Chapter 19.
"Wow, this place is massive. I could spend all day here," Emma said, staring up at the ceiling in the halls of the kingdom. It really was spectacular, she thought.
Regina smiled at the woman's innocent curiosity; she poked her head through every door and simply stared, marveling at the castle that both her and Emma's parents had all ruled at some stage.
"Your room is still my favourite though," Emma grinned slyly, nibbling her lip.
"I'm glad," Regina wrapped an arm around the girl's shoulders as they continued the tour, Emma exploring every inch of the castle until she reached a door but felt the other woman's hand tight on her arm and turned around.
"What is it?" Emma frowned, her brow furrowed.
Regina looked at the closed door, "That room...," she said slowly, "I believe It's your nursery," she said quietly.
Emma took a step back wordlessly, blinking rapidly as her head spun and she lost her footing slightly. She hadn't even thought of… That was just bizarre.
"Dear, are you okay?" Regina asked, watching the blonde worriedly and catching her as her unsteady feet betrayed her.
Emma turned to her, her face a little pale, "Uh-huh," she replied unconvincingly.
Regina's eyes softened as she placed a hand on Emma's cheek, "It's okay... but maybe you should wait until we bring your parents here to go in there," she suggested, "Perhaps it is something you should do with them."
Emma clenched her teeth but nodded, "Yeah," she stammered, "I think you're right," still, she stared at the door before her, wondering what lay behind it now, if she would remember it at all, if it would even mean anything to her now. But she knew it would still mean something to her parents, and maybe this was their way forward, to share something so special, create the bond that they hadn't been able to find in Storybrooke.
"Come, darling, why don't I show you the rest of the Enchanted Forest?" Regina encouraged the young woman away from the door and out into the sun, "Now, in other times, I would have a cart arranged for us but it appears this land is barren of life at the moment, so we shall have to walk instead."
Emma nodded silently, offering a small smile and slipping her hand into Regina's as the queen showed off the stretches of her old kingdom.
Snow swung the door open, surprised to see her daughter standing in front of her.
"Emma," she said, "Is everything okay?"
They hadn't exactly talked a lot since the confrontation at Regina's vault, but they hadn't left things badly either, just kind of unresolved.
"Yeah, everything's fine," Emma reassured her, "May I come in?"
Snow smiled, "Of course," she opened the door further and led Emma into their small sitting area.
"This is nice," Emma commented politely as she glanced around the loft before taking a seat, "No Charming?"
Snow shook her head, "No, he's at the station," wondering what all this was about and if Regina knew that Emma was here.
Emma nodded; perhaps it would be easier without both of them giving her the hurt, wide eyed thing, she thought.
"Um, so..." Emma started as she felt her mother's curious eyes on her, "Regina found a way to get back to fairy tale land. I mean, kind of," she spoke quickly now, "We don't know the technicalities, but I mean, it worked," she stumbled over her words, "I mean, works. I mean - "
"Worked?" Snow had picked up on the use of the past tense word and leaned forward, "What do you mean, worked? Did you... Have you...?"
Emma nodded slowly, "Yes," she whispered, "We went through yesterday."
"You and Regina," Snow stated slowly, "Hang on, how did she manage this?"
Emma swallowed through a tight throat, "Rumplestiltskin had the magic wardrobe," she said quietly.
Snow's eyes widened, "You used the wardrobe? But - "
"I guess it's grown as I have," Emma interrupted, knowing what the small brunette was thinking, "Anyway, we went to the castle... It's really beautiful."
Snow closed her eyes for a moment trying to breathe, "I suppose Regina gave you the royal tour?" she tried not to sound petulant but envy burned through her veins. Still, Emma was here now, she thought, that had to be a step forward, surely.
Emma hesitated, "Well yeah, she did. But there was one room... I thought perhaps you could show me."
"Your nursery," Snow breathed as she put a hand on her daughter's cheek, "I would love to show you, Emma. I am honoured you asked me."
Emma smiled, "Well, like you said, new beginnings, right? I just hope you know this isn't going to be easy... I mean, I know your my parents but I hardly know you. It's not so easy for me to open up to new people," she shrugged.
Snow nodded, "I understand. I am just glad you are giving us a chance," she offered a watery smile, "When shall we go then? Would you like your fa...Charming to come as well?"
Emma nodded slowly, "That would be nice. Is tomorrow okay?"
"Of course," Snow said enthusiastically before pulling the blonde in for a hug and was relieved when after a nervous moment, her daughter returned the hug.