Magic was an incredible thing.
Regina brushed out her hair, watching the way it curled around her shoulders, and she was once again grateful for the art of potion-making. She hadn't thought about her hair serum in years, but she woke up the morning after her conversation with Em and wanted to do something different. So she made the potion from memory, and her new look gave her a bit of confidence. It helped that Henry liked it when she got the chance to take him out to dinner over the weekend. She didn't broach the topic of her other children with him, but it seemed Em gave him some kind of warning about newcomers in town who were close to Regina. Henry took it in stride, a far cry from the paranoid child that was quick to move out of his childhood home when the opportunity arose. Still, Regina wanted to introduce him to his siblings in a more neutral environment, one where no one had the upper hand. Em suggested the picnic area behind the park for a family lunch with all parties involved, and Regina agreed only if Em came too.
If they were going to do it as a family, then everyone needed to be there.
Regina shook off her thoughts and put down the brush. She stood and went into her closet, bypassing her everyday wear and plucking a sweater dress from the back. She snatched up a pair of heeled boots on her way out but paused when she saw the polaroid hanging on the frame.
Killian had caught them during a movie night the week before. Regina was on the couch with Em on the floor in front of her. Bella and Kieran took up the other side of Regina, tangled together in a mass of limbs and brown hair. It amazed Regina how her daughters were equally similar and different. They were inseparable, something that Regina was grateful didn't change in their separation. Emmett took up the other side of the floor, stretched out with his head almost touching Em's thigh. If you saw the picture, you would think that they'd all known one another for years. But despite some initial teasing, the four of them got on well. Bella would even invite Em over for dinner before Regina could get the chance to grab her phone.
It was comforting and relieving. Regina didn't know what she was going to do if her children didn't like Em. Still, Killian took the picture before the others got downstairs and took up the remaining space. It was a tight fit, but Regina was falling in love with the idea of having a family again.
Sure, it was never in the budget to grocery shop for seven people. It was also never in the plans to bribe Whale into giving her the excess blood from donations and otherwise. That was a conversation she wasn't interested in having again, but Emmett and Rosalie were getting enough blood to survive for the week without having to interfere with the local wildlife.
Yet Regina couldn't help but feel odd having everyone around after the last three decades. It was both a blessing and a challenge. She hadn't imagined a scenario where her son would come home a vampire or that her youngest child would come from a universe where superheroes were real. She could still hear Bella's body hitting the floor when she realized Supergirl existed. Charlie explained after the stunned silence that Supergirl was Bella's role model, but while everyone else focused on Bella, Regina saw the look in her youngest daughter's eyes whenever "Kara" came up in conversation. Regina knew there was more to that story, but she refused to push. She was still adjusting to her adult children being in relationships.
Nonetheless, Regina's magic had returned to its initial strength. She was eating more, had more energy, and slept a lot better than she did before she was even cursed. And not much had changed, truly, when it came to her children. Of course, Bella fell into her familiar shadows, always there but rarely speaking, but something was different. She wasn't avoiding conversation, just choosing to be around it rather than a part of it. And much to Regina's displeasure, her daughter started growing more comfortable with her "not-yet-my-girlfriend." Regina didn't hate Rosalie, quite the opposite, but she wasn't on board with her daughter dating anyone.
Kieran rarely mentioned Kara or any personal relationships she had in National City, but she discussed the work she'd been doing with her company, L-Corp. Regina was proud of her youngest for branching out and helping the world in her way, not anyone else's. Plus, Sam and Jess gave Regina all the information she needed. If there was ever a time in which Regina needed to go back to National City, the first person she would kill would be Lillian Luthor.
All she wanted to do was chat, mother to mother.
Regina scowled and clicked her teeth, realizing the dress she picked had a tear under the armpit. She turned and went back into the closet, snatching a skirt with a high slit and a crop top hoodie that Red insisted on getting for her when they last went shopping. She never dared to wear it, but when in Rome…
Regina slipped on the skirt and sighed, zipping up the back. Despite how good things had been going, there was a slight hiccup when Regina officially met Charlie. It didn't last too long, and Regina warmed to the former Chief in seconds, his attitude and behavior so similar to her best friend that she couldn't help it, and it was nice to have him around. Em gave into the idea of having Charlie at the station, and they set Charlie up with a desk and a baton until he passed his gun certification. And it helped that Charlie knew how to be a Sheriff.
"Look, it doesn't matter if it's Princess Cinderella or a woman from Park Avenue, everyone in this world must abide by the same rules and regulations. Trust your instinct and follow the rules you've set up for not only yourself but for this town, and this town will fall in line one way or another."
