The following morning David woke up to find Snow at her dresser, brushing her hair.
"Morning...did you manage to get any sleep?" he asks grogily.
"A few hours"
David then sits up and looks at his wife through the dresser mirror.
"Have you come to a decision about Regina?" he then asks and this makes her sigh, as she puts the bush down upon the dresser.
"I have and I am not a cruel person...So, we will see how it goes without Regina and Emma spending any time together"
"You mean keeping them apart?" David asks.
"Yes"
"How do you plan that will work?"
"I propose, that a guard shall accomany Emma at all times"
"Honey.." David warns.
"I know, she may not like it David"
"She'll hate it" he replies a little harshly.
"Then what do you think we should do?" Snow asks, turning to look at him.
"You won't like what I think" he replies.
"Say it anyway" she asks.
"I think we should allow them to spend time together"
Snow sighs.
"That will not help" she then says sadly.
"Emma obviously must like Regina very much sweetheart. Do you want her to hate you?"
"She won't hate me" Snow defends and David shakes his head.
"If you stop her from seeing Regina she will. You know she can be stubborn"
"She will get over it"
"I'm not so sure she will"
"Well, I think my option is the only option for now" she then says a little firmer and David sighs. Before getting up and getting ready for breakfast.
At the breakfast table. Emma stares into her bowl, wondering when her parents will bring up Regina.
Snow meanwhile unfolds her napkin to wipe her mouth and then looks to David, doing a head motion towards Emma.
David immediatly gets that Snow wants him to say something to Emma and he clears his throat.
"Emma..." he then says, causing her to look up at him with wide eyes. "Your mother has told me about..Regina and you.."
"Dad.." Emma begins but is interepted "I know your properly thinking the worst" Emma swallows thickly praying her parents wont send Regina away.
"But it doesnt have to be that way does it Snow?" he looks to her and she nods slightly.
"Oh?" Emma asks with hope.
"Your mother has suggested that Regina may keep her job here but you two shall no longer speak or converse with eachother"
"but..." Emma begins and his interepted by her mother. "No Emma. it is for the best. its either that or I send her and her father away for good. Do you want her to lose her employment?"
"No I dont want that.." Emma frowns.
"Then it is settled for now" Snow says putting her cultery down and standing up to leave. Leaving Emma and David looking at one another.
"Its so unfair dad" Emma says after a long moment, from across the table.
"I dont know what you unexpected. You know your mother would not accept your relationship she was rather uncertain about you even having a friendship with Regina"
"I know, but I love her"
David looks a little surprised, that Emma declares such emotions easily and then asks "And she loves you?"
Emma smiles and nods.
"I want to be with her dad. I don't want anyone else. I wont be with anyone else"
"I think I can understand that, as you can't help who you love Emma and Regina is a nice and skilled woman. She certainly has made you happier around her lately and now I know why"
Emma smiles at this and theres a pause. Before Emma asks "But what about mom?"
"I think she needs some time and maybe she will come round" he answers softly and Emma bites her lip, not knowing that her mother has gone to the sewing room to see Regina.
Who jumps, as the door creaks open. She hopes it to be Emma but knows that is unlikely now and it is only confirmed, by seeing Snow walk in instead.
Regina swallows thickly. Dreading the next few moments. She wonders, if she has lost Emma and has lost her job or even will be banished from the kingdom.
"Good morning Regina" Snow then says without malice.
"Your majesty" Regina then replies politely.
"I am very dissapointed in you Regina" Snow then says and Regina thinks, here we go and Regina hangs her head and frowns.
"I trusted you with my daughter and you took advantage" Snow then says, as she stares at Regina. Who now looks up and shakes her head.
"Your majesty, I would do not such thing. I would never hurt Emmah"
Snow tilts her head and considers Regina's words for a moment.
"Maybe so but I cant have it continue. So, I have decided that you may keep your employment for now with conditions"
"And what may they be your majesty?" Regina asks softly.
"That you have no further contact with my daughter"
Regina's heart breaks.
"And you understand what shall happen if you break this condition?" Snow then asks.
"Yes I do" Regina replies sadly and she can feel herself getting teary, but she holds it in desperatly.
"Make sure you keep to it" Snow then says and turns to walk to the door. While Regina takes a deep breath. Her eyes begining to water, as she begins to feel the weight of what this means.
That there will be no more daily visits, no more conversations, no surprises and no more embraces and once Snow leaves she falls to the floor and sobs...