This story is going a bit faster now, mainly because I've kind of hit everything I wanted to hit while Regina is little. There will be at least one more chapter after this.
Read~Enjoy~Review
Chapter 5
Emma was cuddling with Regina after eating when, once again, there was a knock on the door. "I'll be right back." Emma said, going to move Regina to the sofa, but the girl held onto her.
"Gina go wif."
Emma kissed her head. "Okay." She said, not having it in her to fight. She checked and smiled as she saw her father. "Hey dad." She stepped aside and let him in, not surprised when he embraced her in a hug.
"I brought the restraining order with me and he's been served. It's easy to serve someone in jail." David said, putting the order on the table in the hall. "Emma, I know you're staying here because he was at your place, but you and Regina can come stay with mom and me."
"I know that and appreciate it, dad, but we're fine. He's locked up and hopefully will calm down." She said, rubbing Regina's back. "Honestly, I want one day with her where nothing bad happens. No Killian causing issues, no falling off the slide, just a fun day with her and I."
David smiled softly. "I get that, Emma. I'm sorry for everything that's happened, but I can tell you that Killian will be locked up for a few days at least. The legal system is slower here, as you know."
"I know." Emma sighed, going back into the living room, and sitting on a chair, her father doing the same. "I can't believe I almost married that monster." She said, not able to stop her tear from falling.
"Emma, honey, I'm so sorry. Don't knock yourself down though, he hid that side from all of us. Honestly, I don't know Regina's plans, but when she's herself again, you can thank her for doing this and bringing out Killian's true colors."
Emma kissed little Gina's temple. "You're right about that." She sighed and looked at the little one. "Dad, I think I need to give this one a bath and get her to bed. How about if we all do dinner tomorrow? Either here or at your place."
"That sounds great. Let's make it our place if that's okay. I'll talk to your mom tonight and text you the time."
"Sounds perfect. Thanks for stopping in." Emma said, her throat feeling really sore from what happened.
"You're welcome. Now, drink something hot. It will help." David said, kissing her head before heading out.
Emma looked at Regina. "When you're big again, I need you to teach me to heal myself. I can heal others, but not myself."
Regina's brown eyes looked at Emma. "I help Mommy." She said, leaning forward and kissing Emma's neck. Emma could feel the warmth course through her and couldn't believe the relief she felt. "Better, Mama?"
Emma smiled and kissed Regina's nose. "So much better. Thank you, baby girl. Ready to go take a bath?"
"Yes."
Emma let Regina play in the tub, warming the water a few times before washing her hair and getting her out. She got her in a diaper and pajamas and then brushed her hair, the curls making Emma smile. "Okay honey, it's bedtime."
Regina turned and held onto Emma. "Mama stay."
Emma smiled softly and nodded. "Okay, Mama will stay." She changed and got into Regina's big bed, cuddling the girl next to her. "I miss you so much, Regina."
Little Regina let out a breath, her lips puckering as she was sleeping. The next morning, Zelena called and Emma told her how Regina had healed her throat. "That doesn't surprise me. Two-year-old Regina didn't have magic, but adult Regina does, and my guess is she still has it. So, keep an eye on that."
"Great." Emma said, but smiled fondly at the little one who was eating her waffles. "Thanks so much for all your help, Zelena."
Emma and Regina enjoyed a morning walk and just as Emma laid Regina down, Snow called. "Emma, are you at Regina's?"
"I am. Just laid her down. Are we doing dinner tonight?"
"Yes, sorry, we are but I need you to do me a favor. I know you don't want to, but I need you to go into Regina's office and see if her computer is accessible to you. There's an email she should have gotten from a company outside of Storybrooke that I really need."
"Okay, hang on." Emma said, going into Regina's office. "It feels weird to be in here without her home."
"I know, but I wouldn't ask you if this weren't important."
"I know." Emma sat at the desk. "Shit it needs a pin. Hang on." She tried Henry's birthday in different formats, she then tried Regina's birth month and date as she didn't know the exact year. "Ugh, do you know what 4 digit number she'd use? I tried Henry's birthday and her birthday."
Snow was quiet a moment as she thought. "Em, try 1983."
Emma knit her brows and tried it, knowing it was the year she was born and the curse was cast. It didn't work and she sighed. "Hang on." Emma picked up the desk phone and called Zelena. "Hey sorry to bother you. What 4 digit number would Regina use for a code if she didn't use Henry's birthday, her birthday, or the year of the curse?"
