Emma and Regina married a year ago, four years after grieving the violent deaths of their much-lamented soulmates. But fate, with a helping hand from Zeus, brought Robin and Killian back. How will that affect their marriage?
Granny's Diner
"We got married last year, Robin. Regina's now my wife."
The men looked at one another, both totally floored by the revelation. Killian wanted to come back with a suitable remark, but his heart wasn't in it, so the the only words that came were, "I see." Because inside, he was devastated.
Without another word, he silently stood, turned and walked away from them, through the remaining diners, as though they were invisible, towards the exit.
"KILLIAN?" Emma finally found her voice.
She hadn't been sure what his reaction would be. Anger? Not that. Not silence. She couldn't imagine what was going through his head. To him, it was less than a month since they'd all returned from Camelot before that terrible journey to the Underworld. To a place she'd try so hard to forget. And the reason she went there.
I turned him into the Dark One. I turned him into the thing he hated the most; yet he still went on and sacrificed himself to save all of us. To save me! He got stabbed, beaten and tortured by Hades, because of me! And now Zeus sends him back, only to find out I'd moved on. It was Emma's turn to weep, a dam finally breaking as guilt overwhelmed her. After everything he'd gone through. For me!
She dropped her face into her hands and wept.
Regina would've comforted her, but she was too distracted by the face of her own former lover.
Robin sat with his arms folded, looking into the middle distance. A single tear formed, sliding down his cheek. Regina noticed, and it made her feel even more wretched. Heartbroken, she placed a hand on his arm. But he almost seemed to flinch at the contact, as though he'd been burned.
"I'm sorry Robin, but I never imagined I'd see you again. I thought you'd gone forever!"
He nodded, with a weary look of resignation. "I guess five years is a long time."
But she could see the pain underneath. "But I loved you. With all my heart."
"Loved." He repeated, softly. "Past tense?" His calm only made her feel worse.
"I'm sorry, I merely meant-"
"Sorry, but I need to be anywhere but here, right now. Would you excuse me?" He stood to leave, before turning his head away to look at his children. "Congratulations. I hope you'll both be truly happy." But it was said with no feeling whatsoever. As Hook had moments ago, his intention had been to just walk out the door, to breathe fresh air, his mind an emotional jumble.
However, as he stepped away, he felt a tug on his trouser leg. Looking down, his little brown-eyed girl looked back up at him.
"You going...Papa?" asked the inquisitive youngster. "Picky-up me?"
Robin felt overwhelmed, and ashamed. Whatever he'd just lost, he'd gained something far more precious. Forcing a smile, he lifted the little tot into his arms, wanting to cuddle her tightly, though knowing that might likely scare her so soon after meeting for the first time. So, drawing her gently to his chest, he whispered. "No Honour, I'm not leaving you, ever again." As the four-year-old rested her head on his broad shoulder, he tilted his head to rest gently on hers as, eyes closed, another tear made its way down.
A voice from his right side said, "You promise, papa?"
Pulling his boy to him, he nodded, repeating. "Yes, Roland, I promise!"
Henry looked over to Ruby and saw the wolf, now holding back tears, being held by Dorothy. Her wolf hearing had clearly heard everything from the far table. Robin had once been a good friend to Ruby, now upset clearly for the pain he was going through. Henry went over to her, placing large hands on her shoulders, pulling her into a hug. He was now much taller than all the women there, and his voice deep. "It'll be alright, Rubes. you'll see. They'll sort it out somehow."
"I know, it's just…so unfair? None of them deserve this."
Robin continued hugging his children, wishing the moment would never end. Honour lifted her head to look at her new daddy. Nervousness gone, she could see how much Roland loved him. He was clearly nice, so she asked. "Play wiv me outside?"
"I'd love to, my poppet. Come on, let's go?" He was now desperate for fresh air, and the chance to get to know his daughter. "Henry, could you go over there and tell your mothers I'm taking them to the park? I don't want them worrying. Roland, are you coming?"
"Course I am! I'm not leaving you!"
"Nor I you, my boy. Never again."
~oOo~
As the trio walked out, the remaining diners slowly starting drifting off. Word about the return of the former pirate and outlaw from the Underworld was about to spread rapidly. Thanks to Henry, their story of the cleansing of the River of Lost Souls would also spread, mainly due to the Author showing the new story from the magical storybook to Leroy and Ruby straight after Robin left, then leaving it with the waitress to read.
So quickly in fact, that within an hour of walking and playing on the swings and rides with his children, a small group headed towards him from the opposite side of the park, some breaking into a run, shouting. For a moment, Robin thought there could be danger, so he calmly let Honour down to the ground, moving in front to shield them. He need a bow right now.
"Roland, hold Honour there for me, would you?" However, his anxiety disappeared when he saw the man in front of the pack, a bearded giant, instantly recognisable.
"Rob - It's really you?" Bellowed Little John, bounding closer, surprisingly fleet of foot for such a large man. Robin smiled as his dearest friend reached him.
"John! I'm so happy to see-eeeeh!" the words were squeezed out of him by the tight bear hug, as he lifted Robin in a crushing embrace.
"My friend," said the now weeping man, "They told me you were sent back!" Happy tears rolled down his cheeks. "You're alive!"
"True, but if you don't put me down, I don't think I will be much longer? My old ribs can't take much more!" John let him down, as the rest of the men reached them, cheering, hugging and patting their returned, much-lamented leader.
"Jonny!" Honour yelled, putting her arms out for her godfather.
John instantly gathered her into a hug as Robin grinned. Regina was right, he could see how close the friendly giant was to his daughter. Roland was also grinning as Will and Alan moved across to hug the boy. Robin hadn't realised till now, just how much he'd missed the simple companionship of his men over the last few weeks. Not weeks - five years?
Tuck was the last to reach them, watching all the commotion before being the last to hug their returned hero. "I think should we celebrate tonight, don't you?" The others cheered their approval. For the next few minutes, their leader received even more hugs as even more joined them, including some of the women in the group, as word had spread.
"Locksley family, your chariots await! Let's go?" Without being asked, the children were gathered up, Will collecting Honour from John, turning and lifting her to place her on his shoulders as she giggled in surprise. Tuck did much the same with the somewhat heavier Roland.
"Goodness, Rolly! You're putting on the beef, young man? You're a lot heavier than last time!"
