The sun had barely risen over the horizon when Regina woke the next morning. Marie had slept in her room to stay close to the baby, and both were still asleep. She crossed the room to one of her trunks and removed a simple yet beautiful powder blue dress. It was floor length with an empire waist and capped sleeves, perfect for a summer day.

After a refreshing bath Regina dressed and swept her long hair up into a loose bun. She crept up to the makeshift cradle where her little daughter slept and peeked over the side. She watched the child breathe for a moment before she leaned over and kissed one of her tiny cheeks. The baby girl sighed as though she recognized her mother's kiss, which brought a smile to Regina's lips.

Grateful for the chance to have some time alone, Regina decided to take a walk. At first she wandered aimlessly around the garden and the orchard, but she eventually found herself at the stables, a place she wasn't sure she ever wanted to see again. She pulled the door open and stepped inside. The memory of the horrible tragedy that occurred there played in her mind. She walked to the spot where Daniel had fallen after her mother crushed his heart to dust.

Tears filled her eyes and for once she did nothing to hold them back. She slumped to the ground, sobbing as she longed to hold Daniel again. As she sat there mourning she asked herself the same questions she had asked a thousand times: What if they hadn't waited so long to run away? What if she had gone to Firefly Hill that day with Daniel? What if she hadn't been there to save Snow White?

Snow...She stopped crying and caught her breath, her face reflected the anger she felt inside. This was all Snow's fault! She rose to her feet, no longer feeling defeated. Her desire for revenge had been rekindled as a bonfire of hate blazed inside her. In her rage she used her powers to lift a pitchfork that leaned against the door of one of the stalls. She let it hang in the air for a few seconds before sending it straight into the wall where it lodged with a resounding thud. That felt good.

Having regained her composure, somewhat, Regina lifted the chain she wore around her neck which held Daniel's ring. She grasped the ring tightly in her right hand and brought it up to her lips. "I promise Daniel. She won't get away with destroying our happiness."

Regina made her way back to the manor, now she had to prepare to say goodbye to her daughter. As she entered she could hear that the others were in the kitchen eating breakfast. She would join them in a minute, there was something upstairs she needed to get first. She went up to her room and found the trunk she was looking for. Regina opened it and withdrew a small box. Inside was a small locket she had had made, a gift for her daughter. There was also a ring, incase the baby had been a boy. She pulled out the locket and placed the box with the ring back in the trunk.

The Queen held the tiny gold heart-shaped locket in her hand and ran her finger over the design on the outside. It was an apple blossom with a tiny heart in the center. She opened the locket, which was empty, and waved her hand over it. An inscription appeared, written in her own elegant handwriting, it read All my heart. Her own heart ached as she read the words; they were true. She was giving her daughter all her heart by letting her go.

Henry cleared his throat in the doorway, he didn't want to intrude on his daughter's privacy. She turned around and told him to come in.

"I just wanted to come make sure you were alright. You left early this morning."

"I just went for a little walk." She smiled softly to assure him she was alright. Henry nodded and noticed the locket in her hand. He knew that she had intended to give something to the child as a parting gift and, since she was holding it now, he assumed that the time had come.

Although it was most likely futile, he decided to try to convince her to keep the baby one last time. "Are you certain, my dear?"

Regina looked at her father, she was very calm as she responded, "Yes, daddy. I am."

"But you love her Regina. I can see it, even if you won't admit it. Why put yourself through the pain this separation will bring?"

"I do love her daddy. I'm doing this because I love her."

Henry didn't understand. "But if you realy love her then I know you'd never do anything to hurt her. Not like your mother."

Regina shook her head, "Just because you love someone it doesn't mean you won't hurt them. You may not want to, but they aren't protected from it." She walked closer to her father. "There is no way I can be her mother and protect her from me at the same time."

"Yes there is," Henry insisted. "Let go of your hatred for Snow!"

Regina's voice filled with emotion. "I can't! I want my revenge and I WILL have it. But she doesn't have to be a part of it. This is the only way I can protect her."

Henry lowered his head. He was disappointed that it was going to turn out this way, but he knew his daughter's mind was made up. "Very well then."

