Title: Last Thing You'll Do
Author: Calliope-plantain
Rating: M
Pairing:Regina/Emma
Disclaimer: I do not own Once. All characters in this story sadly do not belong to me; they're simply being borrowed for a little while, and then will be returned. This story was not written for profit and no copyright infringements are intended.
Storyline: Regina could say her life was perfect… and then it got turned upside down.
Author's Note:Trigger warning – Major Character death. I split this chapter into two.
Beta: Scarlet-Marauder awesomely encouraged me to write this, and then was my beta. So any mistakes she's missed and any feelings of distress are her fault ;)
The house was empty and cold around her as the front door closed. No air seemed to move throughout the house, making it difficult to draw breath. Cold and darkness seemed to linger in air, clinging to everything making it so difficult just to keep breathing. It had been the same way for the last seven days. A week had passed since her true love had died.
Parts of the last week seemed to blur into one continuous moment while others dragged and Regina can remember each distinct minute that had passed. She can remember exactly what the paramedics had worn as they entered their home, rushing to where Regina was holding Emma; trying with everything she had just to make her love wake up. She remembers every word the two men said to her and Henry as they asked them to move out of the way so they could help Emma. Every single word; and yet she couldn't remember what they looked like. She couldn't have even pick their faces out of a line up.
Regina can't remember the ride to the hospital but she can remember both her and Henry standing in the middle of the room unable to do anything to help the doctors and nurses rushing around to help Emma. She can remember caring very little that she was stood in a crowded room in only her pyjamas, her bare feet sticking to the cold tiled floor. She can remember looking over at Henry and noticing for the first time just how old the boy was as he stood still dressed in the clothes from the day before. She had watched Henry straighten and marvelled in just how tall her son was before she allowed herself to look at the thing that had caught his attention. It had been Whale walking towards them.
She cannot remember now what the man said; though she can remember with a sick irony that had Emma been there she would have understood the long words and peculiar terms the doctor had used. She can only remember looking at him, she wasn't even sure she was moving but she can remember staring at him. Waiting for the moment he'd say Emma was okay; that he'd managed to save her. Except those words never came. Instead the words "I'm sorry we did all we could" followed his explanation. Thinking back as Regina had done repeatedly this last week she wasn't even sure Whale had told her that Emma had died, only that she knew she had.
She can remember how everything seemed to stop. The world stopped spinning, and the Earth's population silenced. Everything froze and Regina's vision blurred and darkened around the edges. She fought the urge to vomit and not collapse as the tight band that had been trying to suffocate her since Emma's confession that the man in front of her had found a tumour in her brain, finally defeated her. It had tightened so forcefully she struggled for breath as she had clutched at her chest. The only thing that stopped her from giving up in that moment was feeling Henry tucking himself into her side. It had been the young teen's sobs and pleading the man before them; he had to be wrong, his mother wasn't dead. She can remember her son shrinking before her eyes.
She remembers holding him close as they both cried themselves hoarse within minutes; neither of their legs could withstand their weight nor the weight of their grief as they crashed to the floor. How was it possible that Emma was dead when just minutes before she'd been trying to persuade Regina to stay in bed with her? How could Regina have refused? She had cared very little for their audience as the medical staff seemed to give her and her son their moment to grieve. She remembers turning down Whale's offer to inform the Mayor of her daughter's death. It was something she, Regina should do.
Regina can remember the exact tone her former stepdaughter's voice took as Regina tried to explain that her daughter was gone. The pixie haired woman had misunderstood and thought she had meant back to Boston. It was only when Regina broke down and sobbed down the phone the other woman had understood. It was then Snow had begged Regina to tell her she was lying. That it was just a cruel attempt to get back at her for everything Snow had done and said since Emma had left; and as both woman cried Regina had wished it was.
She can remember the moment Whale had allowed them to see Emma. Her skin was pale and taut across her muscle and bones. It was as if seeing her love for the first time and it hadn't been until hours later Regina realised it had been. Gold's spell had worn off when Emma's heart had stopped beating. She can remember using the same enchantment to preserve Emma's body as she done with Daniel as Henry had held his birthmother's hand. As the spell took effect Emma looked just as if she was sleeping and Regina had allowed her eyes to trace every inch of her lover's skin and only to feel her heart plummet when the dark eyelashes didn't twitch in dream.
