He knew it was probably too much, but since everything else Emma brought with her was still on her bed and nothing looked at least a little glamorous it had to do. He took the dress and showed it to Regina.
"All I could find in Emma's room is this dress – I know it is probably not your style and maybe it's a little too much for a Thanksgiving party with some politicians but it's the best we got right now." David tried to convince Regina. Regina looked at the dress and there was no convincing necessary. The dress was stunning, she never expected Emma the type of woman who wore dresses – let alone this kind. Regina thought about why Emma would have this kind of dress in her closet. It was breathtaking and she knew she shouldn't take it. Maybe Emma saved it for a special occasion.

"David it's amazing but I can't take your daughters dress without asking her – it's just not right".
"Oh come on Regina it's just for the night and Emma is with her friend she won't even find out that it was gone if you handle it carefully"

Regina still wasn't sure but this was her only option right now. Usually when she goes to events like award shows and charity dinners, the big designers fight to be able to dress her. But it is a public holiday and she isn't in Vancouver where she has a lot of contacts and friends – no, she is at Storybrooke which is in the middle of nowhere. Her next friend who is a designer lives a 3-hour drive from here and she only has 1 ½ to get ready. Even if she called her agent to arrange a dress, it was still a public holiday and would be impossible on short notice.

She sighed - the dress was perfect. She took a closer look at it – it was one of the prettiest things she has ever seen. The designers and stylist send black dresses most of the time – because she is the evil queen and has a reputation – and for the majority of designer and stylist it seems to be the most obvious pick. But this dress was something else. I was very well made. A high-quality red velvet fabric – long but not too short for her size – or especially for her size? Velvet is a heavy fabric but never the less the draping made it flow easy around the waist. The neckline was marvelous, it was close to the neck but with a deep V- Cut covered in lace but still looked sexy. The same lace coved a fitting corsage around her abdomen to perfectly push up her boobs and make a hell of a cleavage.
Regina couldn't believe it. This dress looked like it was made for her– she couldn't imagine Emma wearing it because she was the exact opposite type. This moment she realized that her only choice right now was also the best she ever had.

It took her about 15 minutes to do her make-up and another 30 for her hair. She was an expert at preparing herself because she usually didn't trust people.
Numerous times she looked in the mirror after a stylist left the room and felt like a clown because they didn't understand her proportions and her features.

She decided for a ponytail and immaculately front. She looked around and found a lot for makeup what she expected to be Zelena's. She felt guilt but opened the bag and tried to find something matching. Within her options, she went with a light makeup, some nice brown eye shadow and forming her eyelashes and eyebrows with a dark mascara. Luckily she always had her favorite red lipstick in her handbag. She knew it was not perfect but it will do for a small town Thanksgiving Party.

The moment she finished David looked around the corner and told her they have 15 more minutes before the driver arrives. She rolled her eyes because it wasn't her fault that she didn't have a dress and enough time to get ready. He realized that him watching her didn't help her get ready more quickly - therefore, he left. Regina could hear the footsteps on the long wooden staircase and was relieved that he was gone and she could change alone. It's not that Regina was shy or not self-confident enough about herself, but she knew she was different and only a handful of people really knew her. She never was one who quickly switched clothes in front of other people – even friends.

She took the dress and realized that it is hard to change into it all on her own. Right now she needs to make the best with this situation, so she tried to figure the dress out. After 10 Minutes she was changed, just the zipper needed to be zipped and the cords of the corset to be tied. She walked down the stairs and saw David who just looked at his watch and hoped she would be ready by now. She asked him for help and after a small groan, he pulled the zipper and tied her up.

Regina had only a pair of blue high heels she arrived with. She looked at them and David followed her view.

"The dress is long so nobody will see them," David told her. But how can she wear a perfect dress like this with her old blue high heels. There is no way she could do that. She looked at the shoe cabinet and saw Emma's shelf, between all the Doc Martens and Converse was a nice pair of black heels with some crystals on the strap – they would fit perfect. But she was sure that Emma's feet were at least 3 sizes bigger than her but maybe she could make it work. She tried them and was surprised they fit very well – maybe half number to big but she could do it. Regina gave no thought to why Emma would have such small sized perfect heels for this dress. She turned around to see David who was in stress because the driver was already outside waiting for them.

David was still surprised to find a dress in Emma's room but also very happy about it because he couldn´t have an ugly looking girl on his side. He was still wondering why Emma brought a dress like that with her to Storybrooke. She wasn't one for Galas and the dress was way too fancy for her.

He wasn't sure what his daughter studied right now – only that it has to be something she must be really good at, because he found out that Emma has a full scholarship at the university and was the top of the class. He expected her to study architecture or maybe media studies; she was always drawing and creating stuff on her laptop as long as he can remember. This made him realize that he had so much to catch up with his daughter over the next few days. They absolutely need to get to know each other again.

Thinking back, he always was glad Emma was more the kind of girl who stayed home with her best friend. Even if Ruby and Emma only styled each other with crazy makeup, dresses, and all they ever did was take pictures of each other. David never questioned it. Why would he? His girl stayed out of trouble - it was all a dad could wish for. With that thought he realized that her sister Zelena was totally different. She had her 3rd boyfriend right now. She comes home often with a bad mood. He always hopes it's just because she broke up with a guy and not because she is pregnant or in trouble. Maybe now that Emma is back again she could influent her in a good way.

Regina was checking herself one last time in the big mirror down the hall. David didn't know her for a long time. He hoped they will at least have a tolerable evening together. It still felt weird for him to be there with a plus one after so many years going to such events alone. Regina on the other hand was glad that at least she felt amazing in her outfit. To go to a boring meeting with all these politicians, who think they are the most important people in the world, is one thing but to be there and feel totally out of place because you have nothing to wear would be the worst.

This event was important for David. It was the last public Gala before the election. He needed to make a good appearance and show the people he is trustworthy. The idea of his advisor to have a girlfriend to show off as a family man was good – but he wasn't sure if it was their best idea to make a deal with "the Evil Queen" Actress Regina Mills. Sure she was a good looking woman, brilliant actress but he still didn't understand why a woman like her would make a deal like this. His reasons were obvious – at least for him. He is into guys and you never become the next mayor when people know you are different.