"Mother it was a quiet wedding. Emma and I had not been dating that long before we decided to get married." Regina sighed and weaved a hand through her brunette locks.
They had all moved into the sitting area after Cora walked past Regina only stopping to grab a hold of her chin none to gently and said in her sickly sweet voice 'We need to talk young lady.'
As much as Regina didn't want to have this conversation, she knew she would have to have it if she wanted her mother to stop the verbal lashings. Nevertheless it didn't mean she wanted Ruby and more importantly Danni to see her being scolded by her mother.
But Cora had other ideas. She insisted on both of them joining herself and her unruly daughter in the den, exercising the excuse of them being family but Regina knew different. It was only confirmed by her mother's cunning smile when the other two backs were turned as they walked ahead.
Cora had wanted to make it as hard as possible for her daughter; reinforcing her intentions with a firm swat to Regina's posterior eliciting a gasp from the usually resilient mayor, before she moved to take her seat in the warm area.
"Stop with the excuses, Regina. I am beginning to tire of your absolute insistence to ignore your lessons that I spent many hours teaching you. Excuses are unbecoming of a lady." It was said with finality. She took a moment to let the message simmer before continuing in a softer tone. "I am your mother dear, and I deserved to see you on your wedding day at least. To see if this Emma was suitable." Cora leaned back in her chair taking on the image of a Judge in a courtroom.
Regina's tanned skin was on the verge of adorning a tone of deep red as her mother continued to humiliate her on font of her wife's best friend and her 12 year old step daughter.
In the corner of her eye Ruby sat with a guilty expression. The waitress was clearly trying to save Regina some pride as she pretended to be enthralled with an invisible thread on her red leggings. Earlier in the foyer, Regina had seen the waitress mouth her apologies. However the anger still boiled inside her towards the waitress as she felt the need to blame her humiliation n someone. But deep down she knew it wasn't Ruby's fault because at any other wedding it would be customary to let the parents know of their child's wedding. So why wouldn't Cora know?
Sitting next to Ruby, Danni was leaning her elbows on her knees as she revelled in her step grandmother scolding her step mother - like she was a child. An audible gulp was heard as Regina noticed her step daughter's glee. It was the first time she had seen another emotion on her face since Emma had left. It was good to see the change but not at her expense. But she could understand where the twisted enjoyment came from: if the girl never particularly liked her new family then well of course she would be relishing in the problems of her mothers and step mothers quick elope.
Regina took another deep breath wishing for Emma's presence which always seemed to keep her calm. But because she wasn't available she settled for the next best remedy. "I need a drink."
"Yes that sounds like a good idea Regina, for once in your life. I'll have a brandy."
Regina gritted her teeth at her mother's next gibe before quickly asking Ruby her preference, then escaping to the kitchen for some much needed air.
She prepared a glass of apple juice, two ciders and a brandy and then closed her eyes for the fourth time that night. She exhaled a deep breath and inhaled another then repeated several times. "Emma, I am going to kill you for making me deal with this alone."
She opened her eyes again determined to get through the night and picked up the tray of drinks only to return to the den to find Cora talking to Danni.
"And what age are you dear?" Cora probed as if she were filling out a form.
Danni replied back with ease. She seemed to like her mother which Regina was happy about but she couldn't stop thinking it was for all the wrong reasons.
Only Cora was able to make her regress into an obedient child and her mother was set on exercising that ability tonight on front of the girl who she had just met. Danni was enjoying seeing her getting a scolding as in her mind it was pay back for her marrying Emma.
This fondness would not last Regina thought, as her mother always had the knack for rubbing people up the wrong way.
Cora turned to take her glass from Regina, "So you have acquired another daughter dear?"
Regina did not need to see Danni to know a scowl scorned the girl's face at the mention of their relationship, but nodded in reply to her mother.
"And where is your other daughter Regina?" Cora questioned again, at the wonder of her daughter's offspring from her first marriage before adding "And of course where is the supposed Emma? I would like to have a good look at her and see what you've married yourself into."
"MOTHER!" Regina's voice pitched as she stepped in before Danni got a chance to rage at Cora for speaking of her mom in such a way. Which would not had gone down well with the eldest woman.
However Cora nodded in reprieve when she saw likened brown eyes dart to Danni then back at her own, "I'm sure your mother is a… respectable woman if she managed to catch the eye of my daughter. She wouldn't settle for less that I know for sure." Cora gave Danni a warm smile but it was not returned.
'Congratulations Mother! Another possible acquaintance has fallen victim to your tongue lashing.' Regina thought as she could see that Danni now didn't have much of a liking for Cora.
"However back to the question I asked, Regina?" Cora's impatience intensifying on her aged face.