She can't remember Snow and Charming getting to the hospital nor the hours that followed. She can only remember sitting by Emma's bedside, holding her hand and stroking her shortened hair as she cried. She can remember Snow crying over her daughter's body just as she had cried over Charming's as the curse had washed over them. She had been painfully reminded as the young woman traced every line of Emma's face with one finger that it was something Snow had probably done in the time after she had given birth. Tracing every feature of her daughter's face to memory…just in case. Except this time Snow wouldn't see her daughter's face again.
She can't remember the drive home in the back of Charming's car but it was with a daunting comprehension she realised as they pulled up that they were not at the mansion. Regina had found she cared very little as Charming opened her car door and followed her inside his own home. Nor did she care when she realised the mug being forced upon her by Henry was filled with hot cocoa with cinnamon and not coffee. It was with a small smile she had noticed that each had their own mug filled with the drink that Emma, Henry and Mary Margaret shared a liking for. Henry had made them. "Emma" Charming's broken voice said with a tilt of his mug in a form of a toast. She remembered with a lump that still had not shifted to this day, as they all toasted to Emma.
The first few nights Regina and Henry had stayed at the Charming's apartment. Henry in the bed he usually slept in when staying with his grandparents and Regina on the couch. Not that much sleeping on her part was done. The three nights Regina had stayed all the adults had said their good nights and had gone to their respective sleeping places; only to meet once again in the kitchen a few hours later with reddened eyes and clear tear streaks marring their faces. They tried their hardest to ignore the young teen they could hear crying from the floor above. Henry had refused their hugs and attention wanting to grieve alone. It broke her heart to hear him so upset and not be able to do anything to ease his pain; further more to know he did not want her to.
The funeral had been this morning. Somewhere amongst the late night talks and continuous out bursts of emotions Regina realised it should be Snow and Charming that should arrange it. In turn Charming also took a back seat and allowed his wife to arrange the ceremony. They didn't even have a naming ceremony for their daughter never mind everything else they missed out on for twenty-eight years; Regina could give them this. It surprised her however when Snow asked Regina for advice and suggestions. From flowers, music to where it should be held and who to invite. Regina couldn't help but remember the day Emma had left Storybrooke she had berated Regina and Snow's attempts to get along just for once. Just for her. Why had it taken Emma's death for the two women to get along? No matter how long it lasted.
Regina had returned home alone. She still saw Henry every day; however he had decided to stay with his grandparents at least until after his mother's funeral. While Regina wanted her son close she understood his need to cling to the last thing he felt he had left of Emma. Her parents. It was a surprised then on the first morning of Regina returning home she found Snow standing on her doorstep. It was something she did every morning that followed, spending hours at the large house. Something else that had surprised Regina was the openness between herself and her former stepdaughter. During their sessions in which they planned Emma's funeral they often found themselves talking about Emma and memories and stories they both had about the young woman. They laughed and cried with each other over the past and what ifs. Snow had often talked about her hopes and dreams for her daughter and the plans she had hoped they'd carry out once Emma had gotten older. Plans she now wanted to carry out with Henry.
It was during one of these sessions Snow had pulled out a small piece of paper and handed it to Regina. Upon the lined paper was Emma's handwriting stating she wanted to be buried in her pink dress. Regina had despite seeing it was clearly written in Emma's hand had objected. It was clear Emma had been trying to fit to everyone else's wants when she wrote the note. Emma worn jeans, tank tops and leather jackets; she did not wear dresses. To bury her in one…it wasn't who Emma was. Snow had smiled sadly back at her before leaving the room. Regina had listened to the other woman moving around before she came back down the stairs. Any other time Regina would have scolded the woman for going through their things and wandering about their home but she found herself not caring anymore.
Snow had reappeared with the pink dress still upon its hanger. The other woman explained Emma had given her the note explaining her wishes while they were at the stables the day before she died. Regina had listened as Snow continued to explain it was the dress Emma had been wearing the night Henry had come to get her from Boston. The night that changed her life for the better. Regina had let her tears fall as she ran her fingers across the dress feeling the material smooth against her touch. It was the dress Emma had told her about as they rode together, the dress Emma had promised Regina would see her in sometime. Regina guessed the blonde had been right after all.
Yesterday had been the worst day. Snow had gone to the hospital's chapel of rest to prepare Emma. She had left Regina crying down the phone to a perfectly nice receptionist at a hospital in Boston. She couldn't find Emma's swan pendant. She could remember before they had gone to the stables looking across and see the necklace was not in its rightful place. The place it had sat since Neal had returned the necklace to Emma two Christmases ago. She had summoned Emma's boxes carrying her belongings into the study. She hadn't been ready yet to face walking into the master bedroom, choosing to sleep on one of the couches in the study or living room. She had looked through each of Emma's boxes several times looking for the small necklace. The floor and furniture of the study had looked like a bomb had exploded. She had cast a finding spell upon the house which should have led her to the exact room and place the hiding pendant was. Except it hadn't. Regina had concluded Emma must have left it Boston. Regina couldn't bury Emma without it.
