Chapter 58

Ruby was pacing. She knew that she didn't have a lot of time before they would switch the hearts. She hoped that Geppetto would be ready in time. They were on a schedule and it had been accelerated somewhat, but Ruby hoped that there would still be enough time in order for them to get everything accomplished. Time was no more their enemy than the Darkness.

She'd found Belle and Tink. They were in Coraline's room. Coraline was sleeping. Blue had come in to check on everyone. She'd called Nova away but looked at the brokenness in Ruby's eyes. Red could tell that the fairy would be back to talk to her.

Belle had taken her hand as they watched Tink wave her wand over Coraline. She couldn't tear her eyes away from the darkness as it was pulled from her body. Her thoughts were running through her head and the only thing that kept coming up was: Were they doing the right thing? She wasn't sure anymore. The longer they waited the antsy she was getting.

"Where is Regina?"

"Still in the magical room with Emma," Belle replied.

"They've been in there all afternoon."

"They've been working through things."

"What is there to work through? Coraline is sick. There is nothing we can do for her and we are going to bury her alive. What is there to understand in that?

"She is their daughter," Belle almost chided.

"And, she is as much ours as theirs," Red countered.

"Not in this time line. It doesn't matter how much we love her, Red. She isn't our daughter. She hasn't been made from our flesh and blood. Yes, she is your relation, but she isn't ours."

"We could take her away from here," Red suggested.

"And, what? Be on the run for the rest of lives? The darkness inside her will consume her, Ruby. Would you have us unleash that on the world? Would you have your own sister and your goddaughter hunt you down like a common criminal? What would we do with her outside of town? How would we explain her abilities?" Belle asked her.

"I don't know."

"You wouldn't remember her passed the town line anyway," Tink told them.

Both brunettes looked up at the blond fairy. Belle knew that she was right. They didn't know what awaited them outside the town line, but they knew that it could and mostly like would erase their memories. Then what would they do? They wouldn't even know why they were there.

"I don't want to put her in that well."

"You have to," Tink urged.

"Why?" Red looked up at her with pleading eyes.

Tink sighed. She didn't know why any more than Blue did. Coraline had requested it. Few knew that and knew the truth of what was going to happen once Neal's heart was put inside her. They all knew the risks of having the Dark One without a heart and they could only hope that Coraline would hold on just long enough for them to switch them.

"She needs relief," Belle told them.

"From what?"

"The Darkness. She is the new Dark One, but she isn't tethered to dagger. She is free to do as she wishes with no one to command her. And, because of that, she is the most dangerous one that any magical being or realm has ever known," Belle tried to explain.

"But, Will could just kiss her…"

"She's already given in to the darkness, Red. She's told you that herself. She did to protect us all, but she is still fighting it. We can't give up on her."

"Aren't we though? Aren't we just giving up on her? We are going to throw her down a godforsaken well. How is that not giving up?" Ruby asked them.

"Because of the water in the well," Coraline answered, waking to their conversation.

"I'll come back later and draw some more out," Tink said as she started for the door.

Coraline's hand reached out and grabbed Tink's wrist. She held it firmly but too hard as to bruise. With a slight tug, she pulled Tink back towards her pallet.

"Don't. Continue. I need you to continued," Coraline commanded and let go of her wrist.

Tink looked down in the swirling eyes of green and brown. She merely nodded and raised her wand back over Coraline's body. She didn't know if what they were doing was doing any good, but Coraline and Blue seemed to think so. And, because of that, she would continue. She would wave her wand and pull at the darkness until she was told to stop. It was the one thing that she could do for them all.

"There is nothing that I can say that it is going to make this better, Ruby. I know that. I…I wish I could stay, but I can't trust myself to be here with all of you. I love you all and that is why I must do this. I know you don't like. I know that I have given you the hardest things to do, but it is because I know that you can do them without much reservation that I have asked you to do them," Coraline explained.

