Chapter 4
She angrily walked into the convent. Blue could see the pain on her face. She couldn't understand what would have her so upset, but she remembered that Regina was her mother. It wouldn't take much to anger Coraline if the right buttons were pushed.
"What's wrong?" Blue asked her.
"Ugghh…."
"Well that is descriptive. What happened? It is a beautiful morning, Coraline. What could have you this upset, this early?" Blue questioned her again.
"Evidently, Regina followed me yesterday during some point. She saw me use magic and decided to confront me about it. I don't think I handled it very well."
"What do you mean by that?"
"I kinda blew up at her."
"Blew up at her…how?"
"Well she cornered me at Belle's old place, in my room there."
"And?"
"I wasn't prepared for her. I didn't think that she suspected me of anything. She accosted me because of the magic. She knew I wasn't Belle's sister because of it. She kept pushing to figure out who my parents were."
"What did you tell her?"
"Part of the truth," Coraline answered.
"And, what was that?"
"That she was my mother."
"What did she say to that?"
"Well, it wasn't quite that easy. We fought, verbally for a while, before I actually slipped up and called her 'Mom.' I think she was a little taken aback about it. I don't really know though. I passed out."
"You passed out? Are you okay? Did she do something to you?" Blue questioned.
"No, no, nothing like that. She actually picked me up and put me in the bed. She was actually very gentle after I said it. I was amazed. I know she can be a hard ass, but I didn't expect that. She was just so…docile."
"None us ever do when she does," Blue slated.
Coraline sat down and stared at Blue. She knew their history was "colorful" to say the least. She was still amazed at how quickly Regina had calmed down as soon as she called her "Mom." It was like a switch flipped inside her. She had heard tales from Belle and Red about how she was with Henry, but to finally see it first hand was impressive.
"Has she always been so..."
"Harsh?" Blue finished for her.
"Yes," Coraline replied.
"You'd have to ask Snow about that. She is the only one who really knew her before everything happened. And, if you think Regina and I have an interesting past. It is nothing like theirs."
"I know."
"How much do you know?"
"I know enough from both sides. But, that isn't the problem at the moment. I had a long discussion with her last night. I don't know if it was good or bad. She seemed to be okay when she left but it was late. She could have just been tired. I just don't know. She wanted me to come by her office and talk with her about the landscaping contract. I know that meant that she just wanted me to talk to more about the spell that brought me here and about my life. I don't have time for that. I told her that. I can't tell her about the future. It will change things which might affect my birth."
"Did you tell her that?"
"Yes, I did."
"What did she say to that?" Blue asked.
"She asked who my father was. I let her know that I couldn't tell her. I told her that I couldn't be reason they get together. It would alter too much. She seemed to back down, but she knows that it is someone here in Storybrooke. She just doesn't know who."
"I don't know what she going to do with that information. She might start looking for whoever it is. Are you ready for that?" Blue asked her.
"I know who my parents are. I know that Regina now knows that she is my mother. But, she going to be surprised when she learns who my other parent is. I don't know how she is going to take it. Besides, how can I tell her that now? She still thinks that she'll never get her happy ending."
"Aren't you proof that she will?"
"Am I? She left me to be with her lover in death. How am I supposed to know if she was happy? The only thing that I really remember about her as my mother is her leaving me with Belle and Red. How can I build a relationship with her based on that? I am still so angry with her about that," Coraline stated.
"Maybe that is a good place to start," Blue suggested.
"What are you talking about?"
"Maybe you could have a relationship with your mother. This is your chance. Don't waste it. It is better late than never, right? Look at Snow and Emma. They started out as friends and then found out they were mother and daughter. It took a while but they have a family dynamic that Emma was looking for as a child and she couldn't be happier. You could have the same if you wanted," Blue said.
"You really don't understand, do you?"
"Understand what?"
"Emma is my other mother. Do you want to tell Regina that? Cause, I don't," Coraline replied.
