Chapter 61

Regina wasn't surprised to see that Charming had joined her in Neal's room. He looked down at his son and then over at the former Evil Queen. He gave her a slight smile and then sat down next to her.

"If you're looking for Snow, I believe she went to see Emma," Regina told him.

"I am not."

"Are you looking for me?"

"No. I just wanted to spend some time with my son."

Regina nods. She is nervous, and for more than one reason. She can't help but wonder what tonight will actually bring for them. Yes, she was marrying Emma with the hand fasting ceremony, but there were still so many unanswered questions. They didn't know how to save Coraline, but they knew that saving Neal with her heart would stop her horrendous past from being a reality. She couldn't help if it was worth the cost and then she would rub her belly again.

"I am glad that Henry is walking you down the aisle," Charming said interrupting her thoughts.

"I am, too. He is my only family here. I would have thought you'd walking Emma, though."

"I'll do that for the big production. Are Belle and Ruby going to be there tonight? Emma didn't seem to be sure when I asked her," Charming stated.

"I don't know. I should probably call my sister and ask her. I am sure that she would be miffed if I didn't tell her at least. I should go do that. Thanks for the chat, Charming. Stay with your son. If I see your wife or daughter, I'll send them to you," Regina told him as she stood up.

He just nodded. They had been communicating with silent head nods for the past few weeks. She didn't know when it started, but it was a silent communication they both understood.

Regina left him in the room and dug out her cell phone. She called Ruby and then realized that she hadn't spoken with her little sister in some time. She knew that she would have to bring her up to speed. She just hoped that Ruby would be okay. She was taking this hard as well, harder than Regina thought that she would.

"Hey…can we talk?...Well, tell Eugenia thanks for the food, but Red,…I understand that, but…yes, I get that and I know that you are hurting, too, Wolf Pup….That is why I want to talk with you…That's fine. Where are you?...Really?...Alright, I'll be there in a few minutes…No, it isn't anything bad. I just need to talk to you….Okay, then, be safe," Regina told her before ringing off.

She'd just put her phone away when she saw Emma coming towards her. They gave each other a watery smile and tried to be happier than they were. Emma didn't ask her. Instead, she just gathered Regina into a full-bodied hug and held her.

"Where are you off to?" Emma asked as she buried her head near Regina's ear.

"I am going to speak with Red. In all the madness, I forget to talk to her about the hand fasting. She is my little sister and she deserves to be there."

"She does. I am sorry. I forgot too. We've had other things on our minds, though."

"We have. Now, go get ready. Talk with Coraline. I'll be back in an hour or so."

"I love you," Emma told her as she started to break the embrace.

"I love you, too, Dear," Regina told her, gave her a kiss, and walked away.

Regina sniffed the damp fall air as she made her way across the parking lot of the Abbey. She knew that Red was by the well and she could just poof there, but she didn't want to upset the Wolf by doing that. Instead, she poofed close to the well and walked up.

She stood there and watched as Red was drilling holes into the top of the well and prepping rebar. She was further along her project than Regina thought she'd be. She shouldn't have been too terribly surprised by that though. She knew that Ruby liked to throw herself into projects to help her get passed her pain and emotions. She didn't even look up as Regina approached.

"So, what is so important?" Red asked setting down the drill and finally looking up at her.

"Emma and I are getting married."

"Figured, but what does that have to do with anything right now?" Red questioned.

"We are having a hand fasting ceremony tonight."

"Good for you two," Red said as she bent over and grabbed another piece of rebar to place.

"I want you to be there."

"Why?"

"You're my family, Ruby. You are my only family. You are my blood."

"No, I am not. Coraline is of your blood. Henry is still your son."

"Red," Regina said exasperatedly.

"What? Do you want me to be happy for you? Well, I am. There. Now your conscience has been assuaged. I need to finish this. I have to have it done by tomorrow, if you haven't forgotten," Red said watching Regina wince at her words.

Regina was taken aback, but she held her face well. Too many years under her mother's tutelage had taught her that. She didn't want to put up a front with her sister, but she felt it happening anyway.