"That doesn't make it any easier," Ruby replied.

"I know that. But, do you know why I chose the well? Besides hoping that I would be able to open a portal in it. It is because of the water."

"Lake Nostros," Ruby mumbled.

"Yes, exactly. And, do you know why that water is important?"

"No," Ruby lamented.

"Because it has the power to return lost things," Belle stated.

"Yes, Belle, exactly. It has the power to return what has been lost. In other words, it will help me heal and control the anger and hatred. It will help me return the light that the darkness is so wickedly snuffing out within me. It will help me survive this curse and come home."

"But the potion…"

"It will be for you own good, Ruby and you know it. Belle will do it for you. I have asked too much of you and I see that now. She will stand beside you when no one else will, remember that. She is the one you go to when you feel yourself breaking apart. She can handle it. I promise. I will come back to you. I promise that I will. Nothing will keep me from my family. Nothing. I will find a way back, and at first, like it was here, you might not know who I am, but that won't matter because we are family and blood never forgets. I love you both. We will be together again and I am sure that you will challenge me about it, Ruby," Coraline said.

"I don't want to forget you," Ruby told her, tears forming in her eyes.

"You have to, Red. You can't carry the burden on your heart. You won't be able to move on and protect Remy if you don't. I will survive this. I will find my way back. You'll see. You'll see."

It was too much for Ruby to bear. She stood and left the cloister room. Coraline was not surprised to see her go. She was a little surprised that Belle didn't immediately follow her. She knew that Belle had gone to her earlier, but she wondered if she knew that Red needed some time before she went to her again. Coraline knew how riled up Red could get. She'd never dealt with Ruby really. Belle knew both and loved both.

"She'll be fine, Coraline," Belle told her.

"How long will you wait?"

"An hour or so, then I'll go find her," Belle replied.

"Belle…"

"Don't, Coraline. Just don't. We'll deal with everything once you're gone. I've known how to deal with the Dark One for years. We'll find a way to move on, but you've already thought of that, remember?" Belle asked her.

"Are you sure that you can do that?"

"Yes, Coraline, I can. I will do it because I understand the need for it. Do I like the idea for doing it, no, I don't. But, I'll do it because it will be the best thing for us to do in order to move on. You're right about Remy not knowing what happened in her once upon a time future."

Coraline just nodded her head. She knew that Belle was upset, but there wasn't much that they could do to stop the inevitable. She couldn't give them proof that she would be back. She could only give them hope. Then, she was going to take their memories. In a town where not knowing why things were happening because their memories had been taken, Coraline was about to do it again. She knew that Belle had to be wondering about the justification, but she knew that she would do it. Belle was her ally in this craziness.

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be sorry, Coraline. You promise that you will find a way back to us and you keep it. That is all I want from you. Give me that and I'll do whatever you ask of me," Belle told her.

"I will, Belle. I swear it. I will find a way back. No matter how long it takes, I will find a way back to prove to you that I did. I will find you again, Belle," Coraline promised.

"Good. Get some rest. I'll go find Ruby now."

Coraline nodded at her again. She got comfortable on the bed. Belle waited until she was asleep to leave. Tink sat there and watched them. When Belle left, she went back to wand waving.

Snow and Charming were in their room watching Neal sleep. She knew that they would be switching their hearts later. She didn't know exactly when, but she knew that it would either be later tonight or early in the morning. She'd seen the worry on Blue's face when she'd come in to check on them early.

"Do you think that Emma will survive this?" Snow asked Charming.

"She's a trooper."

"I know that, Charming. But, do you think that she'll bounce back from this? She's losing her daughter to save her little brother."

"She is but she isn't. It would have been no different if she'd come back to save us and then died while you were pregnant. She has to think passed the fact that Coraline is dying to save Neal. She has to think about the baby growing inside of Regina and how she is going to take care of her. She has to think like a mother and not a victim. She can't let this hold her back from loving Remy. She can't let this alter how she is going to raise her knowing that Coraline's life has been cut short in order to stop the Darkness from destroying our family," Charming told her.

