A/N: Hello, I hope you're doing well. Thank you to those who left reviews on Isolation, I really appreciate it. Also please know that the one-shot has nothing at all to do with this story.
I also want to thank my friend Sarah for reading through the last few chapters before they were posted! xx
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It was the early hours of the morning which would start the second full day since Regina had left the hospital. She was lying in bed, gazing up at the dark ceiling as the city slept around her. She couldn't sleep, her muscles were bothering her and her mind was whirling from the conversations regarding Storybrooke. She turned onto her side, trying but failing to get comfortable. She gave a disheartened sigh as she watched Emma sleeping soundly beside her. Regina was restless, and she didn't want to risk waking Emma by tossing and turning the rest of the night, so she quietly slipped out of bed and reached for the throw blanket that was draped over her armchair, wrapping herself up in it in place of a housecoat. She passed Henry's room and went out into the dark living room. She could hear the soft whirring of the fridge from the kitchen, and she found the sound strangely soothing. Regina went towards the large windows and pulled the curtains back so she could see out over the city. Her hand lingered on the door to the balcony, but she decided it would be too cold at this time of night. Instead, she went back over to the couch and curled up there, watching the twinkling lights of the city before her. Regina wiped a tear from her eye as she thought about what Emma had said the previous night.
Bad luck.
Regina knew it wasn't simply bad luck that Emma wasn't a match for her. It was her fate. It was possible that Snow or Charming would turn out to be a match for her, but there was no guarantee they would be able to stay in Boston long enough for both the surgery and the recovery. She didn't think it was worth them risking their memories.
The brunette sat by herself for a while until she heard a tiny "Mom?"
Regina jumped a little and looked over to see her son standing behind the couch.
"Sorry," he said. "I wasn't sure if you were asleep or not and I didn't want to scare you."
"Henry," she responded in soft surprise. "What are you doing up? Is everything okay?"
The boy nodded. "I can't sleep. I was just coming to get my book."
"Oh," Regina looked around and saw it sitting on the table in front of her. She picked it up and handed it to him. "Here it is."
"Thanks." Henry took it, but didn't make a move to leave. Instead, he bit his lip, walked around the couch and put the book back on the table before taking a seat beside her. "Are you alright Mom? You sound like you've been crying again."
That made Regina tear up a little bit more. "I'm fine," she said softly, taking his hand in hers. "Like you, I'm just having a bit of trouble sleeping."
"Are you worried about people from Storybrooke coming after us?" Henry asked.
Regina gave a small nod. "A little." She admitted. "But your grandparents did say that not too many people know the barrier is down. We should be safe here for a while."
"But they said the dwarves know. And Ruby. Those guys see so many people every day, one of them is probably going to tell someone else and then the news will spread."
Regina frowned, nodding. She had been thinking that too, but hadn't wanted to say it. "While I very much hope that you're not… you might be right. If Leroy knows, it might be safe to assume the whole town will know by morning."
"But I think if no one wants to hurt you anymore, because that spell Blue cast is gone, maybe they'll just leave us alone?" Henry wondered hopefully.
Regina breathed a troubled sigh. "Do you believe it could be true Henry… that Blue might have cast a spell over everyone to make them want to hurt me?" She asked, a little quietly.
"Yeah Mom… I do. I think she did it."
Regina hugged the blanket a little more tightly around herself. She was silent for a few moments as she mulled over this idea yet again. "I just don't know why she hated me so much. What I mean is… I don't believe I ever did anything to her specifically. I won't deny that I took so much from so many people but… for her to want to send the whole town after me. To want people to torture me to death…" Regina's words caught in her throat. "Henry… I haven't yet told you this because I didn't want to frighten you… but while I was missing… I felt more vulnerable than I ever have in my life. And more afraid…" The brunette breathed a troubled sigh. "Blue was a fairy godmother… she was the mother superior. If she had such feelings regarding me, then… I can only imagine what everyone else thinks of me." She dropped her gaze a little.
Henry frowned, before moving closer and wrapping his arms around her. She hugged him in return, closing her eyes.
"Mom, I don't think everyone sees you the way the Blue Fairy did. I think it's like Gramps said yesterday… Blue could have started on a dark path back in the Enchanted Forest. Just because she wasn't obviously a villain, nobody really noticed all the bad stuff she did because they just trusted that whatever she did was for the good of everyone. She wasn't really a good person, but nobody could see it."
Regina gave a wistful smile, staring out over the city again. "I hope you're right Henry."
