A/N: Hey everyone! I apologize it took so long to update this one. I struggled a bit with writing this chapter, but I'm happy with how it turned out. I hope you all enjoy!

Chapter Three: New Beginnings

Regina put her hands around the mug and stared down at her cocoa. Snow had made some for the both of them as they waited for Charming to get home. In the moments leading up to his arrival, the two made small talk, which revolved mostly around how baby Neal was doing.

But then came the pivotal moment.

Snow and Charming were both waiting for her to speak.

She cleared her throat and looked back up at them.

"I'm sorry. For everything I've done to you two. I shouldn't have waited this long to apologize."

Snow looked at her husband, then turned her gaze back to her. "It's okay, Regina. Really. We…"

Regina shook her head. "No, it's not okay. I separated you two from your daughter for twenty eight years because of a curse I casted. All out of vengeance against you, Snow." The memories of the little girl she saved from the wild steed, the girl who wanted nothing but for her to be happy… Her past with Snow, the things she had done to her, it was all coming back to torment her, and with those memories came the pool of tears she could no longer hold back. "When you did nothing wrong."

Snow's eyes mirrored her own, and she frowned at her pained expression.

"You were so young. Just a child. All you were trying to do was help me. You didn't want me to lose my mother, like you had lost yours. Telling my mother about Daniel… Well, you thought my mother would listen, that she would let me marry him because he made me happy…" She took hold of Snow's hand. "You just wanted me to be happy. And what happened to Daniel is not your fault. It was never your fault."

"I still feel terrible. When I found out he hadn't run away… That he'd actually died because of a secret I slipped…" Snow lowered her head, covering her face with her free hand as the sobs took their toll.

Regina's heart skipped a beat at the scene. She shook her head. "No, no. Please don't feel guilty for that." She exchanged a concerned glance with Charming, and she brought her chair over to Snow's side, immediately pulling her into a hug.

"I'm sorry…"

"It's okay, dear. It's okay."

It was clear that Daniel's death had burdened Snow for a long time.

She hated that Snow felt that way. And what was worse, she knew that she had made her feel guiltier about his death than she should have ever felt.

Regina caught Charming's eyes and noticed they were glistening. He quickly blinked away the tears, but there was no denying what she had seen. Even Charming was crying, moved by the much needed resolution between the two.

When they backed away from the embrace, Regina asked gently, "Tell me, did you rip out Daniel's heart and crush it?"

"No…"

"Exactly, Snow. You told a secret, but your intention was never to have him dead. You were able to accept that I didn't love your father. And I know your father would never have forced me to marry him had he known the truth. It was my mother who killed Daniel. She planned it all. She wanted me to marry into royalty. You and your father were just pieces of the whole puzzle. And what a shame that you two were taken advantage of and had to pay the price because of me. It should never have been that way."

Regina looked down as another memory flashed before her eyes.

Snow's father. One of the long list of lives she had taken so easily without any remorse at the time.

"And then I had your father killed. All so I could become queen. You already lost your mother, and then I took away the only parent you had left." She found the strength to look up at Snow again. "I am so, so sorry for that."

"I forgive you, Regina. I really do." She wiped away a few of her tears. "I guess we're even. I'm sorry for killing your mother. Despite all of the things she did to us, to you… I know you loved her very much. She deserved another chance. Like we gave you. If you could change for the better, I know she would have, too." She smiled. "Actually, she did. In the Underworld. By bringing you and Zelena together and telling you two the truth about your past."

"Yeah. I suppose she did."

One apology down.

So many more to go.

"There's so much more, Snow. I pushed you into the life of a bandit so you could protect yourself from me, put you under a sleeping curse, framed you for murder…"

"Regina."

She paused.

"I forgive you for everything."

Regina smiled. "Thank you, Snow." She glanced at Charming with an eyebrow raised. "You ready for the waterworks, Charming? It's your turn."

Snow laughed.

"I don't cry," he said.

"Oh really? What did you call that eye glistening I saw when Snow and I were hugging?"

He shrugged it off casually. "I had something in my eye."

