A/N – Some insight into their past ahead. Bit of angst, but more fluff than not.

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Title

Our Way

Summary

"Mothers are their daughters' role model… their emotional roadmap, the arbiter of all their relationship."

– Victoria Secunda –

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Sunday.

It used to be Regina's favorite day. Pancake day as Henry called it. Their day as she fondly like to say. Or used too.

But today Sunday bled through the curtains and Regina sat up in it wide awake with her back against the head board hugging her knees. Last few hours she had watched the sun creep across the carpet, crawling ever so slowly to highlight a little dangling foot off the lounger near the fireplace.

Sleep, what she had gotten of it, had been a welcome reprieve from yesterday. Tomorrow would be Monday and if they were still here as dread spoke in her stomach they might be, she would need to begin carrying on with her role as Mayor and that meant Snow, in the truth of the child's role here in the file from last night, would be expected at school. That thought made Regina's head ache more than it already did.

She needed a clue, something to go by to begin unraveling the why of their existence here. Throwing off the blankets and covering with her robe against the morning chill Regina left the room and went to the kitchen. Coffee first, always first and mug full she went into her Study.

Cora's jeweled spell book called to her from across the room as it had when they were in the vault. Next to the Dark One her Mother had been the most powerful witch in existence in all the realms. She had learned all she knew about magic at both their hands and she shivered at the fact. The Imp's face over her in the Pawn Shop when she was holding her Mother's body flashed in mind. Maybe here he knew something. After all in the 28 years before Miss Swan came to town he had, in fact, been awake the entire time. Perhaps he was now too and if so he might just be able to help.

He owed her that much.

Deciding to find out if he was indeed awake today she set her mug on the coffee table. Regina took the book and sat on the couch, curling her feet under her. Then she found the place she left off, skimming and then turning the page. A folded parchment slipped out of the book and into her lap. Setting the book aside Regina picked it up and unfolded it. Her Mother's writing swirled under her eyes and for a moment she tore them away after reading the first few words at the top, drowning in them. A letter in her hands. Addressed to her and it felt like Mother was dying all over again in them.

'Breathe Regina.' She thought.

Henry.

'I have to get back to Henry.'

So she read and the carefully kept pain Regina had been pushing down the last twenty four hours grew.

Regina,

I only ever wanted the best for you in life. I could not always show you love. As you know I spent more than half my life without my heart. You have given me back my heart and so it is my last wish to give you back the rest of yours. Where ever you are right now embrace this second chance, a real one, a gift to you my daughter.

Remember my last words when you have doubt of your strength. You are and have always been so much stronger than me.

Mother

Ink blurred.

Of course this was Mother's doing and Regina crumpled the paper in her fist over her heart holding it there and just as quickly smoothed it out. Reading again and then once more. Trapped in her worst nightmare without her son and with Snow in this mocking form she had long let go of was supposed to be a gift?

Mother's twisted sense of humor was not in the least amusing. One last lesson it seemed and Regina wondered what it was. Cora had been notorious for them throughout her life and just when she thought she had figured out what she was supposed to learn the rug would be yanked cruelly from under her. And this one just kept tripping her up.

'Why here, why Snow, and why now?' Her head hurt with questions only a dead woman knew the answers to.

Skimming the page again Regina's eyes stilled on one phrase. 'Where ever you are…' Did that mean Mother didn't know where the curse would take her or who she would be trapped with? Maybe something went wrong. Maybe Henry was meant to be here instead. 'Give you back the rest of your heart…' Henry was her heart, her child, always had been.

Hadn't he?

Her heart whispered with a memory long tucked away. Sitting back with the letter heavy in her hands Regina closed her eyes and let it take her back to the past.

Regina's full pale blue skirts dusted the tops of the blades of grass in the royal gardens. Cool morning just after breakfast she strolled the sculpted paths behind the Castle. Her Castle and home now as Queen of the White Kingdom. She moved at a leisurely pace, though not as slow as she would have liked. Ache between her legs and deep within rubbed raw with each step. A week after her wedding night and in the dark of each night in between he had taken her. Set on a son he said, a brother for his daughter.

