Meeting in the white kingdom.
Regina takes Emma and Henry to the white kingdom where she meets her family. All Regina wants is answers. But when they talk all snow gives is more insight to what they already remember. Snow tries to convince Regina to work together to remember.
Snow and James Charming remained entirely happy cheering on ideas from Belle and Red. They made a great team and now Belle on a true mend thanks to red she was happy. They spent so much time together and things seemed truly better off with Belle living with Red. Everyone seemed happier to be home again. They all molded right back to the old ways and some tried to make a few things that would be useful in the enchanted forest.
In the mist of arrangements bustling through the courts door was grumpy one of snow most loyal guards as well as fairy dust miner. He didn't want to work forever again in the mines but her choose to help with a great need of it. Mumbling on his way in he confronted Snow.
"My queen we found Hook and Neil have returned, there is no sign of Emma. They spoke of her being taking to Regina's castle. Should I assemble men and make a rescue?" His eyes took in the room taking a moment to grin at Red and Belle.
"No need grumpy, I received word that they are safe and will be joining us tomorrow. Regina will not hurt Emma or Henry." Of this she is certain. Grumpy groaned and bowing this head as he rolled his eyes at Snow kindness and faith on the evil queen. "Worry not we will have peace upon our land soon again." Grumpy looked up and paused ready to say more.
"Majesty I have disturbing news, another kidnaping has been reported. It's the third one in the past two months. We are still no closer but I believe we found something yesterday." Snow looked around the room an saw all close friends but before digging deeper she sent out the servants and guards.
"What is it?" She said finally looking at grumpy.
"Possibly a witness, he is unconscious at the moment but before he fainted he said the person... Fly off."
"A person? Not a dragon?"
"Yes a person they knew magic, much different than our world." Grumpy clarified.
"Someone from out world! I see I will speak to blue and Regina tomorrow on this topic. As soon as the witness is conscious question them."
"Yes majesty." Grumpy said with a bow.
"And grumpy, find out what these kidnappings have in common. Something about this doesn't feel right." He leaves letting his queen and king plan for the next day. It turns into a late night thing. Chaos or hectic cleaning and cooking. No one seems to have an ounce of fear or worry and he begins to wonder what they will do once it's on their door step.
Emma and Henry have ventured out while the queen busies herself all day. Emma's remains silent most of the day trying to rid her confusion and fears. She slept flustered and woke beyond that. She hadn't been able to forget why for more than a few minutes. At times she broke the silence with jokes and playing with Henry in the green pastures. Guards all around and no queen as of yet.
Actually something she was ok with most of the day. Until her dreams kept reminding her maybe there was more between this than just feuding. The moment Henry asked if he could do a light practice with a wooden sword Emma agreed. Trying to let her mind sort before Regina did appear. Immediately, it surprised her how easily her mind could fill with her dream of Regina.
Endless panting, kissing, and harmonious noises from her own lips caused by a familiar olive skinned woman. Her lips pressing against places that Emma never knew we're sensitive. Fingers taking in her every curve. All while lying in the woman's bed. It seemed absolutely familiar, comfortable, and daringly to say like home. The passion she felt vibrating through them as the woman took her to a level of pressure Emma had never been. Forcing Emma to emit the woman's name causing it to be the echo in Emma's head all day. It was impossible to deny after all the fights she had seen or remembers that this was her favorite memory.
She couldn't be sure as she woke up if it truly was a memory but the moistness between her legs begged her to believe it was. Gradually throughout the day Emma tried to convince herself that she had just simply wanted it after all the tension in her other dreams. She wasn't ready she told herself and really it wasn't hard to pretend it was a dream. That was until she actually came face to face with the object she desired.
She stiffened as her legs went weak watching the woman walk to her. She tried to face towards Henry's training but all she could thin of was Regina walking swiftly and so sure as she shoved her against the back of the weapons rack. She knew the woman was inches away, her insides betrayed her as they clenched and moistened at the thought of being taken by Regina. Emma wanted to deny she found her attractive but really that just wasn't happening as Regina stepped up beside her. Her face had to clearly be burning red.
