A/N: THANK YOU. JUST THANK YOU ALL FOR ALL THE LOVE AND SUPPORT. IT'S EVERYTHING.
xo
TAKE ME TO WONDERLAND
Chapter 40
Emma stood in the living room of the Swan mansion, her shoulders sagged, her eyes dropped in defeat.
She had went to see them as soon as she had left Gold's office because she had been aware that she was in way over her head. She had also known that there was nothing her parents could do to help her. Well, theoretically they could, but at what cost?
Her father was eyeing her with a mixture of worry and anger, "You should have never made a deal with that horrible man to begin with. Emma, what where you thinking?"
"I know. I should have seen it coming from miles away...of course he would ensure that I fail at last. So close and yet...", Emma looked at her parents with nothing, but desperation in her eyes, "What am I going to do? Regina can't go back...I won't allow it...it would ruin her."
"I'm afraid there's nothing much you can do though", Roger Swan commented, "You made that deal, knowing that if you can't fulfill your end of the bargain...she will have to go back to work for him."
"I did, but I had no clue that he would ask something impossible of me for this second event. That bastard!"
A lone, angry tear rolled over Emma's cheek, causing her mother, who had been silent to this point, to get up, but the blonde backed away before Christine Swan was anywhere near her.
"We're not talking about some business transaction here. We are talking about a person. This is Regina..." Emma's voice cracked and she continued in a whisper, "I love her."
And after a moment she added, "I need your help, dad. Please."
Roger Swan sighed, "I knew that woman would be trouble. I knew it! Right from the beginning...and you know that we can't help you, Emma. You know. I would if I could because I think that Mister Gold is a disgusting human being, but I can't. It's not possible. You have to understand that."
"I know."
Of course she knew. She had known as soon as Gold had stated his conditions, but Emma had refused to accept the truth of the situation, an irrational hope driving her right over to her parents' house, every fibre of her body willing to keep fighting a lost battle.
She took a deep breath in an attempt to pull herself together, because she could not afford to fall apart right now, "I better get going."
"Emma, what are you going to do?" Her mother's voice was filled with worry and Emma finally took a couple of steps closer, taking her mother's hand, squeezing it weakly, "I'm trying to come up with a plan b...I have to. 'Cause he's not getting her back. I will protect Regina...and if it's the last thing I'll do."
Meanwhile Regina was trying to do her job and deal with Killian's excitement about his upcoming date with one Neal Cassidy, completely unaware of the turmoil Emma was in.
Regina was so ridiculously happy, she couldn't put it into words if she tried, and she was looking forward to going home and spending the evening with her girlfriend.
Girlfriend.
She smiled at the thought.
Emma was her girlfriend. And they were slowly heading into the direction of going on real dates, on having a real relationship.
The road ahead of them was still bumpy, but she could admit now that she had made progress, that she was making progress. She could feel it in every fibre of her body and it was amazing.
When had life started to become so good for her?
When Emma, beautiful and kind hearted Emma Swan, had decided that she was worth it while she had tried to fight her tooth and nail.
While it was beyond her what Emma saw in her Regina did not doubt Emma's love for her, because Emma managed to show her with every look, every word, every gesture that she was the most precious thing in her life.
And Henry as well.
Regina never thought she would have any of this, but Emma had turned her world upside down, had opened a door to a new life, to a world that felt like Wonderland to her and they had found so much more than "just" love and a family. They had found friends, loyalty and real opportunities. They had been given a choice. That was what Regina was most grateful for.
She took her phone out of her pocket and sent Emma a quick message before she returned to do her job, a smile on her face. She could not wait to see Emma tonight.
'Just in case I don't say it often enough...I love you, Emma.'
The text message had come out of nowhere and it had hit her right in the face. Regina was not one for big displays of affection, because she was still battling with her past and while they were on the same page regarding their feelings for one another, they did not throw 'I love you's' at each other all the time.
Emma sat in her office, staring at the display of her cell phone, and tried not to cry.
Regina loved her, Regina trusted her and Regina counted on her and here she was, ruining everything, because she had made a deal with the devil. A deal she could not fulfill.
What was she going to do? What was she going to tell Regina?
Henry and Regina were finally happy, were finally getting to a place of peace in their lives and now she had to take it away from them, because she knew that Gold would burst their little bubble soon.
Emma felt like the ultimate failure for not making a more precise deal with that man, for not stating some rules, but she had been too excited that he had agreed to the deal in the first place that she had not thought about it and now she was going to pay for it. Regina was going to pay for it.
"So, what are you saying? That we should throw our reputation out of the window? That we should risk everything we worked for, everything we built...for that...for that stripper?" Roger Swan looked at his wife in disbelief, "My father...my grandfather...they've worked their whole life to turn this company into the big success it is today. And there are contracts in case you have forgotten...contracts that are binding..."
"I know, darling. I know...but there has to be a way...we need to help her...we need to help Emma...she's our daughter!", Christine Swan fired back.
