A/N: Allow me to explain this crazy idea of mine really quick before you give the first chapter a try lol. Yes, Emma will be Regina's imaginary friend type of apparition. in the first chapter, and maybe the next two to follow this story, Regina will be a nine year old girl, who is the only who can see adult Emma. Then once entering adulthood and recently divorced mother, Regina will find Emma coming back into her life where many funny events will take place, and yes- even a new found romance will blossom between them. This is a SQ story and it will have a happy ending. I hope that many of you give the first chapter a try and fully enjoy it. Regina's childhood will go by fast as the main story focuses on her as an adult.

Regina couldn't understand why it was so hard for her to make friends. Was it her? Was it that the other kids envied her and everything she had? What was it? Why couldn't anyone love her? Why did she always feel like she was so difficult to love?

She couldn't understand it.

Ever since she was born, Regina had it all… except for a true friend.

So, she was a little orderly and loved giving orders to others? So, she was the type of kid who worried about creating a water ring around her wooden tables? It wasn't her fault she grew up the way she did.

She was lucky to have loving parents, who were able to provide her with everything her heart desired.

Her mother Cora for example- she was a strict woman- when need be. But she adored Regina and always thrived for the best for her daughter.

Her father Henry- he was a loving man, never strict, never even yelled at his daughter. He was always happy to show Regina right from wrong but in a loving manner. He thrived for Regina to always be what made her happy.

Yes, Regina had it all. But, one day… on her 9th birthday- Regina wanted something more.

Something that came as a surprise to her father…

"You want a what?" Henry, Regina's father blinked in shock, but a chuckle escaped him, adoring his daughter's innocence.

"I want a girlfriend!" Regina smiled, her cheeks red as apples.

A laughter escaped Henry, his arms scooping his daughter up from the ground. "My darling girl, don't let your mother hear that. You'll give her a heart attack." He sat her up on his working bench he kept in his garage. "Now, tell me… why a girlfriend, darling? Wouldn't you want to meet a nice boy someday, instead?"

Regina shook her head. "I want a girlfriend," she smiled.

"And, may I ask why?"

"No boy likes me," Regina frowned. "And with a girlfriend- she would like me."

"Oh, darling, anyone would like you. They'd love you." Henry smiled. "However, with a girlfriend… you wouldn't want to spend so much time at home. You would always want to stay with her instead. Then, you would forget all about your love for me and your mother."

"That's not true, daddy!" Regina hugged her father, tighter than she could muster. "I will always love you."

Henry grinned, his arms trapping his daughter in an enormous bear hug. "And I will always love you, my darling. Always." His eyes sparkled, looking back into his daughter's brown, gentle eyes. "And if a girlfriend is what you wish for… I believe it can happen." He said. Who was he to kill a child's dream?

"Do you really think so?" Regina's eyes lit up, her smile pearly white.

"Of course, my darling! If you wish it, especially with a birthday wish- why, it's the most magical of all. I believe… she's out there somewhere, just waiting to meet you."

Regina smiled at the idea of having her very own girlfriend. Someone who would love her unconditionally and always be with her. Like a best friend of her own that would always want to make her happy, and would be happy to spend time with her.

Both father and daughter's heads turned to the sight of a white Mercedes pulling up into the driveway of the Mills' home.

"It's mom! She's here with my cake!" Regina hoped right off her father's wood working table.

"Regina, remember…" his eyes were pinned on his daughter's, "If your mother asks, you want-"

"A pony for my birthday!" Regina grinned, winking in unison with her father.

Henry's smile was gone as he gave his back to his daughter, who went running up to her mother, happily helping her with the groceries. His eyes closed and his breathing became rapid, as his hand clutched his chest.

No… Please, no… Not today. Not now. He thought to himself. He had been experiencing chest pains, which he had been keeping to himself, to not worry his wife or daughter. Besides, they would normally pass.

"Be careful, darling. I think the eggs are in that bag." Cora said to her daughter.

