Sorry for the wait guys but I promise it have been worth the wait! It's yet another long ass chapter and my wonderful beta Courtney have added so much to this particular chapter and fixed plot holes I didn't even think about myself.
In other words, she's simply amazing and I can't thank you enough my friend!
Belle looked for quite a while at the different types of rings, when she suddenly saw the ring. It practically screamed, Ruby!
A silent tear rolled down her cheek as she examined It further. It was a silver ring, with a tiny red ruby in the middle of slightly larger diamonds.
She soon noticed the price and frowned. She didn't even have half of that! Of course the perfect ring would cost an arm and a leg! She thought, as she begrudgingly moved on with a forlorn expression.
Regina had seen the smile and small tear, as she found this ring only moments ago, so she noticed the abrupt change in Belle's demeanor immediately. She carefully laid her hand on her friend's shoulder.
"Is something wrong, dear?"
"What?" she asked alarmed, as if she had forgotten Regina was even there. She gave a small chuckle, then forced a smile, as she shook her head quickly.
"Sorry. No. Nothing's wrong. I just ehm... I'm just a bit upset, because I haven't found a ring I know Rubes would love yet.." Belle shrugged nonchalantly.
Regina just rolled her eyes playfully. Belle was a lousy liar, who also seemed to forget Regina could read her like an open book. Being one of her oldest friends and all.
"Belle, I saw you look at those rings before… You know, the ones right there." Regina stated with a wink, before she grabbed the attention of the man behind the counter.
"Yes, Miss?" he asked politely.
"Can we please have look at those rings?" Regina asked with a smile and pointed.
"Of course, Miss. Those are quite different, a few quite rare, but I myself, think they're lovely." He explained as he pulled the black velvet casing out, then laid it atop the counter.
Regina met Belle's tearful eyes and nudged her shoulder.
"We will take these." Regina stated with a smile, before Belle had a chance to reply. "Also, that silver necklace over there, with the Swan."
"Excellent choices, Miss." the man replied shocked. "Would you like anything engraved?" he enquired.
"Yes, please. I want the necklace engraved with 'To my Special Swan'. Is that possible?" the man nodded, then put the case back in its spot, and disappeared behind the curtains with the necklace.
Once he was out of sight, Belle slapped Regina's arm.
"I said I had my own money!" the brunette huffed annoyed.
"I know, Belle, but I also know you couldn't afford them. So just see them as my wedding gift to you." Regina tried and Belle attacked her with a gigantic hug.
"Thank you so much, Regina! Thank you so much!" Belle outright cried. "I'll pay you back in a couple of months! I promise!" she sobbed and Regina chuckled as she held tight to the slightly taller girl.
"Absolutely not! I insist!" she stated ad she rubbed Belle's back and they shared a small laugh and teary eyes.
Emma was laughing so much that she could barely breathe after one of Ruby's stories. Her sister really knew how to make her smile.
"Another beer?" Ruby grinned as she made her way to the ice chest, and Emma nodded in reply.
Unfortunately, the blonde didn't realize how close she actually was to the edge, so when Ruby tossed the full can to her, she fell backwards into the water.
Ruby had just taken a sip of her beer, but when she heard the splash and saw Emma disappear under the water. Ruby burst into laughter so hard that she spat out the beer.
"Not.. Funny!" Emma groaned as her head emerged from the water. Her sister was still laughing, so the blonde decided to get revenge. She gripped Ruby's pants leg and dragged her sister down into the water with her.
"Swan! For fuck sake!" Ruby frowned as she reappeared on the surface. Emma just gave her the biggest grin ever, and Ruby splashed towards her face.
"Rubes, you look like a wet cat!" Emma teased as Ruby rolled her eyes, and climbed back up onto the bridge.
She didn't say a word to Emma, she just reached for her beer with a groan.
I'm so happy to have you as my sister, Ruby!
Emma thought, with a final happy chuckle to herself, as she climbed back onto the bridge as well. They sat side by side, and went back to fishing while sharing a genuine smile.
After shopping, Belle and Regina went into the town's little familiar restaurant for a meal. It hadn't changed at all since Regina's last visit a few years ago.
