Chapter 62

Henry looked dashing in his suit. Regina smiled at him noticing how the royal blue jacket he was wearing resembled the ones that Charming would wear in the Enchanted Forest. She wondered if his grandfather had supplied him with it for the ceremony. She knew it really didn't matter. They were already family. They were just making it a little more permanent.

Like the gentleman that Regina had raised him to be, he offered Regina his arm to escort her inside the room where Coraline was still in bed, waiting. Regina took his arm. They stood in front of the door. They knew the Tink would open the door and ask her to enter to start the ceremony. She could feel the butterflies starting in her stomach. She was nervous and she knew that she didn't need to be.

Regina listened to Henry's breathing. She could tell that he was worried about messing something up. She reached over and squeezed his arm, giving him a smile. He turned to face her. His hazel eyes met her mahogany brown and the smile lit up his face.

"You'll be fine," she told him.

They saw the door open. Henry stood up a little straighter. She smiled at him posing himself. They both gasped when they saw Emma standing beside Charming and Blue on one side and Coraline on the other. She smiled at Coraline when she realized that she was standing beside her pallet and was slightly dressed up. She could see the tunic that Belle must have brought her. She smiled at her sister, Ruby, and Belle, who were both standing behind Coraline, silently supporting her. Snow was just inside the door waiting for her to enter.

"Ready?" Henry asked under his breath.

"Yes, I am," Regina replied.

Blue nodded at her. They were waiting for the acknowledgement from her to begin their procession. Tink moved out of the way and they moved into the doorway.

"Emma, if you will join me, I see that your bride awaits!" Belle called out.

Henry knew that was his cue. They started into the room. It was only a few steps until they reached Emma and Blue, but the entire way, Regina could feel her heart beating heavily.

"As you all know, Emma and Regina have come to me in order to be wed. They thank you for being here today to witness their hand fasting. The fact that they have asked you to be here with them means that their love extends to you as well. They want you to share in their lives, their ups and downs, and wanted you to know that they will always be near if you need them as well. I also know that each of you is here to support them in their journey together. You have seen them grow close to each other and their love bloom. You are here to testify to that.

"Emma and Regina are here to pledge themselves to each other. The terms we use may be 'Unconditional Love,' True Love, or 'In Perfect Love and Trust.' I need to know that you have both come here in order to celebrate your love for each other, and that you do so with no reservation. You have entered this magical circle with nothing but joy and love in your hearts as you commit yourselves to each other," Blue stated.

"In perfect love and perfect trust," Emma responded.

"Always in perfect love and perfect trust," Regina replied.

"Good, then let it be known amongst everyone that you have come to declare yourselves before the gods and goddesses to be bound together until the next life and beyond.

"Since the dawn of time, people have called upon the elements to bless them and today will be no different. I call upon fire to keep your hearth warm and loving. I call upon the wind to keep to your back to help you on your journeys together and with life's breath. I call upon the rains to keep you cool and slack your thirst. I call upon the earth to provide you a good home and a plentiful bounty upon your table. I call upon the spirit to bless you and keep you safe, to protect you from any demons or hateful spirits against your house.

"Always remember to communicate with each other. Never question your passion for one another. Find comfort with each other and fight alongside each other in every battle no matter how large or small. Build your life together in a house that you have built on the rock of your love. Never let anything come between you and divide you. You are becoming one while still remaining your own person. Never forget who you are, but accept that you are also one, too.

"Regina?"

"Yes, Mother?" Regina replied, bowing to her.

"Lady Regina, I ask you to call upon all that is divine within you. Let it come forth and shine. You are wife, mother, lover, friend, prophet, and confidant, in you is everything that anyone could ever aspire to be and more. In you is strength and wisdom, perfection and peace. Shine dear one and show your true nature as our Queen.

"Emma?"

"Yes, Blue," Emma said bowing as well.

"Lady Emma, I ask you to call upon all that is divine within you. Let it come forth and shine. You are wife, healer, protector, visionary, friend, and confidant, in you is everything that anyone could ever aspire to be and more. In you is strength and wisdom, perfection and peace. Shine mighty one and show to all the Warrior Queen within.

"Now, I ask all who are here. Do you promise to help these two on their journey of Love? Do you promise to help remind them who they are together? Do you wish for them to join and be better together?"

"We do," they all replied.

"Who gives this Queen to the Princess?" Blue asked.

"I do," Henry, Coraline and Ruby stated.

