Chapter 5

Another update for you lovely people!

Emma was more excited than usual when she woke up on her birthday; and not just because it was her birthday. She hadn't seen Regina since she'd walked her home but Regina had promised she'd be there tonight. Emma bounded down the stairs and into the dining room.

"Happy birthday darling!" Snow ran up and hugged her daughter tight. "You're finally a woman! Are you excited for tonight? It's going to be a magical evening!"

"Honey, I think you can let her go now. You spent so long planning this ball it would be nice for Emma to be able to actually go." David chuckled. Snow blushed and released her daughter who smiled at her dad before hugging him as well.

"I am looking forward to the ball tonight, but mostly so I can see Regina again." This time it was Emma's turn to blush.

"Still haven't seen her since last week huh?" David asked.

"No. I've been in the clearing at 3 everyday but she hasn't."

"Well I'm sure she'll be there tonight. She promised. Now why don't you open your presents?" David suggested.

Once Emma had unwrapped 3 gorgeous gowns and a new scabbard for her sword she hugged her parents again and dug into her favourite breakfast: pancakes. Devouring her plateful she sat back in her chair and immediately regretted it. She now felt queasy. What if Regina didn't show? That was all she really wanted from tonight, to see Regina. "You don't think Cora would stop Regina from coming tonight do you?"

"No my dear. As bad as Cora is, I don't think she'd be able to pass up the opportunity for a Royal ball on this scale." Snow replied, placing a comforting hand on her daughter's shoulder. "Now come on, we only have 8 hours till the ball starts, which means we only have 5 hours to make sure everything is prepared before we need to get ready." Emma rolled her eyes at her dad before taking her mother's hand and following her towards the ballroom.

Over in the Mills household Regina was spending the morning studying with her tutor, impatiently waiting for the clock to fast forward to 6 o'clock when she would start getting ready for Emma's ball. She sat fidgeting in her chair,driving in and out and not really paying attention to what her tutor was saying. Wondering if she'd actually be able to get a moment alone with Emma, let alone a dance.

"Regina?" Regina was shaken from her daydream by her mother approaching.

"Yes mother?"

"Have you decided what you'll be wearing tonight?" Regina looked confused "I know you've met the White's before but there will be plenty of other royalty there and you want to leave an impression."

"Oh, well I was thinking perhaps my lilac dress?" Regina suggested, her smile growing when Cora nodded.

"I was thinking that one too. It's a soft shade and it's by far the easiest to dance in." Cora said over her shoulder as she walked back out of the room.

Regina's face fell. Cora hadn't said anything about how Regina would look in the dress, she had only thought of the advantages for dancing. You'd have thought after almost 18 years Regina would be used to the way Cora's mind worked but she struggled to remember the last time her mother had called her beautiful, or even if she had ever called her beautiful… Shaking her head trying to disperse the tears she took a deep breath and returned to her work.

Cora had stopped Regina's afternoon ride ever since she had discovered it had been a secret rendezvous with Emma. Fearing Cora would intercept any letters as well, Regina hadn't had the chance to let Emma know, meaning it had been over a week since Regina had spoken to her. Emma, of course, had sent letters practically every night. So Regina was looking forward to finally being able to explain her silence in person.

Finally 6 o'clock rolled around, Regina put down her book and excused herself from Cora's presence and, once out of her mother's sight, ran upstairs to her bedroom. Greeting her handmaiden, Ancelina, she sat down in front of her dresser and tried not to fidget..

Regina winced for the fifth time in as many minutes as Ancelina jabbed her with another hair pin. "I'm so sorry my lady, but you keep moving." Ancelina apologised, cheeks turning pink.

"It's not your fault Ancelina, I'm just nervous is all. I haven't been to a ball as fancy as this before. In fact, compared to this I suppose I've never even been to a ball." Regina murmured.

"Don't worry my lady. I'm sure that you will have a grand time. I hear your mother has got a man lined up to dance with you." Ancelina smiled, placing another pin into Regina's hair just as Regina spun around, causing it to dislodge.

"She what?" Regina asked, her face falling in horror.

"Oh I'm sorry my lady I shouldn't have said anything. There was just talk in the kitchen of a man who was going to be at the ball who had been in correspondence with your mother." Ancelina was now the fidgeting one, worried she had stepped out of line. "It was not my place to say, please forgive me."

"No, it's okay dear. Thank you for telling me. At least now I won't be caught off guard." Regina placed her hand over Ancelina's and turned back to face the mirror, trying to calm her thundering heart. "But I suppose that means I need to stop fidgeting, it won't do to meet a Prince with my hair out of place." She teased, smiling softly at Ancelina.

"Very well my lady, shouldn't be much longer." She said, picking up another pin.

Another 10 minutes and only 3 more jabs with pins and her hair was complete. Regina glanced nervously at the clock, the hands showed that it was quarter to 7. "I hear its fashionable to be slightly late. No one shows up on time my lady." Ancelina said. "Now would you like me to do your makeup next or help you into your dress?"

"Makeup, I wouldn't want to get powder on my dress. Mother wouldn't approve." Ancelina nodded and bustled about fetching the necessary powders and paints. Returning and standing in front of the mirror to apply what she had found.