Snow slapped him lightly on the shoulder. "Stop lying."

"Okay, so maybe I was crying a little."

Regina came back to the other side of the table and took hold of Charming's hand. "I'm sorry that I stopped at nothing to keep you from separated from your wife. That I made you watch Snow fall under the sleeping curse. That I ruined your wedding day. That even in Storybrooke, I did everything to keep you two apart. I threatened your family so many times. And honestly, I don't…" Her voice cracked as another wave of tears won their battle and began to fall down her face. "I don't know what I've done to deserve being with Emma."

"You make her happy," Snow said. "Happier than she's ever been. And we want nothing more than our daughter to be happy."

Charming spoke next. "Regina, you are not defined by your past. And I forgive you. The thing that matters is what you are doing now. We've all made mistakes that we regret. But the fact that you're owning up to those mistakes and apologizing for them? It means a lot to both Snow and I."

Snow nodded her agreement.

"Thank you," Regina said quietly. "Both of you."

They smiled at her.

After more than twenty eight years, she had finally done it. She had finally given the Charmings the apology they deserved. Was there more she could apology for? Of course. She could most likely find at least one thing to apologize for everyday for the next few months. When something came to mind, she would probably do it. But this was a huge start. And she was thankful that she had finally found the courage to open up to them.

Thank you, Emma, for helping me get to this point.

"I think we should have a little get-together."

Regina and Charming looked at Snow in surprise.

"A get-together?" her husband asked.

"Yes. Tomorrow. Here. At three. Regina, Emma, Henry, Robin…"

A thought came to Regina and she blurted out, "Zelena."

"Of course! She's invited, too."

"Great." Regina stood up from her chair. She knew her sister needed this. She had not been in the highest of spirits after Hades' betrayed her in the Underworld. She needed to talk to her. "I'm sorry that this is so sudden, but there's something I need to do."

"It's completely fine!" Snow said. "Go ahead."

Regina nodded. "Thank you. I'll see you two tomorrow. I'll bring something… Let me know if there is anything specific you'd like me to make or get." She turned around and headed to the door, leaving the loft seconds later.

She pulled out her phone.

xxxxxx

3:23pm – Regina Mills: I finished talking with your parents. It went well. They were very forgiving and grateful that I apologized for what did.

3:26pm – Emma Swan: See? I told you that they would be and appreciate that you apologized.

3:28pm – Regina Mills: Can you believe that even your father cried a little bit at the whole thing?

3:29pm – Emma Swan: No way! Wish I would have seen that.

3:31pm – Regina Mills: He tried to deny it, but it happened.

3:31pm – Emma Swan: Lol.

3:32pm – Regina Mills: I have one more stop to make. I need to talk to Zelena.

3:33pm – Emma Swan: Sounds good.

3:35pm – Regina Mills: Come over tonight? At seven? I'll make dinner for the three of us.

3:37pm – Emma Swan: I'll be there :)

3:38pm – Regina Mills: :) Oh, be ready for a get-together tomorrow. Your mother wants to celebrate.

3:40pm – Emma Swan: Oh boy. I'll go talk to her about it.

3:43pm – Regina Mills: I think it'll be fun.

3:43pm – Emma Swan: I think so too.

xxxxxx

She dialed Zelena's number and waited for her to answer.

Zelena was already at the diner, and as she walked inside, she noticed she was staring glumly down at her cup of tea. Regina frowned. Their relationship had become much better since Cora had revealed it was her fault that the two were separated from each other for practically their whole life. They had even gotten together a few times to talk about their mother after returning from the Underworld, reflecting on her moving on to a better place and Regina answering the questions Zelena had about Cora. Her sister's jealous nature towards her had certainly subsided, but Regina knew she had not fully recovered from being abandoned by Cora as a baby.

Regina wished things had been different. That they could have grown up together and that Zelena could have gotten to know her mother's kind side. Maybe neither one of them would have gone down the villainous paths they had if they'd had each other.

Their mother's last few words to them still killed her.