"Who gives this Princess to the Queen?"

"We do," Snow, Charming and Coraline responded.

"Then let no one ever divide them apart. For your families are joining and becoming one, if one was your child, now so is her wife. If she was your mother, now so is the other."

Blue looked them all the in eyes. She could see the subtle tears in Snow's eyes. She knew that everyone was happy today. She knew that they would guide each other, support each other, and the kingdoms would prosper because of this match. Emma and Regina were strong, but they were so much stronger together. Being bound together, they would be unstoppable.

"Now, I ask you, Charming, and you, Snow, for the rings that will show to all the world that Emma and Regina are joined," Blue stated looking from Charming to Snow.

They handed her the rings. They were simple silver bands, not too large, but big enough to show. Emma hadn't wanted anything too gaudy. She wasn't trying to make any other statement then that Regina would be hers.

"These rings were entrusted to you, by Emma and Regina. I want you both to look at these rings. Now look at those who are standing with you and know that they are her to support you in this. They held the rings that you picked for one another in order to help you protect your love until you could declare it to all. These rings are a symbol of your love. I want you to see how each ring is a perfect circle. It will be given in perfect love and perfect trust. It has no beginning and no end, like your love. It is infinite," Blue told them holding up the rings before them.

"The ring finger of the left hand, the side of the body that holds the heart, has been used for the wedding band because for centuries people believed that there was a vein that ran directly from that finger to the heart. They also believed that the words that were spoken during the placing of the ring would resonate over and over, like the circumference of the band itself, through to the heart and soul of both giver and receiver of the most monumental promise of all, the promise of a lifetime as bound partners."

Blue handed Emma one ring and Regina the other. Blue looked to Regina and she extended her left hand towards Emma. Emma held up the ring she had for Regina to see.

"For the girl you were, for the woman you are, and for the wife you shall be to me, I do choose you to be my own. If thou wilt now place this ring upon mine finger, I shall from this day forth, 'till beyond the end of time, take thee to be mine own," Regina stated as Emma placed the ring on her finger.

"With this ring I thee wed. I take you as my friend, my lover, my wife from this day forth and into the fullness of time where we will meet and remember and love again," Emma told her.

When she was done, Blue turned to Regina. She held up the other ring for Emma to see. Emma smiled at her, happy tears forming in her eyes, as she raised her left hand for Regina to put the ring upon her finger.

"For the queen you were, for the woman you are, and for the wife you will be to me, I do choose you to be mine own, my Queen and my wife. If thou wilt now place this ring upon mine finger, I shall from this day forth, 'till beyond the end of time, take thee to be mine own," Emma said as Regina pushed the ring down her finger.

"With this ring, I thee wed. I take you as my friend, my lover, my wife, and my fellow queen from this day forth and into the fullness of time where we will meet and remember and love again," Regina told her and then kissed Emma's hand just below the ring.

Blue smiled at the couple. Regina knew that there was more to come, but she wondered if Emma was as happy as she was. She could see the tears still in her eyes. She cut her eyes just enough to see the rest of the family there. They were all reflecting Regina's mirth and contentment.

Blue took a step back and nodded to Belle. Belle spun around as Tink joined Blue. Belle handed Tink a tray with a pewter chalice. Charming handed her a tankard of ale. Snow stepped forward with a small cake.

Regina looked at all the items. She was completely surprised that they managed to find all the items that they needed to complete the ceremony in such a short time. But, then again, she shouldn't be. She knew how resourceful that Emma was and with Belle on their side anything was possible. Her smile grew as she caught a mischievous look in Henry's eyes.

"As the Head Fairy and the only religious leader in Storybrooke, I know say this for our new queens. As you are Lady and Majesty are separate, yet one, so have your pledges made you. Drink, this now of one another's love," Blue told them pouring some of the ale into the chalice. "And, know that you will never again thirst in your heart or in mind, for what each of you lacks the other has to give and well spring of love flows eternally for those who drink often from it."

Emma reached for the chalice. She drank a healthy amount and then held it as Regina sipped from it. Regina took the offered ale and drank. When she was done, Emma handed the chalice back to Blue. Blue placed it on the tray that Tink was holding and picked up the small cake. She held it between the two.

And as Regina reached for the cake, Blue stated, "As food and drink nourish the body, so does love feed the soul of marriage. Feed now one another and feed forevermore the spirit of your union and the depth of you love, letting it always be full."