"Mom… do you think Grandma and Grandpa will come here to do those tests at the hospital?"
"I don't know Henry… I personally think it's too risky."
"But what if one of them can help you?"
Regina sighed again, running her fingers through his hair. "If they're outside of Storybrooke when the spell around the town line goes back up, they could forget who they are permanently. I don't want them taking that kind of risk. They've already done so much for me."
"But the doctor said if you don't start improving you might only have a few months left… right?"
"She did say that…" Regina agreed with a faraway look on her face.
She heard Henry sniffle and she wrapped her arms more protectively around him. "Henry… there is something I've been wanting to say… but I could never find the right time."
Henry looked up at her cautiously. "What is it?"
She smiled, brushing her fingers through his hair again. "One day you're probably going to have a child of your own, and if you do, I hope it will be with someone who is very special to you. Sweetheart… raising a child is going to be one of the scariest things you'll ever do, but I promise, it will also be the most wonderful experience you'll ever have. Henry… this won't be for many years to come but… if and when you do have a child… please, just promise you'll tell them about me?"
"What?" Henry asked in a small, confused voice.
"You don't have to delve into my entire history of course but... just make sure they know that you had another mother. Let them know that they had another grandmother... and please, tell them that she loved them with all her heart, even if she never got the chance to meet them."
Henry looked up at her with a grief-stricken expression on his face. "Mom why are you telling me all this?"
"Henry, it's like you said, the doctors don't think I have a very good chance… and there are things I have to tell you, just in case I am unable to later."
"But you're going to get better, that's why you're still going to the hospital for treatments. So they can keep helping you get better. The doctor said you could come home because she thought it would help you get better faster. Right?"
"The doctors have been doing everything they can but... I'm afraid I might just be too sick. I've been through too much and like I've said before, I'm afraid my body just can't handle it all."
"But Mom you can't die."
"I can…" She responded softly. "I think after everything I did, this must be the only ending for me. I've done too many bad things Henry. I think I deserve this fate. I deserve what's happened to me and it's time to accept it."
"Mom you don't deserve to die. You didn't deserve what happened to you back in Storybrooke either."
"That's what Emma thought too… but–"
"Well then she's right. Good people don't punish others the way those people hurt you."
"Do you really believe that?" Regina pulled back a little to look down at him. "Even though I was the Evil Queen? Even though I cast the curse on everyone?"
"Even then. There are other ways to make up for mistakes. If other people hurt you to get back at you, that doesn't make anything better. It just creates more darkness."
Regina's lips trembled a little. It meant a lot to hear Henry say that, when his views of good and evil had once been so black and white. "Do you think it's possible for me to ever be forgiven for casting the curse?"
"Yeah… It turns out a lot of people like living in Storybrooke better than the Enchanted Forest. And I think because no one actually got hurt from the curse… and because you only did it because you were so unhappy… I think people might understand why you did it. But I also think if they want to go home to the Enchanted Forest then we need to help them get back."
Regina's shoulders sank a little. "You're right but… I don't know how to do that."
"Our whole family is made up of heroes, if we all work together we can figure it out."
"Henry," Regina whispered, kissing the top of his head. "I wish I could be as optimistic as you. But it really means a lot to me, hearing you say all of this. I know you once believed evil was something that had to be destroyed at all costs, so it really means a lot to know that you think I might still have a chance at redemption."
"You're not evil…" Henry said, cuddling closer to her. "You're my mom."
Emma woke up about an hour later in the dark, quiet bedroom. She felt Regina's absence beside her, and so she shifted closer to the middle of the bed and reached an arm out to wrap it around the brunette. When she felt only the cool blankets beside her, her eyes shot wide open.
"Regina?" She asked into the dark room as she sat up. When she didn't receive a response and saw that the bathroom light wasn't on, she pushed the covers back, feeling a sinking sensation in her chest as she hurried out of the room.
The ill feeling she had was short-lived however, when she found Regina curled up with Henry in the living room.
"Regina?" She whispered.
Regina turned around and gave her a small smile.
"Hey," Emma breathed in relief. "Are you guys okay? What are you doing out here?"
"Neither of us could sleep." Regina explained softly. "We stayed up talking for a while, but then Henry fell asleep. I would have come back to bed but I didn't have the heart to move him."
"What about you? You still can't sleep?" Emma asked quietly, sitting down beside them.
Regina shook her head. "To be honest I'm not very comfortable."