She never had the chance to say goodbye to Regina before she died.

For Zelena, she never had the chance to properly say hello.

It wasn't coping with the loss of Mother that was really hurting her, though. It was Hades. He had made her believe that he loved her and then tricked her last minute. She was just a part of the plan to try to defeat them all. Regina was afraid that this might be the outcome, but told her to follow her heart regardless. And she ended up heartbroken once again.

Regina understood the feeling too well. They had both gotten their hearts broken many times throughout their lives, and each time it happened, it became more difficult to move on and start over again.

She made her way over to the booth and sat across from her. "Hey."

Zelena looked up from her tea and smiled at her. "Hello, sis."

"Ever try cocoa with cinnamon?"

"I can't say that I have. Why?"

"It's Emma's and Henry's favorite. Emma just got me to try it a few days ago. It's actually very good."

"I suppose I'll have to give it a try then." She took a sip of her tea before continuing. "So. You wanted to talk to me?"

"Yes. I actually wanted to invite you to a little get-together the Charmings are having tomorrow."

"A get-together? What are we celebrating?"

Regina thought for a moment. Snow hadn't exactly pinpointed what the occasion was for and suggested the idea rather randomly. However, the more she thought about it, the more she realized the reason behind the event was completely obvious. She smiled. "Family."

"And they would want me there?"

"Why not?"

"Well, I don't know. I guess I don't consider myself as belonging to a part of their family."

"I wasn't at first. I absolutely despised them. But then I met Emma, eventually really got to know who the Charmings were, and found they weren't such terrible people at all. Of course, it only took a curse, their daughter, and Henry to help me realize that. But that was the villain in me back then. They gave me a chance to prove that I could walk away from that past, and then as time went on, my former enemies became my best friends. Just like I told you in the Underworld."

"That's nice and all, but I think I've failed my numerous second chances."

"That might be true, but don't think I didn't do the same. It took a long while for me to earn anyone's trust. Yet someone was always willing to let me try again."

"Let me guess. That someone was Emma?"

"Yeah. Emma did that for me."

"You're really lucky, Regina. To have someone in your life like that."

Regina could read the pain in her eyes. "Zelena, I'm really sorry about what happened with Hades."

"It's alright. I should have listened to you. I don't know why I even let myself fall for the lord of the Underworld." She shook her head at what she believed to be a silly thought.

"You were in love. And love makes us do crazy, stupid things sometimes. I cursed an entire realm because of love."

"I just… I'm afraid no one will ever love me."

"No, no." She took Zelena's hands in her own. "Do not say that, Zelena. That is not true."

"Why would anyone want to love me? I'm wicked."

"But you are so much more than that. You just have to be willing to let go of the past and move on. I know it's hard, but I believe in you."

"Thanks, Regina."

"I promise you, you will find love one day. And who knows? Maybe that someone will come into your life in the most unexpected way."

"Kind of like Emma did with you?"

"Well, her arrival was somewhat expected. She was destined to break the curse at twenty eight."

Zelena laughed.

"So you will come, right?" She raised an eyebrow at her. "I won't allow you to sulk around all night as the alternative."

Zelena let out an exasperated sigh, but she did so in a joking fashion. "I suppose I have room in my schedule to make an appearance."

Regina smirked.

"But really, though. Thank you for inviting me, Regina."

She gave her hands a gentle squeeze and pulled them away. "It starts at three. We're having it at the Charmings' loft. Feel free to bring food."

"I might just do that. So…" Zelena faced her with a curious stare. "You and Emma…"

"Me and Emma what?"

"You two have always loved each other?"

She felt her cheeks go warm. "Yes."

"Hm. So… When's the marriage proposal?"

"What?"

"Well, you've always loved each other. Thought it would make sense."

"We've only been dating for a few weeks."

Zelena laughed. "I'm only joking, sis."

Regina shook her head.

"But when you two do get married, I'd better be the first to know."

She looked down at her hands. She hadn't given the idea much though, but she just knew. Emma was the one. She wanted to spend the rest of her life with the blonde. She let her mind wander, watching Emma walk toward her, being escorted by her father, them taking hands, exchanging their vows…

"Aw, look at you blush."