Regina fed Emma a small piece of the cake that she pinched off. Emma took the bite and kissed Regina's fingers as she withdrew them. Emma then pinched off a piece and fed it to Regina. She kissed Emma's fingertips. Emma giggled slightly at the gesture until she caught her mother's look. She let her smirk fall, but smiled again when she found Regina's eyes.

"I know that you asked for a traditional hand fasting. I am now asking in front of these witnesses that you have come here with to make your pledge of everlasting love: Is it also your wish today that your hands be fasted in the ways of old?" Blue asked them.

Emma and Regina held each other's hands. Turning to face away from each other and face Blue instead, they took steps towards each other. They were shoulder to shoulder. Emma raised her right hand and Regina took it in her left hand. Holding each other's hand, they replied, "It is."

Blue smiled. She could see the happiness building more and more between the two brides. Regina was radiating. She took a quick glance at Coraline and could see her eyes beginning to glow green. She didn't look concerned about it though. She knew that Coraline was feeding off their emotions. It was a magical thing that True Love children could do. The happier that Regina and Emma got as the ceremony went on, the more True Love magic filled Coraline.

Blue reached out for their hands. When she took them in her own, she turned the upwards so their palms were facing her. She withdrew her wand and held it.

"Is there someone of these families who will bless this union with a token?" Blue asked them

Henry puffed up proudly and stated, "I will."

"What do you bring as a token then, young prince?"

Henry turned to smile at Coraline. She cocked her head at him wondering why he would look to her before giving the token to Blue. He then reached into his pocket and produced a leather strip. Coraline took a breath when she saw it. She recognized it. She knew what the leather thong was that held the ring he gave her. Her hand flew up to her neck and she felt the ring and leather strip seated just below her collar bone. He merely nodded at her as he handed Blue the leather thong.

"This is your token. It is a strip of cloth presented by your family and blessed by them to bless this marriage. This is your families' vow to you. This cord is their symbol of acceptance and welcoming as your families become one with your love," Blue told them.

She took her wand and scratched down Emma's palm. A small nick appeared and a trickle of blood flowed. Emma hissed quietly. She did the same to Regina's palm. Regina took a sharp intake of breath. Once she was done, Blue turned their hands together and let the blood flow freely to the ground.

Then she took the cord from Henry's hand. She draped it across their hands, just letting it hang for a few moments. She looked from Emma then to Regina. Her smile grew. She took the ends of the cord and began to wrap them around their hands.

As she did it, she told them, "Remember then as your hands are fasted, these are not the ties that bind. Your love is what binds you. The song your heart shares shall now be strengthened by the vows that you have made and have taken freely. Like everything we are made of earth, spirit, fire, water, and air, and to each we will return. This cord will bind you and be a symbol of your connection to each other until you are destined to ascend to the heavens.

"May you be forever as one in the passion and fire of you, as Queen and Queen's hands are bound, you are now as your hearts have always know you to both be, Partners in all things. You may now kiss the bride!"

Emma smiled, turning towards to Regina. She knew that the blessings and power of their love wouldn't be realized until they kissed sealing their union. She reached over and took Regina's other hand in her own. Their eyes met, green and mahogany.

Blue could see the love flowing between them. Their hands were glowing and no one but Blue, Belle, and Coraline saw it. The mixture of bright red magic started swirling. Coraline could see the white and blue magic of both of her mothers swirling.

Coraline watched in awe as her mothers leaned closer and closer together. She felt her heart swelling. When they finally kissed, a blinding white light flowed around the room. Coraline and Blue were the only ones that seemed to see it.

The light dissipated and formed an energy ball. It was then that magic started flowing from Snow and Charming. It joined the energy ball. Then, Coraline saw another energy burst come from Red and Belle. Finally, there was a smaller burst of love magic coming from Henry. Her eyes widened as she stared at the ball of magic and energy.

When Blue saw it reach its peak, she drew her wand. She pulsed some magic into it. Coraline watched her in rapt attention until the ball moved across towards her. She cocked her head as she looked between the ball and Blue. Her eyes faltered for a minute as darkness closed in trying to fight off the pure magic of love that was growing in the room.

She called out, but no one could hear her. Time seemed to stop around her as the magic continued to grow. Her eyes flashed green and stayed a bright viridian. Then, the ball of magic slammed into her body, filling her completely down to the smallest cell.

Regina and Emma backed away from each other as they heard Coraline scream finally. They all turned to see her surrounded by the magic. Emma realized that this wasn't exactly what she had in mind by trying to help her. She could only hope that this would be enough to help Coraline fight the overwhelming darkness.