Regina shook her head slightly, self chiding. She'd have to change her thinking. Had been working to do so since the proposal her Mother had accepted on her behalf. The daughter now hers too and more so. A step didn't matter. Not by their laws. The moment she said 'I do' Snow White became her child.

The memory of the dead Queen honored, but cast aside for living flesh that would begin to mold the young Princess to rule the Kingdom alongside a husband chosen by her and Leopold both. As was their custom, their society's way to keep living once the dead were buried. Former Queen never to be spoken of now that the title, more than one, belonged to her.

Regina was grateful for that at least. No comparison was made between her and the dead beauty, at least not out loud anyway. A royal title she never wanted. Nor the child that came with it. Both now had, she would try to embrace one of them at least. Snow would be a welcome distraction from rank, prestige, and customs she disliked.

"She is much like a little chipmunk, your daughter."

Regina's nostrils flared as she lifted her chin. Mother just a step ahead as usual led them along another path shaded as Snow ran along further several paces of them. Princess barely six and waist height, cheeks were full and rosy as they should be. But Regina knew where this conversation was going. Her trained waist done up in corset strangling knew. "She will grow out of it, I'm sure Mother. All children have fullness to their appearance at this age."

A dark chuckle as blue eyes never left the scampering child ahead. "You know nothing of children daughter." Cora's eyes narrowed. "And you never did grow out of it until I intervened."

Starved. Regina had been all but growing up. Diet wickedly restricted, she ate like a bird on a regular day at best. Not wanting to bicker, but needing to stake her rightful claim. This child—Snow as the very least belonged to her. "She's my responsibility Mother."

"She is and quite one." Agreeing Cora watched it seemed to Regina with great distaste as the future heir to the throne began to pick wild flowers, little shoes cast aside and white stockings becoming stained with green of grass. "She is a terrible mess and has been according to the King since the death." Corners of a hard mouth turned down, Regina suspected, when her feet went too slow in pace. So Cora led faster and Queen naturally hastened along without so much as a touch or word from her Mother to make her save expectation she do so. "I will grant you one month to bring her to heel." Mother finished harshly.

Regina stiffened. Paling and internally cringing at what was strongly implied. There was no way she was going to allow Snow to be corrupted, abused or—even put abusive hands on this child. Amber grew shadows, lingering on Snow. Little life she saved had been her death sentence to this one she was now living. Hating her life, but not the causality that had her walking this path Regina eyed the bundle of wildflowers fisted in a dirty little palm. Snow changed palms and dirt was wiped on white silk before being abandoned all together to spin about the trunk of a tree. Rough about the edges Snow was. Edges Regina would have to smooth if she was to keep them both safe from Mother.

"Two months." Regina countered.

"Three weeks." Cora admonished, as sharp nails came to dig into Regina's arm, marking through a sleeve. A pause and then a turn with a nod to Snow hanging from a low tree branch. "You had best begin, daughter." Grin wicked in giving the smallest of nods.

Regina recognized that mocking gesture. She may outrank her Mother in title, but never in the blood they shared. Cora stared in wait and Regina dipped her chin and but not her eyes. "Yes Mother." Willfulness made her Mother's palm lift, and instinctual she flinched, but no strike came. Instead her cheek was tapped smartly twice. She fought against wincing again through the sting growing.

"I'm so glad we understand each other Regina."

Mother turned a back leaving her to task and Regina took the deepest breath her stays would allow. Then another. How to navigate this new relationship with the Princess unruly at best. Like a feral kitten led astray by grief Snow was and had been the last year according to her new husband. She shivered thinking of him and quickly dismissed the image.

Missing her home, what freedom she'd had and most of all the pair of hazel eyes that had looked at her without expectation save she be herself. Daniella. Regina closed her eyes at the memory. Her love had promised to find a way into the Castle. A way to reach her, but until then… and even then Regina realized, no matter where her heart lay or if her future brought their reunification, Snow was a casualty just as much as she. Child had not been asked if a new Mother had been wanted or previous one erased.

