Prompt from a friend: Daniel dies at the hands of Cora, Regina pushes Cora through the mirror and she still marries the King. Regina never casts the dark curse, instead she kills Leopald and becomes Queen of the Dark Kingdom while Snow and Charming live in the White Kingdom. Snow still views Regina as her stepmother, so when Regina puts herself in a sleeping curse to stop the pain of losing Daniel, Snow sets out to find someone to kiss her awake. 18 years later, that happens but not from who Snow expects..

Disclaimer: I don't own Once Upon A Time, I just like using the characters

Chapter 8

Snow White turned and left the room after leaving the two crowns on the table near the women, much to Emma and Regina's surprise. When neither woman could hear footsteps any longer Emma broke the silence. "Did that really just happen?"

Regina recovered faster than she would have thought possible. "Apparently so Princess. Come." the brunette held her hand out to the blonde as they both stood from the couch. "Let's get you dressed."

Emma didn't miss the twinkle of mischief in Regina's eyes as the woman magicked the bedroom door shut and the blonde slipped off her shawl. Clad only in her panties she stood before the Queen.

Regina circled the blonde with a predatory grin. Coming up behind her Regina slipped her arms around Emma's waist and kissed her shoulder. Emma melted into the contact.

"Gina." she murmured. Emma turned and was nose to nose with the Queen. She kissed the older woman's nose and smiled.

Regina's fingers thrummed against Emma's hips as the two shuffled as one. She spoke up, "Did you know I normally don't dance at balls?"

The brunette shook her head so Emma continued. "Something about every male being too afraid of my father." Regina chuckled, she had no fear of Charming.

As the women continued to dance each were lost in their own thoughts. Emma thought of how accepting her mother had been. Snow White was for lack of a better word, a hard ass. She never discriminated, not after her best friend Ruby had admitted to her that she was in love with Dorothy of Oz. Snow had helped plan the wedding, even paid for it. No way would she be prejudiced against her own daughter.

Regina was thinking of the implications of escorting Emma tonight. No one knew they were newly engaged, or that Regina now wore a beautiful diamond engagement ring courtesy of the woman before her. Thankfully the sleeves of her dress covered her hands in such a way it was nearly impossible to see.

Knowing that Emma had to get dressed Regina pulled away, much to the blonde's disappointment. "What dress were you planning on wearing tonight?"

Emma blushed. She hadn't actually found one. "See the thing is.. I haven't found one just yet. I wanted to wear something that would well.. take your breath away."

It was Regina's turn to blush at the comment. That's when she had a wonderful idea. "I'm going to magic a dress for you, it was one of my favorites years ago. I never got the chance to wear it, I never had the opportunity. But I'd like you to take a look. If you don't like it I can always find you something else."

Emma nodded and braced herself for an onslaught of magic.

She was engulfed in a purple cloud of smoke that smelt like the hint of apples and cinnamon, Regina's signature.

When the smoke cleared Emma found herself in an off white gown that closely resembled Regina's. Her cleavage seemed to be popping out of the top of her dress, something that Emma wasn't bothered by. The dress was soft to the touch, and its sleeves hung just slightly past her hands. Much like Regina's dress, if Emma was wearing a ring it wouldn't be seen.

She looked in the brunette's eyes with tears. "I love the dress."

"Are you sure?" Regina asked worried. "I can find something else if you prefer."

Regina raised her right hand to magic Emma out of the dress but the blonde grabbed the hand before that was possible. "Don't you dare. I love it, as I love you."

Emma kissed Regina gently on the lips, content to stay like that the rest of the night. Regina had other plans as she began to tug Emma towards the door.

"Come, your mother will be expecting us."

Pouting, Emma trailed behind Regina, happy to take in the woman's form. As they walked out of the room hand in hand, neither were prepared for what was to come.

XX

The trumpets sounded and Emma's palms became clammy. Her mother and father were set to walk out first, as King and Queen they would announce her on her birthday. Snow had fussed with both hers and Regina's crowns. Regina seemed to take the action in stride, unlike Emma. She wiggled away and huffed when her mother tried tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

Regina leaned over and whispered in her ear, "Don't worry Princess, I like that you're just a little bit wild."

