Here's the final chapter of Happily Ever After?. Enjoy it!
The weekend had passed as quickly as it had arrived, with Regina alone in the house as the boys were with Emma. Being alone, gave Regina a great opportunity to be with her thoughts and decipher her complicating feelings for her wife. The previous Friday, on their date, she had loved how the dinner had unravelled without any awkwardness between them or snarky remarks. It was like a real first date, bar the fact that they already knew everything about each other, and she felt that maybe, just maybe she could give Emma another chance.
Their appointments with Archie had gone well, and the fights between them now were at a minimum. However, when they returned home and Regina had offered they drink a bit, she didn't imagine that things would escalate so quickly. Okay, she might have wanted her and Emma to make the next step but when the time arrived, she wanted them to be okay.
The moment Emma had made her move to Regina, images of her blonde wife ravishing another woman came to her mind and all the feelings and arousal she had, came crashing down. She thought after so much time and talks alone and with Archie would have helped. But she was so wrong. She realised that night that she not only hadn't forgiven Emma for cheating on her, but also that she couldn't let the other woman even touch her. She felt disgust letting Emma make love to her, or even fucking her with the same hands that she had used with Jane.
They hadn't made a step forward, but instead a few steps were back at the beginning, along with that feeling of pain. She had thought they were over it, but she was mistaken. No matter how much she loved Emma, and oh did she love her with every fiber of her being, she couldn't forget just yet. She wanted, no needed, more time and distance. And this time she would tell Emma and not let her get her hopes up; it would be unfair to both of them.
And that was why when Emma brought the kids back from their weekend together, Regina didn't hide this time, but faced her wife.
Regina was sitting in the living room with a glass of wine on one hand, the other changing channels on the TV when she heard the front door opening and heavy footsteps coming towards her. Turning her gaze from the TV she was met with three identical pairs of brown eyes looking back at her. She could see their excitement and exhaustion in their eyes. Her eyes landed on Henry. Yes, his relationship with Emma was a bit cold, but he agreed this time to go with her and see her new apartment.
Despite everything that had happened between her and Emma, she was glad that Henry let everything behind and warmed, even a bit, to his blonde mother. He was her son, after all, and seeing him being distant, pained Emma more that she would admit. Shaking her head of her thoughts, she gave them a warm smile before standing up to hug them. She had missed them.
''So how was your weekend with Emma?'' Regina asked as she helped Ezra out of his coat. Out of the the corner of her eye she spotted Emma leaving some empty boxes by the front door before returning back to her car to repeat the action.
''It was so cool. Ma let us paint our rooms.'' Colin exclaimed, throwing his bag and shoes haphazardly in the corner of the room before collapsing on the couch, a controller already in his hands.
''Oh yeah? And what colours did you paint them?''
''Henry chose a boring navy one, but guess what? In mine and Bubbah's room, Ruby helped us paint the whole Avengers team! You should see it mom, it's amazing! Henry took some photos with his phone.'' He said enthusiastically, passing his excitement to Regina who smiled at her son.
''And navy isn't a boring color, thank you very much.'' Henry sassed before dropping his phone to Regina's lap and going to the kitchen, Ezra in tow.
''Food will be ready in half an hour,don't spoil your appetite." Regina yelled a little too late as both the boys emerged from the kitchen with a plate full of cookies each, grinning at their mother.
''Did you like your mother's house?'' Regina asked again, when the other two boys sat on the opposite couch.
''Yeah, it's pretty cool, I can totally see Emma living there.'' Henry shrugged as he was munching a cookie. And yes, despite their little progress, Henry still called Emma by her name, but both women stopped commenting on it. It only would aggravate him more.
''And what about you? Can you see yourself living there?''
''Woah, hold on, you're not telling us that we're moving with Emma are you?'' Henry asked, a bit angered.
''No, sweetheart, your home is here, but you know that weekends are Emma's days and I want you to feel her home as your home too, that's all." Regina explained, seeing how Henry visibly relaxed.
''Where's your mother anyway?'' She questioned, seeing that Emma still hadn't entered the house fully.
''I'm right here.'' Regina heard someone saying, and then she saw Emma, at the entry of the living cradling a box full of books.
''I was in the basement, taking some of my law books. I'll take that couch later too.'' Emma said leaving the box at her feet to alleviate her back.
''Maybe you shouldn't lifting those boxes. Or the couch for that matter.'' Regina suggested.