"There." Ancelina said, moving aside to admire her handiwork. "Now why don't you go behind the screen and I'll be over to help you as soon as I've put this away."

Regina needn't have worried for she was making her way down the stairs to join her parents as the hands of the clock read 20 past 7.

"Regina darling, you look magnificent." Henry gasped, his eyes gleaming up at his daughter. Regina was dressed in a soft lilac dress, hanging off the shoulders and extenuating in a small bell shape over her hips. Her hair was coiled up in a mix of curls and braids but lay softly, framing the simple makeup that highlighted her natural beauty but made her eyes sparkle.

"Yes dear very nice. Now come on or we'll be late." Cora said attempting to move her husband and daughter towards the door and out to the carriage.

"Nice? Cora, Regina looks more than 'nice'." Henry countered.

"Well, yes I suppose she does look rather handsome, but we really will be late if we don't get going now." Cora replied, walking out of the door.

"It's okay father, thank you for trying." Regina smiled, taking the hand he offered to her as the pair followed Cora out to the carriage.

"Emma? Emma dear the guests will start arriving soon." Snow knocked on her daughter's door, pushing it open and gasping. "Oh Emma you look so beautiful." Snow's eyes glistened as she twirled Emma around. She was a vision in a pale blue dress that brought out the green of her eyes, her hair loosely held up in a bun with soft tendrils curling around her face.

Emma blushed and hugged her mother, taking a deep breath to steady her nerves. "I still can't believe you talked me into this." Emma said as she pulled away from Snow and bit her lip.

"Emma it's your birthday we can't very well ignore it. And I do believe you agreed to this so you could see Regina. Who, by the way, will be arriving soon, as will the rest of the guests so come on, lets go!" Snow pulled her daughter through the door, down the stairs and across the grand entrance hall to where David was waiting in the doorway to the ballroom.

"Wow Emma, don't you look beautiful." David said causing Emma to blush yet again, she could tell she would be doing that a lot tonight. "Are we all set up?" He asked, looking at his wife.

"Yes, everything is ready. The food is out, the band are ready to start playing, all we're missing are some guests."

"Speaking of guests, I do believe I can see a carriage approaching." Emma looked out through the nearest window, nerves hitting her again as she wondered for the hundredth time if Regina would really show.

Emma had spent the past 15 minutes in an endless circle of curtseying, blushing and saying 'thank you' until she heard her. She had been gazing out at nothing but was pulled from her daze when Regina tapped her on the shoulder and wished her a happy birthday.

"You came." Emma beamed, bouncing over to hug Regina with such force she almost knocked them both flying.

"Did you ever doubt I would?" Regina chuckled, returning the hug as she regained her balance.

"Well you haven't been in the clearing the past week and haven't replied to any of my letters so I was a little hesitant yes." Emma said honestly, stepping away from Regina so the younger girl could greet Snow and David, Snow pulling her into another hug.

"Happy birthday Emma!" Henry exclaimed offering out his hand for Emma to shake, surprised when Emma dismissed his hand and pulled him into a hug.

"Thank you Henry, I'm so glad you could make it." Emma greeted, looking over his shoulder as they parted and looking at Cora. "Good evening Cora, thank you for coming." Smiling sweetly she curtsied. "There is food in the dining room and the dancing will begin at eight." Emma added, not breaking her smile.

Cora said nothing but curtsied to Snow and David and moved into the dining room, beckoning for her husband and daughter to follow her.

"Go. I'll catch up with you later." Emma smiled, hugging Regina once more before she turned to greet Ella and Thomas who had just arrived.

Once the music started the dance floor started to fill up and Emma was never away from it. Whether she was dancing with her father, Killian or with one of the many royals or dignitaries who had attended this ball in honour of her birthday. All Emma could do was smile politely and make small talk with her different partners, catching Regina's eye at intervals and smiling apologetically.

Regina whiled away the evening meandering between guests, subconsciously following Emma's path around the room. At times Regina herself would be dancing on the floor with either Henry or David but for the most part she spent the night trying to avoid her mother.

"Regina are you okay?" Snow asked, moving to stand beside her as she leaned against the wall.

"Oh, yes thank you Snow I am, it's just…" Regina trailed off not really knowing how to say what she wanted to.

"You wanted to spend more time with Emma tonight." Snow said, finishing Regina's train of thought for her.

Regina nodded meekly, fiddling with the fabric of her dress. "Don't worry dear look, this dance is almost over. I can rescue her from King George, it doesn't look like she's enjoying herself right now." Snow chuckled, watching her daughter stifle a yawn as George twirled her around the room.

Regina's face lit up, "Thank you Snow, that would mean a lot." Snow mirrored her smile and moved into the centre of the dance floor as the dance ended.

"Do you mind if I borrow my daughter for a moment your highness?" Snow asked smiling at the King and winking at Emma.

"Thank you for that Mom. My feet are killing me. It's surprising how rubbish men are at dancing considering how many balls there are in a year." Emma said, clinging to Snow's arm as she hobbled slightly and followed her mother's lead. "It also doesn't help when you've been on your feet for hours anyway, especially if you aren't used to heels." Emma added, gently shoving her mother in the side. "Oh hi Regina. Are you having a good time?"