"No, I forgotten that my daughter is dying and there is nothing that I can do about at."

"Then, why have a wedding?" Red asked, but it was more of an accusation.

"Emma thinks that it will show Coraline how much we love her."

"Of course she does," Red mumbled, obviously distressed by one of her best friends need to be vindicated and loved in every action. She knew in the back of her mind the Emma didn't mean any harm. In fact, Red was sure that there was more of an explanation to the situation, but it still seemed like poor planning and timing on Emma's part. She needed to feel loved because of the upbringing that she had and she didn't want Coraline to be like her. It was selfish.

"Ruby...look, I know that timing isn't ideal, but I would like for you and Belle to be there. We want to give Coraline a united front. We want her to know that she made a difference with her sacrifice."

"I think she already knows that," Red added.

"I am sure that she does, but we were going to get married anyway. Besides, this isn't some elaborate ceremony. It is going to be small and in her room, so she can be there."

"Does she know?"

"Emma is speaking with her now."

"What about a big fancy ceremony?"

"I could care less about that. I know that Snow will want Emma to have one and Emma will cave to her wishes. I get that. I want her to have it. She deserves all that pomp and circumstance. I owe her that much from all that I took from her because of the Curse. But, we aren't worried about that right now. We are worried about Coraline and how we can help her. Believe it or not, this might do that," Regina stated.

"How?" Ruby asked her, selling down her tools, and giving her a look of complete disbelief.

"The power of True Love," Regina answered simply.

Red stared at her for u moment. It was so painfully obvious. She knew what a hand fasting consisted of. She hadn't had the upbringing that Regina had. She understood what the royals called the poor man's wedding. It was more intimate and less flashy, but it was still binding yourself to someone else for the purposes of marriage. It just usually meant that there was love involved, too. It could also be a business transaction. Marriage was marriage no matter what the ceremony was called. But, Red could be happy for her sister because she knew that this time Regina loved the person she was marrying and it was her choice.

"So, a hand fasting, you say," Red finally replied.

"It was Emma's idea."

"I am sure it was," Ruby said with an amused look on her face.

"We're doing the blood ritual, too."

"As you should. If you are going to do it, you should do it right. Did she ask you?"

"She did."

"Was it romantic?"

"Not really," Regina replied.

"Was it totally something that Emma would do though?"

"Yes."

They both laughed. Ruby came around the well and hugged her sister. She was happy for Regina, but she knew that she was the more outwardly emotional showing of the two. Regina was happy and she was sad, but she wouldn't show it. It hurt Ruby to know that, but she would be there.

"I'll be there for you," Red told her.

"Thank you."

"I'll ask Belle to meet me at the Abbey."

"I have a question for you, if I may ask."

"Something you want me to do?" Red asked her, giving her a look.

"Yes."

"Then ask it. You've never needed my permission before. What is it?"

"I want you to be my maid of honor at the formal ceremony later."

"Me?"

"Yes, you, Wolf Pup."

"'But, what about … okay, yeah, never mind."

"What?" Regina asked her.

"Who is standing with you tonight, then?" Red asked.

"Snow," Regina said without any hesitation or strong emotion.

"Really?" Ruby questioned, cocking an eyebrow at her older sister.

"I hadn't really thought about it too much," Regina said truthfully.

And, she hadn't. She had been thinking about Coraline and how she was going to deal with her loss tomorrow. She had enough to deal with in her own mind without having to think about this hand fasting. Emma told her that she would take care of everything and she had, except that one little tidbit. She couldn't blame Emma though. She was also wrapped in Coraline's condition. She had hoped that Emma would have explained her thoughts on the matter before she went head first into it, but she knew that wasn't how Emma operated. She found a solution and went with it. If that didn't work, she'd just try again with a new solution. The hand fasting was the newest solution in trying to save Coraline from the Darkness. She loved Emma and she knew that Emma loved her. They had agreed to get married before the baby was born, but this was almost madness. But, she loved Emma and Coraline too much to stop it. She had to try.

