thanks for all of the reviews and don't hate me just yet, i thought it would be interesting to explore this given Regina's insecurities and past history of being let down. besides, to keep the story going it can't all be sunshine and rainbows ;) xoxo
"We should go home. Kid, why don't you come with me?" Emma wrapped an arm around Henry who lingered, still looking at his grandfather, grandmother and adoptive mother's awkward situation. The boy's shoulders sagged and he was visibly drained from the trauma filled day he'd just had and did not even attempt to argue. Regina wanted to comfort Henry and be there for him, but she seemed to be frozen in place. All she could do was watch as her sense of belonging disintegrated with Snow's arrival.
"Neal can stay with us tonight," Emma looked at David and Snow before reaching for the toddler who luckily went to his sister willingly. Regina noticed Snow open her mouth to interject before glancing around at all of them, obviously clocking on that there was something she didn't know. The tension was as thick as the humidity in the night air, and everyone felt it.
Swan gave a nod to the three of them before turning to walk down the street with her brother, husband and son, obviously knowing that the three others in the group needed to work this out without an audience. Regina found herself in front of Snow and David, glancing up to her fiance who only stood there. Snow 's gaze flashed between the two of them, seeming to sense that whatever the issue was related to them.
"David, what's going on?" She asked with a confused expression. Regina knew that her hurt and fear was probably written across her face, but she couldn't seem to steel her emotions this time. Not after she'd finally accepted her happy ending, only for the rug to be ripped out from under her feet. She had a foreboding feeling that there was no coming back from this for her.
She watched as David's mouth opened to speak before looking at Regina hesitantly as if he wasn't sure what he wanted to say. Or maybe that he wasn't sure he wanted to say it in front of her. Regina locked gazes with him, pleading with her eyes that he say something, anything to let her know how he was going to handle this. It wasn't his fault by any means, but he was still technically married to Snow and if it was anyone's duty to explain what happened here, it was his.
Seconds felt like hours passing by as she waited for the man she loved to correct his wife, to explain to her that things had changed. Her stomach rolled as she stood there holding their child, silently willing him to choose them. To speak up and say anything at all. To give her any kind of indication that everything would be okay. It never came, and she felt the old sense of self loathing creeping up within her, threatening to devour her body and soul.
"Well?" Snow grew impatient as neither David nor Regina spoke up.
"Snow...we should probably talk," His tone was reluctant as he gave Regina an uneasy glance before looking to his wife.
"I should get home," Regina forced out, though her voice didn't even sound like her own at this point. She managed a weak smile at Snow before glancing at David who stood with an unreadable expression as she stepped past him. He did nothing to stop her, which brought tears to her eyes as she cradled Violet against her and walked faster. She heard David's voice starting to say something once she was too far away to listen, though it didn't matter.
She knew what would happen now. He would come clean to Snow and apologize, using the excuse that he thought she was gone forever. They'd share custody of Violet, she'd rarely get to see Neal and she'd be alone more often than she was not. David and Snow's entire history was being torn apart and finding one another, despite all costs. For David she had filled the void that Mary Margaret left when she died, but now he did not need a replacement. His one true love was back.
Her eyes burned as she blinked back tears, nearing her cold and empty home that was once full of love and warmth. She was past the point of exhaustion, her legs and her heart aching equally by the time she reached the pathway to her home. It seemed to be a vicious cycle, a cursed pattern to her life that she could never get away from. She cursed herself for letting her guard down long enough to accept the idea of a happy ending, for it had only set her up to fail again. Her fate couldn't be changed; she was a villain and bad things would always happen to her. The incident earlier in the Enchanted Forest was proof enough that karma existed and she would not escape it.
Regina waved her hand over the lock of her front door, causing it to creak open as she carried her little girl through the threshold of her new home. A knot formed in her throat as she realized what a joyous moment this could've been for she and David, introducing their daughter to her home for the first time together. With everything that had happened, Violet had never even been in her rightful home. A nursery awaited her upstairs, but Regina knew she didn't have the strength to put her in their tonight.
Not only did it harbor painful memories of she and David fixing it up together, she didn't feel she had the strength to part with her baby tonight, even if it was just across the hall. If it weren't for her daughter, her willpower to continue on would crumble completely. She had Henry, but he also had another mother and entire family to look after him. Regina had already disconnected herself from them mentally, knowing she had to prepare for the awkward disassociation that would come from the Charmings and maybe even Henry, once David and Snow settled back into their relationship. She'd only be an uncomfortable reminder of what happened while Snow was gone, and she wondered if David would consider Violet a reminder as well.
She almost felt guilty for doubting his love for their daughter, but then again Regina was so used to being discarded and the way he had acted this evening did nothing to reassure her. Regardless, no matter what happened she would be there for her daughter...and her son. That is if Henry did not distance himself due to the shift in their family dynamic. Regina tried to push the thought from her mind as she ascended the stairs, walking down her hall and to her bedroom for what was sure to be a long, sleepless night.