As Robin grinned at his children, strong arms suddenly grabbed him from behind. "What the bloody hell - Woah!" He yelled, as, with the rest of the gang and his children looking on, John easily lifted the fully-grown man cleanly on to his own shoulders. Far too easily. Making his children laugh in delight as the now larger group of at least sixty left the park to head towards the forest and, presumably, the latest site of their camp.
Storybrooke Common
Henry arrived late to the park, wanting to see where Robin had taken the children. Fortunately, not too late as he spotted the large group in the distance, with Honour, Roland and even Robin being paraded on shoulders and heading somewhere. He was about t go and join them, he heard a voice from behind.
"Henry, what's going on?" asked a pretty brunette, putting her hand in his.
"Hi Vi!" He turned and pecked her cheek. "It's Robin! Him and Killian came back from the Underworld today!"
"Robin Hood?" Henry's on/off girlfriend over the last five years remembered the brief time the famous outlaw had spent with the heroes. "He's Honour's dad, isn't he?"
"Yup. Rolly and Robyn's too! And he's, well, he was - Regina's soulmate."
"Oh dear - that's a bit awkward?"
"What do you mean?"
"Well Emma's not going to be too pleased is she, having her wife's old boyfriend back in town? He'll want to be with his kids, won't he? I can't see Robin just leaving them with their mums. Bit awkward?"
It never occurred to him that anyone would not want Robin around. Killian yes, but Robin? Then he remembered what he'd said to his mothers when he left the diner.
"Yeah, maybe. I had a bit of an argument with them before I left. I think I'm in the doghouse?"
~oOo~
A little earlier...
"Mums, just so you know, Robin's taken Rolly and Hon to the park. He wanted me to tell you he'll bring them back later."
"What?" Emma's voice rose, annoyed. "He should have asked first! He can't just take them off like that?"
He is their dad, ma - their dad? He didn't even know Honour existed, and hasn't seen Ro for five years. So maybe cut the guy some slack?"
"That's as maybe," Emma scowled. "He still should've asked!"
"Don't be silly, he's their dad! He's got more right than anybody, especially when it comes to Roland!"
His strident tone irritated Emma. "Don't raise your voice to me, kid."
At that, Henry's annoyance was instant. "Kid? Kid? I'm twenty years old!"
"And I'm your mother! Show me respect, or-"
"You want respect?" He cut in. "Well stop being a dick, then!" By now, other diners had started looking at them, as Henry's voice grew louder, including Regina who finally pulled out of her thoughts. "I'm twenty years old, and not a fucking 'kid', so stop calling me one! Robin's got his 'kids' with him. HIS KIDS! You're not even their mother, and Roland's only got one parent left, so leave him be!"
That last barb really stung Emma, reminding her she only inherited her current family, apart from him. She knew too well that, even though she married Regina and loved each one of her family, Roland and Honour would never be truly hers.
"Henry Swan-Mills, don't speak to your mother like that!" Regina intervened. "You apologise, young man! right now!"
But instead, he yelled right back at her. "They've just heard you two moved on, but at least Robin has his 'kids'! Don't you think you've done enough to them for one day?" Henry knew that, with his current temper, this wouldn't end well, so turned and walked away, storming out the diner and leaving both mothers yelling behind him to come back.
~oOo~
Later...
The Merry Men made their way to their camp in the forest on the outskirts of Storybrooke, to celebrate his return.
Robin had insisted that Killian Jones, the former pirate, who'd been as much a hero as himself down in the Underworld, should also join them. So Will phoned around, gathering everyone for the impromptu feast, then walked to the Rabbit Hole to gather some of the stragglers. He finally found Killian Jones propping up the bar.
Walking over to him, he called Robin, exchanged a few words then handed the phone to the pirate.
"Killian Jones, you reprobate!" Shouted the former outlaw on the other end of the line, "Seems you and I have made an impression, for some reason. There's a feast starting here, some sort of pig roast. So stop drowning your sorrows in rum and get your hairy arse over here?"
He had indeed been in high dudgeon after leaving the diner. Despondent and depressed. Five years? Couldn't she have waited? I would've! Did she ever really love me? He knew he was being ridiculous but he couldn't help himself. So he'd spent the last two hours in the bar, trying to figure out what he would do next. So the call from the friendly voice came as a welcome distraction.
"Locksley? Or should that be 'milord'? I was expecting you in here sometime. You sound rather too cheerful,considering we've both lost someone rather dear?"
"My friend, I really don't know what to think about that right now. Regina and me? Well we were…according to Tink, 'soulmates'. Though it would appear after five years', anyone can move on." Killian could hear the sarcasm in his voice. "Yes, I'm hurt. But to be honest, but I don't want to think about that right now. I have a new daughter Killian! A beautiful, healthy girl I didn't even know about? Two daughters in fact, and Roland, and I'm just so bloody happy to have them back, that I don't really want to think about anything else right now. So just come over to the camp and join us. And if you want to just get wasted, then we can do that too, together. Just get over here?"
"Aye mate – Perhaps I am ready for company. I'm on my way."
Somewhere in the forest
A little over an hour later, Killian, having walked with Will to the relocated camp, was struck to find that Robin's description of a 'pig roast' was an understatement, to put it mildly. Yes, there were fires and animals being roasted, but there was music, people dancing in small groups, and even a large bar set up. And it seemed as though half the town was here?
"Bloody Hell. What's all this, Scarlett?"
"Enjoy it Captain, this is for you and Rob. Henry showed us the story from the Underworld, in one of those books. Word spreads fast around here, you know? Apparently, you guys saved over two and a half thousand souls down there! Do you know how many people here, have loved ones who've passed over? All of 'em! He said Zeus sent you back. So, whatever people thought before, Captain Hook, or should I say Captain Two-Hands? You're definitely one of the heroes, right now!"
Heroes? Killian didn't feel like a hero. It was then, a woman's voice piped up from his left side.
"Killian?" A small blond appeared to be looking down to his new left hand, "I'm so pleased to see you back!" She moved to give him a warm hug.
"Hello, Tink. Can't say everyone's delighted, though?"
"Ah. You mean Emma and Regina? Yes, I heard. News travels fast. I'm sorry."
"Well, I guess five years being dead didn't help? Still, she's moved on. And with another woman, no less? So, I guess I should do so, too."
Tink recognised the suppressed anger in his voice, despite the appearance of calm.