''Nah, they're not heavy. And don't worry about the couch; Nate and Ruby will come by tomorrow to pick it up.'' Emma explained earning a nod from Regina.
''We need to talk.''
A sense of deja vu spread through Emma, and she remembered the last time Regina had said that to her. It was the day she had learnt the truth, the day that her whole life collapsed.
''Uhm, is everything okay?'' She asked nervously.
''Yes, would you please follow me to the study?'' Before waiting for an answer, Regina stood up, and made her way to her home office. She could hear Emma's steps from behind her and she was pleased when she turned around and saw Emma closing the door.
Memories, however, came quickly at both of their minds. Moments from the last time they were both here, with Regina crying and begging for Emma to deny everything and Emma holding her hand and admitting the whole truth. It felt like the room's temperature had fallen, only from these thoughts. Clearing her throat to get the other woman's attention, Regina finally spoke.
''Listen I know that the past few weeks we have made some progress and I quite liked it, to tell you the truth. These sessions with Archie really helped me remember all the good memories we made over the years, the reasons why I loved-love you.
''I'm sensing a but here.'' Emma said warily.
''Because there is one. I know that I agreed to a date and that sort of meant that I want us to try again, but I realised that I need more time. After Friday's events I found myself not able to forget what happened between you and Jane. I tried, believe me I did, but I can't. And I'm sorry for giving you all this false hope, but if you really love me Emma, you need to give me more time and distance.'' Regina admitted
''What do you mean by that?''
''I mean that I want us to stop for a while the sessions with Archie, and only meet whenever is completely necessary. Me seeing you, even on a weekly basis doesn't help me.''
''Regina, I love you and I hope you know that.'' Emma said as she approached Regina, intertwining their hands. ''I do want to respect your wishes, I really do, but I'm afraid.''
''Afraid?'' Regina asked, confused.
''Yes, afraid that we will fall apart.'' Emma confessed.
''We already have, Emma." Regina countered, and pulled her hands gently off Emma, trying to put some distance between them. Seeing Emma sorrowful eyes would break her.
''We have but then we grew closer. We really tried this past few months to work again, to feel again like we did when we first met. I'm afraid that we will forget again.''
''I hope we don't then." Regina said as she turned to leave. ''It's not a forever Emma. We'll work this through.'' She gave a small smile to her wife before leaving the room.
Another week had passed and thankfully Emma had respected Regina's wishes and stayed as far away as she could. Yes she had taken the boys with her, but she stayed outside, not wanting to face Regina, as the brunette had asked. Regina was grateful for Emma's attitude on the whole thing and found herself smiling at Emma's efforts to fix their marriage.
However that smile didn't stayed at her face for long. Getting up from her bed and moving towards the en suite bathroom, her movement was interrupted by her cellphone's ringing. A frown formed on her face as she didn't expect anyone to call her, especially this morning. Lifting her phone from the nightstand, she saw the caller's ID and instantly any color on her face drained. Taking a deep breath to calm her nerves, she answered the call.
''Mr Jones.'' She simply said. She had a guess for the reason he would be calling at this time of the day, but she wish she was wrong.
''Mrs Mills. Sorry for calling you at this time, but the papers for the divorce are ready for you to sign them.'' He said in a tone that meant business.
''Already?'' She said quietly, not trusting her voice at this point.
''Yeah, they were actually here a week ago but you had told me to wait for a while so I respected your wishes. However, I don't see the reason for such an action and I decided to inform you. You could come whenever you like to sign them of course. It's up to you really.''
''I'll come by later this morning. Thank you for letting me know Mr Jones.'' Regina said before hanging up.
Well she hadn't expecting that. Yes, she was the one to filing for the divorce in the first place, and yes she had told him to wait for a while when they had started the sessions with Dr. Hopper, but she never thought that this day would come. Was she ready for such an action? She had surely asked for distance but did she really want to put such a permanent distance between her and Emma? She was so conflicted.
On one hand, being stuck in this limbo where she wanted to be away from Emma but being legally bound to her, was not fair for both of them. If she were to sign the divorce she would give the opportunity to Emma to move on with her life, in whichever way she wanted. But did she even want Emma to move on? Okay, she may be selfish on that part but Jones had told her that these things take time. Two months was not time. She could also ignore it and act like Jones never called, but he was working with Emma too and the blonde would have a copy of the papers soon. So it would be better if Regina give her a heads up.
