They made me start 13 Reasons Why. That's the only excuse.
Me After You. Tape 23
"Hi, my love. I'm… not sure how this thing actually works, but your son just told me to… near my mouth to this thing and then it will do the rest."
His voice runs through her like a electric zap – painful, sudden, unexpected.
It stings.
Regina catches a breath, a finger pressing pause just immediately.
Oh, gods.
Hearing his voice, after… these weeks, is hell.
Henry was so unsure when he gave her the tape. Mom, he has said with a sad smile, I have something for you. It's… I'm sorry, it… got lost and I found it this morning, it just…
… appeared, she has ended, her lip trembling.
Like hope.
The tape as her name on it, and she had to work up a lot of bravery not to cry in front of Henry.
Her finger presses play again.
"It's just… bloody hell, this sounds so stupid," she hears him chuckle. She can just picture him – his amused eyes watching the device supposed to record his voice, his hand fidgeting with something, maybe a pencil. "We came back from Camelot and no one remembers a damn thing, and I guess… my most recent meeting with a lovely Fury has moved something in my soul."
Regina feels a tear roll down her cheek. Too soon, she thinks. She needs to listen to this, because she doesn't have much time now. She needs to pay attention.
"So, I think… I wanted you to have something to keep onto if we lose our memory again, love. Or – if we ever are separated – because you know I'll be trying to get back to you, but in the meantime, I want you to have this – so if you're hearing it, my love, it means I'm not with you, and for that – "
She sobs, presses pause again, her hand going up to cover her forehead.
It's too much. She can't do this, not now, not while they're waiting for her.
Henry probably didn't know what was inside – not exactly, anyway, or he would have waited…
Plays again, his voice loud and clear.
" – and for that, I'm sorry. But, Regina, it doesn't matter, really. You gave me something that, no matter what, I will never – ever regret." She smiles, though unwillingly, her cheeks heated by the pumping of blood in her veins, her heart beating faster and faster. "You gave me moments that are precious, far more than any jewel I've ever stolen. I wish you could see every day how much I adore you deeply."
The tape scratches a bit, then runs more smoothly.
"I just wanted to tell you… well, here, although I've already said it many times, but I wanted you to have it, you know? That… I love you, Regina, more than I can ever say…"
She's crying in earnest, now, almost misses his next words, crying and laughing because it's absurd, that all she has of him are some photographs and a letter and a tape…
"… and, my love, please, even when I'm not with you, do something for me. Keep hoping – and believing."
It ends there – with a muffled white sound, a buzzing that continues until he presses something and then it's… done. That's it.
She stares blankly at the old stereo, her heart heavy, and blinks, letting the last tears fall. She rewinds the tape, then pops it out and replaces it back in its case. A case that has her name on it, written in his messy handwriting.
One last sigh, one last wipe at her tears, and she looks at the bed – she had a dress picked out, but it seems a bit too… festive, after this. After him.
Me after you, my love.
And she knows, that there's a version of him who's happy with the other part of herself, but it's not him.
So she opens the closet, choosing something else. White sleeveless shirt, black skirt – he would have loved her curves in that skirt, she thinks with a smirk.
Her mirror reflects a tear-stained face, but she's calm now. Solemn.
So she starts to get ready, because she has a wedding to get to.