"Really?"

"We were in Neal's room and talking. We were discussing the hand fasting because Emma had already spoken with Charming and Snow. She wanted to officially bury the hatchet. We agreed to be friendly to each other. I am about to be her daughter-in-law, so...it made sense to come to terms with everything between us," Regina explained.

"And this led to you asking her to stand with you?"

"Yes, it was a gesture of good faith. She jumped at the chance. Charming is standing with Emma tonight and Henry is giving us away as it is. It just made sense at the time. I actually do care for her. She isn't as awful as I thought she was years ago. She does have her moments."

Red laughed with her again. She had to admit that Emma was good for Regina. She complimented her. She challenged her and she most definitely would call her on her bullshit. All in all, Red thought that it was poetic that Emma was her True Love and she couldn't be happier for her older sister. She smiled at Regina and it was genuinely a happy smile in such a tumultuous time. Emma had brought them back together again and helped them forge their relationship. They both owed Emma so much. Being at the hand fasting was something little.

Ruby picked up a rag and wiped her hands. She looked at Regina again. She nodded her head. She knew what it took for Regina to put herself out there. Add in the fact that she was trying harder with Snow, and Ruby wouldn't deny her sister anything. Now that it was in the open that they were related, people really didn't seem to care. They knew that Regina had changed.

"I'll get Belle."

"Thank you."

"I'll be there soon. Let me just clean up here. Now, go get ready for your girl," Ruby teased her.

Regina smiled at her and nodded. She walked back into the woods a little lighter. She felt good. Things were looking up. She still couldn't escape the cloud that hung over her and she knew that she wouldn't, at least not until Remy was born, but things were definitely better for all of them.

Belle and Emma were sitting with Coraline when she got the call. Belle excused herself and went outside the room to talk on the phone. Emma gave her a weak smile. She figured it was Ruby calling her.

"That's Ruby isn't it?" Coraline asked Emma sitting up just a little in the bed.

"I'm sure it is. But, how are you, kiddo? Still okay?"

"I am as okay as I am going to be."

"I have something that I need to tell you," Emma told her.

"Well this doesn't bode well for me, I presume…"

"No…yes…I mean it doesn't really have…I'm explaining this badly."

"Just tell me," Coraline urged her.

"I've asked your mother to marry me."

"I know."

"We want it to be legit when you are born," Emma told her dumbly.

"I get it."

"But, that's just it, you don't. I love you. I love your mother. I love Henry. I want to have my family, the house, the picket fence, all of it. I do. So, I asked Regina to marry me."

"Again, I know. I am not stupid. I know y'all get married."

"We're doing it tonight."

"Now, that is surprising. What about the big party and shindig that Snow throws for you? How did you manage to get out that? Because we both know that Grams is going to want a huge wedding for you," Coraline told her.

"She is planning that, but we are going to wait for that one."

"Wait? What? Why would you wait?"

"Because we are going to have a hand fasting…in here…with you…tonight," Emma told her.

Coraline's eyes started to flash green before they returned to their normal brown. She was upset. Far from it, she was elated. She was going to see her mothers wed.

"Tonight?"

"Yes, we wanted to do it before you transferred your heart."

"Wow."

"Is that okay?"

"It's fine. It's just…wow. I am so happy for you. I just…wow."

"I think you've already said that a few times," Emma added with a slight laugh.

"Yeah, I'm good. I can't wait to be there. This is amazing. This will be like the time you watched Grams and Gramps fall in love on the highway. How many people can say that they watched their parents fall in love? This is so dramatic and romantic. Hell, yeah, I can't wait."

Emma smiled at her daughter. She was a little surprised at how enthusiastic Coraline was, but then again, she shouldn't be. She was half her blood. She couldn't help but wonder if this was something that Coraline wanted.

"Ma, calm down. You love Mom more than anything. I love you both. This is awesome."

"You sure?"

"Yeah," Coraline replied.