Perhaps some kind of happiness could be found with this little one. Regina had never had anything or anyone look at her the way Snow did. Like she held the sun in the sky and called the moon to bring the tide in. Power she'd gladly trade for freedom. She sighed. Three weeks was not long to retrain a child from a year of wild run without a Mother's influence.

King had called her into his private chamber on the morning after the consummation—rape—and had spoken the most to her in a twenty minute period as he had the whole string of days they had been married the last week. Explained his daughter's grief and lack of rule the last year.

Daughters belonged to their Mothers to rear as sons did to their Fathers. Opposite gender rarely intervened with the other in that right. Gender roles clearly defined as were titles assigned at birth within the rank one was born to and too the domestic ones within families. Women belonged to their husbands, but always to their Mothers first. Just as sons ruled their wives, but took direction from their Fathers, even after marriage.

Trapped in a cycle of power, Regina only longed for freedom and marriage had only tightened the leash around her neck her birthright had put there. A gilded one spun of fine gold and adorned with jewels she wanted nothing to do with. A hand was all she wanted to hold and that hand Daniella's, was still her desire.

But Daniella was lost to her.

Their love a great secret in more than love, but for the price they would both pay at the ax for breaking gender law. Women or men of the same kind were not allowed to join. Considered against the grain of the very foundation of roles their society was founded on. One she had been beaten for toeing within an inch of her life by her Mother when she was five and had been caught playing wedding with two female dolls. When asked what she was doing she had said one day she would marry a beautiful woman. A man, a King least of all, had never been in her plans.

There were secret places she had heard rumored far on the other side of the Kingdom tucked away where alike couples were able to live, away from the judging eyes of the law. Daniella, an orphan and tied to no one, was free to go where pleased. Regina had envied that freedom upon their introduction years ago, but had grown to learn the heart of the woman who tended their family stables as a horse groomer. Though what Regina had wanted never mattered.

Her Mother wanted power and King wanted a Mother for his heir. Her Father—Daddy in the most private of moments between them, only wanted them to get along and was not the one who ruled their home despite his title as a Prince and Husband. Passive and of tender heart—he was no match for Mother or the role he had been born into. They were a lot alike in that way, or so she thought.

Leopold's words spoken were now her law. "Tame Snow. Teach her. Raise her. This and only this is your right."

Mother's words threatened to take even that right from her. Their world a harsh one to women was even more so to children. Authority she would have to claim with Snow. Some kind of it and Regina wondered if there was a way to craft her own version of it. Something softly firm and predictable for the Princess, but with enough of their world expectations to bring Snow along where they needed to be to remain out of Cora's clutches and away from the King's critical eye.

Careful, but her way. 'Our way' she would make it between her and Snow. Formal with purpose, but filled with plenty of love and affection—especially away from prying eyes. So careful she'd have to be, but worth keeping the light in the green eyes watching her.

Regina settled on a course of action and began to approach the child bouncing to catch the low tree branch again. Snow caught the branch, but slipped at her approach, landing on knees in the dust and then running over with arms out to hug her skirts. Regina paused and leaned down to gently catch Snow by the shoulders, their eyes level.

Bright eyes looked into her and Regina couldn't help but smile softly at the happiness there. Happiness she wanted to keep, but knew she had to begin dimming just a little this moment. "You must be more careful Snow." Indicating the stained white dress with a sweep of her eyes.

"But did you see the pretty flowers and the bird in the tree?" Shining Snow asked and held out the bouquet. "For you."

"I did and they are both lovely. Thank you." Pausing Regina smelled the flowers and tucked them into her other hand. She squeezed a shoulder once and stood tall. "Go fetch your shoes and come walk with me. We need to discuss a few things."

Snow darted off to the tree, slipping on silk slippers. Regina observed Snow slowing to a walk under her eye. To Snow's credit girl seemed to sense why she was observed. Queen placed a hand on a shoulder to guide the child a step behind and on her right per protocol. Snow moved naturally under her direction and Queen thought perhaps for a moment not all was forgotten in the last year as King had claimed. But then Snow began to slip a hand into hers, little green eyes begging for the affection only allowed much younger children of two or three.