She heard Blue gasp, and she knew what the information meant to her. Blue was a fairy godmother to the Charmings. It was one of the reasons that she was pulled towards Coraline and she couldn't figure out why. It would also explain why Tink was, too. Since, she was Regina's fairy godmother after a fashion. This new information explained so much to Blue that she was afraid to say anything.
"I didn't think so. Now, do you understand why I was so damn vague about telling you anything? When Emma brought Marion back from the past she changed her parents and Regina's future, the outcomes couldn't be seen. Needless to say, the Savior and the Evil Queen became a little more than friends. I am the product of the union and even you can't contest it."
"I know," Blue said finally understanding so much.
"You know?"
"Yes, because for you to be the result of such a union even in the Enchanted Forest would mean that you are the product of True Love and as such, I can't question the union."
"You are still willing to help me?"
"I believe even more so, now," Blue stated.
"Why is that?"
"Because it seems that your mother's happy ending is in Emma. I wouldn't deny Emma her happiness. I must say this much though: Snow is not going to like this," Blue said.
"I know. Trust me. It takes time for them to come around."
"Will you tell me your real name, now?"
"The name that my mothers gave me. Yes, I guess it wouldn't hurt now. They named me Remy Aurora Swan, Princess of the Winterlands and Summerlands, heir to the throne of the Winterlands, sister to Prince Henry Mills-Swan, Black Prince of the Summerlands."
"Black Prince?"
"He was given the title when he became a knight under Charming. He was named the heir apparent to Snow and Charmings half of the kingdom upon my birth. He was happy to know that he would be co-ruling with his baby sister."
"They loved you," Blue stated.
"They did."
"You loved them."
"I still do."
"But, yet, you still punish your mother for giving you your best chance at a life."
"She left me for Emma. How can I not? Wouldn't you be mad?"
"It was True Love. They couldn't fight it. And, I believe that even Regina knew what would have happened if she'd stayed. I think you know it, too, if you look inside yourself deep enough. You told me that you knew the stories about us before Storybrooke. Surely, you've heard the stories about your mother," Blue stated.
"I did."
"Then you know that she would have become so dark that no one could have brought her back."
"I do."
"Then, why this anger towards her?"
"Because, even in sacrificing herself…she still became the Black Queen."
Regina sat in her office sipping on her coffee from Granny's. It had been a long night and she was still reeling from the knowledge that her own daughter…from the future…was across town. She didn't understand her anger, but she had been angry at her mother when she was young.
"You left me for your lover," Regina mussed out loud.
"I'm sorry, Madame Mayor?" her assistant asked.
"Nothing, Gwen. Who do I have scheduled to see today? And, please tell me that there isn't a council meeting this week. I might have to move it if there is," Regina stated.
"No, ma'am, it is next week. It seems that you have an appointment with Mother Superior about the upcoming festival and how the fairies are going to prepare for it. And, you had a late morning appointment with Coraline French about the landscaping project. She called in this morning to let you know that she agreed to the new meeting time."
"She did?"
"Yes, ma'am, she did."
Regina nodded her head. Out done by her own daughter, she thought, well played. She stared at her desk for a moment and then the clock. Her assistant caught the movement of her eyes and waited to be dismissed.
"Is there anything else?"
"Yes, Madam Mayor."
"Well?"
"It seems that Sherriff Swan would like to discuss a matter with you concerning the sheriff's department. She didn't let me know what it was about, just that she would like to speak with you, whenever it was convenient for you. She said she could come here or you could meet her at the station. Would you like me to call her back to schedule something with her?"
"No, that won't be necessary."
"Yes, ma'am."
"Gwen, I am going to be out the office for most of the day. Please forward anything else to my cell. Oh, and if Miss French decides to call back. Tell her, I'll just meet her at the store."
"Yes, ma'am," Gwen answered and took her leave.
Regina stood up from her desk. She paced her office. She ran her hands down her customary black Gucci power suit. She had traded her black vest for a red one today. She was finding color important again. What was it about Coraline that made her want to look for happiness beyond Henry and Storybrooke, again? Was she the promise of better things to come?