The staff hadn't changed either, so the usual waitress/cook, Mr. Geppetto's wife, almost dropped a plate as she spotted Regina.
"I can't believe it! Regina Mills!" she stated with an enormous smile, as she sat the meal in front of the person who ordered it, then gave Regina a tight hug.
"You're really your father's daughter! You've also really grown since I last saw you! I miss that crazy old man, and you even have his eyes! It's such a pleasure to see you!" she rambled
Regina smiled at the compliment, but the smile faded quickly when the woman noticed her baby bump.
"And you're pregnant!" the woman was aghast, as she let Regina go. "But you're so young!"
"It's nice to see you too, Mrs. Gepetto, and yes I'm 6 months pregnant." Regina stated timidly. She was afraid the older lady would give her a hard time. Maybe even be mean to her….
Even though she looked forward to this baby, the question about who and where the father was, always seemed to come up. In her head at least.
Thankfully, she changed the subject quickly, before those questions had the chance to be asked.
"Oh, and this is my friend, Miss French. You probably remember her from when we were children. We just wanted to grab a bite to eat before heading back to the cottage." Regina explained quickly.
"Of course! It's good to see you again, Belle! It's wonderful to see you both. It really is!" she hugged Belle as well, then turned her attention back towards Regina with a smile
"And I'm happy you're visiting the cottage again. It's a such beautiful place, and it shouldn't just rot away. Henry always told me about how you planned on living there someday. Maybe visiting for the summers with your own children.." the woman reminisced, as she stroked Regina's cheek.
"We all miss him around here, you know?" she said and Regina nodded
"I miss him as well." she stated with a sad smile and the older woman chuckled
"Well, we missed you lot as well." she looked around "Where's the wild one? Ruby, right?" she asked and the girls nodded
"She's fishing." Belle answered with a dreamy smile. The woman chuckled.
"I take it, you two are still close, huh?" the woman winked and Belle blushed.
The small restaurant was packed when they entered so the woman had to get back to work.
The two girls placed their orders. After a while, they got their food, and Belle listened to one of Regina's stories as they ate, but she wasn't actually listing very well.
Her mind was preoccupied with thoughts of Ruby.
Will she even say yes? What if she says no? And what if she doesn't like the ring? What if she actually wanted to ask Belle first? That might really upset her…
Belle tugged on her bottom lip nervously, but snapped back to reality when she heard her phone buzz.
R - I officially hate my sister.
B - No you don't. Siblings have disagreements all the time baby.
B- What happened?
R - Emma fell into the water and when I laughed at her, she dragged me down too! That Bitch!
Belle rolled her eyes.
She knew Ruby wasn't really angry with her sister. Simply because Belle knew, that deep down, ruby just couldn't be angry with Emma.
Belle just figured Ruby wasn't used to Emma playing around as she did. One thing was sure though, Ruby was probably enjoying it.
Emma was really beginning to come out of her shell, and Belle knew Ruby was one of the biggest causes of that.
B - Probably serves you right, baby. I have a feeling Emma is as just copying her sister's behavior…
Ruby rolled her eyes with a smirk. Belle knew her way too well.
Emma was laying on her back with one of her legs on her knee, with Henry's old cap covering her face.
She looked really relaxed as her chest went up and down with every breath.
If it had been Belle laying there, Ruby would have attacked her with something... Somehow.. But for now, the redhead just sat and smiled at Emma.
All the usual tension in her body was gone, and that made Ruby extremely happy.
Emma seemed to be really changing. Hopefully for the better! Lately she seemed less anxious, and far more attentive than she used to be.
She knew it was probably all thanks to Regina, and this baby.
R - I miss you. Are you having a good time with Regina?
B - Oh yes. We're having a really good time. This place hasn't changed a bit. But I miss you too. Are you and Emma having a good time? Aside from the whole water incident :p
R - Yeah. I have actually never seen Swan this relaxed. It's really awesome. I'm texting you cause she totally fell asleep while drying in the sun lol!
B - OMG! Pics?
Ruby chuckled as she snapped a quick picture, then sent it as Emma stirred awake.
Emma sat up to look around, then laid on her back and covered her face with Henry's old cap again.