"I will!" Regina carefully entered her home, walking past her father, while Cora smiled as she walked up to her husband, carrying a big birthday cake in both her hands.

"So, what do you think?" She asked her husband, who turned to face her, with a forced smile playing on his lips.

Henry's eyes fall on the white and purple frosting of her daughter's cake. The words: Happy Birthday Regina! Written in cursive purple lettering. "It's beautiful. They did a great job."

"And at such a good price. You would believe the party decorations I was able to get my hands on, as well."

"I got that for you, dear," Henry grabbed a hold of the cake, allowing Cora to step inside of the house first. "Wait until you hear what our daughter wants for her birthday this year."

"Oh. What do you want, dear?" Cora's eyes fell on her daughter as she shut the door behind them.

"A pony!" Regina smiled.

"A pony?" Cora acted surprised, placing her hand on her chest. "Well, we'll just have to see what we can do about that, won't we?"

Both Henry and his daughter exchanged knowing glances and winks with one another.

Today was the day. The day Regina turns 9 years old. She was ready and dressed for her day in school to pass by faster than any other day has before. Now, Regina might only be nine years old today, but she was always very mature for her age. Her father could vogue for that.

Regina decided on a pair of jeans, a t-shirt with horses on it, and her hair was pulled back into a ponytail. She loved horses. She only rode one once, thanks to one of her father's good friends, but when she got older, she promised herself to own one. One of these days.

Regina always dreamed of reconstructing her parent's home, expanding it, making it bigger and owning her own horse one day. Maybe a Mercedes like her mother, but black.

Kids and their dreams, right? But her father always told her- 'if you could dream it, you could do it.'

And today in class…

"We are going to have a free day. So you can draw whatever your heart desires! Something you want most in this world." Regina's teacher, Ms. Blanchard smiled brightly directly at the entire class.

Everyone gathered their colored pencils and markers, drawing whatever their little hearts desired. While Mrs Blanchard passed from table to table, glancing down at one drawing at a time. One student at a time.

"Wow! That's a beautiful puppy. What would you name her?" Ms. Blanchard smiled at one of her students.

"Wink." The boy smiled happily. "And it's a he."

"Wink? Well, I think that's a very good name for him." Ms. Blanchard passed from one desk to another, until she reached Regina's desk. Her smile bright and matching as she glanced down at the brunette girl's drawing. "And, what do you wish for, Regina?"

Regina's cheeks blushed, her arms quickly covered up her drawing.

Ms. Blanchard gave the girl a raised brow, her hands reaching out for the drawing, her eyes drinking in the colorful picture of a little brunette girl, which she assumed was Regina, and a blonde woman. A tall, lean, young woman with hair yellow as gold and a pair of jeans and a bright red leather jacket. Her eyes were two green dots and her smile was bright. Ms. Blanchard glanced back at Regina, who was staring up her way.

"That's a very beautiful picture," she handed back the drawing. "Is she someone you know?"

Regina shook her head, reaching for her drawing and placing it underneath the hiding spot of her arms again.

Ms. Blanchard smiled her kind, warm-hearted smile. "Well, is she a friend?"

"Kind of." Regina spoke in a whisper, her eyes looking around the classroom, noticing everyone else was too busy with their drawings to even bother listening in on her conversation with her teacher. The little girl bit on her bottom lip before giving her reply. "Today's my birthday, and my father said that birthday wishes were the most powerful ones of all wishes- so… I drew my wish." She paused, feeling rather nervous. "I drew my girlfriend."

"Oh…" Ms. Blanchard smiled in response, making Regina feel more at ease. "I see."

"Only, daddy said not to tell my mother- or she would have a heart attack."

The teacher let out a low chuckle. "Well, whoever your girlfriend is… she certainly looks very beautiful. And your father is right…" she kneeled before her student's desk. "If you close your eyes, and wish for it with all your heart, I'm sure she will feel it- wherever she is- and come right to you."