Regina's mind reeled. Her daughter came back to get help for some unspeakable curse from her future. Regina was dead. The idiots were dead. Henry was gone. Only Belle and Red survived. They were the ones that raised her daughter. She wanted to help Coraline. She needed to help Coraline. She wasn't there for her when she was younger. She had to make her understand that she was here for her now. She was going to help her, no matter what the cost. She was going to save her daughter.
She grabbed her jacket off the back of her chair and her briefcase of the desk. She left her office without a word to Gwen as she left City Hall. She had an idea where she had gone. She would talk to her there. She was half way to her car when Sherriff Swan pulled up in her cruiser.
"Get in!" Emma yelled at her.
"Why?"
"There has been an accident in the woods near the convent. Blue called and said that she needed your help. She wouldn't tell me anything else. So, come on, let's go."
"An accident…" Regina replied, paling and numbly stepping towards the cruiser.
"Regina?"
"Just drive, Miss Swan," Regina replied, willing the tears to stay hidden.
Regina knew that the only reason that Blue would call her to come out there was because of Coraline. She knew that Coraline trusted Blue more than she trusted her own mother. Blue would have been the first person that she wanted to see as soon as she woke up in the morning. Regina would have done the same thing if she was in Coraline's shoes.
She had to make herself believe that Coraline was okay. She couldn't falter in front of them. She had to maintain her composer. They didn't know Coraline's secret, which was now hers as well. She knew what most of the town would think about Coraline when they found out that she was Regina's daughter and she had been hiding as Belle's younger sister. They would think that they were up to something. She knew that look that Emma was going to give her. She knew the look that Henry was going to give her. The town would want blood because they would see it as some sort of plan to do something to the town. She couldn't blame them, but this time, it really wasn't her fault.
"Hey, Regina…Regina! REGINA!"
"What?"
"You want to tell me what's going on?" Emma asked, as she continued to floor it towards the convent, her eyes on the road.
"I don't know."
"Why would Blue send me to get you?"
"I don't know."
"You're lying, Regina. You know that I can always tell when you are lying. What's up?"
"I really don't know."
"That is the answer you are going to stick with?"
"I can't tell you because I am not there," Regina stated, angrily.
"But, you have a guess?"
"Yes."
"Well?"
"It is none of your concern, Miss Swan. I'll deal with it. Don't worry about it."
"Too late for that."
"I promise you, Sherriff Swan. Whatever it is, it doesn't concern you. Thank you for the ride. I am sure that Blue will let you know what she needs to when we get there."
Emma started to say something else, but they were pulling up to the convent. Regina was out of the car and up the stairs of the convent before Emma could stop her. She saw her stop in front of Blue. Blue shook her head at Regina.
"Where is she?" Regina asked.
"She is in the Cloisters. Tink is with her. I thought you would like to know," Blue told her, giving her a directional with a nod of her head.
Regina smiled and took off in that direction. Emma watched the interaction and wondered what the Hell she just missed. She calmly walked up to Blue, who had a slight grin on her face.
"Wanna tell me what's going on, Mother Superior?"
"One of my charges got hurt."
"And, that concerned Regina?" Emma questioned.
"It did."
"Is anyone going to tell me what the Hell is going on?"
"I am afraid that my vows won't allow it."
"Your vows?" Emma asked, skeptically.
"Unfortunately for all of us fairies, we still abide by the rules of the convent as well as our fairy law. If I take confession from someone, I cannot divulge the information. I do believe that it is considered sacred outside the town lines, as well, Emma. It is the same for us here. We don't take our vows any less serious than we did while we were cursed. It does make for some interesting situations, however," Blue explained.
"Like today?"
"Yes, like today."
"You called me and told me to get Regina because there was an accident. You don't tell me what it is, but she is visibly shaken. Can I at least check on the patient? Is that permitted? Maybe they will tell me what is going on with everyone today?" Emma asked.
"I will ask if they wish to see you. That is the best that I can do. You can follow me back to the Cloisters. If they'll see you, it will be their story to tell, Sherriff, not mine. I cannot promise that they will want to see you though. It has been a…rough morning for them."
"Will you at least tell me who it is?"
