You are all the best! Thank you so much for reading. Your follows, favorites, and reviews feed my creativity. I truly appreciate your support, feedback, questions, and ideas. You guys challenge me, which makes me a better writer. So, thank you :) Here is that eagerly awaited next chapter! I promise that is only going to get more exciting in the chapters to come.
Technical difficulty note: I am worried that my paragraphs keep getting jumbled together, (for whatever reason) so I have decided to indicate short passages of time within the same day with: 7777777 I hope that helps!
They are now in Regina's Mercedes, driving toward an unknown destination, preferably one that is still serving breakfast. Regina attempts to filter through the establishments with which she has recently become familiar. Unexpectedly, she remembers one that is always serving breakfast and she knows for a fact that she can get Emma's coffee there. She also recalls her girlfriend's fondness for sweets, which the menu at this business can satisfy.
The former queen feels complete and utter bliss, that she has never before felt in her life, just have having her family safe with her. She is swiftly shaken from her reverie by a small, inquisitive voice.
"'Gina?"
Regina glances in the rearview mirror to her precious child tucked safely in her car-seat. Regina smiles to herself and answers naturally. "Yes, baby?"
"Do you love Mommy?"
The question is innocent of course, but it stirs panic deep within the anxious brunette. Regina abruptly feels like she is on trial. She mentally prepares herself to answer any questions Charlie may have honestly and wholeheartedly.
"I love her with all my heart," Regina responds with assurance. She follows that statement promptly, eager for her daughter's acceptance. "And, I love you too."
"As much as you love Mommy?" That was surprising, but Regina is happy to answer the question that she has known the answer to since the first day she laid eyes on her amazing, beautiful little girl.
"As much and more," she confidently replies.
Regina can tell from the silence that her daughter is thinking hard about something. But, nothing could've prepared her for what Charlie said next.
"You can be part of our family."
Regina gradually becomes aware of the tears clouding her vision. She has no choice but to blink in order to see. She is crying. The normally poised woman inhales deeply before speaking again. Nothing could have prepared her for this.
"Would you like us to be a family?"
In the rearview mirror she can see Charlie's beautiful smile. The elated child replies, "Uh-hu."
Regina breathes a sigh of relief, a little too soon. Charlie follows with, "Will you be my mommy too?"
Okay, she is definitely not prepared for this. "Hang on sweetie. I'm going to pull over."
That statement triggers the tiny child. Suddenly becoming fearful, Charlie starts to cry.
The bile rises into Regina's throat. She feels intense pain in her chest. Her precious angel actually thinks that she is capable of laying a hand on her that is not in love. She quickly tries to re-assure her daughter. "Baby, you're not in trouble. I just want to give you my full attention."
The toddler continues to cry, in desperate need of soothing that only her loving mother can provide.
Regina cries with her child, taking on her fear. "Please don't cry, baby. You're not in trouble, I promise."
She hurriedly parks the car along the street, gets out, and rushes to her baby.
"Baby girl, it's alright," she says in a calming voice, reaching for her little angel. Thankfully, Charlie reaches back, realizing that this woman only desires to comfort her. Regina picks up the hysterical child and immediately wraps her in the most loving, protective embrace; one that can only be exchanged between a mother and her child. By this time, the tears are flowing freely from Regina's face; she fights through them to speak. "Baby, it's okay." In between sobs, she manages, "Sweetheart, you did nothing wrong. You are my good girl, Charlie. You're so good. I love you more than life itself." She pauses for a moment, then whispers that last part a second time. "I love you."
Charlie responds to this by hugging her mother tighter, wishing she could climb into this woman's heart and rest there, where she is safe from all harm. Regina confidently makes this vow, "No one is going to hurt you Charlie, not while I'm around."
Once Charlie has calmed, Regina pets her child's face, saying the same thing she said to her daughter's mother an hour earlier. "There's my girl." Regina kisses her beautiful baby's forehead and whispers, "I love you."
"I love you too," Charlie whisper's back.
"How about we go for a walk," Regina suggests.
The still recovering child nods her approval of that idea. She just rests contentedly in the arms of this woman who has become her rock, the person she turns to when she is afraid or needs comfort. Regina had become the most important person in Charlie's life, other than her blond mother.
Regina carries her child with ease, along the small town's sidewalk until she spots a conveniently placed bench, under the shade of a tree. She decides to stop for a rest and settles Charlie in her lap, realizing that her daughter would not do well if she were to lose close contact at this time. The brunette woman psychologically prepares herself for the conversation that she is about to have with her toddler.