"I know that. I've told her that. I don't know if she can do that."

"Can you support her through this?"

"Yes," Snow replied.

"Then, she'll get through it. We just have to be there for her. We don't give up in this family. We aren't going to give up on Emma or her family. We aren't going to give up on Neal. And, we definitely aren't going to give up on Coraline either."

"What do you mean?" Snow asked him.

"I think more there is more going on than she wants to tell us. Why else do you think that Red and Belle have been coming and going so much? Regina has been locked in that room for most of the day, why? There has to be more than we know going on and for right now, that's fine. I'll let it go for now because for whatever reason they need to keep it a secret. We have to trust them and what they are doing," Charming told her.

"You aren't the least bit curious?"

"Oh, I am, but I know that Emma has enough to worry about. I have to trust her. She's our daughter. She's the Saviour. I have to hope and believe that she has a plan and when she needs us, she'll come to us for help," Charming relied.

Snow thought about what he was saying. He was right. Emma would always try to do it her way before she asked for help. She just hoped that it wasn't going to cause any issues later that they couldn't stop. Then, she thought about it a little more.

"But, Emma isn't the one planning," Snow muttered.

"What?"

"Coraline is the one calling the shots."

"What are you talking about?"

"Coraline is the one that has been telling us what to do. She came back here to stop the Darkness and now she has supposedly done it. But, she is sick with it. She took it in herself to protect us and save Neal. She is giving Neal her heart and taking his half heart. She has been the one calling all the shots about this mission since she got here," Snow stated.

"So, you want to go talk to her, now?"

"No, I am just stating that Coraline is really in charge. Regina and Emma are doing as she asked. So are Belle and Red. They are doing what they need to do. You're right. We have to trust them. We have to believe that whatever actions they take are for the betterment of our family."

"Do you doubt that Regina would do any less?" Charming asked her.

"No…I know she wouldn't. She would be the first with a sword in her hand leading the attack. She would do anything for her family, which includes us by default."

"Does that bother you?"

"No, I would rather Regina be on my side than against us. She isn't someone that I want to piss off. If she wants to hurt, she'll find a way. She wants to save Coraline. I know that. I don't have to believe it, because I know that she would do anything for her children, like any mother would. She has Emma on her side. We all get through this, Charming. I am not going let this break our family. This is only going to make us stronger," Snow told him.

"It will."

Blue knocked gently on the door. She waited for Snow or Charming to acknowledge her presence. Snow opened the door and let her in the room. She seemed surprised to see Blue but she didn't say anything about it. She merely stepped aside.

"Charming, Snow," Blue said as she greeted them.

"Blue," Charming replied.

"What brings you?" Snow asked her.

"I need to speak with the both of you about something…important," Blue told them.

Snow ushered her to an empty chair. She watched as the head fairy took the seat and looked over at Snow and Charming. She didn't look upset and forlorn. She actually looked happy.

"What?"

"Emma has come to me."

"About?" Snow asked suddenly concerned.

"It seems that she wants to marry Regina."

"I can't say that I did see that coming," Charming replied.

"There is more though, right?" Snow questioned.

"Yes. Emma has asked me to perform a hand fasting for them. Tonight."

"Tonight?" Snow asked. "Why tonight? Why so soon?"

"She wants Coraline to know that they were married when she is born."

"That is what she is worried about?" Charming asked.

"I am not sure. That is what she told me. She wants Coraline to know that her parents love her and that they were in love when she was born. She loves Regina completely and she is afraid, too. I understand that she is the embodiment of pure love, but she worries about it so much. I think she is afraid of what is going to happen. She needs this to feel better about what Coraline is going to do to save Neal. It doesn't matter to me. Regina has agreed to marry her and they are each other's True Love. That is enough for me."