"Not right now," Blue stated as she turned to enter the convent.
Blue walked them down a series of corridors and had Emma stop outside a secluded set of the nuns' apartments. She bade Emma to sit down as she knocked on the unmarked door. She waited for a moment before she entered. Emma just sat on the well-worn wooden bench and waited. She hoped that she would be allowed entrance.
"What do mean she asked for it? Why the Hell would she do that? She obviously wasn't thinking clearly. Surely, you could see that, Tink. Why would you feel the need to conjure her a dragon to fight? Ever think that maybe she has a death wish!" Regina yelled.
She didn't notice that Blue had entered the room. Tink was hovering on the far side of the bed and away from Regina's grasp. Regina's entire body was ridged in anger. Blue placed a hand on Regina's arm and Regina turned sharply to look upon her face as if her hand burned her skin.
"Calm down, Regina. The important part of this is that she is okay. Tink brought her back here so we could heal her. There is no need to be angry with Green," Blue told her.
"Oh, I have every right to be angry with her."
"I know that you do. I don't understand the dynamic between the three of you, but I do know that she didn't mean any harm but helping Coraline in her time of need. She gave her something to work her anger off on. Now, was the dragon a good choice, probably not, but Coraline still defeated the monster. Everyone is safe."
"She doesn't look safe lying there."
"She is fine. She is healing. We are looking after her. I am not going to let anything befall her if I can help it. You should know that," Blue stated.
"Why you?"
"You…will have to wait to find out about that. It is for Coraline to tell you. But, Tink is her fairy. She was doing as I asked. Do not be angry with her. When she realized how bad her injuries were, she brought her straight here."
"And, this room?" Regina asked.
"Was your daughter's room for months before she went out into the town as Belle's sister," Blue stated, not realizing that Emma had gotten tired of waiting and had come in the room unannounced because of Regina's angry yelling.
Tink looked up in time to catch Emma's green eyes studying them all. She gave Blue a look who immediately turned around finding Emma behind her. Regina caught the sudden movement and turned, too. Blue reached out and grabbed Emma's arm to keep her from leaving.
"She's…she's…"
"Emma, sit down," Blue commanded.
Emma sat on the small chair that was in the room. She looked up into Regina's eyes and waited for some sort of explanation. When Regina turned from her, her heart went out to Regina, but she still wanted answers.
"Someone going to tell me what's going on, now?" Emma asked.
"Ma?" Coraline asked quietly.
Blue and Tink both turned to the injured woman. Blue noticed that Tink finally understood why Blue was drawn to her as well as soon as Emma was in the room. Henry called Emma "Ma," too. Tink looked up into Blue's eyes and saw the confirmation and the warning behind the knowledge. Tink just nodded silently as she took Coraline's hand.
"I'm right here," Regina stated as she slowly sank her weight on the bed and took up the other hand in hers.
Emma watched how her entire face changed. She had only seen Regina look like that when she was looking at Henry. She cocked her head and wanted ask a lot of questions to the three women in the room, but she said nothing.
Regina brushed the dark brown locks from Coraline's face. She leaned down and kissed her forehead, never letting go of her hand. When she felt her finally relax, Regina decided to check her out herself. She didn't care that Emma was in the room. She was more worried about her daughter who was laying there injured. The world could have disappeared around her and Regina wouldn't have noticed.
Emma watched her. She took in every movement, every breath, every subtle unspoken gesture between them. She would have admitted to herself that she was jealous if she wasn't still amazed that the woman in the bed was supposedly Regina's daughter. Her mind and her heart were at war. She didn't know what to do.
"Has Belle been called?" Emma finally asked.
Blue and Tink turned to face her. Their faces were in pure shock. Regina didn't even turn to acknowledge the question. Instead, she squeezed Coraline's hand a little tighter.
"The Librarian can't help her," she told Emma.
"And, you can?" Emma asked.
"Yes, I can. I will. I am."
"Don't you think that Belle deserves to know that her sister is hurt?"