"Don't hate her, Killian. When she lost you, Emma was devastated. It really was a bad time. Snow and David tried everything to pull her out of it. We all did. I spent quite some time with them. They visited your graves daily, for weeks. They even left Storybrooke together, for a while, trying to recover. But Henry insisted on them coming back, once Regina found out she was pregnant. We even thought we'd lose her at one point."
Killian felt foolish for his earlier irritation. "Yeah, she mentioned something in the diner." Things were obviously more complicated.
"But thank Zeus for Archie Hopper! You know, he even took both of them into his house for a couple of weeks? I don't know what he did, but it seemed to help. They started to heal, but it was slow. It was only a couple of years later, that Emma moved in with Regina, partly to help with Roland and the baby. Feelings then just developed between them. They disappeared for a few months. Later, we found out they went to Boston. They went away again, a year ago, and came back married."
"So no big royal wedding then?"
"Snow was livid!" Tink smiled, half-heartedly, at the memory. "Not because they got married, but because she missed out on organising a big royal wedding. Only daughter? Princess? All that stuff? Back when Emma told her they were dating, she was really awkward about it, too."
"Well, good luck to them, I guess? Though I have to admit, it still bloody hurts, Tink! You know, I honestly thought Emma was the one for me?"
"I know, Killian. And she was! Robin felt the same for Regina. Though they have a bigger problem coming. Those two are soulmates as well as true loves. I should know!"
"True loves? Still?"
"Fairy dust doesn't lie! True love lasts beyond death. Regina may think she's moved on, but she hasn't. Denying a true love when they're near becomes increasingly painful over time. It's a magic force, and they're in for a lot of heartache. And poor Emma's going to be trapped in the middle of it."
~oOo~
The celebration carried on late into the evening, everyone in high spirits. Killian, initially glum, with a few drinks and good food inside him, started to cheer, though not quite back to his old self. Several local single women made more than an effort to introduce themselves to the handsome former pirate, knowing he was now single. Effort which was much appreciated by him, if not by Tink, who stuck close by him throughout.
"Killian?" Ruby made her way over, hand in hand with Dorothy. "Sorry about earlier. I got carried away. And I'm so sorry for-"
She started to get misty eyed once again, so he jumped in. "Rubes, please, there's nothing you need apologise for, love. It's been quite the day." He looked at the tall brunette standing next to her. "Miss Gale? I'm sorry we weren't properly introduced earlier. I met your Aunt. 'Em' was it? In the Underworld. She came out of the River with someone. An older gentleman. Henry, I think?"
Tears grew in the eyes of the former hero of Oz. "Auntie Em and Uncle Henry? They're safe? Rubes said that Hades-"
"Safe and now gone to a better place, I promise." At that, the woman released her true love's hand, moving across and hugging the pirate. "Thank you, thank you!" she sobbed. "After Ruby told me what that bastard did in the Underworld version of this place, I never imagined-"
"Call me Killian, and you're more than welcome, love. I confess, I can't recall all the details, as we met so many. But can I say congratulations to you and Rubes for finding your own true love?" He winked at the wolf-hybrid over her shoulder, "Dorothy, thanks for making my friend happy. You make a beautiful couple."
"Thanks," The two women exchanged a smile. "So where are you staying tonight?"
"I hadn't given it much thought. Till a few hours ago I assumed I'd be going back to Swan's place. But now?" The pirate hesitated, a glum look overtaking his handsome features. "After five years away from here, I'm not even sure where the Jolly, or all my stuff is, or even if I have stuff anymore! I died as a Dark One, remember? So, I guess Robin's men will sort me out with a roof or canvas over my head tonight."
"No chance - you'll come stay with us at the diner, won't he Rubes?"
"Sure! Stay as long as you need. It's a lot warmer than a tent."
"Well that's settled then," Tink smiled up at him. "I'll go find out where your clothes and things are. I'll first go over to Emma and Regina's and ask. One of them's bound to know. And if not, well, there's always magic?"
"Thanks love. Mind you, hadn't you both better clear it with granny before I stay?"
"Sorry, I forgot to tell you," Ruby's smile dimmed. "She passed away a few years ago. Just after Robin's murder by Hades," Dorothy put her arm around her lover's waist. "She was very fond of him. We all were. She took his death particularly hard, especially when he sacrificed himself for Regina. We think her heart finally gave out."
"That's sad news indeed. She was a wise old bird. She kept me in line all right! I'll miss her." The women silently nodded. He took both their hands to give a short squeeze in sympathy. "Come ladies, let's join the throng? I do believe the drinks are on Locksley tonight!"
They worked through the welcoming crowd. Killian and Tink on one side, Ruby and Dorothy on the other. The former pirate glanced towards the makeshift bar and saw Robin, with Honour in one arm and a pint of beer in the other, Roland & Henry acting as some sort of guard as people came to pay their respects.
"Locksley, we meet again."
"Indeed, my friend. An unusual day, though I need to get this beautiful young lady and her brother back to her mother soon? It's getting dark, and Regina may be starting to worry."
"No Papa! I want to stay here with you tonight?" Roland moaned. "I'm not letting you go!" He wrapped his arms tight around Robin's waist. Honour looked down at her brother and hugged her new daddy just a little tighter too. "My darling children, I'm not leaving you! Neither of you. But it's my first day back, so I need to find somewhere to stay. So be a good lad and go with Henry and I'll find a way to meet you tomorrow? Henry, would you kindly?" He said to the now tall, broad-shouldered handsome twenty-year-old. Hell, he's the one who really changed the most!
Before Henry could answer, Tink answered for him. "Robin, I'll take them back? I need to speak to Regina anyway. I'm pretty sure Henry would prefer to stay and enjoy a few drinks with you guys."
The young man in question beamed his appreciation. "Thanks, Tink, I'd like that! I did ask Vi to join me as she hadn't properly met Robin before. To be honest, I'm a little pissed off with both of my mums right now. I texted, telling them what we're doing, so I thought at least one of them would've shown up? Your first night back and all?"
Tink placed a hand on his arm. "I think they have other things on their minds right now, don't you?" She glanced up at Robin.
"She's right, Henry. It's a strange day for all of us. I'm sorry to have been the cause."