"They do love each other," Snow murmured.

"What do you need from us?" Charming inquired, not questioning the validity of Blue's statements. He seemed genuinely concerned with Emma's well-being and her mentally at the moment. Like Blue, he wondered what need was pushing Emma into the ceremony, but he wouldn't let that stop him from supporting her and her love for Regina. He would stand with them if needed. He would never abandon his daughter again. Once was enough.

"I think that you might want to talk to Emma. We aren't talking a normal marriage contract between royals, which of course we are going to need because they are both princesses, but this is a joining of their souls. This would make them one, similarly to the way you are now because you share a heart. It is a magical bonding and one that only they can take because of their magic. I know that they will survive whatever trials they face together. I have no doubt in that."

"I will stand with her," Charming told them.

"And, what about Regina? Who will stand with her? Tink?" Snow asked.

"I don't know. You'd have to ask Regina that. I am sure that she and Emma are discussing what they want to happen. I need to go find Red and Tink. I need to make sure that I have everything in place so that we can do the ceremony tonight," Blue told them.

"What about Neal? How much longer can he hang on with his half heart? What about the exchange? When is that going to happen?"

"Calm down, Snow. Tink, Nova and I are watching Coraline closely. We have time. Neal is safe. Neal has nothing to worry about right now. It is Coraline that I am worried about, but we have diligently been taking care of the Darkness inside. It isn't a cure-all but it is keeping it at bay and away from her heart. Coraline and Neal will be alright. Right now, I am more worried about Emma and Regina and their coming nuptials. I need to go for now. I'll be back later to check in on Neal and Coraline. Go talk with your daughter, Snow. She needs you now," Blue explained as she left them alone again.

Charming watched her. He didn't know what she as thinking, but he could see that she was thinking about something hard. He figured it was about Emma and Neal. He would stand up for Emma and be by her side if she asked. He wanted to help his son, too. If helping Emma could help Neal, then Charming would do it. He didn't care about politics in the moment. He was worried about his children.

He knew even though Emma was focused on trying to save Coraline, she would be devastated if Neal died. Emma loved her little brother. She loved her family and she would do anything for them. This ceremony and allowing, even if it was begrudgingly, Coraline to give up her heart were proof of that. Emma would do anything for the love of her family.

"I'll go find Emma," he stated standing.

"If you see Regina, will you send her to me?" Snow asked.

He nodded at her. He knew that Regina and Snow had been getting closer and he could only hope that Emma and Regina's marriage would bring them closer. He knew that she never stopped loving her step-mother, but they were more like sisters now. They loved each other. They just had a strange way of showing it. Their entire relationship had been brought about by grief and he hoped that the loss of Coraline would give them the closer they needed to move on.

He turned back to Snow and watched her. She was still staring at Neal. He was sleeping thanks to the spells that the fairies had cast over him. He had no idea what was really going on around him and Charming was happy for that. He would never need to know the pain and suffering that his family went through in order to save him.

He left the room in search of his daughter and her lover. He hoped that they could get a happy ending out of this. They had all spent too much time fighting. Coraline's death didn't seem like a win to him, but he would still stand by his daughter. She needed something good to happen in her life and he owed her. He would always owe her. She saved them all from the Curse and what had gotten in payment for that? A job, almost lost her son, lost her first love, lost her second love, lost and found her best friend, almost lost her again, and now she was fighting for her daughter's life, to love the woman she wanted and to protect the town again from an outside threat that they didn't fully understand…yeah, she'd paid enough. It was their turn…

Emma woke up. She was still wrapped up in Regina with a smile on her face. They were going to get to married. She was ridiculously happy about it. For once, she felt like something was going in her direction. She wondered what Blue meant about it being a merging of their souls, but she didn't let that bother her too much. It couldn't be bad when Regina agree to it. She knew that the older woman had to know what the difference was between a normal wedding and a magical hand fasting. If she had some qualm with it, surely, Regina would have voiced it. That in itself was enough to make Emma happy. The fact that she was sated from their afternoon of love making helped, too.