Regina was elegant as she leaned up against the railing to the training arena but she looked as she could fit in no matter where she placed herself. Slowly Emma's face lightened up as Regina glanced at her. In that moment Emma decided she would let it play out without mentioning this dream. She feared she would creep Regina out or anger her.
"Are you ready for tomorrow?" Regina asks pulling Emma from her agonizing deeply needing thoughts.
"Um? Oh the meeting with... Snow White and Prince Charming. Yes I believe so but I wore the only dress I thought to bring already." Emma states remembering it was the one she had planned on wearing to see them but decided Regina was more worth it at the time. Maybe she still was but Emma refused to admit it.
"Which I did love by the way. But I'm sure I can string up something for you." Giving a sincere smile. Nodding towards Henry now she said. "He's a natural. I'm sure his grandfather would have fun teaching him."
"Well I suppose at least till Henry wears him out." She could imagine Henry letting elders have the upper hand. "Henry's nice with manners to elders he would go easy on him I'm sure." Suddenly Emma jumped at the sound of Regina snorting and laughter rolling from her. "What?"
"Oh! I'm sorry dear, but you seem to think your parents are old. Well the act boring and lame like they are but the idea is a funny one to imagine." She held her heaving stomach
"Well wait how old were they when that had me I mean god I'm 30 they couldn't have be that young." Emma snapped as if Regina's was laughing at her.
"I'm sorry your being serious." Clearing her throat she straightened up. "When I said last night that I made the town magic less and timeless I meant it. 29 years they lived without aging as did i. I'm only slightly older than you dear. Your mother and father well... They were 25 years old when they had you."
"What!" Emma's jaw dropped and then jolted back closed just to drop again. "Fuck! Really?! That's not fair... You're kidding right?!" Emma stood back not sure if Regina had just played her or not.
"Not at all. You'll see tomorrow. Like I said I was evil." She winks sending shivers through Emma to her core. 'Oh god' Emma though as she sunk back into place beside Regina.
"Yeah evil hell I'd enjoy living 30 years with you.. with you and everyone not aging.." She added trying to hide her statement.
"Well I was even worse before then. Basically the town was under my control, I took their memories made them into people I wanted. They hated me when the curse broke for wasting their lives. But it was briefly worth it." Her tone serious again, distant, but somewhere Emma had been many times. She placed her hand on Regina's to comfort her.
"Heck if it was like no time at all what's the big deal, and I mean you just wanted... People to give you a second chance without the past always finding its way back in and changing their minds about you. It was your happy ending I suppose." Emma wanted to say she may have done the same that honestly if she didn't have Henry to straighten her out she could have. I was clear to Emma that Regina may have had a bit more pain but she felt it might make things worse. Regina ended up giving a nervous laugh it seemed something about that was very true.
The night much like the night before need settled around the dinning table. They talked about anything. Nothing else had been remembered and at the time nothing else was more interesting to Regina than hearing Emma and Henry share endless other world stories. Regina would find herself laughing wholeheartedly many times. At some point she even caught Emma's eyes and thought to herself that she could enjoy this, them, forever. Then she'd see a knowing twinkle in Emma's eyes and flush red focusing back on Henry.
After dinner it didn't take long for Emma to have to carry Henry to bed. She didn't mention that she could have levitated home for her just so she could reveal in Emma's ripped muscles. She would have to ask her what kind of work she did. 'I wanna see that upper body strength in person.' Her inner ego growled. She would have gasped is she didn't actually want it. Still blushing when Emma returned to the same room from the night before where Regina was. Emma briskly dragged her hand through her hair mentioning the sight.
"Whatcha thinking about?"
"Oh! Just what kind of business you do to be so fit?" Regina said in surprise.
"Bounty hunter." Emma responded with her best grin. Proud of her shape and now letting her head get big. " does her majesty like what she sees?"
"How can I not. Honestly though I'm in lacking of strength. I mean when I'm not angry I can't muster anything." She said trying to distract from the fact she had admitted her attraction to Emma. It was just that she was a queen and could say whatever she wanted in fact she had been to nervous thinking about almost kissing her and she hardly knew her. She was shy and that was surprising but somehow she had fallen into a teasing banter with Emma.
