The time has come for the final chapter. I honestly had no idea what this story would be when it first started and can also say it certainly strayed away from what I thought it was going to be. That being said, I love it and I love and appreciate all the kind words from all you readers. Probably a shorter chapter to end it all out.

Read~Enjoy~Review

Chapter 14

Over the next few weeks, the family of four found their routine. They decorated Penny's room how she wanted it, though it was like pulling teeth to get the girl to say what she wanted. Emma understood and explained to Regina that when you're a foster kid, you're literally thankful for everything you're given and you're scared to ask for more. Both Penny and Maddie started school so Emma did admin work for Regina and Regina worked earlier hours in the club.

Cora announced she was finally cancer free and was around a lot as 'Nana Cora' and loved being with the girls. The girls from the club also loved being around the family and Emma and Lilly stayed friends through all of this.

Emma and Regina were laying in bed one night when Emma smiled and kissed Regina. "When are we getting married?"

Regina smiled softly. "We've been engaged for almost a year now, haven't we?"

"Yes, and we've put it off because of court and then because of the girls. I understand and agreed with all that, but now, I want to marry you."

Regina ran her fingers along Emma's sides. "I want to marry you as well. Do you want a large affair?"

Emma shook her head. "Not unless you want that. I'd be happy with just family and friends. Something for under twenty people. Intimate and beautiful."

"I have the perfect place in mind. I'll show you tomorrow." Regina said, kissing Emma deeply.

The next morning, Cora was already there making breakfast when Emma came down. "Cora, you don't have to cook for us every weekend…or at all for that matter. It's fine to just come over and not cook."

"I love it, Emma. Don't take it from me. Besides, Maddie is such a good helper."

Emma smiled and kissed Maddie's forehead. "Good morning, Princess."

"Morning, Mama." Maddie said, hugging Emma. "Penny is still asleep."

"That's fine baby, it's still early for teenagers."

"She had a nightmare last night…oops. She told me not to tell you."

Emma smiled softly. "I won't tell her you told me but thank you for telling me. Baby, have you had nightmares?"

"Not since I started talking to the doctor lady. Mama, why doesn't Penny wake you up when she has them? You tolded us both it was okay if we did."

"I know honey, and it is fine. I think because Penny is older, she wants to try and handle them herself. I wish she'd come and tell us, but I can't make her. It's okay, not everyone wants to talk." Though, Emma made a note to talk to Penny again about it.

After Emma and Maddie ate, Regina came down as Emma was going up. "Morning." They kissed and continued on their way. Emma went to Penny's door and knocked quietly.

"Come in."

Emma did and smiled softly, sitting on Penny's bed. "Good morning, sweetie. How did you sleep?"

Penny sighed but sat up. "Did Maddie tell you?"

"Someone did. Penny, it's okay if you don't want to come to us, but please don't get upset at Maddie."

"I'm not." Penny said and looked at Emma. "Will the nightmares ever go away?"

Emma saw the tears in Penny's eyes and wrapped her arm around her. "I wish I could tell you that they will, but I still get them now and then. I can tell you they get fewer and less detailed. I can also tell you that since I started therapy, they've become even less." She stroked Penny's long brown hair. "Do you feel therapy is helping?"

Penny cuddled into Emma. "In some ways, yes. It's helped me realize it wasn't my fault and that I did nothing wrong. But at the same time, talking about it brings back memories and then the nightmares."

Emma nodded softly. "It will do that at first. Penny, I respect if you don't want to come to us at night, but I hope it's not because you think it will annoy us."

Penny was quiet for a few moments. "I…I don't want to be sent back." She admitted quietly.

Emma let out a breath and rubbed Penny's back. "You won't be. I understand why you're scared of that, baby girl, but I promise you that we would never send you back. No matter what, but especially not for waking us up because of a nightmare. Penny, we want you in our lives forever. Even after you're eighteen, done with school, and have a family of your own, we want you in our lives. You are our daughter."

Penny sniffed and wiped at her eyes. "Emma?"

"Yes, honey?"

"I love you so much."