Em took that message to heart, and Regina could already see a change. Charlie had done something no one else could. He'd given Em the fatherly, tough love that they'd been missing with David, and it bolstered their confidence. It'd already been a few days, but Em carried themselves differently, and everyone could see it.
Regina hopped around her room, sliding on her second boot, and she glanced at the picture sitting on her nightstand from Ruby. She made a mental note to look into getting the girl into school so she wasn't spending all of her free time at the diner. The child had somehow wormed her way into everyone's hearts. And to go even further, Regina felt as if Sam, Ruby, and Jess were blessings that she didn't know she needed. Sam or Jess would often alternate days to go with Regina to the office. When Jess came with her, she would spend time with Regina's new secretary. Beth offered tips and helped around the office so that Jess could take over after five, letting Beth go home to her family. But when Sam was there, Regina felt as if she could take a break. Sam and Jess made her life easier.
Sort of.
There was a small hitch with them making sure that Regina ate a balanced diet. It started with Ruby taking over as the baby. Everyone spoiled her. Especially Granny, who enjoyed having a child around again to help out in the kitchen. So there were a lot of cookies, muffins, and pastries getting slipped through the front door. None of which stayed longer than a few hours. Regina touched her hips, glancing in the mirror at how much she'd filled out the skirt. She'd gained "happy weight" over the last couple of weeks, and it was good. Regina was in a place where she could admit the change was good, even if she was still struggling to accept everything that came with it. She still remembered the moments when Cora tore into her for being too this or too that.
Fortunately, Jess picked up on her hesitancy with food and told her they could do meals in advance to keep things structured. That helped, to have a plan in place, and Regina allowed Beth and Jess to bring her lunch when she was stuck at the office. The family noticed her "glow," but Em was her biggest supporter. The fact was highlighted by the many times that Em lingered after a hug or found a reason to touch Regina, letting their fingertips graze Regina's waist or hips as they walked past them. And Regina picked up on every touch, enjoying every moment of it.
Why wouldn't she?
Someone knocked on her door, and Regina double-checked everything before opening it. Emmett leaned against the doorframe and looked her up and down. He cocked an eyebrow at the skin on display and folded his arms.
"Okay, I thought it was Mommy and Kids today."
"It is," she said.
"So what's with all the skin? You planning on seeing Em?"
Regina rolled her eyes and closed the door, brushing past her son and running straight into her youngest daughter. Kieran scrunched her face when she saw her outfit.
"You look cute. Is Em coming with us or something?"
"Why can I not want to look nice?" Regina asked, exasperated.
Emmett and Kieran stared at her, and Regina scowled before continuing down the hall. They found Bella in the kitchen sharing soft kisses with Rosalie, and Regina cleared her throat. Bella kissed Rosalie before turning to Regina and frowning.
"Why are you wearing what you are wearing?" she asked
"She's hoping to see Em later," Kieran said.
"No, I'm not!"
"Yeah, right. You wore that so they would look at you longer," Emmett scoffed.
"As if Em needs a reason to look longer. They can't take their eyes off of Mom when they're here!" Kieran scoffed.
Regina pinched the bridge of her nose and sighed.
"When are we going to admit that Mom is too young to be dating?" Bella asked.
"You were just making out with Rosalie," Kieran deadpanned.
"Do not bring me into this," Rosalie muttered.
"You're family now," Emmett said.
"Only because no one else is willing to put up with Isabella."
"Hello? I'm standing right here," Isabella said.
"What's your point?" Kieran asked.
"Enough," Regina said, waving her hands in front of her. "You three, out. We're already late."
"I thought you gave up being the Evil Queen," Bella joked.
"That kind of title is never returned, dear," Regina responded. "Now out."
"Yeah, yeah, we're going. Rose," Emmett said, "Can we borrow the truck for space?"
"Sure, but you may need to put gas in it," Rosalie said, tossing Emmett the keys.
"No biggie. Can I have your card too?"
"Your account is way bigger than mine, so no."
"Wait, does that you're rich?" Emmett walked away from Bella without a response, and she turned to Rosalie. "He has money?" she asked.
"We both do, darling." Rosalie grinned and kissed Bella on the cheek before walking away. "Try not to bring home any strays," she called out.
"I brought you home, didn't I?"
Rosalie paused and glanced over her shoulder with her eyebrow raised.
"I adore you," Bella said.
Rosalie narrowed her eyes at her but walked away. Bella grimaced and rubbed the back of her neck. Kieran walked up to her, patting her on the shoulder, and mock sympathy was written all over her face.
"I have never seen you put your foot in your mouth so badly," she said, trying not to laugh.
"See if you're still saying that when I put my foot up your ass."
"Wow. That was so mature of you. Then again, I expect nothing less from my baby sister."
"I am older than you!"
"But your birth certificate says otherwise," Kieran said in a sing-song voice.
