A/N: Hello everyone,
long time no see.
But what I said all these months back still stands: I will finish this story. And if it's the last thing I do ;)
Apparently, I pissed off this Kassandra person by publicly replying to her public review because why else would someone call you names because you disagree?
Be that as it may - the fact remains that there is a world outside of the US although she obviously believes she knows better than everyone because she IS the business.
I can honestly say, if people would know me and my family (and this is not about money) they would know better than to blatantly attack and harass me because I pointed something out that they can't quite grasp because they need to be right.
One thing I know for sure though. In all my years as a volunteer in rescue, I've never encountered anyone so rude and bad-tempered as her. Here it would be unthinkable to have someone like that anywhere near traumatized people or animals, but oh well.
Anyway.
A big shout out to one of my dearest friends - John - because it's his birthday today. And I happen to know that he's been looking forward to this update more than most.
He's such a sweet soul and an amazing friend. A truly outstanding human being.
Happy birthday, darling!
Love you tons xo
And now on with the story, because you'll all waited more than long enough...
TAKE ME TO WONDERLAND
Chapter 44.2
Regina put the final touches to Mary Margaret's make-up and watched a radiant smile appear on the bride's face when she caught sight of her reflection in the mirror.
"Oh my God. This is perfect, Regina. I look like a...a princess", Mary Margaret gushed while she kept staring.
Regina smiled at the praise, "You like it then?"
"I love it. Thank you so much, Regina. I don't know what I would have done without you the last couple of days", Mary Margaret admitted, "You've been so incredibly patient with me and..."
Regina squeezed Mary Margaret's forearm, "It's been my pleasure. If I'm honest I feel quite honoured that you asked me considering what a big affair this wedding is. And who you and your family are and I'm just, well, me."
"Regina", Mary Margaret got up and held out her hands for the brunette to take. She was well aware that simply touching or grabbing Regina wasn't happening for anyone other than Emma, Henry and apparently Killian these days.
Regina took a step forward and took Mary Margaret's hands, who in return squeezed Regina's softly.
"Listen to me, Regina. I will admit...when Emma initially brought you around I really wasn't sure about you, but then we met Henry. And someone who raised such a fine boy can only be an amazing person. The fact that you allowed us to spend time with your son is something I will forever be grateful for. And over the months we got to know you too. Not as well as Emma or Killian, granted, but still. I'd like to believe we are friends now and I get what Emma saw in you then and what she sees in you now. Your past, while it will always stay a mystery to most of us, is a part of you, but it doesn't define you. I might not know why you ended up in The Rabbit Hole, but I know it's not who you are. The incredibly talented make-up artist, the outstanding mother and the great friend you are...that is you. That is Regina. It took some of us a while to realize that because most of us grew up kinda privileged, but we did catch on and I'm so glad because you truly are amazing. Don't ever doubt that, okay? You have every right to be here. We are no better than you and you aren't worth less than us."
Tears threatened to fall, but Regina managed to blink them away, "Thank you, Mary Margaret. This means a lot."
The bride only smiled in reply and squeezed Regina's hands once more before she stepped back, ready to put on her dress.
"Oh, and Regina? I'm happy for you. For you and Emma. You make a great couple."
Belle and Ruby entered the room only moments later, staring at their friend for a solid minute in awe of her appearance while Regina slipped out the door because she had to get ready as well, a smile on her face.
She was walking down the corridor when she heard a commotion from the room David was in and Regina debated whether to knock and check on the groom when the door flew open and Killian stormed out in a rush.
David was standing in the room, looking dashing in his tuxedo, bowtie in hand.
"Is everything alright?", Regina asked, "Do you need help?"
A hesitant smile appeared on David's face, "Any chance you know how to do a bowtie properly?"
Regina couldn't help, but chuckle, "I do. Here, let me help you."
She entered the room and closed the door behind her, taking the bowtie out of David's hand, "Why did Killian run off as if the devil would be after him?"
David shrugged, "Neal called because one of the bridesmaids tore her dress and when they struggled to get her out of it so they could fix it she ruined her make-up..."
"Say no more", Regina laughed, "I know better than most how dramatic Killian can be."
She fixed his bowtie without another word then and David smiled at her thankfully, "You really are a lifesaver, Regina."
"Don't mention it. Glad I could help."
David cleared his throat nervously, "I know you have to go and get ready, but I was wondering if I could ask you something."
Regina eyed him suspiciously, "Of course. Ask away. You aren't getting cold feet though, are you? Because then I might be the completely wrong person."