"Blue?"

"She is being bathed in love," Blue told them.

Regina let go of Emma and took a step towards her daughter. She reached through the swirling magic and power and touched Coraline's chest. She could feel the pulsing magic flowing through her body and the steady beat of her pulsing heart. Regina waited until she could see the deep green, magic swirled, brown eyes. She cocked her head as she plunged her hand into Coraline's chest, ripping her heart from it.

Coraline released a strangled gasp. As her body started to give out from the immense power that was flowing through her, Red caught her, effortlessly helping Coraline back to the pallet. Henry looked on in horror, thinking that his grown baby sister was suffering some sort of attack. Charming grabbed the teenager's shoulder, holding him back, and allowing Regina and Blue to do whatever it was that they needed to do.

"We do this now," Regina commanded.

Blue just nodded. She knew what Regina was hoping for. Emma had been right. By binding their love and their magic, Regina and Emma had created an energy more powerful than that of the Dark One. They had immobilized the Darkness and energized Coraline's natural magic as it was fueled by the love of her family.

"Let's go," Blue replied taking Snow and Regina's hands leading them from the room.

Emma stood there, unsure of what to do. Charming helped her into a chair. Tink kept watch over Coraline. Henry was ushered away by Belle and Red. But, on their way out, Red patted Emma's shoulder. They weren't sure if this was going to be the cure all, but they could always hope. Belle turned back to look at the magically glowing, heartless body of Coraline.

She gave them a faint smile, but inside her heart was breaking. She knew what it meant to love the Dark One. She was unique in that end, amongst them all. She knew that they only had a certain window to protect the Neal's half-heart once it was in Coraline's body. This was a new development and suddenly Belle had hope for the woman she thought of like a sister and a daughter. Her heart was breaking, because she knew that Coraline wasn't going to stay. No matter what happened today she was going to make them follow through with the plan that she'd already laid out. In three days, Coraline would have Ruby bury her in the well. There was going to be no swaying her. Belle could only hope that she could give her something before she was entombed. And she hoped that the something that she gave her was enough to bring Coraline back from wherever she ended up until she felt comfortable enough to come home.

In the other room, Regina, Snow and Blue stood over the young boy. Snow's eyes were already tearing up. She feared that this wouldn't help her son and that everything that Coraline came back to the past would have been in vain. Regina took both of Snows hands as she placed Coraline's bright red and pulsing heart into her hands.

"Don't drop that," Regina muttered.

Her eyes flashed purple as she neared Neal. Blue was there to suspend the boy so that he wouldn't feel the pain that the removal of his heart could cause. Once he was ready, she gave Regina a sign to take his heart.

Snow could do nothing but look on in abject horror. She knew that it was necessary in order to save him and the rest of the family, but it didn't make it any easier for her. She had seen Regina take hearts before. Hell, she'd even let her take hers, only to have Regina put it back. She knew the pain that her young son was about to feel. She closed her eyes.

"Open your eyes, Snow," Regina demanded.

Her hazel eyes met her coffee and purple tinged eyes. Regina's look was fierce, but loving. She took a step towards his bed. Her eyes never left Snow's.

"Look at him while we do this. I want you to see what our family is doing in order to survive. I want you to never forget the sacrifice of your granddaughter in order to save her uncle. I want someone very close to him to feel the pain and triumph of this transfer. I want you to remember and never forget that I am doing this to save us all," Regina told her.

She saw the tears in Snow's eyes. She knew that her words were harsh, but she refused to sugar coat what was about to happen. This wasn't meant to pleasant. She wanted Snow to know what could be losing, but wasn't. She wanted Snow to feel the pain that she would be feeling in a few days if their bound loves weren't enough to protect and heal the half-heart of Neal once it was given to Coraline. She wanted someone besides Emma to share in her grief and misery. She knew that it was petty, but she was the former Evil Queen.

Snow came closer to her son's frozen body. Her eyes met those of Blue. She saw the wonder and the slight fear in the fairy's eyes, but she also saw the resolve in Regina's. They were doing this and they knew that it would give the better outcome. Snow would have Neal and Regina would be able to give her daughter, Remy yet to be born, a better childhood than the one that Coraline had suffered through. It was a painful, magical step, but it was necessary.