The carriage ride back to the Queen's kingdom had been quiet. They were all thinking about saying goodbye to the sweet little girl they had all come to love in the last 24 hours. Regina held her close to her chest, cherishing the last few moments they would have together as mother and daughter.

The driver pulled on the reigns, slowing the horses and bringing the carriage to a stop. Regina felt her heart sink, the time had come to say goodbye. Henry gently took his granddaughter into his arms and kissed her on the head. "Goodbye little angel," he whispered as he returned the sleeping baby to her mother.

Regina studied her daughter's face, memorizing every detail as she held her for the last time. Her voice was barely a whisper as she spoke, "Goodbye, my little one. I know you will be well cared for, I picked out your new family myself." She pulled the locket out of her pocket and placed it around the baby's neck. "Remember, that I will always love you...with all my heart." Tears spilled onto Regina's cheeks as she gave her daughter one last kiss and then handed her to Marie.

Henry opened the carriage door and climbed down to assist Marie as she followed him out.

"Thank you," she said to Henry. She turned to address the Queen, "Where am I to take her, your Majesty?"

With a smile Regina replied, "With you. Marie."

Marie was stunned, she hadn't expected this. And she was thrilled. She had lost her only son many years before and had always longed to be a mother again. A grin spread across her kind face and her eyes filled with happy tears.

"I can't think of anyone who I would rather have as the mother of my daughter."

She stepped closer to the carriage and took the Queen's hand. "I'm honored, your Majesty. I promise I will take good care of her."

Regina placed her other hand on top of Marie's, "I know you will. Thank you."

The nurse bowed her head and turned away, heading down the road toward the village. Regina waved her hand and a small stream of black smoke floated to Marie and settled on her for a moment, then dissolved.

Henry climbed into the carriage and closed the door. "What memory did you give her?"

Regina continued to watch Marie walk away. "That the child's mother died while giving birth, and that Marie promised to take care of her."

Henry slid closer to Regina and put his arm around her shoulders. She leaned into her father and broke down.

Emma didn't know what to say. For the first time since she came to Storybrooke she actually felt sorry for Regina. She really had some horrible things happen to her and had endured such heartache. After hearing her story it was easier for Emma to understand why Regina had been so possessive over Henry.

"Well, it looks like you, my mom, and me all have something in common."

Regina considered Emma's words. She had never thought about the similar circumstances she shared with Snow and Emma. "We've each given up a child."

There was a question Emma had been wanting to ask Regina as she told her story, now felt like the right time. "Can I ask you a question?" Regina nodded that it would be alright.

"Why did you adopt Henry?"

Regina didn't answer right away, she was thinking about her answer. "I didn't plan to. I was in Storybrooke for 18 years before I did." She stood and walked over to the window. "I had gotten my revenge, gotten everything I wanted. But I was still unhappy. I was lonely." She turned around to face Emma. "I thought, maybe...in this land without magic, maybe I could have a second chance. The chance to be a mother. I owe them both an explanation for that, and so much more."

Emma nodded. It made sense to her, and, given her own history, she could certainly understand the way Regina felt about Lillian. "I'll make sure they both get their letters."

"Thank you," Regina said sincerely. "Oh, there's one more thing Miss Swan." She came closer to Emma. "No one knows about Lillian, but I think Gold may suspect. I've done what I could to throw him off the trail, but if he decides to help my mother he might try to use Lillian to get to me. I can't be there to protect her-"

"Don't worry," Emma interjected. "We'll watch out for her."

Regina nodded in gratitude. Emma turned and headed toward the door to the room where her parents were waiting. She stopped suddenly as something clicked in her head. She turned around to look at Regina and started walking back to the table, working it out as she went.

"You've been planning this for a while, haven't you?"

Regina looked confused. " I don't know what you mean."

Emma continued to walk slowly toward the table. "You couldn't have just written those letters, the council only decided 20 minutes ago that you should face Cora." Regina's face revealed nothing, she just waited for Emma to finish.

Emma stopped in her tracks as she realized what was going on. "You're not planning on coming back to Storybrooke, are you?"

Regina looked down at her hands which were rested on the back of her chair again. Emma was more perceptive than she had thought. She gave a half-smile and replied, "Take care of my children, Miss Swan." Then Regina turned and walked out of the great hall.