"No, no", the groom-to-be shook his head vigorously, "Of course not. I've been waiting for this day for so long. Nothing and no one can keep me from marrying Mary Margaret today."
Regina sighed in relief, "Good."
"I know Mary Margaret told you about our situation. That she can't have children. That we are trying to adopt. And now I talked to the woman at the agency the other day and she was wondering if she could talk to you and Henry since we...well, I wouldn't say babysit...since he is staying with us sometimes. I haven't told Mary Margaret yet because she was a little crazy with wedding preparations and what not...and if you don't want to that's perfectly alright, but..."
"David, stop!", Regina smiled at the rambling man, "Of course we'll do that, Henry and I. It's not a problem. Have her call me or make an appointment and tell me when and where."
"Thank you so much, Regina."
Meanwhile, Emma and Neal were talking business as they were set and ready to go and while Emma had wanted to wait till after the wedding she decided to take the opportunity as it presented itself.
Neal had already taken her offer to share her office and work together in the future, but they needed to discuss details and she had a favour to ask. She wasn't sure it would work out, hence why she hadn't told Regina yet, but she had to try.
Killian was doing damage control on the make-up front while he cursed like a sailor under his breath, which he only ever did when he was completely stressed out. At least everyone knew to keep their distance in those moments so he could work in peace.
The wedding itself was absolutely beautiful.
To everyone's relief, there were no more disasters and everything went smoothly, just like they had planned it.
Mary Margaret easily outshone everyone else and the happiness on her friends' faces warmed Emma's heart.
They deserved this.
It had looked quite dire during the time after the horrible car accident David and Ruby had been in and, of course, then they had lost Graham.
But they had made it through the dark days and this wedding was their triumph over the cruelties of life.
All her friends were in the same place at the same time and Emma was delighted. Most of all she was euphoric that she got to share all of it with Regina and Henry. With her family.
The whole wedding reception had been a big success as well. The location was breathtakingly beautiful and everyone was having a good time.
Emma was mingling and talking to her friends and people she hadn't seen in forever.
Regina kept sitting at the table, talking to Killian and Neal and Henry was off chatting with some of the kids.
Dinner had been superb and a lot of the guests were still frequenting the huge buffet.
While Regina couldn't eat anything else she got up to get herself something to drink, but she regretted it as soon as she reached the bar as she met none other than Roger Swan, who told her that he wanted to talk to her for a minute.
She had dreaded it since the day Emma had saved her from Gold's clutches once again, but she was well aware that she couldn't avoid the conversation to come so she followed him to a quiet corner because she didn't want Henry or Emma coming to her rescue. It was something she had to deal with herself.
They walked in silence passed the buildings and Regina grew more anxious by the second, but she didn't dare speak.
When Roger spotted the bench he had been looking for he went over, sat down and gestured for Regina to take a seat as well.
Once they were both sitting Emma's father cleared his throat and started speaking because they were both well aware that they had no time to waste. Their absence wouldn't stay unnoticed for long, that much was certain.
And then Emma would come running like a knight in shining armour and Roger apparently wanted to avoid that as well.
"I'm not happy with what my wife did or how far Emma is willing to go for you, but I have to admit a part of me is impressed as well. I've never seen Emma so passionate and so committed to anything or anyone in my life and I'm proud of the person she has become. She has quite the fight in her, I have to give her that", Roger admitted much to Regina's surprise.
"Emma is also right. She has moved on from what happened with Jade and apparently you had a big part in that. Christine seems to have gotten past it as well, but I haven't. She was like another daughter to us and I can't forget what she did. How much she has betrayed my family. How broken Emma has been. How broken we were", he took a deep breath, "And then you came around. A stripper. Involved with that weasel Gold. It's nothing personal per se, as I said once, but my family has worked so hard to build everything the company is today and I don't want our reputation tainted or ruined. And I want to protect my family."
"I do understand that, Mister Swan. And I don't blame you one bit after everything your family has been through. I'm sorry for any inconvenience my presence in your daughter's life has caused, really, I am. I didn't want any of this for Emma and I would have gone back a hundred times if it had meant I could have kept her safe, but she's so stubborn. Thankfully, with Neal back in Gold's life, she at least stands a chance at getting rid of him eventually", Regina stated and looked Emma's father in the eye, "I know you don't believe me, but I love Emma with everything I am. She's everything to me. Her and my son. And I wish we would have met under different circumstances, but I can't change the past. I can't change the reasons why I ended up at Gold's to begin with, but what I can do is to make sure that I'll stay on the path I'm on now."
Roger Swan nodded, "From what I've seen you did a great job. The bride looked magnificent."