Regina smiled, feeling that little bit of magic inside of her heart already.

"Does she have a name?"

Regina's eyes squinted, her index finger tapping at her chin in deep thought. And after a minute, she said, "Emma."

"Emma?" Ms. Blanchard nodded, her hands on her hips. "That's a great name. I sure would love to meet her one day." She gave Regina's shoulder a reassuring squeeze, passing over to the next desk, while Regina kept working on her drawing. She wasn't sure why, but the last thing she added to that colorful picture was a swan.

"Alright, class," Ms. Blanchard stood in front of the class, her eyes on every little head, which glanced up to look her way. "I have just been informed that today is Regina's birthday. So, let's all join in, in singing Happy Birthday to her. Are we ready?"

"Happy birthday… dear, Regina… Happy birthday… to you…"

Regina's parents clapped in unison, the party decorations hanging above their heads, balloons blown up, filling up the small dining room with bright white and purple colors. Henry had no brothers growing up, and Cora, she had one long lost brother, which didn't even have any kids, therefore- they were the only guests to all of Regina's parties. But, that's how Regina loved it. She never minded.

"Make a wish, my darling," Henry kept recording with his phone, smiling at his daughter, who looked as happy as could be. "And remember… wish it with all your heart." He winked.

Regina thought really, really hard. Closing her eyes, and puckering her lips, she made her wish…

I wish Emma was real.

Leaning over her cake, she blew out her nine candles. Applause filling the room in an instant. And as her eyes opened, she glanced down at the folded drawing she clutched tightly in her little hands.

Please be real. She said in her mind, following the dancing smoke of the blown out candles that traveled upward, above her head.

"Alright! Time to open your presents!" Cora smiled. "Which one do you want to open first?"

Regina clutched her plush pony tight within her hands, along with her drawing, which was tucked in between her little chest and her toy. She would love for her father to tuck her in at night. It was her favorite thing in the world. She would always feel so safe and snug underneath her blankets, she could go right to sleep.

"Nine years old!" Henry's hands tucked in the edges of his daughter's covers, right underneath her little body. "Wow… you're getting too big on me. Soon, you'll be leaving your old man and your mom to have a life of your own."

"No, I won't, daddy!" Regina protested. "I'll always live here."

Henry chuckled, sitting on the edge of his daughter's bed. "Oh, really? Always?" He continued after Regina's nod. "Well, what happens when you have children of your own someday?"

"I'll bring them to live here with you and mommy."

The man couldn't help but release a laugh. He leaned down to place a kiss against his daughter's forehead. "Did you make your wish tonight?" He waited for her nod. "Yeah? Was it… what was her name again?"

"Emma!"

"Emma- right- of course!" Henry nodded.

"Do you really think she'll come?" Regina asked, her innocence oozing, it warmed her father's heart.

"Of course, she will, darling." Henry leaned into his daughter's ear, his voice a whisper. "And she will be your best of friends. She will love you unconditionally."

"Do you really think so?"

"I know so." Henry smiled, his fingers gently caressing his daughter's hair. "Sleep snug, my darling."

"I love you, daddy." Regina whispered, her eyes closing to the feel of her father's lips pressing against her temple.

"I love you, too. Always remember that." Henry's hand clutched his chest as soon as he stood up from his daughter's bed. Damn chest pain! His eyes shut tight, his breath hitched to the point where he stopped all together. His body collapsed on the floor with such a loud thud, it woke Regina.

"Daddy!" Regina gasped, leaping out of her bed, her drawing falling to the floor, right next to her bed. Her hands shaking her father to the best of her abilities. "Daddy! Daddy, wake up! Daddy!"

"Regina? What's wrong?" Cora came rushing into her daughter's bedroom, gasping in horror at the sight of her husband's body collapsed on the floor. "Henry!" Her hands fell on the man's back, turning him over and shaking him. Tears streamed down her face. "Henry, can you hear me? Henry! Henry!"