Before beginning, she lets the gentle breeze fill her senses and calm her nerves. With a peaceful heart, she begins, "Charlie, I have a secret to share with you."
"What is it?" Her baby girl's eagerness warms her heart and fills her with hope.
"I…am your mother. I have loved you your whole life. I'm sorry I wasn't there for so long."
That confession inspires Charlie to ask another question. "Where were you?"
Regina didn't think it was possible for her to love her daughter any more than she already did, but her emotions surprised her. Her heart is bursting with love for her child. Then, her answer to her daughter's innocent question takes her by surprise, all the more.
"I was lost. I was lost…without you and your mother."
She can see Charlie's tiny chin begin to quiver. "Were you scared?"
Obviously this child had experienced more fear than she should have in her young life, just like her mothers.
Regina answers honestly, "Yes. I was scared that I would never find you. But, now that I have…I am never letting you go again."
"Why did you let go?"
Is this child three or thirty? Regina is completely blown away by her daughter's maturity. The proud mother responds, "I don't know. I wish I hadn't. Then, we would have always been together. I love you Charlie."
Regina can see her beautiful daughter processing everything that she has said, until she finally finds her voice. She quietly says, trying not to cry, "I love you too, Mommy."
They embrace once again. Even with tears streaming down their faces, mother and daughter are wearing matching smiles.
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She didn't expect to fall apart. She didn't expect this when Regina walked out that door.
She lets the hot water engulf her aching head, silently praying that it will wash away all of her pain, all of her grief, all her years of suffering.
How do I go back to living? What has happened to me? Why am I so afraid? Where is she? I want her here. She should be here, beside me, behind me, touching me, wanting me. I want to feel her. I need to feel her body against mine. How will she ever touch me again? Please, Regina. Please, remember me…the way I was. Was I ever a whole person? Once upon a time, I was…when she loved me.
Emma collapses, no longer able to support her own weight under wobbly legs, she just lets the water beat on her small frame. She is grateful for the falling water, it is a welcomed diversion from own tears.
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Now inside the establishment where a person can still order breakfast past noon, Regina sends a quick text to the woman who had weaseled her way into her heart.
I found her. Our girl is coming home.
Seconds later, Regina's phone begins to vibrate.
Regina fishes the recently replaced phone out of her purse, glances at the caller ID, and inhales deeply before answering, "So you got my text."
"You can't just send me a text like that and expect not to have to talk to me," Mary-Margaret's hysterical voice responds.
"I'm sorry I didn't call. I don't want to be rude to my company."
Mary-Margaret's voice immediately sounds hopeful. "Emma? Can I talk to her?"
Regina calmly responds, "I left her back at the hotel. I'm just picking up food for us."
The pause in the conversation is evidence of Mary-Margaret's confusion. "Who are you with?"
Regina looks at her precious little girl, contently eating her breakfast before responding. Apparently she had taken too long for an impatient Mary-Margaret who inquires again, "Regina?"
Regina manages to catch Charlie's eyes. She smiles softly at the little girl who returns an identical smile. "An amazing little girl."
"Me," Charlie cheers happily.
The toddler's mother beams at her and says, "That's right, I am talking about you."
Regina can hear a noticeable quiver in Mary-Margaret's voice. "Regina?"
Once they were enemies and now they are proud to call each other friend. Mary-Margaret had done a great deal to help Regina cope when Emma went away. Regina knows that she will forever be grateful to this woman for everything that she has done to help her. This woman saved her life.
"Mary-Margaret…I have a surprise for you."
Charlie suddenly becomes curious. "Who you talking to?"
Regina smiles at her intelligent daughter fondly and says, "I'm talking to my friend, Mary-Margaret; she's your grandmother."
At hearing these words, Mary-Margaret confirms, "Yes."
Regina takes a chance. "Do you want to say 'Hi' to Grandma?"
Mary-Margaret is extremely emotional, but she is not about to pass up an opportunity to talk to her granddaughter for the first time. Luckily her plea isn't wasted on the child's mother. "Please, baby."
Charlie nods in response.
Regina moves closer to Charlie. "Okay, here's Grandma." She holds the phone next to her daughter's tiny ear. "Say 'Hi', Charlie."
Charlie doesn't hesitate; she excitedly says, "Hi Grandma!"
Charlie's excitement is contagious. Mary-Margaret is beaming with joy. She happily responds, "Hi Charlie!"