Seeing the time on her phone, she thought that Emma would be awake so she decided to call her. However, after a few rings the call went straight to voicemail. She either hadn't woken up yet or she was on her way to the law firm.
Sighing in frustration, she decided that either way it was better to confront Emma first and what better way than to visit her at work. Taking another deep breath to calm herself, she finally entered her en-suite bathroom to start with her morning routine.
Arriving at the firm, her first stop was Emma's office. She hadn't been here since a long time and she had kind of missed it. She would never forget the first time though; she and Emma were newlyweds and one day Emma had texted her saying how boring it was in the office and how she couldn't wait to return home. Regina had taken it upon herself to make Emma less bored, so exactly fifteen minutes after her wife had texted her Regina, emerged in her office wearing a long coat. She asked her wife to help her unbutton it and her reaction when she saw that underneath it Regina was wearing only a lace black bra with matching panties and stockings with garter belts, was priceless. Needless to say that they used every surface of the office to accommodate their passion. Chuckling, Regina opened the door meeting not familiar green eyes looking back at her but blue ones.
''Ariel!'' Regina exclaimed, surprised but a bit confused.
''Mrs Mills, what a lovely surprise! What are you doing here?'' She asked curiously.
''I had some errands at the firm and I wanted to see Emma before doing so. Isn't she here?''
''No, Mrs Swan called earlier this morning saying that she wasn't feeling well and that she would take the day off.'' The red-haired secretary explain.
''I see. Well it was nice seeing you Ariel. Have a nice day.''
''You too, Mrs Mills.'' The woman replied, before going back to her work and leaving Regina to close the door behind her.
Exiting her wife's office, Regina had no other choice but to visit the person she had come here for in the first place. Taking the elevator and going one floor below, she arrived at her destination; Mr Jones' office.
She stood outside for a good ten minutes contemplating what to do. Her dilemma however vanished as the door opened, just like the first time she had come here, to reveal Mr Jones trying to exit his office.
''We have to stop meeting like that Mrs Mills.'' He joked, before stepping aside to let the other woman enter.
''It's not my fault that you always need to be outside of your office Mr Jones.'' She sassed.
''Fair point, but I was just going to grab a coffee. Do you want one?'' He asked.
''No I'm okay. I actually want to see the papers.'' Regina half demanded, half asked.
''Yes, right, wait a moment.'' Jones said before sitting back at his chair to look at his files. Mere seconds later, he retrieved a white envelope. Opening it he pulled a pile of papers clipped together and passed them to Regina, who accepted them hesitantly.
''I was about to give a copy to Swan but I heard she had the day off. So would you like me to send them to her or would you like to give them to her in person?''
''I'll give them to her in person, don't worry.'' She replied as she retrieved her reading glasses to read the first paper.
''As we agreed, you have both joint physical and legal custody of your sons. According to your parenting schedule they boys will live with your from Monday to Thursday and with Mrs. Swan from Friday to Sunday. That is, unless Mrs Swan wants full custody or doesn't agree with the schedule. In that case we don't have another choice but to take it to court.'' Killian explained.
''It won't come to that. We already have such as schedule and Emma… Mrs Swan hasn't complained yet, so I'm happy to say that such actions won't be needed.'' Regina said.
''Αlso we haven't discussed the fact of alimony. Given that you have been married for ten years, you are entitled to permanent alimony.''
''I think we should discuss this with Mrs Swan in present. We will proceed as it is now and then we shall see.''
''I can give you some time alone if you want to think about it, or you can take it with you.'' Killian suggested.
''No it's okay. I have already made my decision. If you please give me a pen.'' Regina said before placing the papers in the desk, the pen already in hand.
She didn't have to think about it anymore really. She had filed the divorce; there was no going back now. Procrastinating would only make things between her and Emma more complicated. There was no point in having cold feet now. She made a decision and now she she would fulfill it. Clicking the pen in her hand to open it, she pressed the tip of the pen in the paper before putting her signature in it. This was it, she thought. Standing up, she removed her reading glasses and slipped them back in her purse.
''Excellent'' Jones replied dryly.
''Once Emma's signed it too, I will send them to court to state your divorce. I will call you once I have the official verdict.'' He said, and Regina nodded.
''Thank you for your services Mr Jones.'' she said in an authoritative tone before leaving his office.
Once outside, she leaned on a nearby door and took a big breath.