She sat up in the bed, staring deep into her mother's green eyes. She knew that there was something that Emma was hiding, but she didn't want push it. She figured the only reason that she would be hiding anything from her now was because they were still holding out hope that they could pull the Darkness out of her. She knew that there wasn't. She was the Dark One and they all knew that there was only way to defeat the Darkness…death and a new host.

"Everyone will be soon," Emma told her.

"Who all is coming?"

"Dad is standing with me. Henry is giving us away. Blue is officiating. Snow will be there, too. Your Mom went to get Ruby and Belle to make sure they'll be there. This is our family and it is just going to be us. I wanted to be able to share this with you," Emma told her.

"Thanks, Ma. I appreciate it. I wish that I would be able to see your actual wedding, but I am sure that I'll grow up reading about it and seeing the pictures."

"I love you, Kiddo," Emma told her.

"I love you, too, Mama," Coraline told her, slipping back to what she called Emma when she was a young girl in the Enchanted Forest.

Emma could see the meaning of the word in her daughter's eyes. She wanted to hold her and let her know that everything would be okay, but she knew that it wouldn't be the truth. She could only hope that everything would go the way they hoped, that Coraline would find some way to battle the Darkness and come back to them.

"Mama, don't worry. It'll work itself out. I'll beat the Darkness. I'll survive this like I've survived everything else that has been thrown at me. Just like you, Ma, I'll make it."

The emotions were high in the room. No one wanted to disturb them, but they knew that everyone would be there soon for the hand fasting. They continued to talk until Blue and Tink came in for another cleansing. Emma didn't leave her side then. She stayed until Blue told her to go get ready. Emma gave Coraline a kiss and went back to the room down the corridor that Blue had given her and Charming to use until the ceremony. She found her father there waiting.

Charming smiled at her. She gave him a smile in return, but she wondered if he had something else to talk to her about. She didn't want to talk. She wanted to move forward. She had Coraline's blessing. They needed to move. Neal was waiting.

"Ready?" he asked her.

"Yes," Emma replied quickly.

"I know that this isn't the big wedding and all, but your mother and I decided that we needed to give you some things. She has found that some of the traditions of this world coincide with ours. She knows that you may not follow all the traditions and superstitions, but she wanted me to give you this," Charming told her handing her a heavily brocaded, royal blue jacket.

"Whose is that?"

"It was mine once upon a time."

"Something borrowed, something old, and something blue?" Emma asked.

"I believe that it does fill those three tenants, yes," he replied.

She smiled and took the jacket. It was a little too long and it was heavy. She knew that she could alter it with magic. He nodded at her as she waved her hands in front of it. The cut changed to hit her form well. She kept the length, appreciating the look that the three quarter length gave her body.

"It suits you," he stated.

She gave him a bigger smile. She knew that he wasn't going to press her to wear a dress. Snow would do that enough when it came to the more public ceremony down the road. Tonight, they were just trying to make their daughter happy.

"I also have this," he said handing her a small tiara.

"Dad…"

"You mother had it commissioned for you before born. No one has ever worn it. She brought it back when you went back and fought Cora. She wanted you to have it, but she understood that you would have to make the decision to accept your lineage. Regina will push it when it is needed so she figured that it was time for you to have it," Charming told her.

She looked at the sparkling silver tiara. It wasn't ostentatious. It was very refined and it still made a statement. It would still declare her royalty.

"I don't know that I am ready for that, or if I'll ever be ready for that," Emma replied.

"I understand that, but if what Coraline says is true… You'll be a queen beside your mother and Regina. You will help rule and defend the realms. You will need something to make the people see that you are the one to follow you," Charming stated.

"And a suit of armor and sword won't do that?" Emma asked him.

"You are too much like me," he replied with a laugh. "Just wear it for your mother, it'll make her happy. And, we both know how Snow gets when she isn't happy."

Emma smiled and reached over to take the tiara. It was smaller than she thought. She held it in her hands delicately. She held up to his eye level before settling it on her head. It fit perfectly. She waved her hands around her hair and watched it turn into curls, falling around her face.

