Epilogue
She still had horrible dreams.
Sometimes.
They didn't visit her every night and she considered that a blessing. On some cold nights, she was plagued by Jefferson's face. On rainy nights, she was haunted by the Evil Queen's terrible laugh, the souls of those she had carelessly killed like shadows constantly roaming the halls of her home and her dark, blackened heart. And sometimes, on warm nights, she woke up drenched in sweat, sure a mob had gathered to kill her at last.
Those were the days she woke up early and made an impossibly large breakfast spread that would feed an army. Henry always refrained from commenting, sweet, clever boy that he was, oftentimes shooting Emma a text that would bring the whole Uncharming clan to the mansion to help consume the excess food.
Most days, Regina didn't mind.
There were other days, though, that she couldn't bare the company. Days when being alone with her thoughts and her demons was already too much, the crowd around her impossibly thick and oppressing, leaving space for no one else.
It wasn't all bad, though.
Being a town set on an endless loop for almost three decades made Storybrooke adverse to change and Regina was almost grateful for that. The post of mayor was hers once more, after passing through more than one set of hands, and no one seemed particularly adverse to the Evil Queen at the helm, anymore. She still found it strange, sometimes. This being accepted business.
Walking through main street, coffee to go in hand, and the beginnings of warmer weather caressing her cheeks, Regina enjoyed every step, every non-hostile glance from passersby and every minute of her new, old life. This little town had grown on her - like a fungus - and she could honestly say that she was happy. Not happy like so-in-love Snow White with her husband and Savior and new baby on the way. Not happy like Emma, who pretended she wasn't making googly eyes at that pirate, while basking in the attention he seemed more than ecstatic to offer.
No… Regina wasn't happy like that. But she was content.
Content with her life, her job, her son, her town. Content with Snow's company and with Granny's gruff, yet lovable greetings in the morning. She was content to share Henry with Emma.
This was not a perfect life, but it was a good life, and she was satisfied with that.
Regina continued walking, a slight, completely non-sarcastic, non-evil smile on her perfectly red painted lips.
.
.
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The END
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