Henry smiled, sadly. Robin had always been considerate of others and, even though he was pleased his mothers were happy, he still felt sad it partly came at Robin's expense. The man who saved his mother's life. As the Author, Henry knew the story of Regina, Robin and Tinker Bell's fairy dust. The man with the lion tattoo. The man who helped Henry's own father get to Neverland, to help save him from Peter Pan. The man who'd had his wife Marian killed, twice, by the Mills sisters. The man who played a major part in turning the Evil Queen away from darkness, to become a true hero. The man who made Regina finally believe she could be loved. The man who didn't hesitate to sacrifice himself to save her. The man who'd made her pregnant and gave him a sister. The man standing before him now, back from the dead.
Henry liked Robin. He was the first real father figure since his dad, Neal, had died. Unlike Killian, Robin was a 'real' adult, a leader of men who took a genuine interest in him, not just as a means to get closer to Regina. In the short time he'd known him before their trip to the Underworld, Robin had started to teach him archery, trapping and animal culling. He always treated him like a grown up. When he'd been killed, Henry could only stand by and watch his mother's collapse. Her descent into depression was swift, and only the support of Archie and Emma had saved her from herself.
He saw, from the start, the changing and deepening relationship between his birth and adopted mothers, from outright hostility, to acceptance, grudging respect, admiration, friendship and finally, after losing their true loves, a whole lot more. He'd been the first to spot the signs. From the secretive chats, the striving to be in each other's company during their mutual grieving. The joint sessions of counselling with Archie. The evenings spent together at the mansion. The whispers between them, and eventually, him spotting Emma leaving the mayor's bedroom early one morning, assuming he was asleep. Henry wasn't stupid. He knew what was happening.
He had no problem with them being together; but he didn't want them to live a lie. It was Henry who prepared his grandparents for the news, though both Charming and Snow already saw for themselves what was happening. Surprisingly, David had been the first to accept the situation, just pleased his daughter seemed happier since the pirate's death. Snow, having a long and traumatic history with Regina, found the thought of her daughter being in a relationship with her stepmother, a woman who arranged the killing of her father and then spent the next five years trying to murder her, a difficult one to accept. The fact Emma was romantically attached to another woman was not the issue. Only who that woman was! David however, was able to help her finally accept the inevitable. It was what Emma wanted, and good for both of them.
Henry had, to his shame, forced the issue one morning, almost threatening to out them unless they stopped living a lie. They came out the following day.
As word spread, most of Storybrooke grew to accept them as a couple, apart from a few, like Albert Spencer, the former King George, who believed that the two most important public offices in town, Mayor and Sheriff, should not be shared by a couple, married or otherwise. Administrative and judicial power rested in too few hands. He made a fair point, and unfortunately, this was accepted by many.
So much so, he won the last mayoral election on it.
As much as he loved his mothers and step-siblings, Henry missed having other men around. Apart from his grandfathers, in Storybrooke he was surrounded by strong women, but few strong male influences. So, having gained a place in Harvard, he integrated quickly, appreciating the mixed company and indulging his new hobbies; writing, squash, football and beer, gaining quite a few new friends in the process.
Now back in Storybook a week, Henry was already starting to miss Harvard. Especially Boston & Cambridge. His romantic life was also active, and he was no longer the innocent his mothers imagined. Emma often asked him about girls, though he was usually able to throw her off by changing the subject rather than outright denial, knowing Emma would pick up on it instantly. His first romance, with Violet, had initially blossomed after they'd returned from the Underworld, though his winning a place at Harvard, and Violet being accepted for Vassar, had certainly threatened to kill it. However, as they were only a couple of hundred miles apart, they determined to at least keep the friendship, seeing each other regularly. Without the pressure from his mums or Sir Morgan, romance gradually changed into something a little deeper. His mothers picked up on it!
Although immensely proud, his acceptance to Harvard was greeted with both joy and tears. Both mothers dreaded the fateful day when he would leave the nest, though were also relieved when he finally declined the offer from Oxford University, in England. The thought of Henry leaving the country to live abroad, coming home only once, possibly twice a year, had been one step too far. Henry argued with them, pointing out the benefits and his wish to expand his horizons. However, unbeknown to both mothers, a quiet conversation with Archie Hooper had finally persuaded him that, after everything the two women had been through, being several thousand miles away, albeit only for three years, would be too much, too soon.
~oOo~
Earlier that day...
After an angry Henry left them at the diner that morning, Emma and Regina remained seated at their booth, stunned at what had just happened. Emma stared into the distance, oblivious to her surroundings. Regina just looked mortified.
Robin's alive!
She still couldn't get to grips with the fact her former lover, her true love, had been talking to her, minutes earlier. The man who died for her. Here! It was all too much to take in.
The painful days after Robin's murder now seemed a distant blur. She remembered grief like she'd never felt before, even worse than Daniel's killing by her mother. Worse than the loss of her parents, both at her own hand. Robin, along with her son, had been her world. She'd collapsed, physically and mentally in the weeks that followed. Tears at the graveside, nightmares, endless attempts to come to terms with her loss. To her shame, one month after his death, at her lowest point, Regina had even taken an overdose of sleeping pills in a selfish attempt to end the pain. Selfish, because she did it without considering what it would do to Henry!
Then, two months after Robin's death, Regina found out she was pregnant. Though initially shocked, having believed herself to be barren, the realisation that she was carrying a child finally gave her the will to live. She may not have Robin any more, but she could at least have a real, living part of him. What better testament could there be to the memory of the greatest man she had ever known? The only man, apart from Henry, who had shown her what love could really mean.
Throughout her depression, she'dd come to rely more and more on Emma. The sheriff had gone through her own crisis, following the loss of the pirate. The pair of them, having become friends before their fateful descent to the Underworld, leant heavily on each other over the coming months, closing themselves off to everyone outside their small circle. Reluctant to talk, they'd spent many evenings together at the mansion. Not necessarily talking, but gaining comfort just from each other's company, knowing the other was going through the same pain.
It had been Emma who first found Regina after her overdose. Emma who'd put her fingers down the mayor's throat, trying to make her vomit up her stomach contents. Emma who'd poofed them both to the hospital, her dad being quietly called to take care of Henry. Emma, who'd stayed with her all night as her stomach was emptied, and drugs applied. Emma, who'd refused to leave her side until she finally woke, hoarse from the tube that had been extracted from her throat.
"Hi Gina," Emma whispered, leaning close to her friend. "I'm glad you're still with us."
"Henry? Is he-?" she croaked, looking completely broken.
"He's fine. Dad has him, but Henry doesn't know what happened. He just told him you were ill and needed intensive care."
"God. What have I done, Emma?"
