A Different Happy Ending:

A New Beginning – Part Seven

Six Months Later

Alena twirled in front of a mirror as she admired her wedding dress. She wore a dazzling smile as she exclaimed, "I can't believe it's finally here!"

Emma, Belle, and Snow all looked on with smiles. The blonde then offered, "And it's only going to get better."

She and Alena then shared a smile of their own. Emma then told her, "And it's now time for the finishing touch."

She then grabbed the veil from the bed and presented it to her daughter. "Ready, kid?"

Alena nodded happily before she bent down slightly. Emma then carefully adjusted it in her hair, allowing a few of the curls to frame her face.

Emma then stepped away and admired her daughter. "You are so beautiful."

"Thank you, Mom," Alena told her before Belle chimed in, "I have to agree - you are an absolutely lovely bride."

Alena gave her future mother-in-law a sweet smile before she continued, "I can't wait for Gideon to see me."

"I think it's safe to say he'll be rather speechless," Belle surmised with a smile.

Snow then added, "And he'll be wearing a smile of complete adoration if he's anything like David and Hook."

"And Rumple," Belle interjected, her smile remaining. She then took a deep breath and spoke, "It's still one of the happiest days of my life - despite all of the trouble we faced before and after."

"I think we've all had our fair share of that," Emma said as she crossed her arms over her chest, "But we always made it through, and you guys will, too."

"Even if it probably won't involve the Evil Queen literally crashing your wedding," Snow spoke, a slight chuckle escaping her lips.

"Hey! Aren't we past that by now?" Regina quipped as she and Zelena filed into the bedroom.

Snow shook her head as she placated, "All I meant was that David and I had our difficulties, but we always found our way back to each other."

Regina only hummed before Zelena piped up, "I think the best advice is for them not to kill themselves or each other. Especially since we're talking about the daughter of Captain Hook and the son of Rumplestiltskin."

"I mean, she does have a point," Regina surmised with a tilt of her head.

Emma and Belle rolled their eyes while Snow and Alena shook their heads. The blonde smoothed down the front of her wedding dress before she offered, "Gideon and I do get on each other's nerves - especially the last few months we've been living together - but it's nothing we can't handle."

Those gathered - even Regina and Zelena - smiled at her words. Emma then offered, "And on that note, it's almost time to go. Got your bouquet, kid?"

Before Alena could answer, Snow interjected, "Wait. We're not quite finished."

She and her mother furrowed their eyebrows as Regina let out a groan. She then complained, "Please tell me you're not doing that borrowed and blue charade."

"Come on, it's such a beautiful tradition," Snow defended as she clasped her hands together.

With her hands planted on her hips, Belle conceded, "It is rather romantic," a smile making its way across her features.

"Of course the bookworm would agree," Zelena quipped as she moved her red hair off her shoulder.

Alena only shook her head before she intervened, "Guys, I'm right here, and I'm the one getting married."

"Sorry, kid, I think everyone just got a little carried away," Emma told her as she rested her hands on her arms.

With a deep breath, Regina then spoke, "Your mother's right, Alena. This is your day - and it should be the way you want it."

"Glad to hear it. And thank you," Alena replied with a smile. She then turned to Snow and said, "And I do want to go ahead with something old, something new, etc."

Snow offered her granddaughter a smile and a nod before she began, "Well, your dress is new, so there's no need for that part."

Alena looked down at her gown as she said, "I really was going to wear Mom's, but I saw this one and fell in love," running her fingers over the delicate lace.

"I get it, kid. You decided that you wanted something that was your own," Emma told her with a smile.

Alena nodded her agreement. She then reached up and touched the veil before she continued, "But I still wanted a piece of your dress with me on my wedding day."

She received a fond smile from her mother before Snow spoke, "Now we'll move to the old and blue," opening her hand to reveal a bracelet. The silver bracelet featured delicate flowers and leaves that covered the band.

"Oh, it's beautiful," Alena complimented. Snow nodded before she explained, "This has been mine since I was a young girl - it was a gift from my father. It was always my favorite, and I want you to wear it on this most special day."