Zelena grinned, knowing the answer to that right away. "0412, now let me get on with my day." She said, hanging up.
"Wait, Zelena, why would she use my birthday…" She said, trying the number and surprised it worked. "Well hell." She said, shaking her head and going into the email. "Mom? I'm in. What company am I looking for?"
Snow let out a sigh of relief. "It's Jackobson Food Warehouse."
"Got it. I'll forward it now." Emma stated, forwarding the email. "There."
"Thanks so much. Great, got it. Okay, see you around six tonight?"
"Sounds great. Love you." Emma said, hanging up. She sat there, stunned that Regina would use her birthday for her pin. Biting her lip, she couldn't stop herself from looking around the desk. She saw an envelope with her name written on it. "It says it's for me. I can open it." She said to herself, running it through her fingers. Finally, Emma opened it and started reading.
Dear Emma,
If you're reading this, something went wrong with my potion. I assume it's probably because I wasn't patient enough. If that is the case, you probably have a lot of questions and you deserve answers. While I trust that Zelena will be able to fix whatever I did wrong, I hope that if something happened where I have to be taken care of, you're the one taking care of me. I know that's selfish, but it puts me at ease.
First, I'm sure you're curious as to what I was trying to accomplish, and you deserve an answer. The problem is, it's not an easy answer to give. It's honestly a bit embarrassing. However, as I stated, you deserve the answer. Emma, when you announced your engagement to Killian, it was the worst night of my life. It hurt worse than when Robin picked Marion over me and surprisingly, it hurt worse than when Daniel died. Please don't be mad at yourself for that as it isn't your fault. You have been through so much in your life and deserve to be happy. I felt like such an asshole for feeling the way I felt, but I couldn't help it. Then, Henry going away left me feeling like I would be all alone and Emma, I'm sorry, but I couldn't face that.
I kept thinking that if I wouldn't have been so stupid when you first came, things would be different now. I kept saying that over and over and that lead me to do what I did. I wanted to go back, but I didn't know how far back to go. Do I go all the way back to when you came here? Try to tell my old self everything? Or, do I go back to the second curse when you came back to us? My plan was to find myself and have an open and honest discussion about our feelings for you. In the end, I decided to go back to the beginning. I had hoped that I could not only convince myself that you were everything I was looking for, but also fix what went wrong between Henry and I.
I don't know what ended up happening, but since you're reading this, I know something did. I'm guessing I am some younger form of myself and I hope its pre-Evil Queen days or your hands are full. Hang in there, Emma, Zelena will fix this. If you think anything in this letter will help her, you can show it to her. She knows my feelings for you and won't make too big a deal of this. I suppose I haven't exactly explained those feelings in this letter thus far, have I?
Here goes, Emma, but please know that I don't expect anything from you. I don't want to interrupt your life in any way, but I do want to be honest. When you first came here, I thought I hated you. I wanted to hate you with every fiber of my being. I just couldn't though. You rose to every challenge I gave you, you fought me back, you called me out on my shit. You pushed every single one of my buttons and I pushed back and damnit, Swan, I fell for you. I didn't know it, or at least wouldn't even contemplate it until Pan's curse and I had to watch you and Henry drive away knowing you wouldn't remember me. If I were to think more on it, however, I think I finally admitted it to myself in Neverland. There was a reason I didn't stay close to the group and that was because I couldn't stand what was growing between you and Hook.
I also couldn't stand hearing about your childhood and that was horrible of me. I hated knowing you were alone, that you were hurt, that you were a lost girl because Emma, I never wanted that for you. Then, when you drove away and the curse it, I was so mad at myself for not telling you how I felt. It was my last chance and I blew it. I clung onto Robin because he was there, and he wanted me. He was a watered-down version of you, Emma, and if I couldn't have the real thing, I wanted the next best. I remember when Killian brought you back and you saw me with him and I swear I saw disappointment in your eyes. Maybe I was wrong and just saw what I wanted to see, but before I could even talk to you, he got to you and I knew I was too late.
Emma, you are an amazing person. You're strong, funny, beautiful, fiercely protective, and a bit foolish. When you took the darkness so I wouldn't, you have no idea what that meant to me. The fact you'd risk yourself for me is something no one else has ever done. Emma, I love you. I have loved you for so long and I'm so sorry I never said anything. I'm sorry I messed this up as well as I really hoped this would work. Emma, I want you to be happy and I know you think you are with him. However, if knowing any of what I've told you in this letter changes anything, please be the stronger person and explore that. I know that's probably asking too much of you, but I swear I can't be alone in these feelings. Maybe I am. Maybe I'm just a fool. I just hope that no matter what, we can stay friends because your friendship means so much to me. I've told you before and I'll tell you again that you're too good for him, Emma.