"It's a lovely ball Emma."

"Well that's not what I asked." Emma replied cheekily.

"I'll leave you two to it, your father owes me a dance anyway." Snow smirked wandering off to join her husband who was chatting to Thomas.

"It really is a lovely ball Emma." Regina said softly.

"It would have been even lovelier if I got to spend some of it with you. For gods sake its my birthday, I should be able to get to spend it with whomever I like." Emma pouted.

"Emma it may be your birthday but you are a princess and you are of age now. It's tradition." Regina pointed out.

"Well when you put it like that of course it sounds so reasonable. But let me tell you that when I have a daughter, if she doesn't want to have a huge ball for her birthday then she doesn't have to have one."

"That's very sweet of you. I know I wouldn't want a huge fuss for my birthday, it's just not who I am." Regina shrugged, placing her hand over Emma's. "Wait when you have a daughter? You've thought about having children?"

Emma blushed. "Haven't you?" Regina shook her head, "Not even a little? About how many you'll have, what they'll be called?- I've been spending too much time with my mother haven't I?" Emma realised, chuckling as Regina nodded.

"So… how many will you have?" Regina asked

Emma blushed again, "Three. I think it's a nice number. I mean I love having all this time with my parents but I would have loved to have a sibling to share it with."

"It can get a bit lonely at times." Regina said, stroking Emma's hand with her thumb. "You said you had names picked out too?"

"Elizabeth, Charlotte and James." Emma said without thinking, turning a deeper shade of red.

"Those are some lovely names Emma. And I'm sure they'll be lovely children too."

"Did you want to go somewhere quieter? I can barely hear you in here." Emma suggested, pulling Regina by the hand and out of the door when she nodded.

"Emma where are we going?" Regina asked, confused as they walked up the stairs but went past Emma's room.

"You'll see." Emma replied, opening the door at the far end of the hallway and holding it open for Regina.

"What is this place?"

"It's my old nursery." Emma said quietly

Regina gasped softly, "Emma we don't have to be in here, we shouldn't really be anywhere other than the ball, I'm sure there are still some people who you haven't danced with."

"Maybe I'd just like to dance with you tonight." Emma whispered, smiling softly at the brunette stood across from her. The two of them had been trying to get a moment alone all night and had finally managed to bypass the guards and escape to Emma's old nursery.

"We'll get caught. It's your birthday, they're going to notice." Regina worried, looking over her shoulder at the door.

"My parents won't mind. They know I wanted to spend some time with you alone. They can create a distraction."

"You wanted to spend time alone with me?" Regina asked in disbelief, mirroring Emma's wide smile.

"I told you I wanted a dance. You won't deny the birthday girl a dance will you?" Emma pouted, smiling when Regina grabbed her hands and spun her into her arms. Regina shook her head and Emma placed her chin on the brunettes shoulder as the pair began to sway. Emma hummed under her breath, a tune her mother used to sing to her as a child. It didn't take long for Regina to join in as the pair of them danced in their own little world.

Suddenly Regina fell silent and froze. "Regina? Are you alri-?" Emma looked up at Regina before turning to face the door, immediately seeing the subject of Regina's fear.

Her mother.

"Good evening Cora. Can I help you?" Emma asked politely, turning to face the older woman and taking Regina's hand behind her back to try and calm her.

"Regina come with me dear, there is someone I would like you to meet. A prince." Cora said sternly, ignoring Emma and looking directly at her daughter. "Come along now, his offer won't stand all night."

"Offer? What offer mother?" Regina's voice shook, fearing the worst.

"Why an offer of marriage dear, what else?" Cora laughed. "You didn't think I would approve of this… this… whatever this is, did you?" She added, looking at Emma for the first time with distaste in her eyes such that Regina had not seen before.

"Cora if I may," Emma paused, waiting for Cora. Receiving nothing but a curt nod, she bravely continued, "I love your daughter. And if your ambition for her to be Queen is what you are worried about then she will still achieve that. I will inherit my parent's kingdom someday and if Regina is by my side she shall share it with me." Regina stood shocked, looking in wonder at what Emma had just offered her.

Cora laughed again, short and sharp. "I don't care what you say, my daughter will be marrying Prince Alexander and that is that." Cora dismissed Emma's words as if she had simply offered her a cup of sweet tea, and not a kingdom for her daughter. Emma tried to protest but Cora continued, "I don't know what lies your parents have been telling you Emma but there is no way that they can approve of this, I am doing you both a favour."

Suddenly, a crackling sound erupted throughout the room. Emma turned to find her wardrobe shaking violently. Before she could question it, the doors flew open revealing not the beautiful gowns that usually hung there, but a swirling purple vortex. Emma twisted back around to stare at Cora, whose lips were curling upward in an evil smile.

"You are hereby banished from this realm. You will never see my daughter again." Emma's mouth fell open in horror. She turned to Regina, whose paled face mirrored her own, but before she could say or do anything she was pulled feet first into the swirling whirlwind behind her. The doors slammed shut as she vanished into the dark abyss.

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