It smelled of Regina in a way. She felt how easy she could breathe. It had never been easier, except for when she was in Regina's arm.
Oh Regina! Emma reached for her phone and started to type.
E - I love you, you know that right? I'm so happy you haven't left me, despite my demons. I hope this whole thing with your mother actually is real, and that she is changing, and maybe even accepts us being together..
Because when I think of my future, something I have never really done before, I see you. And that little baby in your stomach is always gonna be my son. I love you two so much!
Cora and Granny had been talking for awhile now. Reminiscing about the past, and sharing stories about Henry.
Eugenia had known him much longer than Cora, and she felt as if she were really starting to realize that the two really had a platonic friendship.
Granny on the other hand, was still skeptical, but pleasantly surprised by Cora's willingness to share stories of their time together. Also of her receptiveness of her stories of Henry and his late parents.
As it turned out, he had never even told Cora that she was his babysitter at one point. Cora had always assumed that they were pretty close in age.
In truth though, they were separated by several years. Fifteen to be exact.
Eugenia realized, once she finished one of her stories, that Cora had become extremely quiet.
Almost as if her mind were elsewhere.
"Cora, is something on your mind?" she plainly asked and Cora practically jumped from her seat in fright. As if the older woman had read her mind.
"No no! Nothing." Eugenia gave her a skeptical look and she rolled her eyes as she sat straighter. "Had he asked, even with the age difference, would you have ever….gone there? With him?" Eugenia was honestly confused at that.
"Gone where, exactly?"
"Would you have ever...engaged in a relationship with him?" Cora asked, then looked ashamed once she saw the disbelieving look on Eugenia's face
"No. He was just a child when I sat for him!" she stated and Cora sighed
"What if you weren't his babysitter? What if you two had met ten or twenty years down the road?" She tried to clarify and the woman thought it over before speaking.
"Yes. Absolutely." she answered honestly, then laid her hand atop Cora's "He was always a very kind hearted man, but he really only had eyes for you, dear. You were all he ever wanted." Eugenia was going for reassurance, but Cora frowned.
"No, I know he never strayed. I just…" she hesitated as she tried to gather her thoughts properly.
"What is it that you're trying to ask?" Eugenia was still confused, but the picture was becoming clearer as the other woman was still trying to gather her thoughts.
"I'm just curious about the age difference, is all."
"Oh, honey, age is really just a number." Eugenia stated as she removed her hand almost comically
"Cora Mills! Are you coming on to me?" Eugenia asked acting appalled and Cora broke into a full, hearty laugh. Eugenia smiled slightly as Cora's laugh calmed to a small cackle
"No, I'm not. There is someone though. Maybe! There may be someone…" she finally stated as her expression returned to nervous
"Hm, someone I would know?" she asked and Cora shrugged
"I didn't know her before she hit my car with her truck." Cora spoke with a smile, without thinking.
As she realized what she said, Cora covered her mouth. As if she had just said something unholy.
Her face held a look of instant regret. She looked at her hands ashamed again and Eugenia tried for a small, encouraging smile
"It's ok, Cora. When did you get into this accident? Was everything ok?" the woman asked now deeply concerned.
"Yesterday, after I left. I was fine, but she had a concussion, so I made her go to the hospital." she explained and Eugenia gasped
"You could have called someone! We would have liked to know if you were hurt!" she stated, now sounding upset. Cora almost smiled at that.
"Eugenia, I've honestly believed that everyone would just be better off without me alive….for a very long time.
I'm too much of a coward for suicide...but if something were to happen naturally, well it would just be for the best." she explained sadly. After a second of silence and second guessing herself, Cora spoke again.
"What am I even thinking with this? I literally just rode in the ambulance with her, then made arrangements at the hospital. I haven't even really spoken with her!" Cora exclaimed as she stood and started to pace
"She would just be one more person that I would let down...or belittle….or disappoint. That's what I did to my parents….and Henry!
I always disappointed him! He would never admit it, but I saw it. I could see into his soul sometimes!" she sighed as she went to retrieve her purse, then her keys, with tears in her eyes.