Emma smiled softly and kissed the top of Penny's head. "I love you, too."

"I can wake you up next time?"

"I wish you would. You don't even have to talk about it, but wake one of us up so we can comfort you, okay?"

Penny nodded and hugged Emma. "Thank you."

"You still feel up to going shopping and out to lunch with Auntie Zee and Maddie later? You don't have to, but I know she's looking forward to it."

"Yes. It's really cool that she wants to do stuff with us. It makes me feel I have a real family."

"You do have a real family." Emma said, lifting her chin to look into her brown eyes. "For the rest of your life, you have a real family."

"Thanks, Ma." She said with a smile. "Is there still breakfast?"

"Gramma is here, so of course there is." Emma said, kidding her head again. "Come on down when you're ready."

That afternoon while the girls were out with Zelena, Regina brought her laptop over to Emma. "The Tower in Boston has all inclusive wedding packages. Emma, they take care of everything including invites. What do you think?"

Emma looked at it and scrolled through the pictures. "Regina, it's perfect. I'll get it all set up once we have a date."

They picked a date in June and Emma called the number, getting things started. She came in by Regina and sat on the sofa next to her. "We just need to give them names and addresses and how many will be invited."

The two went through who they'd invite, and Regina said she'd get the addresses of everyone at the club. "We'll close for the weekend so they can all come. I'd like Zelena and Mal to be my bridesmaids."

"Great, because I want Lilly and Ruby to be mine. I think we should see if the girls want to be in it."

"I agree." Regina smiled at Emma. "Speaking of the girls, when are we going to talk to them about the adoption?"

"I think the sooner the better." Emma said, telling Regina of her conversation with Penny. "It's all been approved, we just need…well we don't but I want to hear that they want this."

"Me too."

Emma's phone rang and Emma knitted her brows. "It's Olivia."

"Answer it, baby. It can't be bad."

Emma let out a breath and answered. "Hello?"

"Hey Emma, it's detective Benson. How are you?"

"I'm fine. What's up?"

"I'm um…well I'm almost to your place with Alex. Is it a good time to talk?"

"About what?"

"It's nothing bad, I promise. It's just something we want to talk to you in person about."

"Alright. See you in a bit." Emma said and hung up. "Her and Alex are coming. I have no idea why."

Regina poured the coffee as the four of them sat at the kitchen table. Alex got a folder out of her briefcase and smiled at Emma. "Emma, I know we've briefly talked about this in the past, but we never really settled it. We went after everyone who downloaded and shared your video that was online and they were fined." She pulled out some papers. "One of them, you talked at the hearing, and he is a billionaire. I could see how draining this was for you, so I decided to go after him under what is called 'Joint and Severely liable'. What that means is we went after him for everything and if he wants to go after the others individually, he can. Emma…he settled for a very high amount." She handed the papers over to Emma. "This is one of six checks. You'll get five more in the next five years for the same amount."

Emma read them and was in shock. "Wait…I…" She was speechless and had no idea what to think. "It feels wrong."

Olivia reached across the table and took Emma's hand. "What they did was wrong, Emma. Taking this doesn't make you wrong at all. No amount could cover what you've gone through, but this can help. It's to be used for any medical bills, therapy bills, anything remaining for what you went through. If you don't have any of those anymore, then it's simply for you."

Emma looked at Regina. "What do I do?"

Regina puffed her cheeks out as she let out a breath. "I say you take it. Emma, you've told me over and over that you dream of starting a place for kids to go to and explore their creativity. With this money, you could easily start that and even apply for a grant. Anything left over can be used towards the girls' education or for a family trip, or what ever you want to use it for. It can go to something good, baby."

"Emma, if that's really something you want to do, it would be amazing." Oliva stated. "And this would help with that."

"It feels like I'm taking payment…like as if it's a porno or something and it wasn't."

Alex shook her head. "I get why you'd think that, but Emma what this is, is payment for all the crap you've gone through since you were sixteen. You can't deny you went through a lot, and though we can't put a monetary value on that, you know it was hard."

"Okay, okay. You can leave it and I'll do some soul searching." She looked at the two women. "Thank you for everything. I mean it. It's meant a lot."

