Chapter 7
"I cannot believe we are only a few days away!"
Attempting a smile for her mother as they sit to begin breakfast, Emma then looks over as Neal takes her hand with a grin. Looking to see the rest of the party join them Snow bids good morning to Cora and Rumple then surprisingly gestures to the empty chair beside her for Regina to take. Raising an eyebrow, the Queen sits down beside the woman. "I was just saying to the happy couple that I cannot believe the wedding is in a few days..by next week they will not longer be in the Kingdom"
Shocked at this new piece of information, Regina gulps down a lump as she meets the eyes of her own mother who had watched her reaction.
"It will seem strange and rather quiet.." Rumple adds on. "But it would come eventually..leaving the nest so to speak..aside from Regina of course as we merely followed her"
Chuckling lightly, David nods. "At least she allowed you to stay, I dare say that Emma is quite excited to leave..then she has the power to close the door on us"
"Dad.." Biting her lip embarrassed, the Princess shakes her head. "You know I would never leave completely..I just thought a fresh start was needed..for everyone.."
Watching his fiancée glance across at his sister at the statement, Neal frowns but continues with his breakfast. Glancing back, the brunette purses her lips.
"Anyway, what are everyone's plan for today?" Cora quickly changes the subject to save any more torture.
"Well I was hoping that some time this afternoon, we could have a final celebration before the big day, just us women and maybe a small viewing of the dress.." Snow announces with a smile before looking beside her. "Regina?"
Clearing her throat at the thought of seeing Emma's wedding dress, the Queen shakes her head. "I'm afraid I have a business trip to attend to..I will be away..for a day or two"
"Oh no..you will be back for the wedding?" The short haired woman grabs at the fellow brunette's arm in concern.
Looking a little wide eyed at what had been said, the Princess watches Regina for her answer while slowly taking her hand back from Neal.
"Yes..of course..I..I'll be back" the Queen smiles a little then rises from her seat. "Do excuse me I need to arrange the carriage.."
Raising an eyebrow across to Emma to which the blonde picks up on, Cora then sighs. Standing quickly Neal places a hand upon the older woman's shoulder, feeling bad for his stepmother. "I will go speak with her before she leaves.."
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Stood out front waiting for her carriage to be organised, Regina smiles softly at her horses while stroking their noses affectionately, gaining a light nudge on the shoulder in return.
"I know I haven't spoken to you about it yet..but despite the denial I keep receiving I can't help but notice the tension between you and Emma. Regina..if..if you have feelings towards Emma..just tell me..."
Hitching her breath at hearing her brother, the Queen refuses to turn, not wanting to look him in the eye and continues to give her horses her attention.
Continuing, Neal watches his sister closely. "I won't be mad..I know I said before that I like her and with the current situation all of this has been kind of forced but..even I know there's no love there..we have merely been pushed together. I've seen the way you look at her and it is way more than friends..I don't want to stand in the way of that.."
Hardening up, Regina gulps before turning around. "Neal you do not know what you are talking about" stating firmly, the brunette then walks past him with her mask on and climbs into the carriage.
Walking up to the carriage door window, Neal ducks his head down. "Regina, if you can't be honest with yourself can you at least act a little happy for us..you know I would never hurt Emma..I can promise you that..please make the wedding..we both want you there.."
"I doubt that.." Feeling awkward, the Queen rests her head against her hand while leaning against the window. "Just..make sure you never..take her for granted..you just appreciate every moment you have together because..this life is..you never know what could happen.."
"Regina..please.." Sighing, Neal rubs his neck and backs up. "You know what I can't do this..."
Eyes widening, Regina looks out at her brother. "What? Can't do what? Neal no!" Making her way back out the carriage, the Queen rushes up the steps behind Neal and follows him back into the castle.
Making his way back to the hall in search of the Charmings, Neal enters as the guard opens the door and walks inside. "Snow..we need to talk.."
Paused in the doorway, the brunette hisses quietly. "Neal!"
Glancing over his shoulder, Neal stares at his sister as Snow and David stand up from their seats by the fireplace and also stare in Regina's direction.
"Neal was just going to let you know that I will in fact be back tomorrow and I..I am intending to organise a small banquet mainly for close friends of the family to attend..to celebrate Emma and Neal's last night before they are married." Frowning slightly at why she had just said that, the Queen bites her lip in anticipation on whether Neal will play along.
"Oh Regina..thank you.." Snow smiles and steps forward to hug the woman surprising them both.
Looking over the woman's shoulder at her brother, Regina silently pleads with him.
"Yes I said we would discuss the food while she is away and then it can be put into place upon her return..." Neal cuts in with a nod at the Queen so she can relax.
Choosing this precise moment to walk into the hall, Emma raises an eyebrow at seeing her mother hugging Regina. "What is going on?"
Pulling back, the short haired woman holds her hand out towards her daughter to encourage her over. "We were just discussing the idea of a banquet on your last night before the wedding. Regina said she would arrange it all.."
"Oh she did..did she.." Trying to hide her disappointment, the Princess simply gives the Queen a small smile before looking away. "..thank you..your majesty.."
Taking a deep breath at hearing the blonde use her titled name, Regina nods then makes her way back to the door. "I will see you all in two days time.."
Quickly glancing towards his fiancée to watch her reaction, Neal feels guilty at seeing Emma look down sadly.
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Stepping down the staircase, Emma stops at the bottom hearing the music begin in the next hall. Letting out a deep breath, the Princess goes to move forward but pauses at seeing the door open and Regina appear. Seeing the blonde, the Queen freezes for a moment. "..oh.."
Smiling awkwardly, Emma then bites her lip. "..hi..."
"I was just..." Gesturing out towards the back, the brunette also smiles a little then walks on through.
Watching, the Princess goes towards the door then stops. Turning quickly, the blonde decides to follow the woman out into the gardens. "Regina wait.."
Gripping her hands by her sides agitated, the Queen comes to a halt and looks over. "What is it Princess?"
"Is it always going to be like this? Avoiding one another? Not speaking?"
Scoffing, Regina raises an eyebrow. "You tell me..you're the one moving to another Kingdom to get away from me.."
"That's because I..I can't be here Regina..not when you're here and I can't be near you..its torture..that being said I don't want us to act like we hate one another because I know for certain I do not hate you..can we at least be civil..for our families sake?" Emma shuffles on her feet while picking invisible fluff from her dress.
"You think I don't want to talk to you? This is killing me too but it's too late and for the best..I'm sorry..I won't ignore you but I will be trying my best to not be around you just like you said it's hard not being able to be near you..to..hold you.." Crossing her arms to prevent her from actually doing so, the Queen stops as she grows teary.
Stepping closer, the Princess stares at her for permission and holds her arms out. Shaking her head profusely, the brunette tries to hold her hand out to stop the blonde but crumbles at feeling the woman's hands taking hold of her arms before pulling her into a hug. Giving in, the Queen hugs back tightly, clinging to the woman as she rests her head down on Emma's shoulder, both remaining silent.
Watching from the doorway, Neal leans against the frame with a sigh, knowing that it will all end in heartbreak unless he does something.
A/N: this is getting tense! Next up wedding...