If Emma wasn't so close she could breath. So she stood instead and took the distance from her that she needed to breath again. She could feel Emma's eyes on her. She thought that maybe she should just excuse her tell her go but something held her silent. Then she hears Emma finally speak.
"Can I as you something?" She waited for suddenly timid Regina to turn around. Looking into Emma's emerald green eyes she felt her stomach flutter nervously. She simply nodded unable to trust herself. "Tomorrow, when you get your answers.." She pauses. "I don't the people you say are my parents, I feel I know you. If I say I'll stay until your memories come back can Henry and I stay with you?" Without hesitation Emma blushed but kept her eyes to Regina's.
What she saw was unexplainable. It left her knees weak for what reason she was unsure as well. As if she felt herself being pulled. Drowning into the soul of her which she knew no one if few ever had been able.
"Only if you can answer my question?" Regina said trying to gain her ground again.
"Anything." Emma gulped feeling the air thicken.
"How do you feel? What do you think of the idea of me being Henry's mother too." And with that the air was cut. Clean straight to the bone and Emma just stared. Of course she enjoyed the idea but it felt to easy to unsafe.
"I think it's what you want, I think I make a terrible mom if I can remember things I should about our life, and I think I'm confused. I don't know where my memories are fake and what real. My dreams... I don't know if they make me feel and acted because of them." She was shocked by her own honesty. Then again she wanted to see if the one thing she always felt was missing was here in this world. She thought about how hard it was to stay comfortable back home. How she actually wouldn't mind helping out Regina like she already had a bond with her. Even though she'd constantly worry it was because if her dreams.
"Oh Emma, yes I've always wanted a kid but I hardly think your a bad parent. You love Henry deeply and I wouldn't get between that. You can stay of course. We'll figure us both out." She didn't know why phrased it in such away other than they both could help each other. It didn't matter though because it felt normal. "Do you wanna talk about these dreams?"
It was then she learned Emma couldn't keep emotions hidden that well. A blush broke over Emma's face and her eyes avoided Regina's. She would have teased but Emma quickly said no and excused herself for the night. It only brought a smile to Regina's lips knowing she just learned Emma had dreams that embarrassed her, maybe even ones about her. Interesting she thought as she crawled into bed.
The next morning went without any problems. Snow and Charming had mostly everything set for Emma and Henry's visit. They half expected her to have her memories back but mostly understood it wasn't likely. Emma and Henry waited after breakfast for Regina to set things straight for the day before leaving for the white kingdom. After the talk last night Emma's nerves were down about being stuck with her parents right away. But her mind racked with more because of how the night ended. She sat up hours heated up by the mere mention of her dreams let alone wording them to the women they concerned.
Snow tried comforting her husband who for the most part of the year had thought coming to terms with Emma being gone for good was best. He wouldn't allow it as her worried his daughter and Henry would hate them. He knew they didn't have their memories there was no way that Emma would have given into Regina so quickly.
"It took her the better part of two years snow to even admit she loves her before and that was witnessing everything. That was with her knowing she shared Henry with her. This time how long will it take 3-4?" He was frustrated at Snows endless amount of hope in the two. It wasn't that long ago she was cursed for messing with their true love. Of course they got through it.
Once Regina had begged snow to let her take her memories away the first time and Snow denied her breaking her potion. She suddenly had the ability to tell her no. She fought for Regina to remain strong and believe. The second time she agreed to keep her silence for Regina to make sure she wasn't hurting when Emma and Henry made it home.
Now her was frustrated that he was the one who fought before and this time he wasn't sure. He couldn't let his daughter wait years to remember. Snow could see his internal battle so it was then she spoke.
"James she's here that's all that matters right now. I will not force things between them again good or bad. I've learned my lesson. Fate has a plan for them I see that now. This is something they must fix together however long it takes." She took her husbands arm guiding him up from the dinning table. To the throne room to wait for the Regina to come. "I hardly believe that it will take that long because Regina is different now not so closed off. She'll let Emma in and she'll find a way to break any walls Emma has now a days." They sat and did court time until the time came for Regina to arrive.
