Hey guys, thanks for the reviews! I really do appreciate the praise as well as the critiques of Emma's character; the later has really reminded me to think out my choices and understand my motivations as a writer and my characters' motivations in their actions. When I began this fic, I wanted to highlight the part of Emma that is mildly oblivious and doesn't believe or see what's in front of her...I don't see that so much as immaturity, but more a maladaptive mechanism for defending herself...if readers see her as immature, I'm okay with that, because I think she can be at times...doesn't mean it's a bad thing... all that being said, seriously, thank you for the insights and critiques; they've helped.

Hahaha...the guest who thought Kate was "me" ...that's funny, and flattering, but nah, she's not. If anything, she's like the perfect rockstar, genius girlfriend I wish I had :)

You will find out what's up with Regina...at some point. I promise. But not yet. Again, there is a clue awhile back...some have tried to guess, but no one's mentioned it yet ;)

Anyway, keep your thoughts coming; I love hearing them. Thanks for enduring the bumps and windy road on this remarkable ride; I hope you stay along for the trip. Enjoy chapter 18 :D

The drive back to Boston was relatively quiet in terms of conversation. Kate knew Emma didn't want to talk, so she popped in a mixed CD for them to enjoy. But Emma's mind wasn't on the lyrics or tune of the music. It was still lingering in the hospital room in Storybrooke.

But things got better. Over the next couple of weeks, she went out with Neal to lift her spirits. They had many conversations, teasing out the details of what had happened, and more importantly, where things were going. Neal, in interest of keeping Emma from tumbling into depression, convinced her to let go—to try and make things work with Kate. After all, Kate understood her and they hit it off well. Emma told herself that her father was wrong. There was no such thing as true love; relationships worked better when they were ones made out of convenience.

And so, she did spend more time with Kate. They went to dinner, took Blue for walks in the park, went to museums—they enjoyed each other's company. Emma told herself that one day it'd feel right. Every day got better. She was beginning to feel a greater fondness for Kate that almost felt like love. It almost felt normal. It almost felt right.

It was the night time that was most difficult. Emma would lie wide awake, just staring at Kate. It was as if she felt that one day, she'd find herself looking at someone whom she truly loved. She had to hold onto that hope. But for now, that day didn't feel near.

She woke up late one morning after a restless night to Blue pawing at her arm. Emma opened her eyes slowly to stare at the dog.

"Nnnooo!" she moaned, but Blue just whimpered. He had something in his mouth. She looked closer just as he dropped the apple he had stolen from the fruit bowl, nudging her to throw it for him.

"Blue!" she cried at the reminder of her night with Regina. But he whimpered more, causing her to give in and toss the apple.

As the pup lunged off to chase the apple, Emma checked her phone. She had a new text message from Ruby.

Hey, did you check your mail yet?!

She was somewhat confused, as it still felt too early to process. She typed back. No, should I be expecting something?

The response was instantaneous. Yes. Call me after you check the mail!

Emma walked into the kitchen passed Blue, who was now holding the apple in-between his paws, gnawing it to death. She put on a pot of coffee and saw that Kate had brought in the mail. She thumbed through it as the coffee pot gurgled, and found the letter Ruby was referencing. She saw the return address listed was Kathryn's. She ripped the envelope and pulled out the invitation.

You are cordially invited to attend the wedding of

Ms. Kathryn Nolan

Ms. Ruby Lucas

On Saturday afternoon

November the 16th

At 3 p.m.

125 Main Street, Storybrooke, Maine

Reception to follow at Granny Lucas's Diner

Emma chuckled to herself. "That was fast," she said aloud as she pulled up Ruby's contact and dialed.

"Hey!" Ruby said excitedly when she answered. "Did you get it?"

"Yeah," Emma answered. "That was pretty quick."

"Yeah, well—," Ruby stumbled, as if she was hiding something, but she just dodged the subject. "So I was hoping you'd be me best man..?"

Emma sighed. "As much as I'd love to, Rubes, you know I can't," she said. "I promised Regina I'd stay out of Storybrooke."

"Oh, she knows already," Ruby answered. "Kathryn asked her if it'd be okay with her, and she said it'd be fine if you were there."

"Really?!"

"Don't get your hopes up, Em," Ruby said, shutting her down. "This is a special occasion—and it took some begging on my end."

"Oh," Emma sighed in slight disappointment. "Well, thanks, Rubes. I guess I'll be there."

"Great, you'll just need to come that week to be there for some minor wedding planning stuff," she explained. "Think you can get off work?"