So Regina had looked up all the hospitals she could find in Boston and had rang around every one. Each time having to explain her situation; each time getting more and more upset and irate. With only four more hospitals to go she found the one Emma had been treated at. The receptionist said someone would look into seeing if a necklace matching Regina's description had been handed into lost property and would call her back. Regina knew before the woman had spoken that it hadn't been found. Which only left the apartment Emma had been staying in and there was no way Regina could call every landlord in Boston.
She had been crying before she even entered the small room. Whale said it had to be cold to preserve Emma but Regina's spell was doing that. As she entered she realised just how cold it was. She could feel the hairs on the back of neck and arms stand with the temperature as took in the sight of her love. She wondered if it was the linger of death in the room as she felt its breath against her skin.
Emma had looked beautiful. The dress did look a little big but it seemed to still show every curve of Emma's body. The makeup Snow had applied truly did make it look as if Emma was sleeping and all Regina would have to do was place a gentle kiss upon her lips and she'd awaken. Except Regina had known that wasn't true. The dress showed just the right amount of Emma's long legs only to be finished just right in the shoes Regina and Snow had chosen. Had Emma been about to go out with a beautiful smile upon her lips instead of laying prone upon a cold slab Regina would have said she looked perfect.
Regina had allowed the tears to fall and felt them warm her chilled cheeks as she pulled the lone chair towards the table in the middle of the room. Dressing Emma should have been her job. She had been so irate with finding Emma's pendant and trying to make something so terrible the best it could be for her love; she hadn't considered what Emma would have wanted. How embarrassed Emma would have felt knowing her mother had undressed and redressed her. It should have been Regina's job.
Regina had cried clutching Emma's hand as she pleaded for forgiveness. Forgiveness for not being able to save her, for allowing Snow to prepare her, for forcing Snow to give her up when she was just hours old and making Emma face this world alone. Forgiveness for waiting so long to tell Emma she loved her, for everything they could have had but never would. She sobbed into Emma's shoulder, thankful her spell had also preserved Emma's smell but the coldness of her skin was something she'd never forget. She smelt just like her Emma. Only her cries were not soothed and her hold was not reciprocated and that was worse than anything else Regina had put herself through. The Emma laid upon the table was not her Emma anymore. Her Emma wouldn't have listened to her cry so violently without holding her just as tightly. She realised in that moment her love was gone.
She still whispered she loved her and begged her love to return to her, but Emma did not respond. Regina's tears still fell as she explained to the empty room she had tried and failed in trying to find her pendant. She had cried how sorry she was and how she'd tried. Her magic hadn't been working as it should. Magic was emotion after all and she couldn't control hers. Explained the only spells which had been successful in the last six days had been the spell to preserve Emma and the spell to get Emma's boxes from their room. Regina had managed in a quiet confession that she hadn't returned to their room since the day Emma had left them. Just before Regina had left she held Emma's hand and with a flick of the other created a perfectly replica of Emma's swan pendant. It wasn't the real thing but it was the best she could do. She had placed a gentle goodbye kiss upon Emma's cold lips and for a fleeting moment tricked herself into believing she saw movement. She hadn't. She ran her fingers once more through Emma's hair before leaving with just as many tears glistening upon her cheeks as she had entering the small chilled room.
Later in the day Henry had returned home for his suit to wear for the ceremony. Had he rang Regina she would have willingly brought it over to his grandparents'. She had been surprised to see Neal standing in their foyer. Apparently Henry had rung his father telling him of Emma's passing and funeral arrangements. Regina had felt momentarily guilty for not calling the man herself; she should have been able to lift the burden off her son's shoulders. She had been surprised further when Neal had turned up to the funeral with his new girlfriend. Henry had come home from a trip visiting his father a few months ago with exciting stories of his father's new girlfriend. She seemed to be hit with Henry.
As Regina, Snow and Henry had walked behind the coffin being carried by Charming, Neal, Hook, Archie, Whale and Ruby, Regina had been astonished to see how many people had turned up. Every member of Storybrooke it seemed had turned up. Knowing the ceremony would be busy they had arranged for it to be held outside, but no one expected the masses to come in such a number.