Emma, Henry, and Regina all stood in middle of the bottom floor getting comfortable with going. They held each other's hand and Regina let her magic flow. It consumed them from their feet up in a purple cloud. When the smoke cleared Emma was not the only one to gasp. Henry grinned and panted how cool it was. Regina returned the smile kindly and watched and Emma's hand flung to her stomach. It was different and made her have to collect herself before seeing the room that now surrounded them.
A gasp else where was from the queen herself. She used everything in her personal power to only stand and smile with glee. Both Emma and Henry faced a pair at the throne neither of them expressed any recognition and stood feet planted until Regina slightly brushed her fingers on Emma's arm and guided them over. As a mantra from Snow begins to escape her calling out Henry and Emma's names. Regina knew just how much they wanted this.
"Oh Emma! Henry! It's good to see you again." Snow said noticing her daughters warily look. Beside her was charming though he was excited her look as if he expected something terrible to happen. A silence seeped in no one seemed to know what should happen next. So Regina made a point to get things started.
"Snow we need answers, you told me if I found Emma you would give them to me." Snow looked to Regina and it appeared what Regina said had give an answer to a silent question she had.
"So neither of you have memories then?" She looked between the three. Regina could see Emma didn't wish to speak until she was more sure of the situation.
"Emma and Henry it seems have a few possibly. We hoped you could clear things up." Regina asked
"What of?" She inquired.
"Well Being sheriff of my town for one which I can't remember. And Henry being in my care which I also seem to have no memory of. So if you have answers please tell me." Regina said almost begging.
"Hmm.." Snow paused to ponder her options. "I can only give you this, Henry is indeed both your son. He was adopted at 3 weeks, you" she said at Regina. "Raised him until Emma came to town when he was ten. That is when she became sheriff and stayed."
Regina felt a joy one she could understand in her heart. The simple assurance that she had a child, that she raised him gave her feelings she never thought possible. She wondered why Emma would have given him up. What happened. An then she wondered why Snow had nothing else to give her.
"Why is this all you will tell?" Regina demanded. "You said-"
"Yes, I did, I will give you more when the time is right. I know you want answers but can not simply speak your memories back to you. It is far to long and you would never believe unless you learn it yourself." She gave Regina a stern look that proved she had grown. "You must work together, remember by talking to each other." Charming only nodded his head in agreement.
He understood why she was doing it this way. she was right she couldn't force the memories back by telling it. They had to come about it on there own. If there was another way he was sure they would do it but there wasn't.
"Fine, then Emma Henry," she said with a slight new fondness for them. "You'll be welcomed to stay with me until this is sorted." They both didn't hesitate to nod in agreement. Fortunately Regina already knew they had before coming but it was more evident they wanted to instead of be forced to stay with people who were suppose to be the parents she couldn't remember. She understood and was glad she could keep their company a little longer.
"Can you-" Emma started her nerves getting the best of her. She quickly cleared her throat and focused on her question. "Can you tell me how long I really knew Henry? Where my memories are fake and where they aren't?" Snow gave a small watery 'oh' realizing Emma's dilemma.
"It's just as I said but please know you had your reasons for giving Henry up. Good reasons! But you didn't meet him until he was 10. Two years is all you had before you lost your memories. The year you have had with him was all yours of course." Emma wiped away her tears that built up. Regina turned to comfort her. She placed a hand on her back and whispered it was ok while putting a hand on Henry's shoulder above Emma's hand.
It didn't go unnoticed the slight smile and turn to Charming that Snow did. At least by Regina it didn't. Shortly after Snow decided to give introductions. Around the room where people Regina knew but snow began bubbling with excitement at the chance to reintroduce them to Emma and Henry.
"Emma this is your best friends belle and red." Emma waved shyly it was clear she wondered who red was and that she could guess who belle was. Regina smiled at belle and red. They had become great friends after Regina took her own memories away. Regina had suggested red as another good person to make belle happy. She was truly happy now and that made their recent distance much more understandable.