Emma groaned a bit. "I think I could swing something."

"Awesome! I'll see you in like…ha, a few days!" Ruby joked just before she hung up.

"Yep," Emma smirked to herself as she hung up the phone. "She totally knocked up Kathryn."

Kathryn and Regina sat at the brunette's kitchen table, thumbing through the pages of various wedding and bridal magazines. As they flagged different pages that caught their attention, they discussed matters of the upcoming event.

"Seriously, Regina," Kathryn said sternly, "no one else knows—we haven't even told Ruby's grandmother."

"Ha," Regina laughed, "you're just lucky that you're the one that got pregnant. Can you imagine Eugenia Lucas coming after you with a shot gun?"

Kathryn shoved Regina playfully. "Ruby's just lucky that my father is still in the Enchanted Forrest."

Regina came to a page in the book she was currently looking at and just stopped. She stared longingly at the image of a trumpet cut white gown. She ran her fingers over the image, tracing from the scalloped dipped neckline, twirling around the crisscrossed back, and finally down and out to the end of the long train. She remained silent as she did, but Kathryn read her mind.

"I never liked my wedding dress," Regina finally said. "The dress was breathtaking. But when I put it on, it felt like I was being imprisoned. I knew I was going to marry a man whom I didn't love." She sighed as Kathryn listened. "When I made the curse, I hoped that maybe one day, I'd meet someone new—someone I'd marry while wearing a dress that I chose—"

"Regina," Kathryn said while placing her hand on top of the brunette's. "It's not too late."

Regina sighed once more. "Kathryn, I've met that person," she said, without needing to utter Emma's name, "but I know we'll never be married—it's just not meant to be."

For a moment, Regina seemed content with the idea that whatever had been between her and Emma was over, at her wishes. She seemed resolute in claiming it was not meant to be. But then, she made a scowl on her face.

"You know, that idiot hasn't even tried to call me?!" she exclaimed.

"Who, Emma?" Kathryn asked, and Regina simply raised her brow, astounded that she'd have to ask.

"Not once," Regina continued. "Not my cell, not my office phone. Hell, she didn't even e-mail me!"

Kathryn scratched her head for a moment. "I'm sorry, Regina," she said, "but isn't that what you asked for?"

"I didn't expect her to listen!" Regina cried and then groaned in frustration.

"Regina," Kathryn said slowly, "you're mad at her for respecting your wishes—"

"Name one other time she actually did what I asked her to..?"

Kathryn sighed. "That's not the point." As she watched the brunette fume, working her anger up into a heap, she laughed. "You know, maybe you guys really shouldn't be together—"

Regina, who was now pacing, stopped to look at her friend. "What do you mean?"

"I mean that it's not just Emma who does hurtful things." Regina looked confused, so Kathryn continued. "You kiss her one minute, insult her the next. You let her kiss you when you promised yourself you wouldn't," she said, pausing for a breath. "You fight with her passionately—so much that it makes you want to kiss her again—and you blame her when she picks up on the cue. And then, to top it all off, when you tell her to leave, and she actually does—what do you do? You get yourself all worked up and angry that she hasn't disrespected your wishes!"

Regina couldn't think of a single word to say in response. She just let her mouth go slightly ajar. But Kathryn wasn't finished. "You think you're all high and mighty—the mature one. But Regina, you haven't changed how you treat her! You still insult her parenting abilities—you don't respect her as an equal partner," she said, "that's why you're not together. Not because she hurt you. Not because she has a girlfriend. It's because you don't treat her as an equal, and hell, a queen could never be partners with someone she treats like a lowly serf."

Regina still remained silent. She became lost in thought. As silly as it may be, it had never occurred to her that she treated Emma so poorly. Yes, she was aware that she made snarky comments, but Emma knew those were just her defenses, right? Surely she couldn't have been hurt by them. Heavens knows she always had a quick response. Had she really hurt Emma?

"I'm sorry, Regina," Kathryn said. "It must be the hormones."

"No," Regina said, and then smiled. "Don't be—you're right." She quickly shook her head, not wanting to dote on the matter. She pulled out another dress catalogue. "Now let's have another look at the one with the ball gown waist, shall we?"

"So you're really going back to Storybrooke?"

Neal sat on the couch in Emma's apartment, drinking a beer, as she packed once again for the town she'd been hoping to escape.

"Don't give me that look," she said, pointing at Neal. "This is for Ruby's wedding and Regina knows I'll be there."