"Stop it."

"Regina."

She looked up.

"I'm really happy for you and Emma."

"Thank you, Zelena."

A sudden beep from Zelena's phone pulled her away from the conversation, and she checked it quickly. "It's Robin."

"Is everything okay?"

"Yes. He just wanted to let me know he would be leaving soon to take Roland to dinner. Time for Mommy to return home to see her daughter."

Robin and Zelena had been able to put aside their differences and were much closer now that they were both taking care of the newborn.

Zelena waved down a waitress, and she got her check. As she paid for her order, she asked Regina, "So, what are your plans for the evening?"

"Dinner with Emma and Henry."

"Ah. I should have guessed."

They exited the diner and stopped at the beginning of the sidewalk. Regina turned to Zelena. "Tell Robin about the get-together for me? Bring Roland and the baby with you." She folded her arms across her chest. "By the way, the baby's name? You and Robin have been pretty secretive about this. You must have picked out a name by now."

"How about… We'll tell you at the party?"

Before Regina had the chance to protest, Zelena said goodbye and began to walk away. She shook her head, but she figured she could wait one more day. They were celebrating family tomorrow after all, and it would be the perfect time to make such an announcement.

The get-together was a perfect ending to the chaos that had consumed them in the Underworld. It was also a perfect beginning to something that all of them really needed: a close-knit group of people they could go to if they ever needed anything and call family.

There was a lot of talking and laughing and eating and making of pleasant memories overall. Emma made sure to have her camera ready and take pictures—a combination of both nice and silly pictures. The camera got passed around to everyone. Once Zelena got the hang of using the camera, she absolutely loved taking pictures of them at the worst times. She even discovered the filming feature and captured any funny moments that she could, which some of them enjoyed more than others.

Of course, it wouldn't be a party without Zelena annoying them at least once!

Emma couldn't wait to watch those videos later.

Baby Hood's name finally got revealed. Regina had let her know beforehand that she'd asked her sister to tell her the baby's name yesterday, but Zelena had settled for an announcement at the get-together instead.

They decided to name her after her father. Robin and Zelena had discussed several names after returning to Storybrooke, but Zelena insisted that "Robin" was the perfect fit. At the end of the reveal, Neal let out a delighted little squeal.

Emma documented the whole scene with her camera.

"Well, I guess that Neal approves," Snow said with a chuckle.

Maybe her little brother would be friends with Robin one day?

Oh, it also wouldn't be a party if Henry didn't pull out his storybook.

"Since we are all here as family tonight, we should do some storytelling," he announced with his book in his hands. "One story I think all of you will like in particular is how my two moms met."

"Oh, do tell!" Zelena said excitedly. "I'd love to hear how it all started."

"Me too," Robin said. "You two did say you always loved each other."

Emma and Regina answered at the same time. "We did."

Henry smiled at their response. "Instead of me telling the story, though, I think my moms should."

"Henry. We'll be here all night."

Zelena leaned back in her chair. "That is quite alright, Regina. I've had my caffeine, and I am ready to stay up all night to listen."

"You have a child to take care of, Zelena. You'll have to leave at some point."

Zelena looked at Snow and Charming. "Mind if Robin and I stay the night?"

They both shook their head.

"It's been settled. All night it is."

"Besides, we want to hear it as much as you do," Snow said, turning her chair to face Emma and Regina.

"Can't we just listen to the story of how you and Dad fell in love?"

"Sure. I'll give everyone the quick summary." Charming cleared his throat and then began. "Snow robbed my carriage. I went after her, threatening that I would always find her, which happened to be a quite accurate statement. Oh, the thing she stole from me was the ring that my mother gave me to give to my love one day, and yes, that's the ring Snow is currently wearing right now. I got knocked out a few times by her, and she did get away, but obviously I found her again and we ended up having to fight some trolls to get my ring back. We separated for a while, but we came back to each other. Regina placed her under a sleeping curse, I kissed her and she woke up, and we took back the kingdom and got married. There were some other details, but I think that about covers it. Right, Snow?"