Regina takes it upon herself to act as mediator during this conversation. "Tell Grandma how old you are."
To that, Charlie responds by giggling, making her grandmother giggle at the same time.
Regina only continues to smile and pets her daughter lovingly. "Come on silly girl; tell Grandma how old you are."
Charlie somehow manages to pull her giggle fit back. She says proudly, "I'm three-and-a-half."
"Wow! Big girl!" Mary-Margaret is beyond grateful for this opportunity to talk to her granddaughter. She doesn't care what they are conversing about.
The young girl's mother decides that it would be best to keep this conversation short. She urges Charlie to wrap up the conversation, but manages to make it meaningful for her friend. "Can you tell Grandma you love her?"
Charlie nods and says, "I love you Grandma."
Mary-Margaret's tears that had been kept at bay by her joy suddenly escape her eyes. "I love you too, Charlie."
She hears Regina say, "Okay, say 'bye-bye' now, we have to get back to Mommy."
"Bye-bye," Charlie mimics.
"Bye-bye," Mary-Margaret unenthusiastically responds.
When Regina has sole possession of the phone again, she asks, "Mary-Margaret?" She is immediately met with sound of the younger woman sobbing.
"I love her so much," the younger woman affirms.
Regina's smile fades away; she knows this feeling all too well. "I know," she responds sadly. Regina attempts to bring Mary-Margaret comfort, saying, "You'll see her soon."
The younger woman follows that hopeful statement immediately with, "When are you coming home?"
Regina confidently replies, "Tomorrow."
"Take care of my babies for me," Mary-Margaret earnestly requests.
Regina looks at her adorable, smiling child before confirming, "I always will."
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They arrive back at the hotel with Emma's breakfast. By now, more than two hours had passed since they left. Regina imagines that Emma has possibly fallen asleep waiting for their return, she must be exhausted.
"Okay, Charlie, we need to be very quiet in case Mommy is sleeping," Regina says before slowly and quietly opening the door.
"Okay," the little girl whispers.
Regina wonders if her daughter will always make her this proud.
Mother and daughter very quietly make their way inside the room. Emma's unconscious form is lying on the bed, curled up as small as humanly possible. This sight both warms and hurts Regina's heart. She imagines the fear and loneliness that this woman must've felt for years that causes her to sleep like that. The older woman immediately feels guilty for leaving her heart behind today. She walks over to Emma's bedside and kneels on the floor to be at her eye-level when she wakes. This perspective allows her to see that Emma's face is streaked with dried, recently shed tears. The sudden realization hits, she cried herself to sleep. The older woman lightly begins petting damp hair, unaware of the sole tear that is running down her own cheek.
"Regina," Emma asks in her groggy state.
"Hi, my love," Regina whispers.
Emma struggles to wake. "I fell asleep," she drowsily responds.
Regina masks her heartbreak with sass, a coping mechanism she learned over thirty years ago. "In my jacket, I see," she wittily remarks.
"I'm sorry, Regina." Emma responds seriously. She didn't mean to fall asleep.
Regina smiles uncomfortably and manages to force a hint of laugher. "It's alright. I already told you, what's mine is yours."
"I just…you weren't here," she starts crying "and…I just needed to be close to you."
Regina, without hesitation, rises from her kneeling position, embraces her girl and attempts to quiet her crying. "I'm here now. I'm here, my darling."
She continues to cry, grateful to be in the safety of love's embrace.
Regina only hugs her girl tighter and repeats, "I'm here."
Once Emma has calmed slightly and her breathing has returned to normal, a tiny voice chimes in, "Mommy?"
"Hey, kid." She reaches for her baby girl. Charlie excitedly climbs onto the bed with both of her mothers' help. She settles into her blonde mother's lap.
The young woman shelters her daughter in a protective embrace. She asks, "Were you a good girl for Regina?"
Charlie responds to this by exchanging a knowing look with her brunette mother, as they both smile from ear to ear. Seeing this, Emma directs the next question toward her girlfriend. "What did I miss?"
"Charlie and I…had a little talk."
Charlie looks up at her mother and announces happily, "'Gina's my mommy!"
Emma exchanges a knowing glance of her own with the older woman. "Yes." She shifts her focus toward her daughter. "Yes she is." Emma hugs her daughter tighter and kisses the top of her adorable head.
"Charlie got to talk to Grandma on the phone," Regina says, gently petting her daughter's tiny face.
Emma suddenly adopts the tone of much young woman. "My mom?"