"You look amazing, Princess," Charming told her as he gave her a deep bow.

She turned to face the full length mirror. She had to admit that she was very handsome as she noted every detail of her reflection. The silver trim of the brocade gave the jacket a very knightly look and she knew that it was her father wore it. The deep royal blue and tiara marked her station while still being understated enough for Emma's tastes. Everything came together perfectly with the black skinny jeans and crisp white shirt. Her calf high black leather boots completed the look.

"You look like your father," Snow said joining them, tears in her voice and eyes.

"Mom…"

"No, Emma, it's perfect. You look beautiful. This might not be the wedding I pictured for you in my head, but I wouldn't stop you. You love her. You are perfect for each other. You complete each other, just your father and I do. She makes you so happy and that is all I ever wanted for you. I know that you might not want the royal blood you carry, but you can't deny it forever, Emma. You're marrying a princess from a foreign realm, but she is still royalty in her own right. She was my Queen at one point and she will be yours. So, hold your head high and let your heart rule your hand and head and you can't go wrong," Snow told her.

Emma gathered her mother in a hug. She didn't know how Snow did it, but she always did. She always gave her hope when it didn't look like she had any left. She knew how to keep Emma going and fighting for what she wanted.

"I love you, my Princess," Snow whispered in her ear.

"I love you, too, Mom," Emma replied.

Regina was back in the magical room. Tink had joined her in order to help her get magically ready. She knew that Regina might need help and she was allowing Emma to be with her family right now. Regina seemed to understand. She knew that Blue was with Henry getting him ready. His smile made the rushed ceremony even more worth it. She just wanted her children to be happy. She had come so far in the past few years that she could honestly say that her happiness came from the happiness of her children and soon to be her wife. This ceremony was just going to cement that in the minds of the people of Storybrooke. She already knew it.

She began to wonder if she should dress up for it. She knew that it was an impromptu thing, but it was still a marriage ceremony. Tink wasn't helping. She was just waiting for Regina to give her something to do. She appreciated Tink's friendship, but she was still so naïve when it came to social structures and norms.

Too much time in Neverland, Regina thought to herself.

"Are you going to dress up?" Tink finally asked.

"I don't know if I should."

"You're a queen about to marry a princess. One would think that a nice dress would be in order, but this is also Emma we're talking about. I don't think that she was planning anything too extravagant for tonight. I am sure that she is leaving that up to Snow for the bigger ceremony."

Regina turned to face the green fairy more fully. She could see the mirth in her eyes. She knew that Tink liked to tease. She was coming into her own in Storybrooke. Coraline had a lot to do with that, too. She helped Tink prove herself further to Blue. It made things better between all the fairies and the townspeople.

"I am sure that Snow is going to turn it into a huge royal state affair. I really don't care. I am willing to do whatever Emma wants. I am marrying her, not Snow," Regina quipped.

Tink laughed. She pulled out her wand and waved it over at Regina. She watched as green smoke wafted around her. Her normal black pants suit transformed into a nice dress. Regina admired it, glad that Tink didn't go overboard and create some sort of fancy wedding dress or court dress for her wear. It was a simple, but elegant, cream and bright red dress, totally Regina's colors. She smiled at Tink.

Snow knocked on the door. Tink went to answer it and let her in. Snow's breath caught in her throat as she entered the room and saw Regina. When Regina looked up at Snow's teary hazel-brown eyes, she saw that same little girl that she had rescued so many years ago. Her heart lurched towards the other brunette.

"You look beautiful," Snow told her.

Regina took steps towards her and took Snow's hands in her own. She held them loosely and looked into her eyes. So much was said in them that Snow almost cried at the sight she saw. Regina gathered her closer and hugged the woman. She knew what seeing Regina like that was doing to her. Their shared memories of Regina's last marriage weren't lost. They were just buried. This time however, they both hoped that Love would prevail and win.

"Thank you," Regina replied.