"Yep. Now, Emma and Regina?"

Regina looked at Emma. "We're not getting out of this one, are we?"

Emma shook her head. "Nope."

"Well, where do we begin?"

"My twenty eighth birthday. When Henry found me." Emma took Regina's hand. "And brought me home."

Regina smiled.

So they told their story, Emma and Regina finishing each other's sentences several times. They were even able to finish the story for both Zelena and Robin, and it wasn't terribly late. Everyone applauded at the end, which made both of them blush.

But Emma's favorite part of the whole evening? When she was sitting at the kitchen table with her parents, Henry, and Regina, looking through the pictures they had taken. Emma had retrieved her laptop so they could all see the photos on a larger display. And all of them were drinking cocoa with cinnamon, of course, because what other beverage would have made sense?

She still couldn't believe Regina had never considered trying it until a few days ago.

"This one has to go," Regina said with a disapproving nod of her head. "I look horrible."

"I'm sure it's not that bad." Emma reached for the laptop, but Regina pulled it closer to her. "It's not like I'm going to share it over social media or anything."

"You won't be sharing it with anyone because I'm deleting it."

Right as Regina was about to press the "delete" key, Snow snatched the laptop from her. "No. We're keeping these all of these pictures. I want make a photo album."

Emma and Regina exchanged a worried glance.

Henry leaned over to them and whispered, "If you should be worried about anyone sharing pictures over social media, it's Grandma. Good thing she doesn't have a Facebook."

"You got that right, kid," Emma whispered back.

Regina faced him with a serious stare. "Wait. Do you have a Facebook?"

Henry leaned back in his chair. "Um…"

"He's almost fourteen, Regina. He's faced curses and villains and even drove your car to come find us after Isaac trapped us in his book. I think he can handle Facebook."

"Oh really, Miss Swan? I suppose I can safely assume that you went behind my back and allowed him to make an account, then?"

Emma grinned sheepishly. "Well… It was before we were together, and he knew you'd say no, so… Oops? You can, um, forgive me, right? We've all been very forgiving this weekend…"

Regina just glared at her.

"Please?"

Same expression.

Charming placed his cup down on the table tentatively. "Oh no. Someone is in deep trouble."

Snow finally looked away from the laptop to comment on the scene in front her. "Nah-uh, Emma. You do not mess with the Evil Queen."

Regina caved and burst out laughing. The rest of them followed suit.

"You do forgive me, though. Right, Regina?"

Regina had the side of her face covered with her hand, trying to hide a smirk as she tapped her fingers on the table and shrugged. "Oh, I don't know. I'll have to think about it."

"Stop lying, Regina. I know you forgive me. Remember I can tell when someone is lying?"

"That's right. Your superpower. But I'm not lying, dear."

Emma pulled her hand away and saw her smiling. "Hm. Sure you're not lying?"

"You got me."

They met for a kiss.

Snow found this to be a perfect opportunity to take out her phone and snap off a picture.

"Mom!"

"What? I want pictures for the photo album."

"You've got plenty from tonight!"

"I didn't get any of you and Regina kissing."

Charming leaned across the table. "See, Regina? You're going to love being a part of our family."

Regina laughed. "Well, it definitely seems there will never a dull moment. And I don't mind that one bit."

Regina was right. As long as Emma had her, Henry, and her parents by her side, she knew there would never be any dull moments.

They continued to look at the pictures from the evening (none of which got deleted) and watched all of the ridiculous videos Zelena had shot. When they finished, they started making plans for another get-together. They decided it would be a new tradition, something they could do every few weeks.

Emma raised her cup for a toast. "Here's to new beginnings."

Everyone hit their cups together and said in unison, "To new beginnings."

Regina loved her.

She had made amends with her parents.

And Emma had many future moments to look forward to that she would be spending with her family.

These were new beginnings she was thankful for.

I think this will be the end to this one. Hope everyone enjoyed this story :)