Henry had chosen to sit between herself and Snow as the ceremony started. She couldn't remember what was said or even who'd said it. Her son had tucked himself at her side and she'd held the boy as he cried over his mother. She hadn't shed a tear throughout the ceremony. Not really. It was only when Snow White had invited Regina to the front to speak had she broke. As she stood in front of the hundreds of people she had cursed for twenty eight years she expected their hatred and their disgust. Instead she was greeted with their warmth and kindness. The townspeople laughed and cried along with her as she went through her unexpected speech about their beloved Sheriff and Saviour. They treated her as if she was giving a eulogy for the woman she loved instead of the Evil Queen. They had finally accepted her.
Even the weather had mourned the Saviour's death though it waiting until the coffin was lowered into the ground before it started its downpour. It had been decided between Regina and Snow that Emma wouldn't be placed inside the Mills mausoleum but the plot beside it. Both families could visit when they wanted, though she suspected by the large crowd Emma's funeral had attracted the grave site would never be bare of flowers.
As Regina made her way through the house and up the long staircase she wondered if Emma ever fathomed what she meant to their small town. She was not just their Saviour destined to break an evil witches curse, nor was she just their Sherriff. She was a beloved friend to many and would be dearly and truly missed. A loss felt by the whole community and not just those who knew and loved her most.
Regina felt her heart tighten and lurch as she reached the top most steps. She had been avoiding walking up this side all week, not having the courage to step across where Emma had been stolen from them. She had not wanted to relive those moments and yet as she stood looking down upon the spot in which her love had taken her last breath in Regina's arms, the former Queen found she could do little else.
Regina's body was numb. She felt nothing as she made her way up the stairs towards Emma. She took the steps two, sometimes three at a time towards her face down lover. "No...Emma. No" Regina chanted unable to keep the panic from her voice. Emma had told her about the time Ruby had found her passed out in the Sheriff's office that's all this was. Another seizure. Regina had never thought she'd wish for Emma to be having a seizure. The alternative was unthinkable. It wasn't possible not yet. But Emma wasn't moving.
"Regina" croaked Emma's strained voice, only just managing to make her voice heard over Regina's heavy footfalls as she stomped up the stairs.
"Emma..." Regina said again as the brunette half knelt, half crashed to the ground behind where her fallen partner lay. Without thinking Regina turned Emma over and the pain the blonde was in was apparent instantly. Emma's once beautiful face was contorted in agony, her mouth open in a cry that never made it from her lungs. Regina had little to no medical knowledge; apart from bandaging scrapped knees and other minor injuries Henry had managed to inflict upon himself she had very little clue as what to do.
Closing her eyes she tried to transport them both to the hospital. Whale would know what to do. He could do something…anything to help Emma. Regina could feel her heart beating erratically within her chest. Its beat, her emotions and magic were swirling round inside of her making her feel confused and sick; but she knew before she opened her eyes that they were still at the top of the mansion's staircase. She failed to transport them. She tried and tried but she couldn't as her cries fell in splutters from her lips.
Each time she opened her eyes she saw Emma's pained gaze looking up at her, almost as if she was begging her to do something to help her. Except she couldn't. She was the Evil Queen. Healing magic of this magnitude wasn't something she'd ever learnt. She couldn't even stop Emma's pain. She was useless. The final time Regina's eyes opened she saw Emma's features had relaxed. She looked almost peaceful as her eyes slid closed.
"No! Talk to me Emma" Regina barked and Emma's eyes shot open in shock and Regina felt her heart jump in the same fright. Regina didn't know what to do. What could she do? What should she do? All she could do was partially pull and drag the blonde's torso up so her head was resting upon Regina's lap, allowing Regina to stroke Emma's head. Her brow felt feverish.
"Hey" Emma exhaled and it shook Regina to her core at just how weak Emma sounded. How was this happening? She'd been fine only minutes ago. What had happened. Why had Regina left her side? Emma had asked her to stay and all Regina had cared about was giving their son pancakes. Henry didn't need pancakes. Emma had needed Regina.
"Hey" Regina breathed back knowing her tears were falling. She could see them upon Emma's pale face. But she also managed a sad smile and saw Emma return it weakly. If only Regina had her cell on her. She could ring for an ambulance.
"I'm sorry" Emma whispered with the same saddened smile as her eyes slid closed once more. Regina's stomach lurched within her gut.