The question made Regina turn around to face Emma. She slowly stood up from the bed, letting Coraline's hand go. She saw Coraline stir enough to reach out for Regina, begging her to not leave her there. Emma watched the scene unfold before, not realizing that Regina was closing in on her. She just watched the young woman in bed and saw her open her eyes.
Emma would have gasped at the sight of bright green eyes instead dark brown as she was used to Coraline having had Regina not been on her in that instant. Emma slowly swallowed. She looked into Regina's face and for the first time in a very long time was actually scared of what Regina was capable of doing. She was aware that she was about to say something stupid and shut her mouth.
"Sheriff Swan, a word?" Regina demanded as she pulled her back into the hallway.
"Sure," Emma answered as she was drug out of the room.
"What the Hell do you think you are doing?"
"I am doing my job. Blue called in an incident. I need to take the report so I can file it at the end of the month with the mayor. I am sure that you know that she is a stickler for paperwork being done correctly and on time. What do you think that I doing?"
"Why do we need to worry the Librarian about any of this?" Regina asked.
"She is Coraline's sister," Emma stated.
Regina just eyed her. Emma cocked her head, waiting for Regina to tell her something. When nothing came, Emma looked at the Mayor. She was obviously upset by what was happening but she didn't have a realistic reason to be. Then, Emma shrugged it off, remembering that this was Storybrooke and not Boston or New York. Reasonable went out the window when she crossed the town line and she knew it. She just didn't understand why Regina was being so damn problematic about the situation.
"You need to tell me something or I'm calling Belle to come down here," Emma told her.
"She wouldn't know what to do."
"And, you do?"
"Yes, I do."
"And, I guess that is why she isn't in Whale's care," Emma said.
"I wouldn't let him touch her. He can't fix her. The burns that you saw are magical. They cannot be healed any medicine. It was one of the reasons that Blue called for me."
"And, the other?" Emma asked.
"What other?"
"What was the other reason, Regina? Do you think that I am that stupid? Come on. You know I heard what she said in there. I know what you said. Do you want to explain it to me? Or, do you want to explain it to Belle? Cause either way, she needs to know what the Hell that was about," Emma stated.
"She wouldn't understand. It obvious that you won't either. Thank you for the ride, Sheriff Swan, but I am sure that you are needed elsewhere. I will take care of things here and file a report with you by the morning. That should appease the Mayor, don't you think?"
"Regina…I am not leaving here until you tell me who she is. Make me understand all of this and I won't tell Belle right now. I need a reason and a viable one. Can you give me that?"
"I don't know."
"Will you at least try?" Emma asked her.
Before Regina could answer, the door to Coraline's room opened. Tink was standing there. She waited for a break in their conversation before she spoke up.
"She is asking for you."
They both turned to face Tink. She eyed them both. Then she realized that they didn't know what she meant by her statement.
"She wants both of you," Tink told them.
Regina was the first one back in the room. She took up her spot back on the edge of the bed, holding Coraline's hand. She reached out to brush her hair out of her face, again, when she saw Emma sit down on the other side of the bed. Regina looked up into Emma's eyes, viridian meeting coffee brown. Regina felt Tink and Blue leave them, but Emma saw them leave.
"Coraline?" Emma asked.
"Coraline, Emma and I are here. What is it that you need, Dear? Just name it."
"Don't…don't…fight."
They both looked at each other. Coraline was in obvious pain but she seemed to me more worried about them fighting. They nodded at each other and for the moment, they would let their differences wait while they tended to the woman in the bed.
"Emma…"
"I'm here Coraline."
"Please…"
"Please what?"
"Don't…don't…please…"
"Don't what?" Emma asked.
"Tell…"
"Tell what?"
"Mom?"
"I'm here, Coraline," Regina replied.
"Don't…"
"I won't, Dear. I promise. I won't let her tell Belle, yet."
"Thank…you," Coraline replied.
Regina watched as her daughter drifted off due the pain. She knew that it would safer for her to sleep while she healed her than to be awake during the painful process. She held her hand and turned to look back at Emma.
"Why would you promise her that?" Emma asked.
