Chapter 8
Sat staring through her vanity mirror, Emma manages to block out half of which her mother says.
"Emma? Are you listening to me?"
Gulping, the Princess nods upon hearing the last question then inspects her hair despite knowing it was no use, she just didn't have the strength for any of it. Watching warily, the short haired woman approaches her daughter and places her hands upon the young woman's shoulders from behind then leans down to meet the blondes eyes within the mirror.
"I know you're nervous honey but after today, your new life begins.." Smiling proudly, Snow kisses her daughter's head then takes hold of Emma's hands to pull her up so she can inspect her dress. "You just need one more thing then we can tie you up.." Patting the Princess' shoulders, the short haired woman makes her way to the door in time to see Regina walking past. "Oh Regina! Just the person, I need to go retrieve my mother's tiara from my chambers, would you mind helping Emma with her dress?"
Pausing abruptly, the Queen goes wide eyed then simply nods, not trusting her voice to speak. Peering through the doorway, Regina bites her lip upon seeing Emma stood by the bed then walks in slowly. Glancing over her shoulder, the Princess looks speechless then turns away as the brunette approaches her, immediately taking hold of the lace at the back of the blondes dress to tie up. Clearing her throat at the awkward silence, the Queen mutters. "You..you look beautiful..."
Looking down to her clasped hands, Emma shakes her head. "..don't..."
"Don't know why Snow insisted on having none of my maids to help out.." Getting frustrated at the lace as she wants to get out of the chamber as soon as possible, Regina pulls the last loop and ties a bow before placing a hesitant hand gently against the Princess' back with a whisper. "..done.."
Biting down on her lip, Emma moves herself away from the Queen's touch then turns with a deep breath to meet the woman's gaze. "This is it..."
About to respond, the brunette is cut of by the mother of the bride hurrying back in.
"Got it! Here.." Opening up the velvet case, Snow lifts up a small silver, diamond encrusted tiara and gestures for her daughter to turn around so she can place it on her head.
Sighing quietly, the Princess turns around and feels the solid headpiece placed on her head before turning back to find only her mother and Regina gone.
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Pacing up and down outside his sister's study, Neal looks down at himself wearing his wedding suit which somehow gives him the strength to enter the room so he can speak his mind. Closing the door behind him, the apparent groom looks towards his stepmother with a conflicted expression. "Cora.."
Smiling over at him, the older brunette rounds the desk to meet the man and straightens out his jacket at the shoulders. "Don't you look smart dear..."
"I'm not going to marry Emma" deciding that the best thing to do was to blurt it out, Neal awaits Cora's reaction seeing the woman raise an eyebrow.
"Oh? I don't understand..you like the Princess?"
Sighing, Neal nods. "Exactly..I like her..but Regina, she..she loves her.." Seeing the older woman about to speak, he holds his hand up. "Before you protest anything, I know for a fact that Emma feels the same..I am not blind. I've seen the looks and the recent tension. I also witnessed them last night in the gardens in a comforting embrace. I am not mad at either of them and I just want them to be happy and then I can find exactly what they have. Love. I just don't understand why they haven't been honest about it.."
Cringing slightly, Cora questions him. "Have you met Snow?..the Princess is probably terrified to tell her mother, especially as the woman took over this wedding. Emma probably doesn't feel like she has a choice.."
"Well I'm giving her one..so she can be happy and so can Regina..finally.."
Taking one of his hands, the older woman looks serious. "Are you sure about this dear? Because once you call it all off that is it.."
"I'm sure..I am going to go speak with Emma now" Neal replies with a nod then makes his way back to the door.
"I will inform your father, don't you worry about anything else..."
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Knocking on the Princess' chamber door hopeful that the woman is on her own, Neal watches as the door opens slowly revealing the blonde who looks shocked at his presence. Trying to hide herself behind her door, Emma leans her head against its frame. "Neal..what..what are you doing here? It's bad luck.."
"Yeah..." Rubbing his neck, Neal smiles a little. "That doesn't matter..because the thing is..we are not going to be getting married.."
Frowning, the Princess looks confused then feels a wave of panic over herself. "Why not? Have I done something wrong?"
"What? No! Emma it's not.." Taking hold her hands quickly causing the blonde to let go of the door, Neal then nudges it open more with his foot before stepping inside and leading her over to the bed to sit. Stroking the Princess' knuckles with his thumb, Neal looks to her. "I know about you and Regina..and before you try to make up an excuse or apologise, I'm not mad..we both know this is never going to go further than friends and we were merely respecting our parents wishes but..I've seen you two Emma..I did last night in the garden and it's clear you love each other..I am not going to stand in the way of true happiness. I also understand why you haven't been open and honest about it but I promise you, I will face your parents with you.."
Getting teary, Emma shakes her head. "My mother won't understand Neal..I'm sorry for lying to you but..I just know Regina and I cannot be together..she knew herself which was why she encouraged us..because she knew you was the one person beside herself who wouldn't hurt me.."
"Yes, she did give me a very clear warning on what would happen to me if I did..again it was more than a warning from just a friend..but Emma you have to try otherwise you will be miserable for the rest of your life..you both will. Surely your mother will see how you feel and cannot deny it..she of all people knows what love looks like.."
Sniffling, the blonde nods. "I'm just scared that's all..considering their history..what if my mother sends Regina away..banishes her or something?"
"You really think my sister would let someone send her away without you by her side?" Scoffing, Neal then nudges the Princess' shoulder playfully in the hopes of cheering her up.
Letting out a small smile, Emma quickly hugs him tightly. "You are the most amazing man I've ever met...thank you for understanding"
Hugging back, Neal responds. "I wouldn't go that far..and it's okay Emma, now I can find my own love.."
Smiling more brightly, the Princess pulls back then wipes her face from fallen tears as Neal stands and heads towards the door. "Shall I go and find your mother to speak with you?"
Nodding, Emma clears her throat as she tries to compose herself while watching Neal leave. Biting her lip, the blonde wipes another stray tear as her door bursts open suddenly making her eyes widen.
"Emma don't do this! I thought I could just forget it all but I can't, don't get married!" Having rushed inside the chamber, the Queen stops while gripping the door handle as she stares over in concern at the tear stricken Princess sat upon her bed. "Emma?"
Giving a smile, the Princess wipes her face a final time. "It's okay..I'm okay..and I'm not getting married..Neal..he..he just came and said that he knows about us and doesn't want to stand in the way..the wedding, everything, it's over with Regina..if you still want to do this..if you want there to be an us..this is it"
Staring at the woman in disbelief, Regina then snaps back to reality and hurries over to the bed, wrapping her arms instinctively around the blonde in a hug with a sniffle of her own. Clinging to the Queen's back, the Princess rests her head down while choking back a sob. "I love you.."
"What did you just say?"
Lifting her head off the brunette's shoulder to meet her mother's gaze as Snow stood within the doorway, Emma's eyes widen while Regina also turns to face the short haired woman with a speechless expression.
A/N: yay! SwanQueen! What next...are you guys still with me?