"You're welcome, Emma. Thank you for coming into us. We'd have never got this ring or saved those girls if it hadn't been for you."

Regina showed the two out as Emma stared at the check. "One point five billion dollars." She stated, feeling Regina behind her. "And there will be five more coming."

Regina wrapped her arms around Emma. "Baby, you do what you want to do; even if that means ripping it up."

"I think you were right earlier, Regina. I just don't know where to start with the project." She turned and looked at Regina. "And it'll take up a lot of my time."

"We'll talk to our lawyer on Monday."

"Wait, we have a lawyer?"

"Well, I do, but we're almost married, so she's yours too, if you want."

"If you trust her, so do I."

That evening, Zelena and Cora joined the family for dinner. When they were done, Emma cleared the plates while Regina looked at the girls. "Girls, we have something to ask you."

"Sure. What's up?" Penny asked.

"Come into the living room." Emma said. She sat on one side of the sofa while Regina sat on the other, the girls between them. Secretly, Zelena was recording this moment. "We never want to do anything and just assume you're okay with it."

"That's right, so we wanted to ask you two how you each felt about something. It's completely okay if one of you want it and the other does. We just want you to be completely honest with us."

Penny chewed on her lip, hoping against hope they were going to ask what she thought they were. She laced her fingers with Maddie's and held her breath.

Emma smiled softly. "We love you two so much and no matter what your answer is, you're ours, but…well we were wondering how you'd feel about making this official?"

"What does that mean?" Maddie asked.

Regina chuckled. "It means we want to adopt you, sweetheart."

Penny let out her breath and felt the tears in her eyes. "Me too?"

Regina took Penny's hand and kissed it. "Yes, of course you too." She stroked Penny's cheek. "You are just as much ours as Maddie is."

"Yes! I wanna be adopted!" Maddie said, excitedly, jumping on Emma's lap. "You'll be my forever Mama!"

Emma smiled and hugged the little one. "It will be my honor to be Mama to both of you."

Regina smiled at Penny. "And you?"

"Yes!" Penny said, wiping her eyes. "I want to be adopted. Thank you so much."

"Thank you for letting us adopt you." Regina said, wiping her own tears.

Six months later, Regina and Emma sat cheering in a booth at The Queen's Club. It was their bachelorette party, and they were enjoying the private show. Mal couldn't stop smiling at them, so happy to see how far both of them had come. Emma disappeared for a bit and the lights went low.

"Presenting, The Swan Princess here to dance for her future wife."

Emma came out with a smirk and a very skimpy wedding outfit. She went to Regina and started dancing, forgetting all the 'rules' and getting all up in Regina's space. Regina was laughing and touching Emma all over. "Fuck. I can't believe this woman will be all mine!"

Emma laughed at that and sat in Regina's lap. "All yours, forever and ever."

The wedding was intimate and beautiful. It went off perfectly and neither Emma nor Regina could be happier. They went on a small honeymoon to Miami beach and the girls stayed with Cora while they were gone. Once they got back, Emma worked hard with her lawyer on her project.

Two months after they wed, the adoption went through with both girls. They had all decided to take the Mills name, and all four were finally happy with their lives and their family. To strangers, it would seem like Penny was Regina's and Maddie was Emma's and both girls liked when people would make those kinds of comments.

"Regina, I can't believe today is the day." Emma said, nervously running her fingers through her hair.

Regina came over and held Emma close. "It is the day and I'm so excited for this. Emma, you've put so much work into this. The kids are going to love the place."

"I really hope so." Emma said, checking herself in the mirror once more. "I can't believe I agreed to an interview."

"You'll do great, my love. I promise."

Emma stood with her family in front of the building that had a green bow across the entrance. There were press, kids, adults, even the mayor was there. Emma waited until the crowd hushed. "Welcome to The Swan Queen Kids Club." She cut the ribbon and let the crowd in.

Once things calmed a bit, a reporter came over. "Emma, is this a good time?"

"Sure." Emma said, nervously. "In the office?"