Emma looked at the way Regina was holding Henry. He had fallen asleep leaning against her. Her legs were tucked up underneath her and it was clear that if she tried to move them, Henry wouldn't be supported anymore. If Regina was still bruised, prolonged weight would likely hurt quite a bit.
"I'll take him back to his room." Emma offered.
"No don't, you'll wake him." Regina pleaded softly.
"I don't want you sitting here with cramping muscles all night. You need your sleep too." Emma reasoned.
Regina gave a small sigh, nodding.
Emma stood and carefully lifted Henry into her arms. "Whoa, he's getting heavy."
"Well his birthday is coming up… He's growing." Regina responded softly as she stretched her legs out along the couch and relaxed back into the cushions.
Henry didn't wake up until Emma was pulling the blankets over him. She had expected Regina to follow but the brunette didn't get up.
"Mm…" Henry groaned sleepily as he settled into his pillow. "Emma? Where's Mom?"
"She's okay, she's still in the living room. We're all going to get some sleep now okay?" She leaned down and kissed his forehead. "Sweet dreams." She said, turning to leave.
"Love you," Henry murmured.
Emma froze, feeling a warmth run through her as she turned around again. Henry had fallen back to sleep now, but Emma beamed as she patted his arm gently. "Love you too kid."
She closed the door behind her and went to rejoin Regina in the living room. The brunette was clutching a blanket to her chest and looking out through the floor-to-ceiling windows. She briefly glanced towards Emma, and as the city outside slightly illuminated the room, Emma could see Regina's small smile.
"It's really more beautiful than I expected it would be." The brunette murmured.
"Boston you mean?"
"Mhmm."
"Yeah, I do like this city. Especially compared to some of the other places I've lived." Emma agreed, taking a seat next to Regina. "Are you sure you're alright?" She asked softly.
Regina nodded. "I'm fine," she insisted gently.
"Are you going to come back to bed?" Emma asked. "It's nearly four, the sun'll be coming up soon."
Regina gave a small shake of her head, dropping her gaze.
"What is it?" Emma asked in concern.
Regina hesitated. "I don't want to put any weight on my legs right now. They're a little sore."
"Do you want me to carry you too?" Emma asked lightly.
Regina looked up at her with a small smile. "No, don't be ridiculous Emma." She replied gently. "You go back to bed, I'll be alright to sleep here."
"I don't think it's ridiculous." Emma said sincerely. "I just want you to be comfortable."
Regina studied her for a few moments, before nodding softly. "Okay."
Regina inched a little closer to the edge of the couch and Emma leaned down to gently scoop her up. Regina wrapped her arms around Emma's shoulders and gazed adoringly up at her before resting her head on Emma's shoulder.
They were quiet as they passed Henry's door, and when they got to Regina's room Emma set her carefully down to sit on the bed. "Thank you," Regina said softly.
Emma gave a small smile in response, lightly squeezing Regina's hand. The blonde went to close the door but she watched as Regina gingerly slipped under the covers and laid down on her side. Emma got into bed beside her and Regina nestled closer to her.
"Are your legs hurting because Henry was leaning against them or something?" Emma asked, wrapping her arms around Regina.
"No." Regina responded quietly, closing her eyes. "Well, not entirely. I think I may have been a little overenthusiastic when we went out to explore the city. I think I walked a bit too far."
"The stairs probably didn't help either…" Emma said, shaking her head. She wished she had just insisted on the elevator from the start. "It was your first day out of the hospital, your body's not used to that much exercise… I should have brought the car today… We shouldn't have tried to walk up to the sky terrace."
"No Emma," Regina reached over to touch her hand to Emma's cheek. "I don't have any regrets regarding today – well I suppose it was yesterday now – it was the nicest time I've had in weeks."
"You sure?" Emma asked softly.
Regina's smile grew. "Yes. It was perfect. Well, maybe up until we spoke with your parents. But even then… it was nice to see them."
"We'll see them in person again soon." Emma said. "I know we will."
"I hope you're right." Regina breathed a sleepy sigh. "Goodnight Emma…"
"Night…" Emma responded. She was glad when Regina didn't move away from her. She loved falling asleep with Regina in her arms.
When Emma awoke several hours later, she found Regina still tucked closely by her side.
The brunette felt her moving and looked up to see Emma smiling down at her. "Good morning," Regina murmured.
"Mmm," Emma stretched. "Good morning. How did you sleep?"
"Not well…" Regina replied honestly. "I was right earlier, I overdid it a bit yesterday. My legs are killing me… I think we should take it easy today."