The blonde took the older woman's hand, interlocking their fingers. "Hey, you just did what I thought of doing several times these last few weeks!" She said, more calmly than she felt. "So, I think it's time we did something about it, don't you?" Regina raised her eyebrows, silently asking her to continue. " I think we need outside help, you and me. Gina, we're not very good at opening up, are we? Yet all the books tell us that's just what we have to do. To talk about it! I hate the idea, but I think if we don't, one of us is likely to try something like this again; and I don't think that's fair to Henry, do you?"
Regina nodded through half closed eyes. "Archie?"
"Yeah. Henry's been suggesting we see him for a while now, isn't he? So, maybe time we listened to our own son?"
The former Evil Queen nodded again, squeezing the other woman's hand.
Following Regina's overdose, the heroes tried to maintain silence about it. If the town got to hear of her attempted suicide, not only would it cause harm to Henry and Roland, but it could also bring to light the fragile state of both the mayor and her sheriff, leading to a fresh attempt to remove them both from office.
Victor Whale, the most senior doctor in Storybrooke, had initially insisted on Regina not being released from hospital, pending full psychiatric reports. Until he could ensure there'd be no repeat of her suicide attempt. Despite being confronted by an angry Emma and blatantly pressured by Snow and David, Whale had held firm, looking down at the patient, asleep in her bed.
"I know you all want her released. I do too! But believe it or not, this IS in her best interests! I'm sorry, but I won't release her until I receive a proper psychiatric assessment, confirming she's no longer a danger to herself."
"And what if we refuse and just take her out of here anyway?" growled an angry blonde.
"Should you refuse to listen, and act regardless of professional advice, you will give me no choice but to go to the General Medical Council and the Town Council, inform them that the mayor is currently mentally unfit and have her temporarily or permanently removed. I do have that authority!"
Snow and David, while wanting to side with Emma, knew that Whale was within his rights.
"I'll stop you! Physically, if necessary." Her parents groaned at Emma's petulant response.
"Don't threaten me, Emma. You are also past your electoral mandate, and your re-election is overdue as you well know! Nobody is above the law, including you, and you can also be removed from office!"
David, seeing anger building, attempted to calm the situation. "Okay, stop it, both of you! This isn't helping. Whale, how long will this take?"
"That depends on how soon one of the experts can assess the patient, and issue their opinion and report."
As the three had been engaged in their heated argument, Snow slipped outside the room to call her friend.
"Archie? It's Snow. We really, really need you here right now!"
Dr Hopper came to the hospital within an hour of Snow's call, to defuse the situation. He led Whale to a side room for his version of events and agreed what would be acceptable for the doctor to release the patient and maintain silence on the incident. Hearing from one of the nurses that Regina had woken up, Archie returned to her bedside, asking Emma to join him. On seeing the former cricket, Regina slowly broke into a small smile, witnessed by Emma. Regina trusted Archie, knowing that even though she'd had some awkward moments with him in the past, he'd always had her best interests at heart and her son had grown to trust him.
"Hello Regina. Sorry you've been feeling unwell." He took her hand in his own. "I'd like to help you, if you'll allow me? I've had a chat with Dr Whale, and I think we've reached an agreement to get you out of here and back home to your family. I know you both…" he looked at Emma, encouraging her to join them, "have a problem with Victor, but despite everything, he really is trying to act in your best interests."
Emma was surprised to find that, instead of her usual sarcastic response, Regina's smile just grew wider, looking into the eyes of the kindly man addressing her and pulling his hand in towards her chest. Archie beamed his soft, benevolent smile down on her. "He's agreed to release you tonight, without me giving a formal report, on condition you meet with me daily over the next fortnight. Both of you." He looked at Emma.
"Both of us?" Emma twitched, annoyed. "I…I don't recall being the patient?"
"Both of you," he said, quietly. "Emma, you've also suffered major trauma, just like Regina. I believe you're both still going through a very hard time trying to come to terms with your losses. I know how difficult you find this, but that's where people like me come in. Let me help you?"
Emma realised the futility of arguing. She'd already told Regina they needed this. And now it was being offered. "Okay Archie. Help us?"
~oOo~
The daily sessions with Hopper started for both mothers. Seeing them individually and sometimes together, the psychiatrist and town conscience brought about noticeable changes in both of them. Regina, knowing and trusting his work with her son, was the first to benefit, recognising her desperate need to open up and talk about the loss of her true love. Many tears were shed over the coming weeks, with Archie helping to pull her emotions apart, rebuilding her own self-worth and reasons to live.
Emma though, had been a much harder nut to crack. Sceptical from the start, her early life as an orphan had built up walls which seemed impossible to breach. Several times she'd stormed out, when he probed into her past, and it had became too uncomfortable. Particularly questions regarding her issues with her parents' supposed abandonment, and subsequently being passed from orphan home to orphan home. However, slowly the cricket started to get the Saviour talking. About three weeks into her sessions, Emma finally cracked and, in a torrent of crying and wailing, the floodgates opened. The following session, Archie merely held the sobbing, grieving woman for an hour. It was painful, but she definitely felt better for it!
Once he had both women talking openly to him, Archie suggested a joint session, something Emma and Regina were both reticent about, despite their growing faith in him.
"Emma, Regina, I know you're both reluctant about having joint sessions, instead of individually, so let me explain my reasoning." The women sat side by side on his larger couch, ready to disagree.
"As I have repeatedly said, everything discussed in this room is completely confidential. You have always had my word. However, without disclosing anything, I have to tell you that you can help each other to heal just as much as I can help you. I have before me two people who have gone through one of the worst traumas of their life. Two people who have very similar backgrounds."
Emma snorted. "Similar? Regina and me? A former queen and an orphan? I hardly think so, Archie."
"I meant in terms of your sense of abandonment, and parental love. Your disrupted upbringing. You've both had to become independent much earlier than most, and that often brings issues. You've both acknowledged it, and have started opening up to me. Thank you for that, and I know it'll help. But now I need each of you to be able to open up to someone other than myself, for the same reason. And it makes good sense that, for you two, it should be with one another."
"Because we've both had a loved one killed?"
"Partly Regina, yes, though not only that. You're both taking sessions. You share a son who loves you dearly. You've put aside your differences, coming together in friendship, having saved each other's lives several times before. And you've both admitted to me, separately, that you regard each other as your best friend."