A bright smile spread across her features when she took the bracelet from her grandmother and placed it on her wrist. As Alena continued to gaze at it, Emma said, "You know, kid, I also wore this when I married Killian, so it's tradition in a way."

Alena's smile only grew as Regina chimed in: "I didn't peg you for being quite so traditional, Emma."

With a shrug, she replied, "Maybe not always, but I think I can make an exception when my only daughter gets married."

"I can't argue with that," Regina surmised as she folded her arms. Zelena then interjected, "I hate to break up a family moment, but I'm fairly certain the other half of this party is already at the beach by now."

"Not just yet," Belle said as she moved her hands from where she held them behind her back. "I may not have known about Snow's idea, but I still wanted to give our bride a little something."

"Oh, Belle, you didn't have to do that," Alena told her - only to receive a hand wave of dismissal.

With a smile, she spoke, "I could not be happier that you and Gideon will be spending the rest of your lives together and that you'll be part of our family. I can tell by the way you two look at each other - and how you've always looked out for one other - that this truly will be your happily ever after."

She then opened her hand to reveal a blue patterned ribbon. "Though I didn't wear it too often, it is a lovely hair ribbon that I'm quite fond of. I thought you could tie it around your bouquet."

"I'd love to," Alena began as she took the ribbon. She smiled as she continued, "And thank you for sharing this with me."

Belle nodded before her soon-to-be daughter-in-law wrapped her in a hug. She squeezed her back.

When they pulled away, Alena then hugged her mother and grandmother. After they pulled back, she smiled and told them, "And thank you guys. I get to have a piece of those I love with me when I marry the love of my life."

The two of them shared her smile before she turned to Regina and Zelena. She couldn't help but chuckle before she said, "I know you guys aren't much for hugs, but I'm so happy you two are here."

"So are we," Regina offered with a smile. Zelena gave one as well before she quipped, "Lucky for you, Gideon is as sentimental as you are, so he'll get why you took so long getting ready."

Regina shot her sister an annoyed look as she chided, "We are not going to be late. You're just worried that Robin won't be able to keep your daughter from ruining her dress."

"Forgive me for not having the utmost confidence in Charming and Company," Zelena refuted as she crossed her arms over her chest.

Regina rolled her eyes before Emma interjected, "I'm sure they're fine - I don't think you have anything to worry about."

Zelena only hummed while she wore a slight scowl. Alena bit back a laugh before she spoke, "Alright, guys, I'm getting more anxious… and excited by the minute. I'm so totally ready to go."

She then grabbed her bouquet of purple orchids and white lilies from on top of the dresser. She tied the ribbon around the existing white linen and lace.

A fond smile bloomed across her features as she gazed at the bouquet, delicately running her fingers over the flowers. She then took a deep breath and looked up at her family.

Snow then said, "We're gonna head over to the beach and leave you and Emma to any finishing touches. See you soon!"

After waving everyone off, Alena and Emma both looked at the bride's reflection in the mirror. She smoothed down the front of the white gown before she let out a chuckle.

With a curious expression, Emma then asked, "What's so funny, kid?"

Alena turned to face her mom before she answered, "Just that you guys kept my room exactly the same."

Emma couldn't help but grin as she pointed out, "You and Gideon are the ones who found a furnished cottage."

A small smile lit up her face as she surmised, "We just wanted something that was ours." She then added, "But I like it this way - it reminds me of reconnecting with you and Dad."

Emma smiled before she wrapped her daughter in a tight hug. "I still can't believe you're getting married, kid. It still feels a little surreal."

"For me, too, Mom," Alena told her. When they pulled away, she continued, "But I'm so happy that I'm about to burst - and part of it is that you and Dad - mostly Dad - gave us your blessing."

With another smile, Emma said, "And I know he's just as happy to walk you down the aisle."

She paused and glanced at the clock on the wall before she added, "We should probably get going unless we actually want to be late. Zelena's 'I told you so's' are pretty much as bad as Regina's."

Alena chuckled before she took one last look in the mirror. Her eyes began to well up as she realized that her dreams were about to come true.

She took a deep breath before she smiled - a bright one that likely wouldn't fade any time soon.

With a final sweep of her old room, she then began making her way down the stairs.