David glanced back in relief, thankful that Regina had seemed to silently understand what he needed and taken their daughter home so he could talk to Snow alone. He'd been in such a state of shock since Mary Margaret revealed herself before they jumped into the portal, and he still wasn't sure that reality had sunk in yet. His feet felt glued to the pavement where he stood and he'd been unable to really formulate any kind of sentence for the one thousand different directions his mind was taking him.
Never in a million years had he ever considered this scenario. After they'd previously found out that it was Zelena using Snow's body as a vessel, he'd accepted the fact that he'd never actually see his real wife again. He'd done more than accepted it; he'd moved on, fell in love and started another family with Regina. It was so typical of how things happened in this town. Nothing was final, nothing was ever what it seemed and everything could change in an instant. He was tired of constantly fighting for happiness and normalcy. Just tired.
He looked down, seeing a pair of haunting eyes staring up at him. Eyes that used to contain his whole world in their depths and made him feel so many things at once. Snow was looking at him for answers and he could tell she knew something was different. He was sure that she could feel the disconnect from him considering they were once soulmates. Where did he begin? With an apology, or with an explanation?
"I don't even know where to start," David admitted, glancing down at the ground between them as it was hard to continue looking into those eyes. They were merely a reminder of what was once between them that was now sorely lacking. His heart was elsewhere and his connection with Snow had been permanently severed by the all consuming love he held for the mayor down the street.
He was glad Regina had understood he'd rather speak to Snow alone. After all, she was the mother of two of his children and he still had a great deal of respect for her even if he wasn't in love with her anymore. She'd done nothing wrong and didn't deserve to be told what she was about to hear in front of an audience.
"David.." He heard Snow's voice cautiously probe him for an answer to what the hell was going on since she'd been gone. He scrambled his thoughts, trying to string them together in a way that made sense.
"Snow..I...don't get me wrong, I'm truly glad you're alive and made your way back to us..." He began in a poor attempt, running a hand over the back of his neck as his heart started beating faster. This was going to be hard, but it had to be done, "Emma and Neal and Henry, they need you...but when you died I...I didn't think I'd ever see you again."
He glanced up to see her lips parting slightly as her eyes searched his, seeing the realization and denial hit her like a slug to the chest, "You...you moved on...Regina...is that why she? Is the baby-" He watched her swallow hard, her eyes hardening as she gazed up at him. He felt an instant coldness emanating from Snow, knowing that what they once had was now tarnished beyond repair.
He looked at her for a long moment before nodding once, shoving his hands into his front pockets, "I fell in love with Regina...I didn't mean to, it just happened. She understood what I was going through.."
"I'm sure she did," Snow interjected somewhat bitterly, her eyes filling with tears as she bit down on her bottom lip and looked away from him.
David understood how she must be feeling and paid no attention to the sarcastic quip, deciding to continue his explanation instead in order to get it all out on the table, "The baby is ours...we live together in Regina's home...as a family. I hope you can find it in yourself to understand...I still have a great deal of love and respect for you Snow but...everything is different. What we shared was real but...what I share with Regina is too. "
"How could you do this?" Her expression was almost pleading now as her emotions hurled her through an array of reactions, "How could you move on so quickly? And with her of all people, David? The woman who made our lives hell for years, who cursed us..you're going to live happily ever after with her?"
"Snow, I was devastated when you died," He frowned down at her, trying to prove his sincerity, "I never saw myself moving on, I didn't want to. It happened naturally...I wish I could say I regret it, but I can't. I don't." David's own eyes filled with tears as he watched his words hurt the woman he once loved. She didn't deserve it nor did he want to hurt her, but the situation left him no choice.
"I'm so sorry, Mary Margaret," He choked out as he watched tears stream down her cheeks, a defeated expression on her face, "It was never my intention to hurt you or disrespect you in any way."
"No, you don't get to do this," She gritted out through clenched teeth and tears. Her cheeks were red with anger and hurt, eyes dark with betrayal, "You don't get to fall in love with somebody else and ask me to understand!"
"Snow..." He tried to interject calmly, looking at her pleadingly to understand before she cut him off again. She needed time to work through the hurt and anger, he knew that. There was no sense in trying to calm her down right now.
"What about Neal? Our son!" She was yelling at him now and David noticed a few lights in nearby apartments over nearby businesses flicker on, undoubtedly hearing the distressed woman in front of him.
"We can work it out..." David pleaded, pressing his lips together in a firm line. He was talking to a brick wall at this point.
"No, we can't! You're choosing her, you're choosing them!" She spat back at him, stepping backwards as if she were preparing herself to run away, "And you can live with that."