"Cora!" the old woman followed close behind. She wrapped both arms around her in a tight hug.
Her tears fell as the older woman rubbed a hand up and down her back in comfort.
"Everything is ok. Please, calm down." She begged as Cora finally began to sob openly
"I didn't call yesterday, because I couldn't…. I couldn't bare to see Regina. She would be disappointed in me. Again!
Only, this time she would have been disappointed that I survived!" Cora pulled away from the woman quickly and gripped her rental car's keys tightly
"No! Coraline Mills!" Eugenia shouted to the sobbing woman who had started stomping towards the rental car. "You are not leaving in this state!"
"And why not? You let me leave yesterday! I was in the same state as I am right now!"
"And you could have gotten hurt!"
"I should have! You know, I'm really tired of this life. I've tried so hard to be...right! What is right?
I tried staying away so that Regina wouldn't be around me. I tried sleeping with someone once in New York, and it made my fucking skin crawl!
I would be cheating on him! I can't! I can't pursue anything with this…..woman driving the red truck! I feel terrible for even thinking of pursuing anything! I'm a fucking monster and I deserve to die!" Cora rumbled loudly to herself and Eugenia pulled her into another tight hug.
"Cora, you can, and should, cry and scream and get everything out, but you're not a monster. And you don't deserve to die!" Eugenia stated in a calming voice. Cora cried harder
"I hit her." she admitted then sobbed again. She was sure the older woman would release her and let her have it when she found out.
"The woman in the red truck?" Eugenia asked confused as she rubbed up and down her back again soothingly. Ok, Maybe not.
"No. After he died….I hit Regina. I don't remember what she did exactly, but it reminded me so much of Henry that...I couldn't do it.
I couldn't stand it anymore! She constantly wanted to talk about him! Wanted to hear how we met! Everything! So I just…" the old lady released her "I just backhanded her across the face!"
For a full minute the two were completely silent. Eugenia had a murderous look come across her face.
She took a step back from the sobbing woman and examined her own hands. Granny had a couple of rings on and shrugged. She took a deep breath. Cora was now fully sobbing as she wrapped her arms around herself.
"I...I told you" she stuttered as she cried harder now "I was a...a monster!" she finally got it out and Eugenia took a deep breath
"You only hit her once?" she asked seriously and Cora nodded meekly towards the ground.
She noticed the older woman fidgeting with her hands, and understood what was about to come. She looked straight into the older woman's eyes
"What do I deserve then?" she asked as the tears slowed "I sure as hell don't deserve forgiveness!" she stated and the older woman sighed as she noticed that Cora was watching her hands, and preparing to be hit.
Eugenia was really stuck. If she slapped her, it wouldn't just be for Regina. It would be selfish. On the other hand, she sensed that this would somehow bring the other woman some closure somehow. Maybe it would be like payback and make Cora feel less guilty somehow.
"No, Cora, I don't know how you were raised, but I don't hit my girls, and I would never let them hit anyone else. Unless it was in self defense, of course." she stated as she crossed her arms
"I really think you should see someone. I have a very good friend who's a psychologist. I can give you his number…" the older woman pulled Cora back into a tight embrace "but you have to make the call. I feel like he could really help you."
For a few minutes both women held each other, and Eugenia began to cry as well. She began to sway with Cora in her arms.
It almost looked like they were dancing once Cora wrapped her arms around Eugenia, then laid her head on her shoulder.
"You know," Eugenia began " I don't think Henry wants you to be alone forever. I believe he would love it if you moved on."
"I don't want to leave him behind." Cora whispered in a hoarse voice.
"You wouldn't be. You wouldn't be opening another book… you would simply be adding more stories. Perhaps, even new happy stories." she sounded so wise and Cora sighed as they still swayed
"I don't even know what is drawing me to her. There's just something...magnetic about her. She seems charming, and beautiful, and smart." Eugenia stopped them from swaying and pulled back to look into Cora's eyes.
"I agree that you shouldn't pursue a relationship with this woman. After all, you have to work on yourself before jumping into a relationship with someone, but there's no reason you can't be friends… at least until you get to that point." she added and Cora nodded in understanding.