"She is and I love her more than anything, you should know that", he insisted, "But there is nothing we can do. She shouldn't have made that deal with that scumbag to begin with."
Emma's mother sighed, "You might not care for Regina, but Emma loves her. She also loves Henry and you do too. Don't even try to deny it. Roger, we need to do something!"
"We can't."
"Is that your last word?" Christina Swan looked at her husband challengingly. When no answer came she grabbed her purse and coat and headed for the door.
"Christine, where are you going? We have to be at the country club in an hour for Brian's party", Roger Swan looked at his wife in confusion.
"I'm sure you'll have a great time explaining to everyone how you let down your only child", Christina Swan commented dryly, "I'll go back to the office and try to find a solution. And then I'm going to check on Emma. In case you haven't noticed...she was really upset."
She did not stay long enough to give her husband a chance to say anything else. She simply got into her car and drove off, her mind already busy with possible scenarios that would help Emma fulfill that deal, but even Christine Swan had to admit that it might not be possible.
Emma had not texted her back, but Regina had not worried, because she knew how busy the blonde was these days.
She had spent a lovely evening with Henry and Tamotsu, cooking lasagna and playing cards, but Regina couldn't deny that she waited for Emma to come home.
She could not wait to cuddle up next to the blonde, to feel the warmth of her skin on her own, but Emma never showed.
When there was still no sign of Emma the next morning Regina started to worry. But more than that she was confused. Something had to be off or Emma would have texted or called her. Was there a reason why Emma would become distant from one moment to the next?
She headed over to the penthouse while Henry was eating breakfast, but Emma was not there either. And from what it looked like she had not been home all night.
Was Emma avoiding her? And if so...why?
If Emma would have pulled an all nighter at her office she would have let her know. She always did. She took her phone out of her pocket and called Emma's phone, but no one answered.
She tried to call the office next to find out that the line was busy.
What the hell?
It was not even 7 am, so clearly Emma was not talking to a client. At least she knew that Emma was there.
But it only proved Regina's point that something was going on and her nerves and fears started to get the better of her.
What if Emma had finally realized that this was not worth it? That she was not worth all the hazzle and waiting? Had Emma finally enough?
Was that why she had not come home, why she had not talked to her?
The bare thought of the possibility broke Regina's heart, but at least she had learned something over the last months.
Battling with her fears alone in the dark would not get her anywhere, it would only drive her crazy. The conversation might not be pleasant, it might feel like ripping her heart out of her chest, but she would talk to Emma none-the-less.
And so Regina found herself entering the building where Emma's office was located only a couple of minutes after she had dropped Henry off at school.
She had been surprised that Henry had not caught on to her anxiety or maybe he had and had decided to cut her some slack for once. Either way Regina was grateful that he had not said a word.
She was not sure how to approach Emma, but she would not back down. And she would get Emma to tell her what was going on. It could not be that bad.
But then she rounded the corner and stopped.
The assistant desk was empty, but clearly there was someone in Emma's office already because she could hear voices.
Regina moved closer until she could take a look through the floor–to–ceiling windows of Emma's office and her eyes went wide in horror.
Mary Margaret and Christine Swan were sitting there, the most serious expressions on their faces while Emma had buried her face in her hands, obviously sobbing and Regina knew right than and there that her life was about to change once again. And probably not for the better this time.
Mary Margaret caught sight of her in the end and must have announced her presence to the other two women present in the room because she found both Swan women looking at her only a second later.
To Regina's surprise it was Christine Swan who stepped outside to greet her and that in itself was even more alarming to the brunette.
Something was definitely wrong.
"Good morning, Regina."
"Misses Swan..."
Regina was so incredibly tense, she felt close to fainting.
"Christine", Emma's mother corrected. "May I have a word with you?"
All Regina could do was nod and she followed Christine Swan into the conference room, where they both took a seat – opposite from one another.
"Just tell me what it is. It has to be pretty bad when you are here in the early morning and Emma is crying. Is everything alright with your husband?" Regina hoped that Emma's father was okay. He might not like her, but Emma loved him dearly and Henry had taken quite the liking to him as well.
"My husband is fine I assume", Christine said. "I haven't spoken to him since yesterday because we had a bit of a...discussion. I'm afraid it's a lot worse than that though...it's about your former employer, Mister Gold."
It felt like a slap to the face. Hearing his name after all this time felt as if someone had literally slapped her. She had known that Emma would have to talk to him eventually about this second event, but she had tried to ignore it. Seemed like she could not do that any longer. And from the state Emma was in Regina could tell that it had not gone well.