David let himself in the front door, closing it quietly behind him and hanging up his jacket. He glanced around the dark foyer, noting that everything was as it had been before they left. Neal's toys were scattered in the living room floor, an empty tea cup still on the dining room table. It was a relief to be home, regardless of the situation he now faced with his wife's return. For tonight he was here, with his love and their child. He'd worry about the rest tomorrow.
Making his way up the steps, he realized how much he needed the comfort of the woman waiting in their bed for him. He depended on her wisdom and strength more than she knew. Holding her in his arms gave him all of the answers he needed; she was his sanity, the best part of his day. The anchor that kept him grounded and the love that kept his heart anything but.
He rounded the corner to go towards Regina room, his body thudding against her small form before he realized she was coming out of the doorway. She looked up at him with wide brown eyes, as if she was trying to determine if he was actually there or if she were imagining it. He glanced over her shoulder, seeing their daughter in the bassinet beside their bed as his confusion grew to why she was coming out of their room at this hour.
"What are you doing here?" Regina looked up at him, her heart thudding in her chest mere seconds after she'd ran into his own. Had he come to get his things already? Was he really that eager to break things off with her that he'd do this in the middle of the night? It wasn't as if she could sleep, but it was still ruthless of him.
"What do you mean?" He looked down at her unreadable expression, seeing the long lost wall she hid behind in the past come up immediately. His heart sank in realization that she hadn't expected him to come home to her tonight. She'd taken his hesitation earlier as a personal dismissal.
"You couldn't wait until tomorrow to do this?" She rolled her eyes, her voice barely more than a hiss as she reached behind her to pull the bedroom door almost shut so they wouldn't disturb their sleeping baby. Her arms crossed over her chest in an attempt to stay strong in front of him, she refused to break down in his presence.
"To do what, Regina?" David shook his head, feeling the venom in her tone. She was speaking to him like they weren't in love, like it was four years ago and they still despised each other. How could she have gotten it so wrong? He cursed himself for letting her get this worked up, but wasn't going to take it for long.
"To tell me you're going back to Snow?" She spat up at him with a bitter chuckle, "Save the apology or whatever you were about to do here. I can handle it. Your suitcase is in the closet, but I'd ask that you come back tomorrow to pack your things. Our daughter is asleep." She squared her shoulders, preparing herself for him to give a cowardly nod and walk away. To slink back to his wife, as Robin had. At least she would still have her dignity if she gave him an easy out.
"I'm not waiting until tomorrow," He raised an eyebrow down at the bull headed woman before him. Damn her past and her anxieties for making her jump to conclusions like this. He'd proven himself to her and she knew it, but he still understood what she needed, "Because I'm not going anywhere, you idiot."
"What?" Regina snapped up at him, despite the flutter of hope that shot through her at his words. She must've misheard him. "Cut the shit, David. Just get out!" She pushed her hands against his chest in an attempt to shove him, though his sturdy frame barely budged. It angered her even more, making her shove him again before hitting his chest once, going red at the smirk that appeared on his face.
"Are you done?" David looked down at her tiny frame, finding her feisty attempt amusing, "Regina," He let out a breath when she hit his chest again, her eyes challenging him.
"I know you want to go back to her, David!" Regina glared, shoving at him again in an attempt to provoke him into admitting it, "Don't come in here pretending like you still want to be with me. It's only a matter of time before you realize you made the wrong choice and go back to her. Don't put me through that, don't make me wait and wonder when it will happen!"
"Damn it, Regina," He gripped her forearms before she could hit or push him again when he'd reached his limit, moving her frame backwards with ease pressing her against the wall behind her. His face was inches from hers as she turned her own to look away from him, "Look at me."
"Fuck you," She replied, her jaw tensing as she refused, feeling one of his legs between her own, his hips pinning her against the wall as he held both of her hands with one of his own, the other coming up to grip her chin and force her to look at him.
"When Zelena came back as Snow, after that ordeal, I thought to myself what I'd have done if it were actually Snow," David stared into her eyes, knowing he had her attention despite her defiant expression, "I knew back then that even if it were her, I'd still choose you. I'm not going anywhere, Regina."
"You say that now but-" She began, her insecurities bubbling up inside of her, not allowing her to accept what he was saying straight away. Too many times she'd been hurt, discarded and shown that she was not worth of the love she desired.
"But nothing," He interjected firmly, letting lose of her wrists bringing the hand down to her hip as his other that was holding her chin spread over her jaw, cupping the side of her face, "I choose you. I want you. You're not getting rid of me that easily."
They stared at each other intensely, neither one of them knowing whether they wanted to fight or fuck each other senseless. David was damn angry, frustrated with her for letting her anxiety get the best of her, for doubting him and his devotion to her. How could she think he would ever go back to Snow after experiencing what they shared? Did she really believe that their relationship was so one sided? That he'd be able to leave her just like that?