"Five."
"Oh, please. That will not work on me anymore."
"Four."
Kieran's eye twitched, and Regina made sure she had the right wallet.
"Three."
Kieran's face grew nervous, and Regina waited for the inevitable.
"Two-
"Okay! Okay, I'm sorry!"
"That's what I thought."
Kieran huffed and stormed out of the kitchen. Bella sighed happily and put her arm around Regina.
"Why do you mess with her?" she asked.
"Make no mistake about my loyalty to my sister. I love her. I have always protected her, and I always will."
Bella dropped her arm, but Regina caught the tail-end of something dark from their brief connection. She faltered a little as that answer brought up an entirely new set of questions. Why did she get the feeling she was missing something?
Regina shifted as she got settled, tugging and pulling at the end of her hoodie.
"Hey," Emmett said. "You look nice."
Regina stopped fidgeting and smiled at her son.
"Thank you."
"She looks like she's trying to reclaim her youth," Bella drawled, kicking her legs into Kieran's lap.
"And you look like a homeless pin cushion," Kieran said, pushing Bella's legs down. "Your pants have more holes than my ears."
Regina swallowed her laugh, and Bella gasped. Emmett shook his head and opened the garage door, tapping an imaginary beat on the steering wheel as he backed down the driveway.
"Now, what if I had a complex?" Bella asked.
"You do. It's called narcissism."
Regina listened to the beat of silence before-
"That was a good one, kid."
"Fuck you."
"Language, Lena."
Regina caught the look on Kieran's face through the rearview mirror, but it was gone before she could investigate it. Bella missed it as she sat forward.
"Hey, why do we have to leave town for clothes? Are you embarrassed by us?"
"And by us, she means herself."
"Kieran, I swear to Hades I will bite you."
"I should have left you both at home," Regina sighed.
"But who would keep these ruffians in check, Mother? I'm the good child."
"If there was a competition between you and Lex, you would win hands down. But if there was a competition between being an only child and you, the race is closer than you think," Kieran mused.
"Ouch."
"Too far?"
"A little. But you can buy me fruit snacks to make me feel better."
"Fine, fine."
Regina shook her head as they rode through town. The duo in the back kept up a steady back-and-forth until they got close to the line. There was a blessed moment of silence as Emmett kept a steady speed over the boundary, and Regina relaxed once they were over the town line.
"Wow, that felt weird," Bella grumbled.
"I felt like we were being pushed through a tiny little hole," Kieran added.
"Speaking of tiny holes, can we get donuts?" Bella asked. "The ones with sprinkles."
"Gross."
"Excuse me, donuts with sprinkles are the best thing in creation, and I will not have you disrespect them in such a blatant manner," she said.
"Big words for someone who can barely talk to her girlfriend," Kieran mocked.
"Have you seen her?" Bella exclaimed. "Rosalie would make Mom stutter if she wasn't so obsessed with Em."
"That is untrue. Rosalie is not my type," Regina scoffed.
"Yeah. Mom likes the blonde, golden retriever type," Emmett joked.
"Em is not a golden retriever," Bella said. "They're more like a baby Pitbull."
"I don't see it. But did any of you notice you all have a thing for blondes?" Emmett asked.
"Not me," Kieran said quickly.
"Supergirl is blonde, right?" Bella deadpanned.
"I told you we're just friends."
"And I told you that you're a liar. Also, if you end up dating Supergirl, could you please convince her to fly me around?"
"No," Regina and Kieran said in unison.
"Why?" Bella whined.
"Because the last thing this world, or any world, needs is you in the air with a Kryptonian," Kieran muttered. "Or even being in the same room. You and Kara together would be the equivalent of Mom and Mama."
"Without the sex, though, right?"
"Isabella!" Regina exclaimed.
"What?" Bella said. "We all know you two had physical relations."
Kieran covered her mouth to keep from laughing at the disgusted look Regina shot her, and Emmett snorted.
"We also know about Charles," he added.
"How many kids can say all three of their parents slept together?" Bella asked.
"I wish you took after your father," Regina groaned.
"No, you don't. Emmett has the whole broody, masculine thing covered. Kieran takes after Mama. Well, if Mama had sex with the world's most boring librarian with an ice fetish."
There was a smack when Kieran hit Bella on the arm, and Regina couldn't stop the laugh even if she wanted to, but she managed to get herself under control. Kieran squealed, and Regina looked into the backseat to see Bella poking her in the ribs. Kieran elbowed Bella in the face by accident, and Bella immediately pulled back, grabbing her nose.
"Oh, my God! I am so sorry!"