Time to face Emma, she thought before leaving the firm.
Emma was sleeping peacefully, sprawled over the couch when she heard a knock on the door. Last night she and Nate had ordered a rather bad pizza which had caused her illness this morning. She had called in the office to inform for her absence and heard that Nate was in the same state. She smirked, and was glad that she wasn't the only one to pay the price. Groaning, she opened her eyes, a bit disoriented at first, before hearing another knock on the door. After throwing a pair of shorts over her boxers and tying her unruly hair into a ponytail, she rushed towards the door.
Upon opening it, her eyes were met with brown ones looking back at her with an expression she couldn't exactly decipher. Well, she wasn't the most perceptive person in the morning. However, she did let herself hope that Regina wanted to take back what she had said last Sunday and give another chance in their marriage.
''Regina!'' The blonde said, giving her wife a big smile. ''I wasn't expecting you.'' Emma stepped aside to allow the other woman to enter the apartment.
Regina entered the house tentatively, before she let herself to observe the apartment. It was a bit small for four people, ,but Emma had made a good job of it, and it gave a sense of hospitality and warmth.
''Your apartment is lovely. You did a good job with it.'' Regina complimented before turning to face Emma.
''Uhm thanks. Ruby helped me with most of it, so it's her you should compliment.'' Emma shrugged before continuing ''Would you like something to drink? I only have milk and some beers, but I can go and get something from the coffee shop on the corner.'' Emma offered.
''No it's okay. I didn't really come for a social call.'' Regina admitted.
''Oh?'' Emma asked, confused.
''I think we should sit.'' Regina suggested, pointing at the small couch.
''No I'm okay.'' Emma said, crossing her arms in front of her chest. She was nervous, Regina could tell.
''I heard you were sick.'' Regina said, instead of the reason why she was here.
''Yeah, bad pizza'' Emma replied.
''Ready to listen to your wife and stop eating junk food?'' Regina teased, but Emma was having none of it.
''You're evading.'' She pointed out.
''I..I guess I am.''
''Wanna tell me why you're here?'' Emma asked, shifting her weight from one foot to another.
Regina didn't respond immediately. Instead, she was looking at Emma, studying her face, thinking about how it used to affect her. When Emma smiled the whole room would light up it and when she cried, it would go gloomy. Emma was her whole world, no matter what happened in the next minutes.
''Jones called me this morning to inform me that our divorce papers are ready for us to sign them.'' Regina confessed. Emma's face didn't give anything though; she had a good poker face, she would give her that. Another few minutes passed before Regina spoke again.
''I signed them.''
''Why?'' Emma asked after another spell of silence.
''Did you expect that I wouldn't?'' Regina asked back.
''I hoped..I hoped that we would work it somehow, that it wouldn't have to end like that.''
''I hoped too, but things don't always go our way.'' Regina shrugged, wanting so desperately to leave.
''But you are my forever.'' Emma whispered, bowing her head.
Regina let a humorless chuckle. ''Maybe we weren't meant to be together Emma. Maybe our fairytale doesn't have a happily ever after at all.''
''Regina.'' Emma implored.
''No Emma. Don't make it harder than it is. Do you think it's easy for me? God, my life for twelve years was you Emma. How am I supposed to learn to live without you?''
''What about the boys?'' Emma asked, trying to change Regina's mind. Regina's resolve cracked at Emma's voice. The tears that had been threatening to spill, were now running freely down her face.
''They'll get used to it. It's not like they won't be seeing you. We managed this far.'' She stopped playing with her wedding band, only to leave it on the coffee table. It was Emma's time to crack and start crying.
Finally, Regina cleared her throat, snapping Emma from her thoughts.
''Ι'll see you on Friday Miss Swan.'' Regina said and turned to leave. But Emma wasn't done yet. Before Regina had the chance to open the door of her apartment, Emma spoke.
''Regina.'' That stopped her ex-wife mid-way, making her to turn around to face her.
''I won't stop fighting for us.''
Regina let out a small smile at that. Opening the door, she gave another glance at Emma before saying.
''I'm counting on it dear," and closing the door behind her.
So that was all my dear readers. I hope you enjoyed the story as much as I enjoyed writing it. It was a very long ride and I'm so thankful for all of you who stick from the beginning till the very end. If you guys ask for it, there may be a sequel or some prequel one-shots. Again,thank you for reading and commenting on this story. It means a lot! Until next time! :)