"Oh," Emma replied, disappointed that Regina wasn't feeling well. "Yeah of course. We can just hang around the building if you want. We have to go to the hospital later for your appointment but other than that, you don't have to leave the apartment. We've got everything we need for now."
Regina gave a small smile, closing her eyes. "I'm pretty sure all I need right now is some more sleep."
Emma reached for her phone and checked the time. "Not too much sleep, you've got some medication to take soon. But there will always be time for naps later."
Regina scowled as she lay against her pillow.
"Go back to sleep if you can," Emma murmured softly, brushing her fingers through Regina's hair. "I'll wake you up when it's time."
Regina reached for Emma's hand, giving her an appreciative smile. She soon fell back to sleep, and Emma stayed to watch over her. She didn't know how much time left she had with Regina, and she didn't want to miss a moment.
It was later in the afternoon, and Emma and Regina were just getting ready to leave.
"It feels like I only just left the hospital…" Regina commented as she put her coat on. "It's strange to be going back so soon."
"It was only two days ago." Henry said as he watched them getting ready. "Why is your appointment so soon?"
"I have to go in three days a week for the dialysis." She reminded him.
"Why can't I go?" Henry complained.
"Because I don't know if they'll let two of us in to sit with Regina." Emma responded. "They told us they only allow one person. Remember, there will be other patients there too. The hospital doesn't want us crowding everyone. I don't think they would make us leave if you were there, not the first time anyway, but I don't want to impose on anyone if it's against the rules."
"Emma's going to help distract me." Regina said softly as she did up the buttons of her coat. "Honestly Henry I think you'd find it quite boring."
The ten-year-old was still frowning. "Can I watch movies while you're gone?"
Regina smiled, cupping his chin with her hand. "Alright…" She commented softly. "Just as long as they are ones I would approve of."
Henry grinned. "Okay."
Regina pulled him into a hug. "We'll see you in a few hours." She murmured, kissing the top of his head.
"I love you Mom."
"I love you too." She replied.
Emma and Regina were walking hand in hand in a park near the hospital, searching for a bench to sit on. Regina's treatment was already over, and before heading back to the apartment, Regina had mentioned wanting to get some fresh air. Emma suggested the park, and at first Regina had been hesitant due to the border around Storybrooke being down, but Emma had promised to keep her safe if anyone showed up. Regina had kept quiet for the most part, and Emma worried Regina was still fearful of being out in the open.
"Are you feeling alright?" Emma asked.
Regina looked up at her in surprise. "Yes I'm fine." She offered a small, unconvincing smile. "Why?"
"You've just been a little distant this afternoon, that's all. If you're worried about people from Storybrooke coming here we can head home if you want, back to the apartment? I don't mind."
Regina shook her head. "No it's not that." She stopped walking and turned to face Emma. "It was being there with all of those people… people like me…" She sighed. "We are all just waiting, and there are so many of us that I think most of us won't get the chance."
"The chance to what?" Emma asked.
"To receive a donor kidney. Emma, we're all just waiting for someone to die so that we can have the chance to live. It's just… so morbid to think about." Regina muttered, disturbed.
"But Regina any deceased donor would have died anyway. It's not like they are being sacrificed to save you. These people chose to become organ donors so that they could help save people when they pass away. There is nothing morbid in it all, at least not in my opinion. I think it's kind of beautiful that one person can save so many lives just by being a donor. They won't need their organs anymore so why not help someone to live a longer, healthier life?"
"I suppose…" Regina responded. "It's just difficult to think about."
"I know…" Emma said, wrapping an arm around Regina. "But who knows, maybe one of my parents will be a match for you and you won't have to wait until a kidney is found for you."
Regina gave a soft smile. "If there were a safe way of getting them here to be tested." She responded doubtfully. "I still think it's too risky asking them to come here. We don't know how long the barrier will be down and I don't know of any spell that would work towards restoring memories… and even if I found one, I would have no way of casting it. Remember Mr. Clark from the pharmacy? When the dwarves were testing the border he lost his memories, and they still haven't been restored."
Emma bit her lip, frowning. "What about the fairies?"
Regina winced. "I don't know how trustworthy they are."
"Mother Superior may have had crooked motives, but that doesn't mean all the fairies do. They tried to help you when Blue went awol. They had no idea she was trying to hurt you. Even under that town-wide spell that made everyone turn against you, they gave me a potion to help find you. They're good people Regina."
The brunette nodded absently. "And if it would be Snow and Charming that needed help, I'm sure they would be even more willing to assist."