"I'm not good at sugar coating things, Regina. I don't think it does anyone any good either. So here is the thing...Mister Gold wants to throw that party on one of our cruise ships. One specific ship to be precise – the MS Neverland. The problem with that is that the ship is not available...and don't think I don't want to give it to him, I would. But we have a contract with a Russian company since 17 years...they always go on a cruise that time of the year. On that exact ship. Everyone knows that, so I think Mister Gold is aware of it too. As I said...I would let him have it, because I know how much you mean to my daughter, but..." Christine Swan stopped for a moment, "Sadly it's not that easy. We have a contract, there is a lot of money involved...and it's just not possible to get out of that contract on such short notice since they booked the ship for years in advance. I'm not sure we could get out of it at all that easily in general to be honest."
"I see." Regina was a lot calmer than she thought she would be, "Is that why you fought with your husband?"
"He's not a bad man, my husband. He's just really mad at the moment. At Emma for making a deal with Gold in the first place...at Gold for being such a deceiving man. Our shipping company has been in his family's possession for generations. It's his whole pride and joy and..." Emma's mother took a deep breath, "He really liked Jade, you know. He did. He saw that relationship going somewhere and then...Emma had been heartbroken...but he had been hurting as well, even though he would never admit it, but I know my husband. And ever since he's...well..."
"I understand."
She was still calm, almost too calm, but she needed time to wrap her head around all of this.
"Please believe me when I say that I am so sorry, Regina...and it's not over yet. Mary Margaret and Emma are working full speed to come up with a plan b and I'm helping where I can as well. If someone can find a way...it's Emma", Christine Swan said and tried to smile.
Regina only nodded, "Can you give me a minute?"
"Of course. We'll be in Emma's office."
Once she was alone in the room Regina took a deep breath. Gold, that bastard!
She felt the anger rising in her chest, but not because she might have to return to work for him, but because he had made Emma feel so miserable.
She did not kid herself – she would have to go back.
She appreciated everyone's effort, but she had known Gold a lot longer than Emma and he would not budge. Plan B or not, he would not give in one inch.
That's how he made all his deals and money – by asking for the impossible. He found great pleasure in seeing people fail and owing him.
Maybe she was still in shock or maybe she had seen it coming all along and that was the reason why she was not freaking out right now.
It had been too good to be true all along and she had waited for the other shoe to drop since months and it was finally happening. Regina was not all that surprised.
She hated the Rabbit Hole, she had hated to work there, but this time she would protect Emma, because she knew the blonde as well and she did not want Emma to do something drastic, something she would regret, something that would cost her and her family everything.
She loved her new life, she loved working for Killian, but she would go back. She would protect Emma this time.
The only thing that really scared her was losing Emma. Would Emma still want her around? What would it mean for them? Would there still be a relationship to fight for or would it be the end of everything?
She had to know, she needed to know, but Regina's decision was made already.
Emma had saved her so many times, it was time someone saved her.
Regina entered the office a couple of minutes later, calm and collected and Emma rushed to her side faster than she could blink, pulling her into her arms, "I'm so sorry. I'm such a failure."
"You are no such thing! Gold is a bastard...it's not your fault!" Regina pulled back and looked into sad and defeated green eyes, "Emma...none of this is your fault, do you understand?"
"It is though...I should have been more specific in my agreement with him, but I...I was just so...so excited...and I...I forgot...I'll find a way...I'll do whatever it takes...but you're not going back...I won't let it happen, I promise."
Fresh tears ran down Emma's face and Regina's heart broke for her. Emma was beating herself up over something she had no control over. How could she have known that Gold would play her like that? She could not have. Emma did not know him like she did.
"I'll get some breakfast", Mary Margaret announced, "I'll be right back."
"That's a good idea. I'll head to the hotel to shower and get some fresh clothes. I'll be back in about two hours", Christine Swan added and both women left without another word, wanting to give Emma and Regina some privacy.
"I appreciate what you have done for me, Emma. And I appreciate what you are trying to do for me, but I won't allow it."
When Emma wanted to interrupt her Regina put her index finger over the blonde's lips to silence her, "Your parents are fighting because of me. I don't want to cause more damage than what has already been done. You could lose everything...your father could lose everything. Everything his family has worked for...for generations. You can't just break contracts because you want to...I know you, Emma. You would in a heartbeat, but you can't. It will be fine...I worked there before, I can do it again...I can go back. It will be fine."
"Regina, no..."
"I only need to know one thing", Regina locked eyes with Emma, barely able to face the pain the blonde was in, "Will you still love me...?
Regina hated to be so insecure, but here she stood, right in front of the woman she loved, hoping and praying that the past she had never wanted would not ruin the future she had never even dared to dream of.
"I will always love you, Regina. No matter what." Emma put a kiss to her temple before she rested their foreheads together, "But don't you dare give up just yet, Regina Mills. There's still time...we'll figure something out."
"Okay."
But deep down Regina knew that Emma's hope was ill-fated and would only lead to more heartbreak, would only lead to a disaster and she could not have that.
And that was why Regina was headed towards The Rabbit Hole only a couple of hours later.
Back to a life long forgotten.
Back to what she had always considered her personal hell.