"Shall we go?" Snow asked.

"Are they ready?" Tink asked.

"Charming will have Emma there waiting on us," Snow assured them both.

"What about Henry?" Regina asked.

"He'll be just outside the door to escort you in," Snow told her.

Everything was ready. There was nothing else to delay them. Tonight she would be Emma's and Emma would be hers. Coraline would be legitimate in the eyes of the people, even though Regina knew that no one would question her legitimacy with her being Regina's daughter. This was the beginning of the life that she wanted. She had fought for it and she would continue to fight for it.

She closed her eyes. She took a deep breath and the opened her eyes. She looked over at Tink and Snow, smiling. She ran her hand over her stomach, rubbing the small baby bump, and her smile grew bigger. "Time to go, ladies. I've got a wedding to be in, a wife to marry. This is my choice, this time and I plan on enjoying every minute of it," she told them.

Coraline stood at the end of the dais. The knighting ceremony was over. She was officially the First Knight of Royal Guard of the Swan Kingdoms. Everyone else had left the Court Hall, but she remained, standing staring out over the hall wondering how she was going to tell her mothers who she really was. Her heart was heavy and her mind wandered. She could feel the Darkness trying to escape, but she kept it at bay.

Wilhelmina and Regina re-entered the hall and stopped when they saw Coraline. Belle wasn't far behind them. She saw Coraline standing there, too.

"What's wrong, Knight?" Regina asked her.

"The riders from Ulfland…"

"What do you know about them?" Regina asked cocking her eyebrow at her.

Belle stepped forward and whispered something in French to her. Coraline nodded. She turned to face Regina more fully. She let out a breath and then rose to her full height. It wasn't much, but she gave off an intimidating air just like Regina could when needed.

"I know that the young boy lost his tongue. They were sent as a warning. As your Knight, my Queen is it my job to protect you and your kingdom. Will you please tell me what you know so that I may do my job correctly?" Coraline asked her.

"Who are you, Knight?" Regina asked, not answering the question.

"I am your Knight."

"But, there is more than that. You've said that you are Vulcannonian, but Wilhelmina, Crown Princess of Vulcannon, doesn't recognize you or your tattoos. So, I ask again, who are you?"

Belle leaned over and whispered in her ear again. Coraline nodded. She took in a breath and held it. She slowly released it. Her eyes turned towards the hardened ones of Regina.

"I doubt that you would believe me if I told you, but if you would like to know, I will need your permission to do something that you might find as a threat. I promise you that I mean no harm to you or your family. But, this is the only way that I can explain who I am," Coraline stated.

Wilhelmina took two steps towards Coraline before Regina put her hand out to stop her. Belle moved away from Coraline and went up to where Regina was standing. Regina eyed the smaller woman but didn't say anything to her. She knew that somehow Belle knew who this knight was.

Coraline knelt down on stone floor. She undid the Knight of Swan Tabard. She folded it reverently and placed it beside her on the floor. She drew the sword that Emma had presented her earlier and placed it on the tabard. She then drew the tunic she was wearing over her head and dropped it on the floor.

Regina was amazed that the woman before her was practically undressing but she had agreed to let the woman speak. She watched her stand back up. The black leather pants she was wearing were skin tight. The thick belt held the bit of undershirt that she wore. She was tattooed and scarred. Regina could tell that the tattoos were older than Blue or Coraline had confessed, but it was the magical burn scars on her back that worried her the most.

Coraline stood before them. She raised her hands and called forth her magic. She let the fire burn in her hands. Her eyes flashed green and she stared up the dais at Regina. She let the power flow. She was showing off and she knew it.

"Regina…" Will hissed.

Regina raised her hand to silence her protest when she noticed Belle and Blue were unmoved by the display. She cocked her head in amusement. She wondered how far the woman would take this display before she made her point.

"So you have magic," Regina commented.

"I do. I was born with it. It was passed to me by my mothers."

"Mothers?" Regina asked.