Instinctively Regina looked about, making sure no one was watching them least Mother or spies be about. Sure they were alone she allowed the child to take up her hand, just this once in public she told herself, enjoying the warmth there as they began walking. Affection and open was discouraged in their society. Considered elementary, unnecessary compared to what was necessary to keep order and that was something Regina had never understood.

Children were expected to mimic adults from an early age and open affection only weakened that transition. Though this little hand in hers felt wonderful. Sweet and innocent and she wanted more of it. Maybe this would serve them, private and vigilant they would have to be, but perhaps…

"Have I vexed you in some way?" Snow looked up at the length of silence between them.

A very grown term Regina knew had been learned from Mother earlier this week. Mother had set about correcting the child's vocabulary right away in new role as Grandmother to the heir of the throne. Trying from Snow's mouth now it sounded sharp on pink lips and made hers frown. "Not how you are thinking, however there are some behaviors of yours we need to make right."

They came to a carved bench under a tree and Regina sat, bringing Snow to stand in front of her. Taking in the fullness of the child from head to toe. There was a lot to be done for Snow to be present in the title and rank born to not including their domestic role to each other. Too much she feared for the short timeline her Mother imposed. But she was Regina and she did not give up easily. Nerves now she suspected, began to warm white skin to blush under her words.

Snow bit a lip, seeming to come right out with it. "What will you use to punish me then?"

And Regina sighed. A year since this child had even been reprimanded in any fashion little long talked to at length over decorum and she suspected the woman who had owned her title before had sounded much harsher than she. By that change of pallor in Snow under her statement, child seemed to be expecting a firm correction. Now that tone belonging to a dead woman was her responsibility. The way of her world now, she could not question it. She daren't question the King or her Mother most of all, not yet anyway until she had some leverage to work with.

Honest she needed to be. With herself and the child. "That is not how things will be between us. I shall never hit you with anything nor strike your face." Hand going there to cup a cheek and glad to see the child not flinch from her touch. Though expectation for some kind of corporal correction would called in by her Mother, the King, and by their laws. Traditional, their world began training children young enough to walk to survive in it. If she did not heed, Cora would make her and then make Snow heel in her wake. A shiver ran the length of her spine at that thought.

"Then how…" Small and confused Snow sounded, then suddenly not. "Mother?"

Not a question in title from Snow, but rather of how they were to proceed with protocols between them. Regina had expected that title at some point this week as was custom. Her engagement with Snow had been limited immediately after the wedding as she settled into her new home, role, and duties. They had a lot to discuss and not as much time as she had hoped. Regina moved with it and took two hands into her own. "We will find our own way to manage between us. Today we will begin with a few rules and talking them through so you understand what I expect of you."

"I'm not to be punished?" Snow's chin dipped to indicate the dress and shoes.

Queen shook her head softly and wondered if that had been a small test of sorts. Seeing a hint of mischief in green for that answer, she explained. "I'm sure at some point that will be that case." Hating that idea and rubbing thumbs along the back of small hands. "However, now I feel you would fare better if you understood what to do and not to do. As well as how to avoid such future trouble."

"I am not in trouble with you then." Looking down at their hands with a small smile.

Regina rather liked how they fit together. "Not today Snow and I certainly hope not going forward…"

Regina opened her eyes. Breathing deep. In once. Out once and in again her lungs filled to capacity. Not confined by stays or the rigidity of the past. Present moment came into focus and Cora's clue once again became a crinkled mess in her fist.

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Snow was just as jarred upon waking as she had been the previous morning and even more so when she realized where she was. Alone though she never liked to be, but right now she welcomed it. Mouth dry she rubbed one eye and sleepily looked down. Mr. Thumper had been a welcome companion last night. Gone to her room where Regina had sent her after disappearing into the bathroom Snow had been in shock over the Queen's revelation about her Father's death. She still was and wondered over why she had gotten the stuffed toy and returned to a room where she obviously was not wanted. But here she was right now and had been allowed to be.