Sighing at her mother raised her eyebrows, Regina wondered when the evening would be over and she could curl up in bed and hug Emma's pillow close to her chest. "It is half eight Mother, so Nina is in her bed asleep and Emma is…" She gulped down the emotion and waded of the tears "…fighting in the Ogre Wars. She left last week."
"Oh I see. You are left running after children and scrubbing floors whilst your wife is away swinging a sword. Regina I will remind you that I never raised you to become a housewife. I hope you don't settle to become one and lose your status."
Ruby took the moment to interrupt and moved over to perch herself on Cora's arm rest, "Babe, I've told you before, status over in this land is not as important as it is in the Enchanted Forest; there are laws for Equality over here and food and health is not a big problem. Everyone has a rather good life even if you are from a lower class. Look at me for example. You like me don't you?" The wolf cupped the older woman's cheek and kissed just under her ear.
The display of affection between her mother and wife's best friend was awkward for Regina to watch. She was glad her mother had a companion but didn't want the intimacies of the relationship flaunted in her face, just like any daughter would. As she had leaned recently when Emma and herself received scowls from Danni after they were caught kissing. Nina wasn't as bad as she was still rather young and just made kissy kissy noises.
"It's getting rather late. Danni and I have school and work to go to tomorrow so I would like to call it a night." Regina stood up and smoothed down her creased trousers. The glasses now empty placed back on the tray.
"I am rather exhausted from today's activities, Ruby and I…"
"Mother, spare us the details, especially when a child is in the room." Regina interrupted as her patience wore extremely thin just as they had been all night.
"I'm. Not a child." Danni demanded with an attitude which compelled everyone to face her.
She was hoping this wouldn't happen. It had already been a long night and Regina didn't know if she could take any more punches to her emotions any longer. But now with her mother here to witness the struggle she had with Danni, it would be made only harder for both of them.
"Oh and what are you exactly then dear?" Cora challenged as she moved forward to look past Ruby's body at her step granddaughter.
"I'm an adult." Danni firmly stated with certainty whilst she looked back at the elder woman, whom she had previously enjoyed watching taking gibes at her step mother earlier.
A crackly laugh rumbled from Cora. Regina knew her mother. She was about to take Danni down from her pedestal and put her in her place. She had known this all too well when she was younger and smart mouthed her mother and the result was not pleasant - especially when done with an audience.
Danni was still vulnerable from her mother's departure and she had to protect her from her mother stern scolds. "Mother, leave it. Now is not the time."
"Oh Regina, I can remember you at this age." Cora looked to Regina with a playfulness in her beady eyes, to see her daughter's own brown eyes saddened slightly. She cocked her head to the side before turning back to face Danni's defiant features. "You are not an adult. You are nothing of a sort! How can you be an adult if you depend on Regina? Do tell me dear?" Cora's eyes widened in twisted glee, looking like a cat that just caught a bird.
"Mother." Regina warned desperately as she saw her stepdaughter mouth drop at feeling off guard with her mother's question.
Cora held her hand up at Regina but continued to look at the 12 year old girl whose eyes were moving around as she tried to think of a reason "Is she old enough to bear a child Regina?"
Regina's eyes widened "Mother stop th…"
"Has she started her monthly bleed Regina?" Cora demanded with impatience.
Regina opened then closed her mouth, looking to Danni whose cheeks took a tinge of red, then back to her mother. "Mother, I don't think…"
"Then you are not an adult dear. Now say…"
"I am wiped out babe, let's go to bed." Ruby stepped in seeing Cora was ignoring Regina. She exaggerated a stretch, whilst sliding of the arm rest to her feet and pulled at Cora's hands so she would stand up beside her.
"Well we must get you to bed dear." Cora snapped out of the dispute – it all forgotten as soon as her eyes searched over her lover's body. Smiling she tightened her grip on Ruby's hand and walked towards the door.
Cora gave Regina a quick kiss on the cheek and another firm swat on her behind which ignited the added gasp from her daughter; it was a warning to say they were not finished yet. "Goodnight Darling. Goodnight Danni." The eldest woman called out in her sickly sweet voice before pulling Ruby out the room whilst bidding her goodnights.
"Goodnight." Regina called after them and watched the pair disappear up the stairs after kicking the forgotten holder of cleaning products to the side. She turned back to Danni, giving her a warm smile which was not seen as Danni's head was held down. "Are you alright Danni? My mother is very over bearing at the best of times. I'm sorry she…"
"I'm fine!" Danni gritted through her teeth.
It was late and from by the looks of Danni's body language there wouldn't be any point talking toher step daughter without the risk of a mouthful of abuse. Something her patience would not be able to take any more of tonight. "Let's go to bed and tomorrow we will see about your room."
"Whatever."