"You're right." she tried for a smile, but it looked more like a grimace "I'll give your friend a call tomorrow. Do you Think he'll take a new patient?" she asked and the older woman nodded with a smile
"Absolutely! Emma may start seeing him as well soon." she stated and Cora nodded as she moved to hug the older woman again.
Cora felt so tired all of a sudden. She supposed a mental breakdown could wear someone out
Regina picked up her phone, and realized she had read Emma's text over and over again. She was quite amazed at both the impulsive text and Emma's beautiful words.
She knew how hard her girlfriend had it, when it came to feelings and things like that. A smile spread over Regina's lips.
Emma was her future, but she had never had the guts to say anything out loud, fearing she would scare Emma.
Only now, Regina wasn't afraid of the subject anymore. She wanted Emma as much as Emma wanted her. It made her heart burst with love.
Re - I'm so proud of you, Emma. I know you have your challenges, but you always pull through. I adore you. I love you. I'm never gonna let you go. You are the one for me. The one and only. I can't raise this baby without you.
Emma sat up and dried her eyes. She was so happy, but in some way also scared shitless. Please don't tear us apart, Cora.
This thing with Regina was something Emma thought would never happen. They were each other's polar opposites, and they came from two different worlds. Despite that, they were so much alike.
Emma smiled at Ruby as she looked down at her phone again. Regina didn't have a clue about the picture Emma had as her lock screen.
This particular picture she had snapped without Regina's knowledge, and while Emma normally wouldn't do something like that without permission, she really adored it.
To her, it was the most beautiful picture the blonde had ever seen. The picture was of Regina standing with Rocinante beside her, and she was laughing as the horse licked her face.
Regina thanked Gepetto for taking good care of her horse, and steered him home. Belle was smiling and Regina as well.
"So, are you gonna pop the question tonight?" Regina purred and winked at Belle.
"Yeah, I think so. I kinda want to ask her at the beach." Belle grinned. She had always dreamt of a wedding by the water, so it was a dream come true to actually ask her girlfriend to marry her on a beach.
"I'm so happy for you!" Regina stated and she truly was. Belle and Ruby were each other's soulmates, and the only thing Regina ever wished for the ones she loved, was that they were happy. That was something she had gotten from her dad.
"Daddy!" Regina squealed as Henry parked the big jeep on the driveway. The man laughed as he received a big hug from his daughter.
Regina was around seven years old, and the old man had just gotten back from work.
They were at the cottage and Cora was actually with them this time. She was even enjoying the nature, and she and Regina had just come up from a swim in the pool.
"My beautiful daughter. Have you missed me?" Henry chuckled and ruffled her wet hair.
"Always." Regina smiled back as Cora joined them. The usual business woman was wearing a beautiful sundress and she gave Henry a gentle kiss on his lips.
"Hi darling," She said. "I've prepared some lasagna for tonight."
"Oh, I'm one lucky man, aren't I? I'm at my favorite place with my favorite girls and I'm gonna have my favorite meal. Life is good." Henry grinned and swung one arm around his wife, then scooped up his daughter with his other. Regina laid her head on his shoulder and laid her arms around him.
Neither Ruby or Emma caught any fish, but they were still in a good mood as they started to walk back to the cottage.
"Have you had a good day? Besides not catching any fish?" Ruby asked as she grinned at her sister.
"Yeah. I needed this. Just relaxing, living in the moment." Emma replied.
"Yeah, this place is wonderful." Ruby said and met Emma's eyes. "I loved being here as a kid, and I know Granny always wanted something like this, you know? A house in the middle of nowhere and just living in peace."
"I have lived in places like this before," Emma said and bit her lip.
"Really? " Ruby frowned.
"yepp. But they were never calm and relaxing like this. The homes in the country were actually the worst ones, because the foster parents had the chance to do anything to me when I needed punishment, you know? No neighbors around." Ruby nodded upset, and tugged on her underlip.
She hated the fact that Emma had been so badly treated in her early life, and knew she had permanent scars from it. Scars she would always carry with her, both on her had but also inside. In her heart.
Emma was such a fantastic person, and she had come such along way. In the beginning the blonde had been absolutely terrified of everything.