"Allow me to introduce myself, properly," she told Regina as she pulled the magic back into her body. Regina looked on amazed as she took two more steps forward and knelt before the thrones. "The name my mothers gave me at birth was Remy Aurora Swan-Mills, Princess of the Winterlands, crown princess of the Swan Kingdom. I was born in this castle three years ago, but thing happened and I wasn't raised her. I was given to my Aunts Ruby and Belle. They changed my name to Coraline Danielle French in order to protect me from the forces that wanted to kill me. I have survived for many years. I have become the one thing that my mother dreaded."

"And what was that?" Regina asked perfectly intrigued.

"I gave my heart to my Uncle Neal in order to save him from his half heart. In the adventure to do that, I became the Dark One. Unfortunately and fortunately for me, I am not tethered to the dagger. I cannot be controlled. I make my own destiny."

Regina stood up. She reached out and touched Coraline on the shoulder. Coraline turned up to look at her mother.

"Can you prove any of this?" Regina asked her.

"Blue?" Coraline stated.

"She can, my Queen, but it will take an act of faith and trust on your part."

"What do I need to do, Bug?" Regina questioned getting agitated.

Blue took Regina's hand and then took Coraline's. She placed them together and then waved her wand over their intertwined hands. Regina watched the magic flow between them. It flashed purple, then blue, then white, then black, then red, and finally it faded. Regina's head flew back as the memories came flooding back.

Blue turned to hold Regina as Belle joined her. Regina slumped into their arms. Will was on Coraline, a dagger to her throat, threatening her under her breath before Regina came to.

"Will…"

"Regina?"

"Let her go."

Will withdrew the blade from Coraline's throat. She waited for further instructions from Regina. She was eyeing Blue, Belle and Coraline. Something still wasn't right. She was drawn to her and she didn't like it. She served Regina. She didn't understand all the ways of magic, but she wondered if they had fooled Regina into believing what the woman said was true.

"Coraline…"

"Yes, Mom, I've come home."

Regina righted her self and wrapped her arms around Coraline. Tears filled her eyes. She released her and then looked at her daughter. She could see the resemblance.

"But Remy?"

"She is the new me. Due to my coming back in time to save everyone, I changed the timeline in which I was born. The Remy that you have was actually born a year early. She bares my name, but she is not me. Becoming the Dark One permanently altered my life. I will never the daughter that I was born to be. I will always be an outsider that protects our family. Neal, Henry and Remy will rule the kingdoms for many years to come," Coraline told her.

"So what do you propose to do about the problem at hand?" Regina asked her.

"I am asking for your permission to deal with it."

Regina cocked her head and looked at her adult daughter. There was something about the way that she said she wanted to deal with it. Regina could tell that there was something that wasn't saying. She wasn't sure that she wanted to push it though. She could tell that Coraline was holding back something and she could wonder if it was because she was the Dark One.

"You need my permission?" Regina asked.

"I am your knight, Mom. Before I can do anything, I need the command of the Queen. I am at your command. What is it that you command, my Queen?" Coraline inquired.

"What do you know?"

"It is George, Mom. He is making a play towards the throne. He is still angry with Grams, Gramps, and you for his fall. He wants to take your throne."

"And you want to stop him?" Regina probed.

"Yes."

"Then go. Take Wilhelmina with you. She can help."

"I will, at your command, my Queen," Coraline told her.

"Regina…" Will hissed.

"You will go with her, Will. You will make sure that she comes back to me. Do not question me, Will. Do your job and protect this family."

"Yes, my Queen."

Regina turned to face Blue and Belle. They could see the anger and betrayal on her face. They were worried to see what she would do.

"Can you reverse the spell that you brew, Belle?" Regina questioned.

"Yes, I can."

"Then do it. It is time for my daughter to come home and take her place among us. She can deny her titles and her crown, but she will never deny us. I won't allow it."

"I'll start brewing right away," Belle told her.

"And, Bookworm?"

"Yes, my Queen?" Belle asked in response.

"Thank you," Regina replied as she watched her warrior daughter and her champion leave.