They seemed to match each other's pink cheeks, looking at each other, smirking reluctantly. Seeing each other's embarrassment, Regina sniggered, Emma quickly doing the same. An action that was picked up by Archie, who also smiled. "Exactly! You know each other's pain, and you care about one another, though you'll both try to deny it!"
At that, Emma reached a hand out towards the brunette, who picked it up to hold, staring straight ahead at Archie. "So try talking to each other. Talk about all the things you need to get off your chest. Just like you do with me. But this time, try not to offer each other any advice, or any criticism. Just try to listen to one another."
"And that's it?" asked Regina.
"Yup, that's it. Until our next session. Goodbye ladies."
~oOo~
Later that evening, they talked.
After Henry and Roland had gone to bed, the women sat together in front of Regina's fire, and talked about their early lives. About their loneliness, and about their former loves, Daniel and Neal. They talked about feeling isolated and misunderstood, and finally, they talked about Henry. With tears in her eyes, Regina told the younger woman about getting her little adopted boy home for the first time, his early years and her fears she would never be good enough for him.
"Regina, stop! You were the best thing that ever happened to Henry! The biggest regret of my life was giving him up in that prison, and I thank god he came to you. I failed him, whereas you saved him!" It was Emma's turn to be tearful.
"Emma!" Regina finally turned to take Emma's hands in her own. "You never failed him, I did! You were put in an impossible position, and I was the root cause. Because of me, Snow and David had no choice but to let you go, or you'd die! Because of me, you grew up without parents. Because of me, you had a horrible life as an orphan. Because of me, you- "
"No Regina, you stop! Whatever happened in the past, I don't give a shit! Our son loves you, and I'll always be so grateful you turned him into the most remarkable young man we both love today! You were there for him when I wasn't. I'm sorry I made him stop trusting you, when we first met; but god, he loves and needs you now. Just like I do…" The last words came out in a whisper. And with that, Emma let go of Regina's hand, moved forward and wrapped her arms around the older mother, pulling her to her chest.
Now breathing heavily and emotional, Regina welcomed the hug, responding in kind by wrapping her own arms around the blonde. And they stayed like that for a good few minutes, sniffling quietly, holding on to each other tightly, for comfort.
That's when it first happened.
After a long pause, Emma sniggered, still holding onto the other woman, their cheeks pressed together. Regina felt the other woman's body started to shake as she chuckled, which wound up causing her to respond in kind, aware of the ludicrous nature of their situation. Both sniggering now, Emma unconsciously turned her head and kissed Regina on the cheek. Regina smiled and brought her own lips to the blonde's cheek. Still not letting go, Emma pulled her head back a little, to face the other woman, now inches from each other. Green eyes looked deep into brown. And it was in that moment, the smiles left them.
Chests pressed together, they seemed to silently read one another. They both knew where this was heading. Looking down at the Saviour's mouth, Regina tilted her head slightly to her left, an action mirrored by the blonde. Their breathing increased, and the world seemed to stop, as the women slowly, ever so slowly, nervously brought their mouths closer, lips almost touching. A moment's hesitation, then Regina made the first move. She gently pressed her lips onto Emma's. Silence.
Emma's eyes closed, as her mouth moved more firmly against Regina's, pressing back a little harder. She was amazed by the sheer softness of the velvety cushion against her lips, which started moving slowly. The same feelings flashed through Regina as she opened her mouth a little more, feeling the blonde move with her, this time more confidently, less hesitant. Mouths widening, Regina felt the gap soon filled by a moist, warm sensation, against the inside of her mouth. It took a moment to realise it was Emma's tongue! It worked its way gently past her teeth, deeper, to tentatively explore. Regina instinctively responded by sliding her own tongue across the intruder's, warm and wet as the two wet organs introduced themselves for the very first time, each slowly massaging the other. The satisfied moans that returned made them both continue.
The entire kiss was probably no more than ten seconds in, when a bright burst of yellowish light flashed across the faces of the pair. Emma pulled back first, nervous to what had just happened. Regina reacted in the same way, slowly remembering she'd experienced the same yellow flash when she'd once kissed Henry's forehead in the cannery. As had Emma, when she's kissed him, thinking him dead, in the hospital years earlier.
They looked at each other, now nervous, even trembling.
"True…true love's kiss?" Emma gasped, open mouthed. Regina, equally dazed, gradually nodded her head as that beautiful, full mouth again broke into a nervous smile. Emma seized the moment and returned her mouth to the other woman's, now in a more passionate, heated kiss.
Archie had been so right. That was the first day the heavy burden of Robin's death slowly started to lift from Regina.
Mifflin Street - Present Day
That first kiss seemed like a lifetime ago. Regina now sat on the cream couch in the mansion, thinking through what had happened earlier. She still couldn't shake Robin's face from her mind. The look on his face when Emma told him they'd married? It wasn't a look of disappointment; it was one of pain. And that look cut through Regina like a knife. Because she'd felt it, too.
So many things ran through her mind. She loved Emma. She'd been a godsend over the last five years and the love between them was genuine and burned brightly. They'd married just over a year ago, in New York, and she could tell, even sense, the concern on her wife's face at seeing their former lovers again. How would it affect them? Their marriage? After the men's departure from the diner, Regina felt lost. It was more than mere shock at the unforeseen return. It felt like she was grieving all over again, once he left.
In the diner, she'd sat stunned, trying to come to terms with what just happened. So much so, she hadn't really noticed the departure of Roland and Honour with Robin, until Emma appeared to be having an angry row with Henry? Whatever had happened between them, their eldest son had stormed off. And she'd almost forgotten until she heard the WhatsApp tone ping on her phone.
Henry: They're having a celebration at the new camp in the forest. You should come!
She was surprised at the short tone of the message. Emma's reply even more so.
Emma: Who's 'they'?
Henry: The entire town, seems like.
Emma: Why?
Henry: Dumb question? Why do you think? Forgotten them already?
Regina: Henry, don't take that tone with your mother!
There was a long pause before his next message:
Henry: Are you coming or not?
Emma: Not. Cool it, or get your own dinner!
Henry: Fine, I will! Don't wait up for me, as I won't be home tonight. Clearly the two guys who saved your lives don't matter anymore?
That last barb stung. Regina knew Emma well enough to know what was coming next. An angry reply, followed by a threat. But Henry was twenty now, and away most weeks at university. He didn't need them like he used to, and there were plenty of friends willing to put him up for the night. Even Violet's father trusted him to stay in the same house as his daughter.