Suddenly and methodically, Regina's hand plunged into Neal's tiny body. Snow sobbed at the sight of her son's small body arching upwards towards her former step-mother, now her daughter-in-law. Regina felt the same blockage that Cora had felt when she tried to pull out Emma's heart years ago. Knowing that Neal would have to trust her in order for her to get his heart out, she turned back to Snow. She was the only one who could make Neal do it. She released his tiny half-heart.

"Wha-what's wrong?" Snow asked as Regina reached out for her Coraline's heart.

"You have to do it," Regina told her and heard Blue's gasp behind her.

"M-m-me?"

"Neal doesn't love me. His body won't just give up his heart to me. He is also the product of True Love and it that magic that protects his small heart. Snow, you have to do this."

She looked at Blue and Regina in abject horror. She couldn't destroy her son. She couldn't do something that heinous without nightmares and she knew it.

"Don't worry. He won't feel a thing. I've taken care of that," Blue urged her watching Snow's decent into near madness.

"Would you do anything to save your child?" Regina asked her point blank.

Snow faced her. The anger was now burning in her eyes. She simply shook her head "yes."

"Then do it."

"I c-c-can't do th-th-that."

"Snow, you have to. His and Coraline's life are now in your hands. I'll put her heart in as soon as you take his. He won't feel anything. Blue's made sure of that. But, you love as his mother will allow you to take it. You have to take his heart," Regina told her.

Snow just started shaking her head "no." She backed up away from the bed. She couldn't do it.

"Snow, look at me."

She turned sharply. She saw the fire in Regina's eyes. She was hypnotized by her gaze.

"You condemned another's child to a life of pain and misery in order to protect Emma. This is your son you are trying to save. We have done everything that we can in order to protect him from any pains or any memories of this ever happening. I can't remove his heart without destroying his body. You love as a mother will allow you to break through and take it. DO IT!"

Snow took a hesitant step towards the bed. She looked up at Regina's face. She could she the hardened woman that she'd fought in the Enchanted Forest mixed with the young woman that had cared for her, saved her, and loved her as a child. She took a deep breath. She leaned over, kissed her son's forehead, and placed her hand on his chest. Her own heart constricted at the thoughts of what she was about to do.

"Now, just think about holding his heart in your hands. You'll feel your hand sink through his chest until you feel something warm and pulsing. Once you feel it, only think of your love for him as you slowly pull it out," Regina instructed her.

Snow blinked away the tears in her eyes and nodded in response. She felt her hand slowly push through his body until it was inside. It felt so warm inside. She could feel the throbbing of his heart and then she had it in her hand. Slowly and with a purpose she started to pull back. She felt a slight resistance and immediately thought about how much she loved her small boy. The resistance gave and her hand came out of his chest with a flourish.

She was too busy looking at his small, bright red, broken half-heart to see Regina plunging Coraline's True Love protected heart in its place. She heard the sharp intake of breath from Blue and watched as her son's body accepted his niece's heart into it. His body relaxed on the pallet. Regina simply reached over to take the heart from Snow, but she pulled it away. She gave Regina a strange look, one in which Regina cocked her eyebrow at. Regina could feel her anger beginning to surface and her magic swell inside her at the thought that Snow would deny her the heart to save her own daughter.

"Let me do it," Snow finally said very quietly.

Regina just nodded. She understood then. She needed to do this to believe that she'd done the right thing. It was another way for Snow to assuage her guilt about taking Neal's heart. It was a way for Snow to make penance for everything that she had done against Regina, to make Emma lighter, and what she might have done to release the Blackness on them in the future that Coraline had to live through without them. This act of evil and love would be her consequence.

Blue told them that she would stay with Neal until they were done. She instructed them on what to do once the half-heart was in Coraline and informed them that she would stay with her the rest of the night. She also let them know that Charming and Snow were welcome to stay in Neal's room. She would have more pallets brought to the rooms. She knew that Regina and Emma wouldn't leave Coraline's side for three more days. She could only hope that this was going to be enough for Coraline to fight back and stay with them.

Snow followed Regina down the hall and back into Coraline's room. As soon as they walked into the room, Regina flashed them a look. They all understood it meant leave. Charming gathered them all up and head for the door. He stopped before Snow, looking down at the small, half-heart in her hands, and kissed her on the cheek, mumbling about how he would be with Neal, waiting for her when she was ready. Snow simply nodded in response.