"Because she was trying to ask you not to tell her. I understood what she was trying to say. Forgive me for giving her peace of mind. She is pain, Emma. Do you want to be the one that hurts her further? I don't. I am not going to tell Belle that she isn't really her sister. It would break both of their hearts. Plus, it would make things difficult for both Coraline and myself if you did. Do you think that the town is still so forgiving? I will always be the Evil Queen."
"But, here, you aren't her. You are just Regina. You have proven that time and time again."
"That won't matter when they find out who she is really," Regina stated, "And, you know that is true. You can't tell me otherwise. Why do you think that she has been hiding who she was? Do you think that is easy for her? I assure you that it isn't."
"How long have you known?"
"How long have I known what?"
"That she was your daughter," Emma stated.
"Less than a day," Regina answered.
"Really?"
"Do you doubt me?"
"No, I believe you. I know when you are lying to me. You haven't lied to me today. You may not have told me everything, but you didn't outright lie about anything. Why can't we tell Belle that she is hurt? I don't see the harm in that," Emma stated.
"She has magic."
"Excuse me?"
"Coraline has magic. If you tell Belle, she'll tell Rumple. Rumple might not be as nice as I was when he finds out. He will try to use her against me. He might even hurt her. I just don't know. She was safer when I didn't know, but now I do. I can't take that back. This is all my fault."
"What is your fault?"
"She wouldn't have been injured by that dragon if hadn't been for me," Regina told her.
Emma cocked her head and then asked, "Dragon?"
Regina turned towards Coraline. She waited before answering. She didn't know how much of Coraline's tale she should tell Emma. She wondered if she could actually trust Emma enough to let her in on the secret. She figured that she should, because if she didn't, Emma would test the tattoo when Coraline finally came to. She had done it. It was the inevitable. The only three people in town that could summon Coraline and make her bend to their will were Snow, Regina and Emma. She wondered what Emma would do with that knowledge.
"Regina?"
"She is my daughter."
"I heard that much."
"She is from the future. Her story is somewhat similar to yours. She came back to stop her future. She hid because she feared that if everyone knew who she was it could completely change the future and she might not be born. She didn't want to worry us all, as well."
"She's from the future?"
"Yes, something that you would know about. You went back. You changed your parents' story. She is afraid that she might do the same thing."
"She's from the future?"
"Yes, Sheriff Swan, she is. Can we move on from that? Or, are you still hung up on that?"
"She is from the future? And, she came here, now, to stop her future from happening? And to top it all off, she is your daughter?"
"Yes, remarkable. It is actually that simple. Is there anything else I can answer for you?"
"If you're her mother, then who is her father?"
"She hasn't told me."
"What exactly has she told you?"
"That somehow in a few years, we all end back in the Enchanted Forest. She seems to be one of the few survivors of some curse that happens when she turns five years old. All I know from what she told me is that Belle and Red end up raising her in Rumple's castle because it was the only protected place there. I don't know the specifics, but from the pain and fear on her face, it seems to have been horrific."
"So, what are we going to do?"
"I am trying to figure out what sends us all back."
"That is all you have to tell me?"
"What more do you want, Sheriff?"
"Why does she have all the tattoos?"
"I am not exactly sure. I haven't had a chance to translate them all. They are not all in the languages of the Forest. They are in the language of the mages and historians. She told me she was my daughter and then pushed me away. I haven't really had a chance to speak with her."
"Why?"
"Because, I wasn't there for her."
"She is angry with you?"
"Wouldn't you be?"
"For what?"
Regina just eyed her. Her eyes got misty. She couldn't believe that she was about to tell Emma what Coraline had told her. She hoped that it would all be a bad dream and she would be able to stop herself from leaving her alone. She knew though however that Emma was the only one who would understand where they were both coming from in this situation.
"It seems that I left her because I rushed out into battle to follow my True Love into death."
"That is what she told you?"
"Yes, it is."
"I like her."
"You like her because of that."
"No, I like her because she knew how to push you. She knew what it would do to you and she also knew that the truth would probably hurt you more. What else did she say?"