The brunette decided to kill the squabble before it escalated:
Regina: Okay Henry. Be safe.
No response from Emma. Regina knew she'd be seething. But an hour later, once they were home, Henry sent another curt text:
Henry: Tink's bringing R & H home. I'll be out for the night. May see you tomorrow.
Regina groaned. May? Her wife and son were so obtuse sometimes, neither refusing to back down. Though she smiled, remembering that his actions were more like that of his older mother. I'm such a hypocrite, she thought, just as she heard the door knocker.
Opening it, she found Tink standing on the porch, Roland beside her, looking glum, and Honour asleep in her arms. She smiled up at her, though clearly with a look of concern on her face.
"Thanks Tink." She stood aside to let the fairy in, "I'll take her from you."
"No, don't worry, I'll just carry her straight upstairs. She's been asleep a little while now and we don't want her waking. Besides, I need to have a little chat with you about something."
Regina nodded as she closed the door, stopping when she saw Emma striding towards the door, phone in hand and a look of thunder on her face, clearly about to say something. Before the blonde woman reached her, Regina stepped in front of her with a finger to her lips.
"Shush!" She whispered, "Honour's asleep. Darling, could you take Roland to bed? He looks shattered. I'll help Tink get Honour settled."
Emma nodded silently, the anger from her son's message still obvious. She took the ten-year old's hand. "Come on Ro, you look ready to drop."
Ten minutes later, after whinging that he didn't want to leave his dad this evening, Roland had been gently persuaded to try to settle.
"Ro, don't worry, you'll see him tomorrow."
"You promise?"
"I promise." She pulled the duvet up around the boy, kissing his brow. Seeing sleep already start to overtake him, she turned the light off, and quietly tiptoed out of the room.
Her thoughts immediately turned to earlier. Henry for one. Emma was irritated at her son's stroppy behaviour towards his mothers. But what made it worse was the fact that he was right. She was avoiding Killian. How the hell do I even face him? After the initial shock of seeing her former dead lover, Emma had been overwhelmed, rendered temporarily speechless. This was the man who had saved her life, several times, yet she hardly said a word to him this morning. Even after five years, he hardly seems to have aged! She remembered his piercing blue eyes staring into her own, expecting bad news. Then she gave it to him. Her and Regina. She felt almost ashamed. The blonde started to pad quietly down the stairs before stopping, hearing loud whispers coming from below, causing her to stop and listen.
"Regina, you're going to have to speak to him in the end! This'll only get worse for both of you if you don't!"
"I can't. I just can't face him right now! I just feel so god damn, oh I don't know, guilty? It's stupid I know, but…this is painful!"
"That's the soulmate connection - it's not going to go away! It's as magical as you are. I told you many times, fairy dust doesn't lie Regina, no matter how much you avoid it. Now he's alive again, you're reconnected!"
"But I have Emma now! I didn't marry her as some sort of 'replacement' for Robin! I fell in love with her. I'm still in love with her!"
"Yes, I'm sure you did, and still do, but until you resolve this, with him, that ache, that pain, will just eat away within you. If he's among us again, you need to have him in your life, in some form or you'll…suffer!"
Or get him out of her life? Thought Emma as she continued eavesdropping. Perhaps she could have a word with Gold? Some sort of memory potion? Or Regina. Something to take the link away?
"This bond, Regina – it's not going to go away, and every day he's back it will gradually get more and more painful for you both, if you keep ignoring it. You need to talk to him. Soon!"
Emma walked slowly down to join the two women, showing she'd heard them. "Can't we just get Gold to fix a potion for him, to forget about you? Or you to forget about him?" She slowly placed an arm around her wife's waist, both now facing the green fairy.
Regina bristled at the suggestion, pulling away. "You can't be serious?"
"Why not? After all, we just need to kill off the forest fart's feelings for you, surely?"
"DON'T CALL HIM THAT! Have you forgotten he has children? Three children, two living with me. Us! What if something went wrong? Roland's only just got him back! Where do you think he'll want to go? And Honour? How the hell would you explain why her father has no interest in her when she grows up?"
Emma was taken aback by her abrupt change in tone, from sad to angry in a flash. "Okay, jeez, alright, I'm sorry!"
"I'm sorry too, I didn't mean to snap. I just don't like you being derogatory about him! Robin was important to me. And he's the father of two of my children!"
The use of the past tense was no comfort to Emma. "Look Gina, I didn't mean anything by it. I just feel a bit odd, you know? My wife's talking to the fairy here about her former lover? I'm not comfortable."
"I do understand, though she's right Emma, I do need to speak to Robin. And you need to talk with Hook! I'm not looking forward to this any more than you are. Tink, could you ask them to meet us somewhere? Not Granny's – far too public. But not here either."
"Leave it to me; I'm going back to join them all anyway. There's quite the party going on. I think it'll be an all-nighter, so I'll text you." With that, the green fairy turned to the door, hearing Emma mutter.
"You'd better advise the Forest F…Robin, not to try it on with my girl while he's back? Remind him I've got magic and I'm not afraid to use it!" She was trying to be funny, but failing.
Your magic? Oh Emma, you really are in for quite the shock!
The following morning
They got up early. Very early. They'd barely slept, and the face staring back at Emma from the bathroom mirror looked bloody awful. If Killian wasn't over me before, he would be if he saw this! she thought to herself, horrified at the dark patches under her eyes. The brunette standing next to her at the second basin looked equally worn.
"I know what you're thinking, because I'm thinking it too," Regina harrumphed. They turned to face one another, Emma about to speak before a loud knock on the bathroom door interrupted them.
"Gina? Emma? Where are my boots?" Roland yelled from the other side.
"By the side of the bed, where I took them off you last...hey, what are you doing awake? Do you even know what time it is?" The blonde croaked.
"Five thirty. I needed to get up early to see papa! I have to leave in ten cos Henry's picking me up."
"Henry? Roland, what's going on?" Regina yelled back, aghast that the young man was a bundle of energy so early.
"Papa's taking the men fishing on Killian's ship. Henry's going too. But he said we have to catch the early tide!" The ten-year-old sounded excited.
Early tide? Killian's ship? What in hell?
"Killian doesn't even have a ship! Hasn't had one for well…years," Emma whispered to her wife before figuring out what to say to the youngster. "What ship, Ro?"
"The Jolly Roger, of course! It's back."