Emma's heart hammered inside her chest and her pulse quickened. This woman had a way with words.

She took Regina's hand in hers and tightened her grip. She was terrified. "Gina." she squeaked.

"Shh Emma, it's alright." Regina squeezed the blonde's hand in comfort.

Snow could be heard through the tapestry, "Presenting my daughter Princess Emma," there could be clapping heard throughout the ballroom. "and Regina Mills, Queen of the Dark Kingdom." the clapping stopped abruptly.

The two walked through the curtain hands held, heads high. There was an eery silence that enveloped the ballroom that made Regina wonder if this was such a good idea. What was Snow thinking, did she want an angry mob at her daughter's birthday? No one had known she killed the King but it was wildly speculated she had something to do with it. Add in the fact she had magic didn't help her cause. Not to mention all she did while still married.

Snow was at a loss for words, something that rarely happened. Charming took the reigns and announced, "Let the party begin!"

With that decree music started and chatter resumed, much to Emma and Regina's relief. The pair looked to Snow and Charming as if to ask, 'Now what?'

Without missing a beat Snow White came to stand beside Emma and Regina. Charming followed his wife. The four walked down the steps into the ballroom, aware all eyes were now on them. Snow kissed her daughter's forehead and hugged Regina. Before letting go she whispered, "Make tonight special for her."

Regina controlled her reaction just like she had learned to as the wife of Leopald. She already had an idea of how to make the night special, she had just needed Snow's blessing. Her sentiment was good enough for Regina.

Charming led his wife onto the dance floor, spinning her fully once and taking her into his arms. Regina smiled. Though she had hated what Snow had done all those years ago she could never quite hate the woman. Maybe it was because she had loved Snow White like a daughter the betrayal cut her deeper.

Regina was painfully aware that Emma was right beside her, was aware that everyone in the room was staring at them. "Princess?" she asked with an air of the Queen she was in her voice."May I have this dance?" Regina bowed low, normally people did this towards her, not the other way around. She could hear a few murmurs in the crowd near them, all likely speculating what Regina was up to.

Emma curtsied and smiled. "I'd love to My Queen."

As Regina stood she led Emma to the center of the ballroom, noticing her parents to her left Emma gulped.

When Regina pulled Emma into her arms all the Princess's fears melted away. Being with Regina made her relax, and not care what anyone said.

As the two danced time seemed to slow. Neither women had realized two hours had passed until Charming and Snow came for their dance. Emma went off with her father as Regina stayed and danced with Snow White.

Charming had seen how truly at peace Emma seemed to be in the Evil Queen's arms. Was that moniker really still applicable? Regina had done nothing to warrant beig called that. He spoke softly towards his daughter, "You look beautiful Emma. Is that a new dress?"

Emma beamed at him and a hint of red colored her cheeks. "Regina magicked it for me. She thought it suit me."

"You look wonderful." Charming paused and twirled his daughter. "How are things with Regina?"

"W what?"

"Surely Emma you don't think I don't see it? The look of True Love."

A few feet away Snow and Regina danced somewhat clumsily. Snow, per her usual self, insisted on talking Regina's ear off. "I see you and Emma are getting on well."

"What's the meaning of having me be her escort Snow? Surely you must know your people won't tolerate this." Regina hissed keeping her voice low.

The older woman patted her former stepmother's arm. "You worry too much Regina. No one will think anything of you escorting Emma tonight."

"On the night of the birthday that she would ordinarily be expected to choose a partner to wed?" Regina asked, floored at Snow's foolishness. "You think everyone won't wonder why you're skipping over the part of the evening most have come to see?"

"Regina," Snow sighed. "Emma has already made it perfectly clear who she intends to marry. Nothing I nor Charming can say or do will dissuade her from that path." the woman searched Regina's eyes imploringly, looking for any hint of acknowedgement there and finding none.

"O oh."

Regina stayed quiet through the rest of their dance, noticing that Emma was looking a bit down dancing with her father. Once the dance was finished Regina excused herself and vanished outside into the courtyard for some air. She had been out there only two minutes when she realized just what she had to do in order to ensure that Snow and Charming didn't dictate Emma's future.

She would keep her Princess if it was the last thing she did.