"She is angry with me for not staying with her. I followed my True Love, knowing that I would die. She said that even Charming and Henry gave her good-byes as they followed her back on to the battlefield. Red and Belle escaped with her as a toddler as Henry, Charming and I defended the castle. I can't believe that I would just abandon her like that," Regina replied.
"I can."
"What?!"
"True Love makes people do crazy things. Look at my parents. They put me in a wardrobe to save everyone. I didn't even know who my parents were for twenty-eight years. I kinda understand where she is coming from. But, then, I understand your side. You pushed her away with Belle and Red because you knew they would protect her. You gave them enough cover to protect them while they got away."
"I know that would be what I would do."
"Then, you have nothing to ashamed of. It is odd that she won't tell her you who her father is, though. I would think that she would want a relationship with you both. I mean, if I would have sought a relationship with Snow and David back in the Forest if I wasn't so damn worried about coming back here to Henry, and if you weren't after me."
"Sorry about that," Regina said, sarcastically.
"No worries, but it did give me a new appreciation for your suits and dress style. I must say that you command a room in whatever you wear no matter what realm. I am sure that had something to do with your mother's rearing, but it doesn't matter now."
"No, it doesn't," Regina replied.
"We should need to move her."
"Where?"
"I don't know. But, if we don't come up with something plausible, then Belle is going to begin to question where she is. I understand that we can't tell Belle, yet, but if we don't get her to the hospital and make it seem like a legit accident, people are going to question things."
"You can't tell your parents," Regina stated.
"Tell them what?"
"About Coraline."
"Why not?"
"Those idiots can't keep a secret. I just need time. If I can figure out more about the curse or whatever that sends us back, then maybe I can stop it. If we stop it, then the identity that attacked our future in the Enchanted Forest can't hurt any of us and she'll be safe with her parents."
"That is what you want to happen?"
"Of course, don't you? Wouldn't you? Would you want to send her back to the future that wasn't bleak and destroyed? I know that I wouldn't."
"No, but I don't know how long we are going to be able to keep this a secret."
"I understand that," Regina said. "I just need some time. I need to figure something out."
"What about Henry?"
"What about Henry?"
"Are you going to tell him about his baby sister?" Emma asked her.
Regina's head snapped up at her. She hadn't even thought about what Henry would do when he found out that he had a baby sister. How would he react to the news? Would he be happy? Would it matter that she was older than him here and she had magic?
"I think that we should tell him together," Regina stated.
"You want me to help you tell him that his baby sister is here, now?"
"How else is he going to believe that one of his mom's friends is really his baby sister? We both know if I tell him that, he is going to go straight to you for confirmation. It would be best coming from us both. I think that we can wait on telling him for now. I don't want to push her into disclosing who she really is until she is ready," Regina replied.
"Yeah, I guess you're right. But, how are we going to keep this a secret? I mean, Tink said she fought a dragon. Don't you think we should tell them about that, at least?"
"It wasn't a real dragon."
"What does that mean?"
"Coraline was angry and wanted to take it out on something. She came to Tink and asked her to conjure her a dragon. That way she could fight the dragon and get over her anger."
"So, anger runs in the family. That's good to know. At least, she has found a healthy way of dealing with it and not taking it out on others," Emma stated.
"You are pushing it, Emma. I know that my anger and rage cursed an entire realm and caused countless deaths. Do you think that I am happy about it? I am just as amazed as you are that I have daughter. It must mean that I have done something right. She is proof that I will find my happy ending, finally. It might even be in front of me right now, right here, I don't even know it. I am not going to give up on that. I have tried to change. I am trying to be better person."
"I know that. I also know that Henry wants you to find love and be happy. We all do. I do, too. It is my fault that you don't have Robin anymore. I screwed that up. I've admitted that."
"I…haven't forgotten, but she has let me know that my True Love is here in Storybrooke. I will find my happiness. I got Henry back. I came back here. You brought him back to me. My true Love is here, somewhere, and I am just going to have to hope that we will still get together and have this beautiful child together. Is that too much to ask?"
"Never. It will never be. I promise. I will help you find it, if I can." Emma told her.