"That's impossible, it disappeared ages ago! I think Blackbeard took it." Emma groaned, knowing she was about to disappoint him. "Roland, I don't think we can let you go, not until we check this out to make sure you're safe?"
"NO! I want to go with papa! I'll always be safe with him! There's a lot of people going, even the Sheriff and your dad. You can't not let me go. I want to see him!"
At the mention of her father, Emma picked up her phone from the dresser, pressing the relevant speed-dial. David picked up within seconds, sounding bright and alert. Clearly, having been up for some time. "Emma, my love! Has Henry got Roland yet?"
"Um. Hi dad. No, he's not here yet. You knew about this trip?"
"Henry mentioned it last night and said Roland's invited. Your brother desperately wanted to go too, so I thought I better tag along, to make sure everyone's safe. Are you coming?"
"No. I…I wasn't invited." Hardly surprising. "Ro mentioned the Jolly Roger?"
"Yes, it's bizarre. Hook - oops, I guess I can't call him that anymore, not with that new hand! Killian, he got the Jolly back. I'm walking towards the harbour now with Neal. I can see it from here. She looks magnificent, new sails, all restored and painted. She looks brand new!"
"How the hell? Anyway, did you go to last night's party? Did you see him?"
"Killian? No, everyone else in the town seems to have been there, though, and I got the message from Henry. I'm seeing him in a few minutes. I thought Snow and I were the only ones who didn't make it last night. You too, I guess?"
"Yeah. Regina and I, well we didn't feel we…" She hesitated, not sure what to say.
"I understand," she could almost feel her father's sad smile. "It's a lot to take in. Don't worry about the boys, I'll take good care of them. I wasn't sure whether to let Neal go, as Killian…well…you know? But Robin and some of his men are going too, so I know they'll be safe."
"Yeah, I get it. Though I'm not sure we should let Rolly go? He's only ten, and I-."
"Are you serious? That boy's been separated from his father for five years! You can't be thinking about not letting him go, surely? That would be cruel. Speaking as someone who lost his little girl for the first 28 years of her life, I know what I'm talking about!"
"Okay dad, point taken! Gina and I are going to try and have a talk to Killian and Robin sometime soon. To…sort things out."
There was something in her voice he picked up on. "Emma, you alright?"
"Of course," she knew he wasn't convinced.
"Try not to worry. Things have a habit of sorting themselves out. You and Regina will be fine. Just be completely honest with them. And Emma?"
"What?"
"I know it is going to be awkward for you both, but you'll come through it, like you always do. That's why I love you, and I'm very proud to have you as my daughter!"
That instantly made her eyes redden. "Sod it, dad, why'd you have to say that right now? I hate tearing up!" As she said it, her wife sidled up to her, wondering why Emma seemed upset.
"Because I meant it, my girl!" he laughed.
"I love you too, dad. You're the best." She ended the call, Regina moving to face her.
"Problem?"
"Not exactly. Dad's going with them. I guess they'll be okay."
~oOo~
Ten minutes later, Roland again came bundling down the stairs, a small wild-haired typhoon of energy.
"Henry's outside, so I'm off!" He threw his jacket on and raced towards the front door. He seemed oblivious to the two women, who had been the focal point of his life for the past five years.
"Roland, wait?" Regina called, "I'm sure Henry will come to collect you. Just hold on a moment?"
"No - he told me he'll wait on the road instead of coming in. He's ready to go."
As Roland opened the door, Regina looked out across the drive to the road, seeing Henry sitting in his grandfather's station wagon, ready to go and barely glancing at the house. Regina guessed he was probably still upset from last night. He took as long as she did to calm down these days!
"Hi Rolly. Jump in, we need to get going to catch the tide." Henry glanced up at his older mother, nodding in recognition, but the smile leaving his face. Roland threw his bag in the back and jumped in.
"HENRY, WAIT?" Regina called out, though he seemed to deliberately ignore her, driving away.
That hurt. It was unnecessary, and she would have to talk to him about it later. Even if Henry was annoyed, there was no need to cold shoulder them any longer. As she watched the car drive off, two slim arms came from behind to embrace her around the waist as a blonde head rested on her shoulder. She knew what was going through her mind.
"Seems I can't do anything right by him these days."
"You and me both. It's still too early. I'm going back to bed."
~oOo~
Honour woke them two hours later, clambering on the bed noisily and bundling herself between the women. Emma groaned. She'd tried sleeping, but her brain was still swirling from yesterday's events So she'd spent most of the time curled up against her wife, also awake but equally anxious.
"Hon…honey…you're up early," Regina croaked.
"Mornin! Can we see papa today?" The little dimple-cheeked blonde asked.
"Oh honey…give us time to wake up! We may go a little later,"
"Nooo! I wanna go see my papa soon! I like him! Where Henny an Ro?" Clearly the little girl had already checked in on her brothers' rooms before coming in to her mother's.
During the little exchange, Emma lay quite still, pretending to be asleep. After being married to Regina for over a year, she still found it upsetting that neither Roland nor Honour would call her mum or ma, like Henry did. She could understand Roland, having lost both his birth parents. But Honour had known Emma since birth. Despite Regina and Henry both encouraging the little one, she still insisted on calling Emma by her first name.
"Honour, Henry and Ro are out at the moment. We'll see them later." Regina explained.
"And papa?"
"Um…yes sweetie, we'll probably see your papa too."
Honour seemed placated, though it irritated Emma that Robin had already made such a big impression on their little girl, after only a few hours. She was about to suggest their daughter go off and play in her room, when Regina's phone rang from the bedside table. The brunette picked it up and touched the screen.
"Yes Tink!" Emma watched as Regina listened intently. "Okay, got it." She yawned. "Two o'clock? Yes, I'll be there. Thank you, Tink."
Emma was surprised, as Regina made a point of never letting anyone else set her agenda, whether she was available or not. She may have changed but she still acted as a queen, insisting on calling the shots. Ending the call, she turned to face her. "It seems the Jolly Rodger will be returning to port around one this afternoon. Tink tells me Hook is suggesting we meet them on the ship at two. I agreed."
"I don't feel comfortable with this, Gina! Let's leave it a couple more days?
"No Emma, I can't. I know it's painful, but I do need to talk to Robin. If you can't face Killian right now, I understand and suggest you stay here. But I'll go this afternoon."
"Then I'm coming with you!" said the disgruntled saviour, reluctant to leave her wife alone anytime soon with her former lover.
~oOo~