Regina sighed. It'd been a miracle they made it as long as they did without someone breaking something. Naturally, the broken bone would happen between her daughters. Emmett rolled down the window once the smell of blood reached him, and he turned his face to the fresh air. Regina knew he would never harm his sisters, but it was better to be safe. Regina leaned back, waving her hand over her daughter's face. Bella's nose reset, and she wiggled it around.
"Maybe don't tickle your sister in a moving vehicle," Regina said.
"It's not my fault she has hard elbows." Kieran pouted at the comment, and Bella sighed. She unbuckled her seatbelt and slid over, bringing her sister into her arms. "Hey, it's all right. I'm okay," she said.
"I didn't mean to hurt you," Kieran murmured.
"And I don't always mean to hurt you. But it happens. Do you think I love you any less than I did a few minutes ago?" Kieran shook her head no. "Exactly. We're sisters, Gelu. Nothing and no one will break our bond."
There was that weird feeling again, where Regina felt like she was missing part of the story.
"You know that I love you forever, right?" Bella asked softly.
"And ever?"
"Until time ceases to exist."
"Excuse me?"
Regina turned slowly, confused, and frowned at the guy in front of her. He wore a baseball cap and a hoodie, but there was something about his eyes. She backed away out of instinct, only to bump into the wall. She was cornered. Regina cursed herself inwardly. She should've been paying better attention, but she wanted to get in and out as soon as possible. She promised Bella she would be right out, but her daughter just scoffed and said she was going to the shoe store. Regina grimaced, remembering that Emmett and Kieran were in another store on the other side of the street. The guy moved closer, and she refocused on her present situation.
"I'm sorry to approach you like this, but I needed to tell you how beautiful you are."
"Thank you," Regina said politely, shuffling along the wall until she could slip away.
"Wait," he grabbed her arm, "We should grab a cup of coffee sometime."
"No, thank you," Regina said, tugging her arm away from him.
Something switched, and the guy grabbed her again. "It's just a cup of coffee. I'm not asking for your hand in marriage," he said.
"Let go of m-
Regina's words died in her throat when she felt something sharp against her stomach. She glanced at the knife in his hand, and she calmed her breathing.
"I go out of my way to compliment you, and you shut me down? You don't even know me. I could be the best man you've ever had."
"I doubt it. Seeing as you are an entitled prick who is unable to take no for an answer." Regina should stop, but the words poured from her lips. "And I am not obligated to give you more time than I already have. A woman does not owe you a damn thing simply because you compliment her. I know I am beautiful. You pointing it out to me is merely stating the obvious."
Regina subtly pushed out with her magic, sending him flying into the shelves, and she hurried down the aisle to her cart. She practically ran into the main section, breathing a sigh of relief once she was in plain sight of other people. Regina exhaled and reigned in her magic, taking deep breaths. She made her way to the checkout line but paused when she heard her name. Bella jogged over, and Regina spotted the blood on her daughter's shirt. Bella tucked her hair behind her ear, and Regina saw the bruising around her daughter's knuckles. It was then she recognized that her daughter came from behind her in the direction Regina had already left. Another weird feeling settled in her chest, and she stepped closer to her daughter. Once is an anomaly, twice is a coincidence, but three times was a pattern, and Regina knew when to trust her instincts.
"Why are your fists bruised?" she asked in a low voice.
"Oh, I went to the sports store instead. Was messing around with the little boxing thing."
"And the blood?"
"Your child broke my nose earlier, remember?"
"We bought you a new shirt the moment we got to town."
"I guess some got on it when I changed."
"But it's not even-
Regina stopped when security ran past them, noticing how Bella turned to hide her shirt. She caught bits and pieces of the conversation, but the things that stood out the most were the calls for an ambulance and the body they found near the same area Regina just left. She looked back at Bella and cupped her face.
"Oh, my baby, what did you do?" she whispered.
Regina jolted at the spark of rage that flashed through her daughter, and Bella grabbed her wrist.
"I did what I have always done, and that is to protect the people that I love."
Bella's eyes flashed a dangerous shade of orange, more copper than anything, and Regina pulled her daughter into her arms and held her tight. She soaked in the anger, the fear, the bloodlust, and Regina knew they needed to leave. Regina kissed the side of her head and moved away, stopping to zip up her daughter's jacket to hide the blood. Regina abandoned the cart full of nothing essential and led Bella to the exit.
Kieran knew something was off. Bella sat propped in the backseat, fingers clenching and unclenching, and no one spoke on the way home. Kieran reached over, intent on grabbing her sister's hand, but Bella tensed. Kieran moved back, and Bella relaxed. Kieran deflated and went to her side of the truck, wondering what happened in the short time they were separated. By the time they got home, Bella was worse. She jumped out of the truck when they arrived at the house and went to the backyard. Kieran watched her sister melt into the trees, and she wished, not for the first time in her life, that she could follow her.