Sirens sounded in the distance, at the very entrance to the emergency doors of the hospital. Henry had to be operated on and the doctors were already taking forever to come out and inform Cora that everything was fine. She held onto her daughter, tightly in her arms, reassuring her that her father would be just fine. That it was just a little scare. It had to be. Dear God, it had to be.

Regina clutched to her mother's clothes, standing beside her, as her mother rushed up from their chair. Her eyes were terribly focused on the doctor who made his way out of two steel doors. She watched as the man removed his blue looking bandanna from his head. His lips set in a grim line.

"Mrs. Mills?" The doctor asked.

"Yes. How is he? How's my husband?" Cora asked, her heart racing inside her chest, awaiting the news.

"He's going to be alright… isn't he?" Regina asked, staring up at the doctor with hope in her eyes.

The doctor's eyes looked sad, not daring to look down at Regina. Even as he gave her a sad smile.

"Is he alright?" Cora asked again, inpatient.

"I'm sorry, ma'am." Said the man, his gaze dropping more toward the floor. "I'm afraid your husband didn't survive the surgery."

Cora let out a gut wrenching cry, her arms holding her daughter tightly toward her own body, praying to God that what the doctor had said wasn't true. She dropped to her knees on the bare, cold, marbled floor, holding her daughter even harder in a much needed hug. Regina could do nothing but cry. Her father couldn't be gone. He couldn't be dead. It had to be a mistake. It just had to be.

Henry was loved. Not just by his family, but by every life he touched. Nor Cora or Regina could see any part of their home and not see him. Henry, sitting by the piano, playing his favorite piece. Spending weekends up with Regina, singing karaoke, forcing Cora to join in. Working in his wood shop, dreaming of building his wife and daughter an even bigger home where they could grow and have their own castle. Regina always remembered that.

Now she would no longer see him. She would no longer enjoy his singing to her late at night to help her sleep. She would no longer feel his embrace or see his smiles. Now it was just her mother and her, along with all of these people that her father and mother knew- invading her home.

Some laughed, telling stories about something funny Henry sometimes said, or a funny story he once told. Others cried, recalling a loving memory of the man. It was all too much. For Regina, watching her mother being destroyed by the grief of not having the love of her life with her anymore- was too much to bear.

She wanted everyone to leave. She wanted the house to grow quiet. She wanted to lock herself up in her room and cry. And that's exactly what she found herself doing, the next day, after her father's burial. She locked herself up in her room, slamming the door and just cried. She cried, until she passed out from exhaustion and couldn't cry anymore.

"Thank you for coming." Cora smiled a sad smile at the last remaining person that left her home. And as she closed the door, her head hit the back of it, her hands covering her saddened expression as she weeped in silence. Afraid that Regina would hear her once again.

What would she do now?

How would she handle this alone?

How would she help Regina get through the pain of no longer having her father?

The woman shook her head, heading up the stairs, she made her way toward her daughter's bedroom. Wiping away her fallen tears once again, her knuckle softly knocked outside of her bedroom door. Getting no response.

"Regina?" She called out, turning the knob and pushing open the door in a slow manner. Her head popped in slowly, noticing her side table lamp had remained on. She sighed, moving further and pulling her daughter's covers over her tiny body.

At the sound of a paper falling from underneath the covers, her gaze looked down to the floor, taking notice of the crumpled drawing. Her brow furrowed at the words written in red colored pencil: E+R, with a heart drawn around it. Both drawings holding hands with matching smiles on their faces. What is this? Cora thought, but didn't care enough to wake her daughter over. She certainly didn't want to throw it away, given that her daughter made it in school. Whatever or whoever it was in the drawing with her- must be someone important.

That being said, Cora just quietly placed the drawing beside Regina's pillow before leaning down and placing a kiss right on her daughter's cheek.

'Please be real.' Regina's wish echoed within the bedroom as soon as the door closed. And had Regina woken up… she would have noticed the drawing sparkling within the darkness of the room.