Neal shook his head and turned to the pup, sitting beside him. "Emma's a silly human, isn't she, boy?" Neal said to the puppy, who responded by putting a paw on his lap.

"Nothing's going to happen," she defended herself, "I know that. This is strictly friend business."

"Uh huh," he nodded as he tipped back his bottle. "Yep, let me see—a whole week planning Ruby's wedding, alongside Regina. Looking at dresses, picking out flowers," he rattled off. "Tell me how the sex is when you get back."

"Neal!" Emma cried as she threw a shoe at him playfully. He ducked and laughed. "Stop distracting me, I need your help," she said. He simply rolled his eyes, knowing full well that they were both aware that Emma had one thing on her mind. She picked up two different bras to show him. "Now tell me—the black or the red?"

As Emma parked the bug outside of her parent's apartment, after a long drive, she was surprised to see Henry running out the door to greet her. She opened the door for Blue, and sure enough, he bolted toward Henry, wagging his tail as he went.

"Hey boy!" Henry greeted the dog and ruffled his fluffy fur.

"What are you doing here, kid?" Emma asked, as she got her duffle bag from the back seat.

"Mom told me you were coming today, so I asked if I could head over here and she said yes," he explained. He came in for a hug. "I missed you."

Emma laughed, lacing her fingers in his hair. "It's only been like a week and a half!"

"I know," he sighed, "but when you and Mom got into that fight last time, I was worried I wouldn't see you anymore."

"Henry," she said, cupping his chin with her hand. "You know that after all we've been through, your Mom wouldn't keep you from me."

He nodded as they headed up the stairs. She waited before asking. "So, your mom—she's been talking about me?" Henry just rolled his eyes and opened the door to the apartment.

Blue pushed forward, looking eagerly around the rooms for Snow. Emma and Henry laughed as he sniffed the couch, carpet and even put his paw on the window sill to sniff the flowers, thinking it was her. But as soon as he heard her voice, he hopped down and yelped at the pixie cut brunette.

"Hey," she said to Emma, "you finally got here."

"I know, I'm sorry," Emma said, as Snow acknowledged the whimpering pup with a scratch behind his ear. "Traffic was awful."

"Well put down your things quickly," she sighed, "we've got to meet the girls at the shop for dress and tux fittings in fifteen minutes."

The Charmings, Emma and Henry arrived at the tailor shop to see that Belle, Ruby and Kathryn were there waiting. Gold ushered David and Henry over to the men's dressing rooms while Ruby gave Emma a hug and showed her the dresses. As they unwrapped the gowns from their protective sheaths, Emma looked around and noticed they were missing someone.

"Hey Kathryn," Emma said. "Where's Regina?"

Kathryn looked a bit nervous. "Oh, she said she'd be running late—she had another out of town meeting."

"Hmm," Emma said under her breath. What was someone who generally didn't interact with the outside world doing at all of these out of town meetings?—she thought. She would have contemplated it more if she hadn't been interrupted by Ruby.

"Oh, Emma," she said, taking the dress from Ruby's hand, "that's not for you. I figured you'd be better in a tux, considering you're my best man."

"Oh, okay," Emma nodded, taking the suit instead, "works for me."

After nearly a half hour of hearing the other ladies bicker and squabble as they had their dresses tailored, Emma made her way behind a closed curtain with her tux. She pulled her sweater up over her head and shimmied off her pants. As she slid her legs into the pants of the tux, pulling them up, she heard the bell on the shop door ring. That could only mean one thing.

"Sorry I'm late," she heard Regina call out to the others as they greeted her. Emma continued, buttoning up her crisp, white shirt. She hoped Regina would be in her fitting room by the time she came out. But as soon as she slipped on the top jacket, her curtain flew open as Ruby made a wolf whistle.

"Look at you!" she cried, as the girls oohed and ahhed. Everyone except Regina, who remained silent. But she could not keep her gaze averted.

"You clean up pretty good, Emma," Charming said, sporting his matching tux.

Ruby looked at Regina and grinned. "Doesn't she look good, Regina?"

Regina was more speechless than silent. But she finally nodded. "She does," she said softly.

As Regina walked nearly past her, Emma saw Kathryn kick Ruby, making her howl under her breath. She picked up on their whispering, "I told you not to make matters worse!" bickering from Kathryn, which only made her laugh. Just as Regina came within a foot of her, she held out her arm to stop her.

"Regina," she said, captivating the brunette's attention. "Let's just get through this week—for our friends' sake."

Regina looked up into Emma's eyes. She nodded.