"Actually, we'd like to kind of walk around as we do this so we can show the audience all you have to offer and then we'll move into the office."

"Sure, that sounds good."

Emma was getting a mic fitted so Regina took the girls to look around with Cora, Zelena, Mal, and Lilly. The reporter smiled at Emma. "It's okay, you'll do just fine."

"Good morning Boston. This is Kelly Paige with a story to put a smile on your face and warm your heart. I'm here with Emma Mills, the founder of The Swan Queen Kids Club. Now, you may think we have enough community centers and YMCA's to spare, but let me tell you, this is not the same thing." She turned to Emma. "Emma, what is the goal of this kids club?"

Emma smiled, trying to not pass out. "This club is for anyone, but especially for kids who have been abused, neglected, or held back in any way to express themselves through creativity. We offer different forms of art including painting, drawing, clay molding, pottery wheels, even digital forms. We have a recording studio, a music room with many instruments, a dance studio, a graphics room, a library and writing rooms. We have instructors, teachers, and what we call mentors here to help with all of it. We also staff two therapists for kids who need someone to talk to."

"That's pretty impressive. So can any child come in at any time?"

"Not quite yet. Right now, we are open Monday through Fridays from 6am until 9am and again from 2pm until 8pm. On Saturday and Sunday, we are open 8am until 8pm. Also, while any child is welcome here, we do have to have them registered with basic information. We highly encourage any foster parent, group home worker, social worker, single parents, grandparents and busy parents to register their child so that they can just come here when we're open. We don't need to know anything about your finances or personal life; all we need is your child's name, any allergies or other health issues, and an emergency contact number."

"Emma, this is pretty amazing for the community. It's also pretty specific." The reporter stopped outside the dance studio and looked at Emma. "Can I ask what inspired you to do this?"

Emma paused, gathering her thoughts. "I was a foster kid and didn't have a great experience. I was also a vict…no, a survivor of a sex trafficking ring when I was only sixteen. I didn't know until years later that videos of me being raped at sixteen were posted online as well. It sounds weird, and I get that, but I became an exotic dancer at a very credible and up class dance club. The thing is, through dance, I learned to give myself the power that others had taken from me. It was extremely therapeutic for me. Then, when I finally got the courage to report everything, they found several girls in a group home that was being used as a brothel. I met with them and some of my coworkers from the club helped me help them through dance. I could have easily opened a dance studio and cater mainly to girls, but…that didn't seem right to me. Not every child will find dance therapeutic, but I firmly believe that every child can find some artistic outlet. Something to make them believe in themselves again, to help them through the pain. Now again, this isn't a place only for abused children. Even the child that comes from the most loving of homes can benefit from an artistic outlet. I will not turn any child away, no matter where they come from."

"That is truly inspiring, Mrs. Mills. I'm so…in awe of your story. You survived and you're giving back. I truly hope parents of all kinds out there will take advantage of this gift. Do you offer meals here as well? You said something about knowing allergies."

"Yes, I forgot to mention that. During the week, we offer breakfast, an afternoon snack, and dinner. We have an amazing kitchen with some great home cooks who are willing to let the kids help them as well. On the weekends, we offer three meals a day and two snacks. Even if kids just come here to eat, that's okay."

"Emma, again, this is inspiring. Can I ask how you're funding this?"

"Well, I was awarded some money from my abusers, but on top of that, I applied for grants and received them. I'm also set up for donations online."

"Let's get the site out there." Kelly said with a smile.

Emma gave it and then gave a smile. "My dream would be to open more of these clubs all along the east coast and maybe further one day. There are many kids who would benefit from it."

"You're, unfortunately, not wrong there, Emma. Thank you so much for taking me on this tour and for everything you're doing."

Emma found her girls in the art room, Regina watching Penny and Maddie paint at the easel. Regina looked up and smiled at her before coming over and hugging her. "I think you can call today a success."

"I think so too. We already have 1500 kids registered. I honestly hope this works."

"Emma, with your dedication, I know it will."

"Who would have thought that we'd ever end up like this?"

"Certainly not me. But I'm so glad we did."