She felt Regina stirring beneath her. She tried not to move. She didn't want to disturb her.

She looked down at the brunette. She was beautiful. There was something about her that Emma couldn't shake and she didn't want to. She was everything that Emma wanted and needed in a mate. She was also the mother of her child.

Emma couldn't help it. Every time she thought about Regina being pregnant, she rubbed her belly if she was close enough. She knew that Regina wasn't really showing too much yet, but she felt this innate need to protect the life growing inside her. And, every time she touched Regina's stomach with reverence for the daughter growing there, Emma's thoughts drifted to Coraline and her anger would start to rise.

"Stop, Love," Regina whispered against her shoulder.

Emma smiled into her forehead and kissed her. She should have known that Regina was awake, too. She was such a light sleeper most of the time. She only seemed to sleep deeply when Emma was with her. Emma filed that away for later, wondering if she should ask her fiancée if the nightmares were back because of everything that was happening with Coraline.

"You think out loud too much," Regina told her.

Emma giggled slightly and kissed her forehead again. Regina lifted her head, looking down into her bright green eyes. Emma found her hand against her chest and linked their fingers. She didn't want to let her go. She needed the subtle strength and the visible power that Regina gave her. Regina shifted on top of her, holding herself up over Emma, and continuing to stare down into her eyes. Finally, not able to stop herself, Regina kissed her full pink lips.

"Mmm…" Emma moaned against her mouth.

"I like waking up to you like this," Regina murmured breaking the kiss.

"Me, too."

"We should get up, though."

"I don't want to leave this room," Emma whined.

"I know, Dear, but we have to face the truth outside this room. We can't stay hold up here. It isn't becoming or fitting for either of us. I know that pain is the only thing that awaits us out there, but we need to face. And, we'll face it together. We can do anything if we are together."

"Who's the sappy one now?"

"You tell anyone that you are turning me into a Charming in more than name only and I will end you," Regina teased her.

"What would the townsfolk say?" Emma asked her sarcastically.

"I know. What would they say? I love you, Emma."

"I love you, too, my Queen."

Emma wrapped her arms around her and pulled her closer. Still unwilling to let her go, she kissed the side of her neck. Regina gave into Emma, indulging her need for the closeness, and the feelings that Emma's love gave her. After so many years of wondering if she deserved a love like Emma gave her, she felt that she did in her arms.

"Do we really have to get up?" Emma asked against her neck, stilling kissing her.

"If you want to get married tonight, yes, we do," Regina countered.

Emma pulled away and looked into her fierce dark eyes. She saw nothing but love and truth in them. There might have been a faint swirl of lavender magic, but Emma knew it wasn't bad. She held Regina tighter against her. Their eyes danced.

"Well, when you put it like that, we should get a move on," Emma told her.

"In a hurry now are we?"

"I can't wait to make you mine and me be yours forever, Regina."

Regina rolled them over so she was on the bottom. She pulled Emma down on top of her. She loved the delicious weight that Emma's body had when she skin to skin, breast to breast, body to body with her. She couldn't describe it. It was something she craved and now she craved it even more so now that she was pregnant. Being bonded to Emma was only going to make the need of being naked with her in bed more prevalent.

"I love you so much, Emma," Regina told her again with tears in her eyes

"Don't cry, Regina. I love you, too. I love being this close to you, but you said we needed to get up. I know that I don't want to get up, but our daughter needs us."

"Are you going to tell her?" Regina asked.

"Yeah, I'll go tell her what we are doing. I am sure that she'll want to be part of the ceremony. I love you so much, Regina. I'm going to get up. You stay in here as long as you want. I'll be back before we have the ceremony. If you need anything, I'll be in Coraline's room," Emma told her, giving her a squeeze and rolling her back to her back and kissing her senseless.