Regina answers honestly, "Yes. I knew she'd hunt me down and try to kill me if I didn't contact her soon with an update."
Even Charlie notices the shift in her mother's mood and grows concerned.
The young woman struggles to process this new information. "She knows you found me?"
It's Regina's turn to be concerned. "Yes."
And there she is: the frightened orphan who grew up feeling unlovable and unwanted, something no child should ever feel. "Is she mad at me?"
Acknowledging this lost child side of Emma, Regina responds in a motherly manner, "No, sweetheart. She could never be mad at you. You are her daughter and she loves you. And, your father loves you." She pauses briefly and answers as a lover this time, "And, I love you."
"I love you too, Mommy," a small voice from her lap announces.
The young woman suddenly remembers that there is a toddler in her arms. She hugs the tiny child and responds, "And, I love you." Her confidence is restored.
"And, I love you," Regina informs Charlie, kissing her on the cheek. I can never tell my child too many times in one day that I love her, Regina decides.
"And, I love you," Charlie reciprocates to her brunette mother, giggling.
"And, I love you," Emma confirms to Regina, sealing it with an affectionate kiss.
"And, I love you," Charlie directs toward her blonde mother again.
"And, I love you," Emma says, peppering her laughing daughter's face with kisses.
"And, I love you," Regina mimics, fortifying the family unit.
Both mothers' smother their squealing child with kisses; then proceed to tickle her, earning them more adorable baby laughter. The whole family is a bundle of smiles and giggles at this point. Regina secretly hopes that her family will always feel this happiness and love, that they will never be sad again.
Unknowingly, Emma shakes Regina from her reverie. "Now, where is that coffee?"
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"I hope this is alright," Regina says setting the paper bag from Dunkin' Donuts in front of Emma. She continues, "It's the only place still serving breakfast at this hour."
"Are you kidding? I love Dunkin'," Emma responds, happily digging into her favorite brown bag.
As Emma unpacks, Regina announces the contents. "I got you a croissant sandwich, hash browns, and a Boston Crème."
"I really need to marry you."
Wait. Is she serious? Does she really mean that?
Regina lets her mind drift for a moment, imagining a life where she is married to Emma Swan. She is once again snapped out of her daydream, by her adorably clueless girlfriend whose priority is always food. "How did you know I like cheese and eggs?"
Regina smiles to herself and timidly responds, "Granny may have let me in on your secret obsession."
"Oh yeah," Emma remarks through a mouthful of food. She is obviously extremely curious about this development.
"Mommy likes cheese," Charlie chimes in happily. She is obviously very proud of herself for sharing this information.
"Hey, that's supposed to be a secret," Emma plays along.
A shy Regina continues, "She made me your usual."
"Really?" Okay, Emma is hooked. She absolutely must know the outcome of this scenario. She encourages Regina to continue, saying, "I know you're not used to eating like that." She asks, "How did you like it?"
Unable to meet Emma's eyes, Regina admits, "I ate the whole thing."
"That's awesome," Emma cheers. She could not be prouder of this woman in front of her than she is at this moment, she thinks.
Regina's mood shifts. She adopts a distressing tone, as she says, "I guess I needed it."
Sensing her brunette mother's sorrow, Charlie moves to sit on her lap in order to properly provide reassurance. Regina welcomes the warmth from her beloved child. Charlie gives Regina the strength to say what she says next. "I really missed you."
Emma has placed her efforts to shovel food into her mouth on hold. She has just witnessed this gorgeous woman in front of her changing before her eyes. "I'm sorry, Regina," are the only words that come to her. She thinks that there is nothing else that she could possible say to make things right. The older woman surprises her, relieving her of some of that pressure.
Finally meeting blue eyes, Regina states, "You have nothing to be sorry for." She gently takes Emma's hand, which is to some extent covered in grease, in hers and says, "We're together now, that's all that matters."
So much goes unspoken, between their glances. Emma responds to this by offering Regina a gentle smile, which the older woman returns.
Emma, thankfully, shifts the focus of the conversation before both women are in tears. "Did you talk to Grandma, Charlie?"
"Uh-hu," Charlie happily responds, accompanying her reply with a nod.
Regina joins in, relieved to no longer be the focus of the conversation. "Are you excited to meet Grandma? I know she's excited to meet you."
Charlie nods again and wraps her arms around her brunette mother's neck. "I love you, Mommy."
"I love you, baby." Regina can only manage a whisper without breaking down.