything last night of what happened in her bedroom, but wasn't about to ask her flat out. Especially not in front of Audrey. "Good morning, Emma."

"So, my mom and I were just talking and we think that today is a great day to show you how to ride a horse." She grins.

Emma freezes as she pours herself a glass of orange juice, her eyes move over to Regina. "Uh…" She nervously chuckles.

"Come on, please! I promise you, it's going to be fun." Audrey begs the blonde, almost batting her eyes at her.

"Well, if it's okay with your mom." Green eyes move back to Regina. "I wouldn't want to interfere with your plans or anything."

"No plans today. I was just going to catch up on some reading, but I could spare some time in giving lessons." Regina smiles.

If this is what Audrey wanted to do for the day, she couldn't say no. It definitely would get her out of the house for a while and she could ride again. She hadn't done that in a long time.

"So, what do you say, babe? You in?" Asks Audrey.

"Sure," the blonde shrugged while giving off a smile. "What the hell? Okay."

How could Emma refuse? Despite being terrified of horses.