I swear I thought I posted thiis already! Maybe I dreamt it. Anyway, here's the next update. I think one or two more and I'm gonna finish it up. Hope you enjoy it and thanks for the reviews!
"What should we do about Gideon? She still has his heart somewhere. It's not safe to leave him wandering around town doing her bidding. I've cuffed him but it won't be enough." Regina said.
"Sorry Gideon but you will have to be locked up until we find your heart." Emma spoke and led the young man out of the mine.
"I understand. What will happen to her? You won't kill her will you?" Gideon inquired.
"She'll be safe for now." Emma reassured him and transported the three of them to the sheriff's station. After the bars were firmly locked, she turned to Regina and smiled.
"So I didn't get a chance to say so earlier but I love you too. I just didn't think I would ever hear you say it first."
"Emma, I'm sorry. I wish you hadn't had to go through so much before I could admit to you how I felt. You know I don't like to let my guard down, especially after the last time." Regina replied.
"You don't need to apologise. I was acting like a stubborn idiot and couldn't imagine that you felt anything for me. I kept telling myself that I was doing the right thing, protecting you from getting close to someone else but I was so wrong."
"We both were."
"I should have let you talk to me before the ceremony." Emma admitted.
"I shouldn't have let you leave after the bachelorette party." Regina smirked.
"I shouldn't have told you it meant nothing."
"No, you really shouldn't have. That was just mean!"
"Can I make it up to you?"
"You had better."
Emma swooped in for another kiss. This time it was tender, soft and apologetic. She couldn't believe there was ever a time that this wasn't an option for them. All the years of torment and longing just seemed completely insignificant.
"Emma? Regina? What happened?" David shouted and ran across the street to meet them. He had seen the kiss and waited for them to finish before he said something.
"Dad! It's okay. We got her! It's over!" Emma beamed.
David hugged her tight then pulled Regina in to the embrace unexpectedly. "I'm so glad you are safe. Both of you! Regina, thank you."
"Me? What? I didn't.." She began but was quickly interrupted.
"Regina, we all saw what you did back there. It took real courage to face up to your love and I will never be more grateful to anyone for the rest of my days. You saved my daughter's life and I couldn't be happier that you two have finally found each other. I'll admit, it wasn't what I expected but I'm so glad it was you. You are already such a huge part of this family and I couldn't think of a better match. I just wish I'd seen it before. Maybe could have saved a few thousand bucks on this wedding!"
Regina laughed and looked at Emma for reassurance. "I think we all wish it hadn't taken yet another life or death situation to bring this about. And thank you. It means a lot to me that you accept this."
"Dad, I'm sorry I put you and Mom through that. I thought I was protecting everyone."
"I know honey. It's done now and the important thing is you are safe and you found your true love. Was your old man right or was he right?"
"Fine! You were right, now stop gloating!" Emma turned serious and Regina seemed to sense what she was thinking.
"Go, Emma. As much as I dislike the pirate, he deserves closure."
"Thank you, Regina." Emma pecked her cheek and transported off to the Town Hall.
David turned to Regina with a sly grin. "Huh! So what exactly do I call you now, hmm? Step-mother-in-law? Daughter-in-law?"
Regina gasped. "I think Regina will be fine thank you very much!" They both laughed freely. Now she could understand where his relentless hope came from.
###
"Killian."
"Swan! You're alive! I thought for sure it was all over. I'm glad you are ok." Hook accepted her embrace gratefully. He had already started on the rum and was making arrangements to sail off.
"I'm sorry about all this. I truly am." Emma cried knowing that she was responsible for his heartache.
"Swan. I get it. I know you loved me at some point and I had hoped that we could have worked through it together but I can't say I'm surprised that you and Regina harbored feelings for each other."
"I'm sorry Killian. I love her and I have done for a very long time. I just couldn't admit that to myself. You and I have been through so much together and I think, in another story, we could have made each other happy."
"Aye. Well, I suppose I never did learn which battles to walk away from and which were worth fighting for."
"There is someone out there that's a perfect match for you Kill. They might not be easy to find but if I know anything for certain, you deserve someone who can love you completely. You deserved better than this and I can only apologise for being so selfish."
"Chin up, luv. You forget I'm a pirate. I've done a lot worse for a lot less."
Emma smiled at him. "I know you. You are resiliant and strong and I know, if this had been anyone else, they wouldn't be taking it so well. I know I don't deserve it but I need you to promise me something. Promise me you won't go back to being a heartless pirate. Give yourself a chance."
"Aye, Swan. I will."
####
"Mom! You're ok! Where's Emma. Is she okay?" Henry ran into his mother's arms and hugged her tightly.
"She's fine Henry. She's stronger than ever." Regina beamed.
"Where is she? What happened to the Black Fairy?"
"Emma had to go and talk to Hook. The Black Fairy is behind magical bars. You don't need to worry about her anymore."
Henry observed his mother and grinned. "So you and Ma are together? Like for real?"
Regina grinned back. "And you aren't exactly surprised by that?"
"Nope! I kinda hoped you'd get there eventually." He sassed.
"And hope is certainly one thing our family have buckets of."
Just then, Emma appeared out of thin air. "Henry! I'm so glad you are good. Did she hurt you?"
"It was just a scratch Ma. Mom healed it already." He hugged her tightly. "I knew you'd beat that bitch!"
"Henry!" Both women scolded.
"What?! She is! Just telling it like it is!"
Regina raised an eyebrow at Emma. "He does not get that language from me!"