Regina wanted desperately to be stubborn, her eyes falling from his eyes to his lips and back up again. Part of her felt foolish for losing her temper and reacting the way she did. The other part of her still wanted to believe she was justified to think that way. His wife, his soulmate was back. How could he not feel anything for her anymore?
Their bodies pressed together muddled her senses, betraying the doubt that she clung to. The electricity between them told her everything she needed to know, chipping away at her wall and snuffing out her insecurity. She knew she'd made him angry, though she could feel his sincerity in the way he cupped her face and looked down at her with those unwavering blue eyes. The connection between them could not be denied, as much as her fucked up mind wanted to make her believe otherwise.
"Stubborn," He muttered as he looked down at her, rubbing his thumb over her cheek as he let her slowly calm. He sensed her thoughts, saw them playing out on her features. He watched her work through her emotions, watched her acknowledge the strength of the bond between them and knew she was aware she could not deny it. No matter how angry she was, no matter how her doubts clouded her judgement, he knew she could feel what was between them.
She caught her bottom lip in her teeth, troubling it slightly and giving herself away. It was a little tell of when she was feeling vulnerable and it hit his heart like a bullet, his anger dissipating. She took a sharp breath that seemed to ignite the spark, their lips attacking one another's at the same time in desperate need. The gravitational pull between them demanded that they stop entertaining the senseless anger and become one.
"I'm sorry," He heard Regina whisper into his mouth as he reached down to grip her thighs, picking her up against the hallway wall in one swift motion. He felt her hands in the back of his hair as he pinned her up with his hips, his hands caressing and grasping at her thighs and ass. Her apology wasn't needed, he couldn't be angry at her when he understood her. He'd seen all of her layers, had witnessed how she was harder on herself than anyone else. He knew the story of her past and the way her brilliant but self sabotaging mind worked.
"Shut up, I love you." Regina's heart hammered at his gruff response. If she didn't understand the sentiment behind it she'd have been offended, but it was just what she needed to hear. He shut down her insecurities, let her know how ridiculously wrong she was in her assumption, but reassured her of his love all the same. She brought her hands down to the belt of his jeans, hastily undoing them and pushing the material down over the vee of his muscles, needing to feel him inside of her as close she could be with him.
David's fingers found the lace waistband of her underwear under the over-sized tee shirt she was wearing. His shirt; a realization that made him want her even more. He pulled her panties down just enough, knowing they were both too desperate to properly undress. Her hand gripped the back of his neck, pulling his forehead down to her own. His hands traveled the backside of her thighs, gripping her perfectly round ass to hold her hips up to his. He locked eyes with her as he positioned himself before taking her in one swift thrust.
Regina moaned out loud, letting her head fall back against the wall as she savored the perfect fit. He throbbed inside of her, filling her completely while allowing her to adjust. This could not be mistaken for making love, this was fucking. This was them claiming each other; David showing her that he wasn't going anywhere, that he'd never wanted anything as much as he did her, as much as he did this. Regina showing him she believed him, that she acknowledged what they shared and that she had never wanted anything so much, either.
Her hands ran underneath his tee shirt and up his back, nails digging into the skin when he started to move inside of her. His grip tightened on her ass and she was sure he was leaving fingerprints, spurning her on even more, making her match his movements with her own curl of her hips. David watched her face intently, loving the way her mouth opened deliciously, how her brows furrowed with each deep thrust she accepted. She felt like heaven, wet and warm and inviting all of him, beckoning for more.
The only sounds were their labored breathing, mixed with her whimpers and moans. His mouth found her earlobe, sucking down on the sensitive skin and letting out a low growl when he felt her muscles gradually tightening as they brought each other to the edge. Their hands groped each other, mouths licked and sucked over neck and shoulder, jaw and chin. The pace intensified, their movements growing fast and needy.
"David," Regina gasped in a telltale sign that she was about to explode. Her walls clenched him violently not even a moment after, her nails scratching the expanse of his back with the first blow of her orgasm. Her face buried in his neck, muffling the strangled moan that erupted from her throat. David lost control with a string of curse words under his breath, filling her deeply as her hips jerked and writhed in his grasp.
She let her head rest against the wall, watching him lift his own as he looked at her with a lazy half smile. Her hand found his hair again, running through it gently while he held her body up, close to his. She couldn't guarantee that her insecurities wouldn't resurface. She wasn't sure that she'd never have doubts again. She'd been through far too much in her life to not question things. Luckily, she had someone who was there with unwavering loyalty, waiting to put out the fires in her mind. They simply gazed at each other in silent understanding, finding peace in the fact that they would handle those doubts, insecurities, and whatever outside threat that came their way, together.