I'm starting to sound like you with my rambling, so I guess it's time I stop. Emma, thank you for taking care of me, for I know if you're reading this, that's exactly what you're doing. You're such an amazing person and I hope that one day you will see and believe that.
Yours Always,
Regina
Emma sat there, unshed tears gathering in her eyes as the rest ran down her face. Regina wasn't the only one who didn't say how she felt and more than ever, Emma wished the woman was here right now. She sat back in the chair and closed her eyes. "Oh, Regina. We're both fools. I swear when you're back, we're going to fix this."
That night, Emma had a good family dinner and was proud of how good Regina acted. The blonde decided not to bring up Regina's letter as really, it wasn't anyone else's business. Over the next few days and weeks, Emma enjoyed her time with Regina. She took her to the park, took her shopping, cooked with her, baked with her, just spent all her time taking care of the little one. Killian was released and Emma put a protection spell over the house. She was more cautions when she'd go out but didn't let him control their lives.
The two had gotten used to sleeping in Regina's big bed together and every morning Emma felt excitement and sadness knowing it was one day closer to having the adult Regina back. She wanted to talk to the woman about everything, but she would miss the little girl who she loved so much. After a busy morning of cleaning the house, Emma had laid Regina down to nap and then went to answer the door. "Hey Zelena. Where's Robyn?"
"With Ashley. I wanted to catch up and tell you something." The woman said, coming in. "First, Killian is gone. He just left today on his ship. I have no idea if he'll be back, but for now, you can relax."
"Well, I guess I shouldn't be surprised. He has nothing left here. I'm just glad he realized that instead of continuing to try to come after me."
"Me too." Zelena said, going to the kitchen and grabbing some iced tea.
"You said first, so what else is there? You're still going to be able to age Regina, right?"
"Yes, Emma. We're at the halfway mark and the potion is looking perfect." She took a sip of her drink. "I just wanted to see how you are doing. I know you're close to the little version of her and I know you…well I know you have feelings for the adult version and I can't help but think that it's hard for you."
Emma sighed; she hadn't been as close to Zelena before as she was now. Regina being little had actually helped in their friendship. "It is hard. I love that little girl so much, but I miss Regina more than I ever realized I would. I know the right thing to do is obviously get her back, but damn, I wish there was a way I could have both versions."
Zelena smiled softly. "Emma, if there was a way, I'd do it. However, if things go like I think they will, you two will have your own little human to look after very soon."
Emma rolled her eyes. "It's not like we're a heterosexual couple, Zelena. We can't exactly just decide to have a baby. We'd have to look into adoption and that takes time. Besides, who even knows if we're going to be together?"
"Everyone knows you are." She said with a laugh. "Literally everyone knows you two will be together after this. As far as the baby thing goes, you have a lot to learn about magic."
The two spent the next hour just talking and when Regina woke up, they went to pick up Robyn and spend the afternoon at the park.
Henry kept in constant contact with Emma and even talked to Little Regina at least once a week on the phone. They had video chats and Regina adored Henry, who she called 'big bruder'. He said they wouldn't be home before Regina was changed back so he made Emma promise to keep all the pictures and videos she'd taken.
The day before the potion and moon all aligned, Emma made it a special one for Regina. She had a party, gave the girl cake, let her play with all her toys to her hearts content. Everyone came over for a grill out and Emma even got into the large tub with the little one when she asked her to. She wore her swim suite as she felt a little weird to be naked with her. The two played until Regina's eyes grew heavy. "Okay, baby girl, it's time for bed." Emma said sadly. She used her magic to dry them and dress them, not wanting to waste any time. She lay down with the little one in her arms and kissed her head.
"My baby girl. I really hope you've been happy while you've been with me. As much as I cannot wait to see my Regina again, I'm going to miss you so much." The blonde had tears and she tried to hide them.
"Gina right here, Mama. Gina stay wif mama forever." The little one said, reaching up and wiping her tears. "No cry, Mama. Gina love mama."
Emma kissed Regina's cheek and stroked her face. "I love you too, Regina. Forever and ever."
Regina wiggled up and lay on Emma's chest, resting her head there and her arms around Emma's neck. It was as if she knew something was going on and wanted to be as close to Emma as possible." Emma cuddled Regina and rubbed her back, both of them eventually falling asleep.