"Ruby!" Granny screamed up the stairs. "Ruby Lucas, come down here, this instant!"
Emma was laying in her room reading, but froze when she heard Granny's voice.
It was dark, and full of anger, and Emma's reflex when she heard someone's voice sound like that, was to curl into a ball. So she did.
She started to hyperventilate and shake like a leaf. Ruby who walked by her door on her way down, saw her since Emma's door was open, and knew she couldn't ignore this. She also knew granny would understand.
"Swan? Everything okay?" Ruby asked carefully, but she got no response at all. The redhead walked over to Emma's bedside and kneeled down.
She gently laid her hand on Emma's shoulder, then stumbled backwards as Emma's reaction to the the touch was to scream. Her eyes snapped open and met Ruby's.
"Swan, relax. It's only me. Breathe. You're ok. No one's in trouble."
"I'm sorry." Emma mumbled, still hiding her head in her hands. "I I... I just heard Granny scream, and I got so scared."
"Swan, look at me." Ruby said with a calm and gentle voice.
"No." Emma responded and covered her face even more, but Ruby pushed on.
"Sis, look at me, please?" Emma groaned but finally did what she was told. Tears was rolling down her cheeks.
"You don't have to be afraid. Granny's not that angry with me. I just made some toast before, and totally forgot to go downstairs and clean it up. You know how pedantic she is with the kitchen." Ruby said with a small smile. Emma dried her eyes and nodded.
"Well, that's true." Emma shrugged.
"Yeah, so don't be scared, okay? I'll have a word with her about shouting," Ruby looked down ashamed at herself
"and I'll do my best not to make her yell from now on." Ruby smiled slightly, and Emma finally relaxed enough to smirk slightly
"So, you're gonna be good from now on?" She asked and the two shared a small laugh
"Have you met me? I said I'll try…" Ruby stated and Emma out right laughed. After a minute the laughter died down, and Emma smiled slightly again
"Thank you, Ruby."
"No problem, Sis."
After Cora and Eugenia's talk, the ex mayor had went up to the main house and left Granny alone on the porch by the guest house.
The old woman felt slightly relieved by that, but now she was sitting and thinking so much her head was hurting.
She was thinking about Cora's story, but also about her own reaction to having a daughter who was gay.
When Ruby had told her, the first feeling she had felt was fear. Not fear over the fact that she liked girls over boys, no, but over the fact that Ruby could actually get assaulted or even beaten up for this. Just for loving another girl.
But the strongest feeling Granny had felt was pride. Ruby had only been 14 years old when she had come out. Even though she was so young, the girl was sure of who she was.
Granny had given her a big hug, and told her she was happy for her. When she had told her that Belle was her girlfriend, the happiness had only grown stronger.
Belle was a girl Granny had always loved like her own. She was kind, calm, and just the type of person Ruby needed in her life.
Her granddaughter seemed all confident and strong, but sometimes she was a wreck. Especially when thinking about her mother, who had just left her on Granny's doorstep.
Or so Ruby thought for a long time. Anita had insisted that it was the right thing to tell her, but Granny eventually broke down and told her how it really was.
It took many years, and many visits to Dr Hopper for Ruby to come through that chaos, and all the anxiety of not feeling wanted.
Maybe that was the reason Ruby felt so connected with Emma, and was always looking out for her as she did.
The old woman groaned and dragged her fingers through her hair. As Belle was good for Ruby, Regina was good for Emma. Since they had become a couple, Emma had seemed less down, less worried, and much less nervous.
She hadn't had any problems sleeping, and the blonde worked every shift she was given.
Before, Ruby had been forced to take many of Emma's shifts due to her mood swings and sleeping problems, and Emma refused to go to Dr Hopper.
Then granny thought of the baby that was growing in Regina's stomach. A baby Emma would help to raise.
Granny knew her daughter could do anything she set her mind to, but she wondered if Emma knew how strong she actually was.
The old woman glanced towards the house once more as she thought about it. Emma and Cora had a lot of similarities. Maybe that's why Cora didn't want Regina around Emma when she first moved in.
Perhaps Emma could really help Cora come to terms with some of this.