"Go, Emma, before I don't let you," Regina stated.

Emma laughed at her. She smiled as she gracefully dismounted the mattress and found her clothes. She could feel Regina's eyes watching her as she got dressed. Once she was completely redressed and had fingered her hair, she bent over and kissed Regina. She smiled again at the love of her life before heading towards the door to the magical room. She looked back and saw Regina smiling at her as she left.

Her heart wasn't as heavy, but she knew that Regina would hold her up when she couldn't hold herself up. And, she would do the same for Regina. They were a pair. They were strong apart, but they were stronger together. And they would remain stronger because they would be bonded together with the hand fasting ceremony.

She stepped out into the hallway. She was immediately greeted by her father. He was walking around the corridors looking for someone. Emma wondered if it was her. She didn't have to wait very long before Charming called her name. She smiled at her father and replied to him.

"What's up, Dad?" she asked him as he finally came to stop in front of her.

"Blue told us about the ceremony."

"She did?"

"Yes, she did. I came to talk to you about it. I figured that you would want to talk to me some."

"About it?" Emma asked.

"Well…yeah," Charming stated.

"I don't know how much you can help me, David. You and Snow haven't had a hand fasting. I know y'all are married and all, but it isn't the same," Emma told him.

"Maybe not a hand fasting but we share a heart. That's almost the same thing in a non-magical but magical sense. But, that isn't what I meant about talking to me before the ceremony. I was wondering if there was anything that you wanted to ask me," Charming said.

"Like what?"

"I don't know, kiddo. Anything. Your mother and I have been married for a while. We know each other really well and we love each other completely. But, I know that marriages take a lot of work and compromising. But, I also know something about marrying royalty. Regina is still technically a queen in her own right and she was born a princess," Charming told her.

"So am I," Emma countered with a little bit of sarcasm.

"Yes, you are, Emma, but we both know that you hate the title and the responsibility that comes with it. Almost as much as I do, but I love your mother and I would do anything for her. I learned to become a king by watching her, not doing as George did all the time and actually by listening to some of the advisors that Regina lost during the war. She wasn't a bad queen. She just wanted your mother's head on a platter," Charming quipped.

"True."

"I don't think that we need to have the discussion about what happens on your wedding night, considering you've already had Henry and now Regina is pregnant as well," Charming added.

"Well, I suppose not," Emma replied trying not to laugh at her father's blushing predicament.

"Have you even researched the ceremony?" Charming asked her.

"I have."

"Do you need a second?"

Emma looked at him strangely. She hadn't thought about it. She had done the research, but she was leaving the ceremony for the most part up to Blue. She hadn't looked into all the finer intricacies that ceremony might entail. She just wanted to belong to Regina and vice versa. She saw this as that chance.

"You didn't look, did you?" he asked noticing the sheepish grin on her face.

"Not really. I just looked to see what it would entail. I love her and I want to be bound to her. I thought that this way it would make our magic stronger. I didn't look past that," Emma stated.

"But, you were smart enough to go to Blue for help?"

"Yes, well, she is the only one that could do the binding."

"She didn't talk to you about the ceremony, though?" Charming questioned.

"No, she told me that she needed to handle some things. I told her that I would talk to Regina. She only agreed to do the ceremony because I told her that Regina agreed to do it. I think she had to confirm that with her, but beyond that I was leaving it up to Blue. I mean the only thing that I required was that we did it in front of Coraline," Emma explained.

"She told us that much," David replied.

"I want her to know that we were happy when she was born, that we love her with everything that we are and that we would do anything for her, Dad. I don't want her growing up like I did. I don't want her questioning whether or not her parents loved her. That is a burden that no child should bear," Emma stated.