Moving the blanket aside she pondered how it had gotten there. Answer clear after she thought about it, Snow shoved it away and sighed. Then her stomach rumbled. Starving, she had not eaten much yesterday and needed something soon. Snow wondered if Regina would cook again and was conflicted over the fact that part of her looked forward to it if that was the case. It felt good having someone make a meal for her, but it shouldn't. Not here and certainly not for who would make it.

Torn again Snow folded the blanket best she could and went down the hall, leaving Mr. Thumper on her bed. Downstairs she heard noise from the kitchen. Little one in her hopeful she peeked around the corner watching Queen floating about the kitchen as if completely at ease in the space and remembered Regina always being that way when they had managed to sneak into the Castle kitchens to bake something together. She shook her head to rid the memory as her nose began twitching over the aroma of pancakes. Then the adult in her frowned when she realized they were apple ones.

Yuck.

"Do not stand there gawking Snow... It's rude." Regina turned and gave a tolerant look to the big eyes she had felt watching her for a long while. "Come sit. We need to talk about the plan today."

At that direction Snow eased into the room and sat down in the stool farthest from the Queen. And daring. "You know I don't like apples Regina."

Plating a stack with a raised brow, Regina turned off the stove and grabbed her coffee mug. Taking both to her place setting. Seated, she pointed to a different plate. "I do and those are for you."

Green eyes followed a finger and blushed at the plain pile she had missed in her upset. Pulling the non apple pancakes over she gave a soft, "Thanks." Taking a fork Snow dug in after drowning the mess in syrup. As Snow chewed she nearly missed the amused look on the Queen's face. "Wats so dunny?" Cheeks full. And she tried again at the pointed look she was under after swallowing. "What's so funny?"

Regina sipped her coffee debating on answering. There needed to be some peace between them for the harshness of yesterday and so she tried. "You insist you are not a child and yet you are so seven years old right now." Gesturing to the drowning pancake. Then she wondered aloud. "How does it feel? To be as you are I mean."

"Strange." Snow took another bite surprised at the ease with which she admitted that vulnerability. Then she merely chewed slowly to gain time to think. What did Regina care anyway about anything she felt? Still, the Queen seemed different this morning and that made her want to try, at least a little. "It's like having two voices in my head. My own as an adult and one from the past when I was really seven. I have all my memories, but the ones from when I was little are really prominent right now, like they just happened and it's like she, little me, is trying to take over and I can't help certain things." Pointing to the plate.

Suspecting as much Regina nodded and took a delicate bite of her own breakfast. She remained quiet as the Princess didn't seem to be finished yet.

"And I'm not trying to make you mad by doing things like stomping my foot yesterday or using too much syrup. I don't want to make this harder. I can't help it and I don't understand any of it." Tears teased her lashes and tired of them Snow tried hard to hold them back.

Sighing. Regina set down her fork and turned to Snow. "No you cannot and I realize that now."

"Huh?" Chin tilted. Snow was not sure what she had been expecting, but it was not Regina's understanding.

"I've been awake quite a while now and thinking a lot about our circumstances. There is a reason we are here and I am not sure why yet. I have a few ideas I need to explore, but I will figure this out and get us out of here."

Snow gave a strange half smile.

Uncomfortable under very adult eyes Regina asked. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Because you're determined to get your way and you always seem to. And right now that gives me hope that I'll see my family again."

Regina scoffed and turned away. "Yes, you would see it that way."

Sensing she had somehow rocked a delicate bridge Snow reached out and carefully laid her hand on top of the Queen's forearm, grateful when Regina did not pull away from her. "I meant what I said as a compliment. You are the most determined person I know and when you say you will figure this out and get us out of here…" Shrugging and pulling her hand back. "Well, I believe you." Eyes back on her plate she went back to eating.

Changing the subject as her heart fluttered, Regina continued. "I need to see Gold today. I think he might know something, if he is awake. If he isn't then I fear we may be here for a while yet and that is what we need to talk about now."