"No!" Regina demanded though it did not carry the same command as her last. Nonetheless Emma flinched, though her eyes did not open.
"Regina" Emma groaned quietly. No she was not going to lose Emma. She couldn't, not now. Not after everything. They had plans. They had dreams and they hadn't gotten a single one of them. Emma deserved her happiness. She couldn't die. Regina wouldn't let her!
"Emma please. Look at me" Regina begged through her broken sobs. Emma didn't open her eyes. Emma could not give up. Regina wouldn't let her. Emma was so damn stubborn and hard-headed. This was not it, Regina wouldn't let it be it. Emma had to open her eyes and do it now!
"Ma?" Henry's sleep broken voice sounded from behind them. Oh god Henry. He shouldn't see this. There was no shielding him from this now. It was Henry's voice however that managed to pull through the fog clouding Emma's brain because the blonde finally opened her eyes. Regina would cry with happiness if only it was enough to show Emma was going to be okay except she was anything but okay.
"Go call for an ambulance" Regina told their son with as much determination as she could. Except Henry didn't move. He just stood looking down at his mothers…his birthmother in shock. "Henry!" Regina shouted pulling Henry out of his staring at Emma who only winced and grabbed for Regina as another wave of pain washed over her. "Go…Call for an ambulance" Regina repeated. She understood her son's reaction she really and truly did. He could break down once Emma was okay. They both could, but right now Emma needed them. Both of them. Her little boy shook his head, clearing the fog there before he ran back to the master bedroom, clearly to use her cell.
"Take care of him for me" Emma said her clear tone left nothing to be argued. Except Regina had an argument. She wasn't going to do this alone not yet!
"Emma no don't you dare" Regina said forcefully lowered her face to Emma's. She wasn't going to let Emma give up. Not yet. Not after everything Emma had done these last few months. Emma had fought too hard to give up now. She had to keep fighting. She had to. She couldn't lose Emma yet. Not yet, please. "We...we will take of him…Together" Regina continued as voice broke impossibly so as watched Emma grimace in pain once more.
"Regina please..." Emma begged though what the other woman was begging for Regina wasn't sure. She wouldn't promise to take care of Henry not when Emma wasn't dying yet. There was no point. When the time came she would. She would and she would be honoured to look after their little boy when the time came, except it wasn't time yet. Emma had to keep holding on.
"The ambulance is coming Emma please just hold on" Regina begged, running her finger through the hair that was damp with sweat and Regina's tears.
"I'm so tired Regina" Emma pleaded with tears in her eyes and it was then Regina realised what Emma was asking. She was asking her to let her go. She couldn't. She wouldn't. Regina clung onto as much of Emma as she could reach without causing the other woman more pain.
"Please Emma" Regina begged. Begged for Emma to stay with her. Begged her to get better. Begged just to keep fighting. That was all she needed Emma to do. She, Henry, the doctors they would do everything else. All Emma had to do was keep her eyes open and keep fighting. She knew Emma was a fighter. That was all she had to do. Fight!
"I need to sleep" Emma breathed as eyes slid closed again. Despite the fatigue she could see Emma was trying to keep her eyes open only for her eyelids to grow heavy and close against her will. She could feel Emma's hand resting upon the leg that was curled under the prone blonde. Even as her face distorted in agony she was still trying to comfort Regina. To stay connected and be what Regina needed her to be.
"You can sleep just stay with us" Regina said trying to reason with the woman. She could sleep. She could close her eyes and Regina would take care of her. She just had to keep her heart beating. She just had to relax and Regina would do her job and protect her. Emma didn't have to worry about anything. That was Regina's job.
"Please I need you. Henry needs you. I can't do this without you" Regina pleaded the woman in her arms. She wasn't ready. She couldn't do this by herself! Emma was meant to be here. She needed to stay. Regina didn't ask Emma for much. She had to do this. She had to stay!
"You can. You'll be great" Emma croaked with a thinned smile as if she believed it. Emma believed in her. She always had and had promised she always would.
"I love you" Regina sobbed as she placed a small kiss to Emma's brow. She felt the moist fevered skin against her lips. She felt Emma's fingers twitch against her own skin. The only comfort she could give in return.
"I love y..." Emma said her sentence dying within the air as the blonde froze. Regina felt her own heart shattering as her love took her last breath. She literally felt her heart being crushed in an almost fatal grip by an unseen force within her chest. The tingling feeling she always feels when Emma is around, her magic reacting with Regina stopped almost immediately. Its loss almost crippled her.