"Thank you, Mister Swan."
"You know, Miss Mills...I might not be happy about the situation, but I've come to realize that I can't change it either. Emma has made her choice and she'll stick with it, I have no doubt about that. Which means you won't be going anywhere anytime soon. It's hard for me to accept that, but I know I have to if I don't want to lose Emma. I just hope that you are true to your word and care for Emma as much as you say you do because otherwise, you'll destroy her."
Regina met his eyes then because she needed Emma's father to see that she was sincere, "I know that you don't know much about my past, but believe me, Mister Swan. I do love Emma with all my heart. Otherwise, I wouldn't be here and Emma and I wouldn't be together. I'm not in it for the money either because if Emma would go bankrupt I'd love her all the same. I had to live with a lot less than I have now and while it hasn't been perfect Henry and I made due. It wasn't fun, but we made it work and we could again."
Roger didn't know why, but he did believe her, "You raised an amazing boy, Miss Mills. I have to give you that. And I know you are very protective of him. So consider me surprised that you're allowing him to stay with us for the next couple of days. Especially since you know that I don't like you all that much."
While Regina wasn't happy about Roger's dislike for her she appreciated his honesty. At least he didn't pretend and talk badly behind her back because that would be ten times worse.
"I trust Emma and her judgement implicitly and I know my son. He wouldn't like you if you wouldn't be a decent person. Which also made me realize that while I'm not good at trusting people...I can't expect others to trust me either. So here I am giving you the benefit of the doubt as well, Mister Swan."
Oddly enough the answer seemed to satisfy Emma's father and the only thing he said was that they better get back to which Regina agreed with relief.
At the same time, Emma was talking to August Booth, one of the few reporters in town she actually liked, about the wedding.
"It really is a magical setting. Feels like a fairytale come true, doesn't it?", the handsome reporter asked and his eyes sparkled when he chuckled.
Emma couldn't help, but laugh, "That sounds like something Mary Margaret would say, but you know what? It does have a bit of a 'Happily ever after' vibe."
August tilted his head, "And what about your happy ending, Emma Swan? Is it true that you are finally off the market?"
"Today is not about me. Today is about Mary Margaret and David."
While she wanted to shout it from the rooftops Emma wasn't sure Regina would appreciate it, so deflecting it was.
"Awww, come on, Swan. Everyone knows that you and that stripper are a thing. The only question that remains is whether it's serious. People would love that because it's so Pretty Woman."
Emma sighed because the last thing she needed was people comparing her life to some rom-com made in Hollywood.
She looked at the reporter, deadly serious, "I swear to God if you twist one word I say I will have your ass."
August looked almost insulted, "Emma, when have I ever?"
But he understood why she was so wary of reporters these days as they hadn't always been kind to her. And the thing with her ex-girlfriend hadn't made things any better although Roger Swan had managed to do quite a bit of damage control.
Emma took a deep breath, "What Regina and I have is real and honest and true. It's not a movie, it's not a fairytale. It's messy because we are real people with real emotions and fears and dreams. When our paths first crossed neither of us thought we'd end up together. A relationship was the last thing on my mind anyway and the same can be said for Regina. But we became friends after a while and then she started to work for Killian...which reminds me. Stop referring to her as a stripper. Regina is a make-up artist and a badass one at that."
"Right, right", August nodded, "She did the make-up of the bride, didn't she? Mary Margaret mentioned that."
"Yes", Emma answered proudly, "We became friends and a family even thanks to Henry. But there was nothing romantic going on for a long while. We fell in love though. Somewhere along the way, we truly fell in love. And I can honestly say Regina and her son are everything to me. This love is the best thing that has ever happened to me. So yes, it's serious. You can write that. Because I have zero interest in anyone who isn't Regina. She's the one."
A bright smile was August's answer, "Then I'm happy for you, Emma. Truly."
Emma wanted to thank him for his kindness when she felt a hand on her shoulder and she knew right away that it had to be Regina.
She turned around and looked at the brunette with wide eyes as realization dawned on her, "How much have you heard? And how mad are you?"
Regina only smiled, "I've heard everything you said, but I'm not mad. If anything I feel like the luckiest person in the world because you love me."
Emma simply pulled her close and kissed her because despite what she said it felt a bit like a fairytale and she was just so damn happy.
"I love you too", Regina said before she stole another kiss.
"I know we should call it a night soon because we have to get up early and it's a bit of a drive to the cabin as well, but there's something I've been looking forward to for weeks now", Emma took a step back, but held out her hand, "May I have this dance, Miss Mills?"