"If the fairies have a way to restore memories, will you let Mary Margaret and David come here if they want to?"
Regina had a faraway look in her eyes. Finally she responded with a quiet. "Yes. But only if they want to."
Emma was relieved, but Regina just looked off into the gardens, clearly deep in thought. "I'm tired Emma." She finally said softly. "Let's just go home please."
"Okay." Emma nodded, wrapping her arm around Regina's shoulders as they turned to head back to the car.
Regina wrapped her arm around Emma's waist and leaned into her the rest of the short walk back.
When they got back to the apartment they were greeted by Henry, who had many questions about how Regina's treatment went. Regina explained to him that it was exactly the same as what she had received while staying in the hospital, just in a clinic in a different building. Eventually Henry had left them alone and went back to his room to study.
Regina was about to head to her room to take a nap when Emma caught her gently by the hand. "Hey, I was just going to catch up on some tv shows, want to join me?" She asked softly.
Regina sighed, smiling as she stepped back towards the blonde. "I'm tired Emma." She repeated.
"You can sleep through the shows if you want, just stay with me please?" Emma brushed her fingers through Regina's hair. "I like having you with me."
The brunette gave a soft sigh. "Fine, just as long as it's not that crime show you're always talking about."
"What's wrong with Rizzoli and Isles?" Emma asked, feigning hurt.
Regina smiled wistfully. "I don't want to watch anything upsetting right now."
"I guess that show does have its fair share of violence." Emma admitted. "Okay… I'll pick something that's either pure comedy or pure fluff. Then will you stay with me?"
Regina leaned forward to kiss Emma lightly. "Yes."
…
Emma was curled up in the corner of the sectional and she had her arm around Regina, who was fast asleep on a pillow in Emma's lap.
Emma heard Regina moaning quietly, and so she rubbed Regina's back softly, trying to convey to her that she was safe. It didn't seem to be helping though, and soon Regina became quite agitated. Emma paused the show she was watching.
"Regina, it's okay." Emma said softly. "You're safe."
The brunette relaxed briefly, but Emma could still see the way her forehead creased in worry as she slept. Emma brushed her fingers delicately through Regina's hair and continued to speak comforting words to the sleeping woman.
Regina's unease was clearly getting worse and Emma couldn't sit there and let Regina suffer, even if it was just a dream.
She shook the brunette a little more forcefully. "Regina." She insisted, repeating her name several times.
A few moments later Regina awoke with a start, gasping as she instinctively tried to push Emma away from her. "No," she said in a barely audible voice.
"Regina it's okay, it's just me. It's just me," Emma soothed, trying to gently hold onto Regina, whom she was afraid was going to slip off of the couch.
Regina slowed. "Emma?" She whispered, closing her eyes in relief. She reached her arms around the blonde, and Emma helped her to sit up. "I'm sorry."
"You don't have to apologize," Emma said softly, holding Regina close as the other woman leaned into her, burying her face into Emma's shoulder. "I'm here Regina. You're safe. You're safe." She whispered, brushing her fingers through Regina's hair.
"I just had a dream that Whale killed you." Regina admitted quietly. "He was trying to hurt me, and you were coming to stop him… but he killed you, and then he came after me again."
Emma's heart sank. "Did he hurt you? In the dream."
Regina frowned, shaking her head. A few tears rolled down her face. "He didn't need to. Seeing him kill you was enough torture in itself."
"Regina…" Emma said, feeling her heart break. She held the brunette closer. "It was just a dream. I'm okay. You're okay. We're all safe."
Regina nodded but continued to cling to the other woman, desperate to feel Emma's comforting presence. Once she had calmed a little, Regina pulled back from Emma. There were tears in Regina's eyes as she gently took Emma's face in both of her hands.
"What is it Regina?" Emma whispered, placing her hands over Regina's.
A tear slipped from the corner of Regina's eye. "Emma… I think if things were different and I wasn't potentially facing my last days, I don't know if I would ever have let 'us' happen. I don't know if I would ever have let my feelings for you reach this point." She admitted in a broken voice.
Emma's face fell, a little hurt. "What do you mean?" She asked, drawing her hands away from Regina's.
"Please don't think it's because there is anything wrong with you, because that is the furthest thing from the truth." Regina apologized with her eyes. "Emma… you are all I could ever wish for and more. You are perfect."
"Then… what's wrong with us being together?" Emma's eyes were wide, resembling that of a sad puppy.
Regina shook her head softly. "Because… the last time I let myself fall so deeply in love, I ended up in what I thought at the time was the worst pain I would ever endure in my life. You know what happened after that. I couldn't handle it... And I told myself I would never allow my heart to be broken like that again."