Looking up she could see Emma's eyes are closed, that small but beautiful smile still upon her lips. She knew but refuses to believe it. Emma could not be dead she wouldn't accept it.
"No! Emma stay with me" Regina's broken command tore up her throat as she fought the pain she could feel within her chest. She'd missed it. The last thing Emma had seen was not Regina's face. She would not let that happen. It was unacceptable. Emma was not dead. She was not gone. "Please don't leave me. We need you" Regina continued her forceful voice broke as Emma failed to respond.
"Don't do this" Regina shouted at her as she shook the blonde's shoulders. Except Emma's head only lulled lifelessly to the side. "No" Regina cried as she moved Emma further across her lap so she could see more of her face. "Please" Regina moaned. "Please Emma, please" she cried as she heard Henry's heavy footsteps come and stop only a foot away. She couldn't look at him. Where was the damn ambulance!
She placed a hard and deliberate kiss upon Emma's lips, except Emma did not move. She did not respond. No. This couldn't be happening. Please. She'd do anything. Anything. Just make Emma breath goddamn it!
"Breathe! Emma Breathe!" Regina shouted as she heard their son's gasped cry. They couldn't do this without her. She shook Emma again. She was not dead. She wouldn't accept it. Emma was the Saviour. The product of True Love. The daughter of the insufferable Snow White and Prince Charming. She did not give up!
"Wake up!" Regina told the prone woman, except she did not. Emma did not move. Regina moved once more and allowed her eyes to close for a moment before she did it. The very thing she had never wanted to do. A sob broke free of her mouth as she slipped her hands into Emma's chest. She felt the blonde's heart inside of her. She felt its magic and strength except it felt wrong. It was not beating.
Regina closed her eyes once more as she shot a bolt of electric from her hands into the unseen muscle. She heard Henry gasp as he realised what she was trying to do. All that happened was Emma's body jerked. She did it again and again and again. Each failed attempt only made her cry harder.
Removing her hands from her love's chest to check just in case she'd been mistaken. She might just see a small movement. A small indication that she had managed to save her lover. Except she saw nothing. Nothing moved.
"Please honey wake up" Regina pleaded Emma once again, only this time it was barely a whisper. She bent down once again, this time the kiss placed against the soft lips was gentle. It was careful and precious. But it made no difference. Emma still lay unmoving. "Please wake up...Don't leave me" Regina whispered as she let her head fall upon the blonde's chest where her heart refused to beat and her lungs refused to draw in breath. She'd failed.
Her hands...the hands that been the cause of so many deaths...so many to be tortured. Yet she couldn't save the one person she was meant to walk this world with for the rest of their days. Her hand that were meant to be held carefully as they walked down the aisle together. Held tightly as she gave birth to their future children and they watched their first grow up. Her hand Emma was meant to hold as they both aged and turned grey. Her hands...her heart and magic meant nothing now. Her true love was dead. Emma was gone.
A loud noise from the master bedroom pulled Regina from her thoughts. She could feel the tears that had been threatening to fall all day deepening her cheeks as she steps across the place where Emma died in her arms. The spot that changed her life. The house was tainted with both the good and bad memories she shared with the two people she loved most.
With deliberate slowness Regina opened the bedroom door and saw the room looked just as it did only hours before. It had taken her seven days to make this far but in the hours previous it had been to get her dress for the funeral. It was Emma's favourite. She had felt she had to look her best for the woman she loved and she couldn't go to her funeral looking any less than that. As the door opened Regina was hit head-on with the smell in the room. The smell of Emma. It had hadn't been there when she last entered the room.
The bed was just as Emma had left it over a week ago. Regina didn't even want to consider doing anything with the sheets. She knew if she only lay down upon Emma's side and placed her head upon her love's pillow all she'd smell was the blonde. It would be as if she was surrounded by her once more. Except if Regina did that she might never want to leave this room again. She'd immerse herself in the other woman and would never be able to give that up.
She walked to Emma's side of the bed and saw for the first time what had made the large thud. Emma's diary was opened upon the floor. She had seen the book on the bedside table. It had looked secure and far from the edge… how had it fallen off? As she bent down to pick up the small book she felt her fingertips tingle. It was the same feeling she felt when Emma was surround. The sensation Emma had attributed to their connected magic. If she believed in such things she'd wonder if it had been Emma who had knocked the book upon the floor. Regina had confessed in the chapel of rest, to not entering this room in the week since Emma died. The blonde had promised to do what she could … from the other side. Was it Emma? It couldn't be. Could it?