Charming hung his head. He knew it would always be a sore point with Emma, but he had hoped that they were getting passed it. It didn't seem like it, but he knew that they were…just really slowly. The more time he spent with Emma and Henry, the more he could see her opening up, not only to him but to the rest of the world. Regina was a big part of that. She had been forcing Emma to see her parents and encouraging them to hang out and do stuff even when Emma was mad at them. He owed Regina for that. She was a big reason that Emma was trying to have a relationship with her parents.

"Look, Emma. I know that Regina is the right person for you. She loves you. She cares for you. And, she does make you stronger in ways that your mother and I are proud of. She gives you something that I can't and never could. She completes you. She makes you feel whole, here," he told her beating his chest over his heart, "And, no one would stand in the way of that. I know your mother and I won't. Besides if we tried, Henry would beat us to a bloody pulp."

"He might," Emma replied sarcastically.

"But, I want you to know that your mother and I will stand with you and support you every step of the way, through you marriage and hand fasting to Regina, to being the best grandparents that we can be to your children, to helping you out by listening whenever you and Regina have a fight. And, yes, you will have fights…mostly over stupid things, but it will happen," he told her.

"I am sure that we will," Emma said.

"I want you to know that I will always be in your corner," he stated.

"I know that, Dad."

"I want to make sure that you know that. So will your mother. We are so proud of you, Emma. You've come such a long way from the person we first met to who you are now. You are a brilliant daughter and a brilliant mother. I don't think that there is a soul in Storybrooke who would say that have ever done anything for just yourself. You are selfless, courageous, brave, strong, magical, and kind, but especially loving. You get that from your mother."

"I guess I do," Emma replied with a chuckle.

"Anyway, we love you."

"I love you, too, Dad," she told him.

Blue came around the corner and saw them standing there talking. She smiled at them both. She was actually looking for them so she could ask them about the hand fasting.

"Good, you're both here," she told them.

"What's up, Blue?" Emma asked her.

"I've found a ritual that will work for your ceremony. I wanted to discuss it with the both of you. I've done some assuming about it and I wanted to make sure that we are the same page for this. Can you both come with me?" Blue questioned.

They both nodded. Blue led them to her office. As they sat down, Charming remembered that he was supposed to find Regina and send her to see Snow if he could. He looked around the office quickly and then back at Emma.

"I forgot to do something. I'll be right back. Talk about whatever you need. You can just explain it to me when I get back. I'll only be a minute or two, I hope," Charming told them.

Blue just nodded, but Emma gave him a quizzical look. She didn't ask him what his task was. She just assumed it was something that Snow had asked him to do. She knew how her father could sometimes get sidetracked about things when he gets excited. And, he was definitely seemed to be really excited about it.

"So…" Emma started to say when David was gone.

"I have a question and it is a simple one, really. The ceremony was easy enough for me to find. And, I am sure that you will agree with the wording and the workings of it, Princess. The crux of the matter is that you both need seconds to stand beside you for the ritual. Much like a normal marriage, you will need someone to vouch for your intentions. Coraline would not be an acceptable choice for either of you. She is still filled with too much darkness at the moment and her word wouldn't be trusted. I know that this might be a huge decision for you, which is why I am telling you this now. So you have time to seek someone out," Blue explained.

"Do they have to have magic?" Emma asked her.

"No, child, they do not."

"Then, it's an easy choice."

"Good, good. I am glad that you have someone in mind. Now, I will need Henry to help me in the ceremony. He is going to be a big part of it, so I must ask that you not include him as your second, Emma. It would be too hard on him," Blue told her.

"That shouldn't be a problem."

"Alright then, that's good. Now, do you want to complete the blood oath as well? Or do you want to do a more modern hand fasting?" Blue asked her.

"I…I don't know. Maybe, you should ask Regina. It should be her decision."

"As you wish, Princess. I'll see you in an hour or so and we can finalize everything. Until then, maybe you should see your daughter or find your second. I'll meet you just outside Coraline's room then. Is that okay?" Blue questioned.

"Sounds perfect."