Snow shifted in her seat. "Talk about what?"

"Tomorrow is Monday and being such I have work." Sipping coffee and eying green for a reaction.

"Oh." Chewing on that thought Snow nearly choked on the other one. "Oh. No, that's not happening." Dropping her fork with a clatter. "Just take me with you or leave me here. I'll stay inside and I won't get into trouble." Begging with her eyes. "Regina I can't."

"You can and will go to school." Shaking her head at the dramatics she had suspected would surface. "I can't take you to Town Hall. We need to play along in this life for this to work between us until I can figure something else out. You wanted to help Princess and that is one way you can."

Cheeks turned pink and Snow crossed her arms. "That's not what I meant by helping and you know it."

"Still it is not your choice to make or even mine. It is what it is and you will go." Standing and going to the sink. Snow's irritation over the idea only further provoked her own. "Perhaps you'll learn something new."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

Then sighing as they were right back to square one. Regina set the tap water to hot and began soaking the dishes to be washed. "I meant nothing by it."

Letting what she has thought was a jab at her intelligence, but maybe not, go in favor of her curiosity Snow asked. "What else did you mean by we need to play along in this life?"

"I meant what I meant. We need to play the roles we have been dealt. Especially outside of the house or things will get unnecessarily messy for us like the little hospital incident. We don't need any distractions if we both want to get out of here, do we?" Again some parts of this conversation felt too familiar. Roles being defined as she had crafted Our Way decades years ago.

Hesitant, but nodding to that truth, Snow would give the Queen that win.

"You will go to school and try to blend in. I will go to work and do what I always do. Between those things I will try to unravel this mess."

Snow bit her lip. "It'll be strange. I don't know how to…"

"I suspect it will be very similar to the tutor schedule the other side of you is used to from the Castle. There will be the basic classes—reading, writing, and mathematics with a meal and a break in between." Regina tried to sound reassuring. "Try to think about it like that."

"I still think it's a bad idea." Crossing her arms in upset.

"You will be fine, but there is something else we need to talk about." Squaring her jaw, Regina stuck her hands in the soapy water needing something to do. "Yesterday at the hospital you called me by name in front of Dr. Whale." Breath catching as her skin flushed. "You cannot do that here in public."

A foot kicked the counter. So that's why Whale had been looking at her so funny. "I am not calling you anything else." Had once and done so with ease of heart, now that word meant something broken inside her. Never mind the softer form of it she had come to use with the Queen of past when they had been in private.

"Then call me nothing at all outside the house, but be respectful about it. I am more than fine with that, but you can't use my name around others."

"Fine with me."

"I thought it would be." Regina scrubbed a pan harder than necessary. "We need to touch on a few rules also to make this situation more tolerable for both of us."

Snow toyed with the ends of her hair, twirling as was her habit when she was unsure of something. "What kind of rules?"

"Rules to keep you safe. Henry would never forgive me if something happened to you here." Deciding to be honest in her reasoning, at least part of it right now with big Snow. "You need to listen when I tell you to do something and think before you act." The last would prove to be the most difficult she was sure. Seeing the girl's confused look Regina gave a few examples. "Things like the snow globe, the potion bottle, running from me in the hospital… those cannot continue to happen."

Thinking the Queen's words over Snow dropped her hand to her lap. "I'll try."

"You need to do more than try, but… Okay." And that would need to be true for more than just Snow if they were to survive each other.

Snow at least willing to try by her side was a start.

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A/N – Next chapter of this story not until next Saturday due to the holiday Tuesday. If you are enjoying this at all please consider a review. Thanks!

I am also debuting a new story probably later tonight or tomorrow called Special Delivery for those of you that are fans of actual kid Emma and Mama Regina - Completely A/U – no curse/no magic.

Next time – Regina and Snow visit Gold and Queen shares some of her theory learned from Cora's spell book with the Princess. Little Snow throws an old arrow of past and Queen wounded, makes a mistake, but in it they find new understanding of each other.