"But Regina you deserve to be happy. Everyone deserves to be loved. Trying to prevent yourself from falling in love ever again just to protect your heart... it would never make you happier in the long run."
Regina blinked back a few tears, withdrawing her hands from Emma's face. "You know… I really do believe that you're right about that." She whispered.
"Then… I don't understand." Emma responded in a broken voice.
"I've been so stupid. All my life I've been focused on the wrong things. I wasted so much time Emma. I was so focused on vengeance, that I never let myself even try to be happy. I think the only reason I was able to let my feelings for you grow was because I was too vulnerable to push them away. But now… knowing what it's like to be focused on something good instead of revenge… I could never go back. I don't even want to imagine how dark and lonely my life would be without you."
Now that Emma understood, she gave an affectionate, teary smile. "Well… maybe you weren't wasting time at all. Maybe you were just warding off all the losers because you were waiting for me to roll into your life." Emma grinned, joking.
Regina laughed softly, her eyes shining. "Maybe." She agreed, smiling fondly into sparkling blue eyes. "Please… don't ever break my heart Emma." She said a little more quietly.
Emma felt a tightness in her chest at the words. "Believe me, that is the last thing I want to do. Because if I ever did anything to hurt you that way… I wouldn't be able to live with myself. I wouldn't be able to survive the pain of losing you." Emma's voice caught when she realized the double meaning to what she'd just said. All of a sudden there were tears pouring from her eyes. "Regina..." She sobbed.
The brunette nodded sadly in understanding. She pulled Emma into a tight, comforting embrace.
"You would survive it... and you will." Regina closed her eyes as Emma cried into her shirt. "You're the strongest person I know Emma."
"Regina don't say that. You don't know that you're going to die."
"No, you're right I don't." The brunette responded softly. "But ignoring the possibility won't make anything better, or easier, for any of us. We need to be prepared for whatever happens."
"I don't want to be prepared." Emma murmured, sniffling loudly. "I want to live the rest of my life with you. I want to be able to take you to Italy, like we talked about. I want to grow old with you. I want to drive Henry crazy when we spoil the hell out of our grandkids."
Regina breathed a soft laugh. "Well if I'm not around by then, you'll just have to spoil them double on my behalf, understood? I'll be watching over you so you better give them everything they could ever want and more."
"They would want you. They would want to know you."
Regina nodded softly. "And I would want to know them too. But just promise me you'll take care of them. I know you'll do a wonderful job because I've seen the way you look after Henry. You're a natural."
Emma shook her head. "No. I don't know what the hell I'm doing half the time. You're the one that's the better parent."
"Emma," Regina whispered. "There is more than one type of good mother. Trust me, you have nothing to worry about."
"But I don't know anything about raising a kid."
"Do you think I knew everything about raising a child when I adopted Henry? Or when Snow became my stepdaughter? Of course I didn't. You'll learn it as you go, just as I did."
"Just stay and teach me." Emma said stuffily.
Regina's smile warmed. "You don't have to worry Emma… Whatever happens, I will always be with you. Always. I'll be in your heart… in your memories… I'll even visit you in your dreams."
Emma wiped away a tear, thinking about that. "Every night?"
Regina breathed a soft laugh, nodding as a tear rolled down her own cheek. "Every night."
"What if one day you're not there?" Emma's voice broke.
Regina closed her eyes, brushing her fingers through Emma's hair. "Then you'll just have to look for me."
Emma's breathing was shaky as she struggled for oxygen, clutching Regina tightly. "I love you so much Regina. I don't think anyone's ever loved another person as much as I love you."
Regina smiled, laughing softly again. "They have Emma. I know they have… because you know that feeling you have for me?"
"Yeah…" Emma asked in a small voice.
"Well that's the same feeling I have for you."
Emma sniffled again, pulling back to look up at Regina. The blonde's face was wet with tears and her skin was a splotchy red that matched the redness around her eyes. Regina had several dignified tears streaming down her face too, but Emma thought she still looked radiant.
"So… just to be clear," Emma began, chuckling nervously. "Us being together does make you happy… right?"
Regina smiled, placing her hand on Emma's cheek. "Yes it does." She murmured softly. "It makes me happier than I ever could have dreamed of. I love you Emma." She leaned in to kiss the other woman affectionately on the lips. "I'll always love you."
...
A/N: Thank you so much for reading, please don't forget to review. Take care xx