It had been two days since the arrival of her mother. Two glorious days of none stop nagging and gibes. But she had other things to worry about. Her daughters were her priority; she had to make sure they wouldn't be victim of their grandmother's taunting ways.
"Mommy, Mommy, Mommy!" Rapid small footsteps were heard across the landing at 8 o'clock in the morning. They stopped then a few gentle knocks on the door followed before the door was pushed open by a screeching four year old. "Nana ates all mines special ceweal."
"Don't worry sweetheart, we will another box at the store today. How about we go to Granny's for breakfast?" Regina finished her make- up and fluffed up her hair before turning back to her four year old who was jumping up and down excessively shouting 'yes'.
It was a weekend day and after all that had transpired over the last couple of weeks she wanted to treat the girls.
After waking up Danni who rolled over in protest, Regina and Nina went downstairs to greet Cora and Ruby. "Good morning Ruby. Good morning Mother. Have you finished upsetting your four year old grandchild?" She said casually whilst pouring herself a coffee and Nina an orange juice whilst they waited for Danni.
"Excuse me, Regina. You know all too well, that elders are to have first pick before children." Cora tutted as she buried her spoon into the last of the Golden Nuggets. "That daughter of yours just needs to learn her place in the pecking order." She said pointing the empty spoon in Nina's direction which the little girl noticed.
"Mommy, Nana is pointing hers spoon ats me." She tugged the older brunette's skirt to get her attention.
Regina sighed at her mother's old fashioned ways, "Would it do you any harm to let your granddaughter have her favourite cereal on the one day of the week she is allowed it mother?"
Greeted with silence, Regina figured her mother was ignoring her. "Come on sweetheart, you can have some orange juice whilst we wait for Danni, then we will go to Granny's." Nina held her arms up so her mother could lift her onto the bar stool next to her grandmother.
"Hey there pumpkin, what are you going to get in Granny's for breakfast today?" Ruby coddled as she smoothed the little girl's brunette bangs out of her eyes.
"PANCAKES!" The little girl shouted out with joy which only agitated her grandmother who told Regina off for letting her child be so loud.
Whilst Ruby engaged Nina in a conversation about different pancakes toppings, Regina looked through the mail that was stacked on the middle of the island. There were the usual clothing catalogues that were in Cora's name in the pile as well as bills and some other letters. "Mother can you please stop giving my address to these clothing companies. If they want an address give them Mary Margaret's old address. No one lives there so it won't be a nuiance."
"Why would I do that when I have a daughter who needs to be reminded that she still has a mother who she should have invited to events like… I don't know, maybe her… WEDDING!"
Regina tutted at her mother's argument that was beginning to get old whilst she flicked through the rest of the mail, until she reached the last letter. Her face lit up as she recognised the writing that was scribbled on the slightly crumpled envelope.
"The only time when I have seen that smile on your face Regina Mills, was when you were with Daniel. So I'm guessing that is from this Emma." Cora pointed to the white envelope and tried to snatch it off her daughter only for her hand to clasp onto air.
Regina quickly walking out the kitchen and called up the stairs "Danni, we've got a letter from your mother."
Suddenly the quiet that had been upstairs was interrupted by a series of thumps. Regina imagined it being Danni hurrying to get dressed before she saw the girl running down the stairs with socks hanging half off her feet.
They both went to the den to get some privacy to open the letter.
Regina opened the white envelope just to find two slightly smaller envelopes inside one addressed to Danni and the other addressed to herself. "We've got one each. It seems your mother has been writing a fair bit." Regina smiled at the thought. "Here's your one Danni." Regina held out the one addressed to Danni, which the blonde took and sat still looking at it for a few moments before standing to run back upstairs to her room.
Inside Regina hoped Danni would be okay but she knew herself, these letters will be hard to read as they will bring to the surface, the Emma that has been missing in their lives for nearly two weeks.
Regina exhaled a breath and looked down at the precious envelope. Tracing the penmanship on front of her letter; she immersed herself into the feel of Emma's writing through her fingerprints. It was the closest that she was going to get to be to her wife. She closed her eyes tight and took a few deep breaths: savouring her Emma.
Aww poor Regina needs a hug. (I'm sure there are many willing Evil Regals out there) ;)
Please review. All constructive reviews are welcomed.
Thanks to BlueStar77 for their review. Regina has been very patient with Danni but that will soon change. Originally I wasn't going to have Cora in the story but then I thought what the hell, she could add more depth to story and serve as a release from all the angst. Also I hope to put more Cora/Nina in the story, now that Cora has just made herself at home in the Mills household.
Thank you to the Guest who told me the name of the fic; it was very much appreciated. :D
And thank you to Revengest, I should be updating a lot more often and hope you like Adjustments. :D
Coming up – you will find out about whom the letters are from in Danni's room, Danni is being well… Danni and Cora spouts off parental advice to Regina.