"These two you already know." Regina heard Snow say who had made introduction all the way around the room now. Her eyes fell on Hook and Neil. The two idiots that brought Emma to her land.
"Uh your not gonna kiss me again are you cuz I'm gonna have the same reaction." Emma sassed at hook. Neil casually elbowed him in the ribs laughing.
"You what!" The Charmings shouted together. "You didn't?"
"Maybe..yes." His head lowered and from nowhere that Regina could name jealousy filled her. She was not able to say why hearing such a thing bothered her other than she knew what he was like and she had grown to have a bond with Emma. In some way she felt protective of the two all the more now. She knew that they could have better than Hook the womanizer.
"I should have cut off your man hood long ago. Of course you would take advantage of her state." Regina barked before realizing what she had begun to say. All she heard way Emma laugh and when she looked at her curiously she choked out.
"I think I impaired it though." Hook wincing and cupping his groin at the reminder. The whole hall laughed because that seemed like typical Emma to them but Regina was surprised because she had yet to see the sass in her.
After a short while Emma agreed to try a taking time with her supposed father. Henry followed allowing Regina time with Snow. She walked closer to her as Emma left the hall.
"What's going on? you said you'd tell me." Regina stated again. Snow nodded and lead her around the now empty room.
"You remember the letter you gave me the night you took your memories." Snow gave her a look or sympathy that Regina hated. "You made me promise not to tell. I told you to find Emma because she is the only one that can fix this."
"Why?"
"Because you three are connected but Emma is the only one that can bring your memories back. Take all the time you need with them, help each other in the mean time. She has so many walls, even now, even with memories of Henry she feels alone because she always ways. She needs friends. you need the son you always wanted. You need to let her help you." Snow paused and gently hugged Regina. "Now why don't you take Emma show her around charming will enjoy a moment with Henry. Maybe show her your stable."
Regina felt anger building trying to understand her failure was becoming longer than she could handle. Quite frankly she didn't even know why snow wanted her to take her to see the place that started it all.
"I don't want to remember. I want to understand. I was far worse off before when I knew whatever it is I forgot. Look at me tell me why did I fail." Again all she received was a sympathy look. Her anger growing but she breathed not wishing to get wrapped up in it again.
"You told me when to let you remember, it's time Emma and Henry will help you." She sighed as she patted Regina's back in comfort. "You didn't fail, things happened for a reason, what you made yourself forget it's only a matter of time before it happens again either you remember before or not. But Emma is the key."
Regina took in her words and tried so hard to understand but found she only fell short.
"Snow what do we share more than just Henry? You see or know something don't you?" When she got no answer she turn from the hall and sought out Emma and Henry. Finding Emma watching Henry sword fight charming. She eased herself next to Emma feeling her heart thump as Emma's eyes searched hers.
"You wasn't kidding," Emma said with such a lack of mannerisms Regina only crooked and eyebrow. "Uh Charming with sword play and Henry being a natural."
"Oh yes and see he's not old either." She quirked. As Emma laughed and faced Regina she decided why not take Snows advice and show Emma around. "We can stay tonight dinner and all your parents were excited. Mind if I show you around?" Emma glanced at Henry a moment content that he was ok and currently occupied she followed Regina's lead.
"You know the place then?" She asked. "We didn't get far before Henry convinced James to play."
"Matter a fact I was queen before your mother. I was married away to her father, an old bat." She surprised herself with her looseness in the conversation. "That was when I was young and he has since passed away."
"So married away, as in arranged."
"Yes by my mother, she wanted me to marry and marry a king. So she made it happen even though..." She paused unable to say more. Emma touched Regina's arm in comfort watching Regina's eyes cloud with discomfort.
"Even though? What?" She searched her and stumbled upon only one thing. "You were already with someone weren't you?" Regina found herself nod. Then silence and before she knew where she was leading Emma she found herself right where she didn't want to be.
It had been so long since she been to the stables. Seeing them looming over her and the way they looked the same, it terrified her. A tear slipped from behind her crumbling walls. Emma caught it with a padded finger before it dripped from her face.
"Wanna tell me?"