Emma was the only one that stayed. Regina wasn't sure that she wanted Emma in there with them. She was too close to everyone involved, but she was also the only calming factor for them as well. Emma, however, was smart enough to move out of the way. She backed herself up to the wall and watched from afar. Heart taking was not something that she wanted to learn.

Snow hovered over Coraline's body. She seemed unsure of what to do, but she didn't ask Regina for help either. She just stood there, bent at the waist, and whispering something. Regina couldn't hear what she was saying, but she was sure that it was something to calm the already lifeless body on Coraline and an admission of guilt for doing this to her.

Regina would never understand Snow's need to be always on the side of good. She understood all too well that sometimes one had to make the tough decision, the wrong choice, or the easy way out of a situation without a care as to the consequences. Magic gave Regina that freedom, but then she realized that Snow never knew that type of empowerment and joy. Thinking about it further, she mused that it was a good thing that Snow didn't have magic but her daughter did. If Snow had magic when they were in the Enchanted Forest, they would have laid waste to each other and there would have been a lot more casualties and stress put upon the people.

Snow turned up to face Regina. Hazel questioning the deep, rich, coffee brown. Regina merely waved her hand at her daughter's body and gave Snow a look that basic stated "get on with it." She took another step towards the pallet. She looked across the body to where Snow was standing and just hoped that her step-daughter turned mother-in-law would just hurry up and push the heart into Coraline's body. She actually needed it inside Coraline so she could start the spells that would protect her and help her. Snow took the small, broken organ and shoved it inside of Coraline's chest.

Coraline's body automatically reacted to the heart. She was pure magic, and it didn't matter that she was the embodiment of absolute evil in being the Dark One. She was also the product of True Love from another product of True Love. She was Love. Her body arched off the pallet and she grimaced.

Regina wasn't sure what to do at that moment. She had never seen someone react so harsh to getting a heart if theirs was missing. It was almost like the Love in the heart, mixed with the glowing Love magic that surrounded Coraline's body, was fighting a battle against the darkness insider her. Her body seemed to fight the battle physically. Regina was a aghast. She didn't know what to do. None of her training with Rumple prepared her for anything that they were facing now. This was more than magic. She didn't know how to describe it.

Coraline's body finally relaxed and fell back to the cot with a loud thump. Emma was immediately off the wall and beside her small family. This was supposed to be a happy day, she thought to herself. She didn't know what to think when Coraline didn't immediately wake. She was so still. Her eyes tore from her adult daughter's body to that of her new wife's. She didn't know what she was looking for from Regina, but she didn't find it. Regina looked just as worried as she was. Snow wasn't much better.

"I don't know, Emma. I don't know what to do. She should have woken up," Regina told her.

"Wake her up!" Emma screamed at her.

"I don't know how. She is full of the two most powerful magics known to us. I am not sure if they aren't fighting for control of her, Emma."

"Do something!" Emma demanded.

Regina rounded the pallet and grabbed her wife around the waist. She pulled her into an embrace. It was odd being the one comforting her wife. She was used to being the one who was comforted. She was now a "Charming," though.

"I'll just go…" Snow started to say.

Regina just waved her off. She knew that Snow wanted to go check on her son. There was nothing else that she could do for them. She didn't know what to say to her own daughter. She knew that Snow blamed herself for the events that had taken place, but so did Regina. Then she remembered what Coraline had told them while preparing for this.

"We just have to wait, Emma."

"Wait? Wait for what? What are you talking about?" Emma asked her wife.

Pulling away from her, her eyes were wild and full of fear, but Regina didn't let her go far. She still held Emma as her body relaxed. Emma saw the change in Regina's posture, but she didn't know what it meant. Regina kept Emma's hands in her own as she looked down at Coraline.

"She said it would take three days."

"Three days until what?"

"We have to wait three days for the magic to take full effect. She was planning something and we didn't see it. She must have done something, but that doesn't matter. We'll just have to watch her and protect her for three days. But no matter what happens, I am not that I can let her go…."

"I know that Ruby is doing something. Maybe we should ask her about it. Do you think that she knows something that we don't?" Emma asked her.

"She's building Coraline's tomb. I don't think that Coraline thinks she'll survive this. She is using the three days as a buffer…just in case…" Regina started to explain.

"Just in case she doesn't wake up?" Emma asked.

"Yes," Regina replied, utterly defeated when she realized that her daughter had planned her own death in order to rewrite her past and their future. "She is supposed to be the Survivor, not the sacrifice. Stay here, Emma. Call me if there is any change. I have a Bookworm to talk to…"