"Only if you tell me your dream from the other night." Regina countered hoping the moment would pass. The walked a little more and Regina saw a headstone she made just for him. Another tear and Emma spoke.
"Me and you." Emma said faintly. When Regina brought her eyes to Emma's she saw it was the truth. "I had a dream different than us fighting. I always felt a pull in them but this was more. Honestly I am not sure if it was just a dream or a memory."
"What was it?" She egged on.
"Tell me a little of your situation first." Regina sighed and lead her to the headstone.
"His name was Daniel, as soon as my mother found out she killed him. She wanted me to be like her, I didn't, but I ended up that way eventually." She didn't mean to look weak but she hoped Emma didn't mind. At first she didn't say anything but then she felt Emma take her and lean her towards her body. More comforting than she imagines she tenses up. Im a queen you don't just hold a queen. She told Emma in her head but still only managed to lean tensely in her hold. Why does it feel safe I hardly know her?
Love again. The image of Daniel in Storybrooke surfaces and she noticeably shivers at his words. Somehow it make her melt into Emma enjoying the touch. His words echo as Emma stroke her hand over Regina's back. Finding the strength to stand again she faced the tomb once more.
"Someone resurrected him his body wasn't the same, unstable, no conscious, maybe no soul, but I had to free him send him on his last moments he finally spoke to me. He sounded like him. He told me to love again."
"And did you?" Emma whispered a few feet behind Regina. Regina pondered the idea. She had a son and that appeared to be all that she had. Emma was just a reminder of her son.
"No, not like him I don't believe so." Saying the words felt so untrue but she couldn't change them. "If Henry is my son then I would have loved again but not the same way. I made myself forget him that must have been a lot of pain." She added.
"Yeah, it would have. Then why forget me?"
"Because I suppose you would have remind me of him."
"Oh," her voice sounded crushed but still she kept going. "So you have him back you can let yourself remember him. I mean how would you do that?"
"There is only one way beyond all realms can memories be forced back. It's the strongest magic of all. With the way his memory is it wouldn't work mine might but it's afar stretch." Regina said almost to herself.
"What?"
"True love-" before Regina could finish Henry's small form came into View. Followed but James. He barreled into Emma and shouted how cool the castle was. James gave Regina a questioning eyebrow in the mists of their hug. She returned with a smirk having no need to justify her reasons for being at the stables.
Finally dinner was with just family. They conversed and ate to no end. Emma and Henry seemed to relax more with the idea of parents and grandparents. When to much was to much for her she finished and tried to clear her spot. Maids rushing in to take over made her growing tension worse. Regina didn't get why she could see this or even why she cared but she did.
Things settled down as they found their rooms. Emma turn to lead Henry to bed and tuck him in. Something nobody expected was Henry wrapping her arms around Regina. She stood shocked until Emma smiled and nodded at her to enjoy the moment. She did very much wrapping her arms around Henry and smiling herself. When they released Regina casually bent down brushed his hair from his forehead and places a gentle kiss.
"Good night Henry."
"Good night Regina."
Henry took Emma's hand and walked away. A few steps late he stilled. Emma paused looked at Henry the stared to Regina. Suddenly Henry gasped and shuddered. Emma whispered out his name but her couldn't hear. Regina's eyes watered unsure if this was actually happening.
Slowly Henry turned and looked at Regina. His eyes showed fear and sadness. But he began beaming at the sight of her.
"Mom?" Emma let her hand flop down watching her son race to Regina. "I remember, mom I remember, ma!." He looked to Emma and instantly felt guilty for her pain swimming her eyes. He remembered everything most importantly what snow had said they had to remember for themselves.
He stepped up to Emma and hugged her tightly until she held him. Then he mumbled into her that he loved her. But leaning out of the hug he said he need to talk to Regina. All Regina could thing was having her son answer her questions.
Review
now Henry is the the first to get there memories back. Emma feels hurt again that her son doesn't see her as his mom but without her memories will she think ill of Regina for it.
Note: reason the kiss worked isn't just because Regina may believe snow about henry and she has always wanted a child but because she cast the curse and the effects on their memories she was the only one to fix that. With the kiss she did but that doesn't mean Emma will be so willing.