A/N: I'M BACK! I'm so sorry for not updating in a while… I have been busy and have also been kind of unmotivated. But, alas, I am here with an update. Enjoy!

When Regina Mills cast the curse, she told herself it was for herself. And it was. She didn't care for repercussions, she didn't care for that little baby girl growing up lost because one tarnished woman was too selfish to open her eyes. And she hates the Evil Queen for it. And she hates Emma because somehow, somewhere, she has found a way to accept that person. A person even Regina herself cannot accept.

"Mom?"

Henry's too deep voice brings her back to reality. She straightens but doesn't attempt to tidy the scattering of paper, the scattering of Emma. Emma's feelings don't deserve that. They never will.

"Henry." The word scratches at her throat, burned raw from however long she has spent sitting in her vault and thinking of EmmaEmmaEmma.

Tufts of brown hair peek out from behind the stone wall and she greets him with a watery smile. Henry is tall unlike his father, broad shouldered yet lanky all at once. And he is hers and sometimes, when her world lies broken beside her feet, she looks at her son and remembers… this is all for him. She drinks in his stripy scarf and long blue trench coat, as if trying to preserve a memory. Her mind drifts back to when he was just big enough to hug her waist, draped in a too big school uniform, the same tufty hair and mischievous smirk. He used to run home from school, desperate to devour whatever treat Regina had baked and left on the kitchen table. He used to tell her about his day right from the moment his tiny feet shuffled in to their slippers and every hour after that. She remembers his love for reading, how chubby fingers used to paw at the bookshelf until he found the right one, mommy.

And now he looks just as broken as she does.

Regina moves over for him, clearing a little space between her legs and the letters. Henry shifts to rest his head on his mother's shoulder and they both stay absolutely still, finding each other's hands in the dark even though the lights are on.

"I miss her, Mom," he whispers and she knows that there are tears tickling his cheek.

"I know…I do too."

"I miss everything. I miss how she used to make me laugh and call me kid even when I wasn't anymore. I miss her red jacket and our Thursday night's at Granny's which we used to hide from you," he chuckles sadly, "We would pretend we were going over to Mary Margaret's but really we'd spend the evening chucking fries at each other and slurping on strawberry milkshake. She would always go for extra-large and me medium and we'd share a big plate of freshly cooked fries- sometimes Ruby would help us out between shifts- and then we'd walk along main street laughing over who annoyed you the most… Mom…"

Regina has been smiling throughout Henry's words yet stops at Henry's tentative tone. "Henry, what is it?"

"I….I think she really cared about you. Like really cared. Maybe even loved…"

The brunette woman almost chokes on the idea of love. Emma loved her? Impossible. Yet why has her heart rate doubled? "Henry, I really don't…" and her voice trails off and she is suddenly so very… aware. Letters from Emma are littered over her vault floor. Letters from Emma. Letters that paint Regina in a most exquisite light; letters where Emma has just been Emma.

And suddenly she needs to go.

"Henry! Henry, where is she? I-I need her."

Her-their- beautiful son is smiling now, no beaming, as he helps to pull his mother up to her feet. Regina is beaming too, every emotion she has ever felt towards the idiotic blonde fuelling her every move- her idiotic blonde. She has no idea what she is going to say, but, somehow, that doesn't seem to matter. All she needs is Emma.

But…

Maybe even loved. Loved. d.

Regina reaches down to grab the last remaining envelopes. They feel heavy with a weight of something Regina is scared to find out the identity of. There is a reason why Emma Swan is now clothed in black, her skin a glistening white. And Regina needs to find out.

Dear Regina,

I need to stop. I need to stop entertaining impossible possibilities. I need to let you go… except I can't, not really. You're always going to be a part of my life because of Henry. And because you're you, Regina Mills, I don't think I can ever let you go.

I still think that you are worth more than Robin but then again you're definitely worth more than me. I've opened my heart up, Regina. Hook. It doesn't feel magical but it sure does feel better than being alone all the time. I mean, I actually went on date. Yup, Emma Swan on a date. It was pretty good actually. Nothing like a date with Regina Mills, I'm sure, but still pretty good.

We're bickering again. I'd like to think you do it because secretly you love me but nah, if pigs could fly (wow, I sound like an old man).

Oh and my mom told me about your little speech about me not losing magic. Thank you… for caring.

I guess we let go now,

Emma

P.S I will always have your back.

Dear Regina,

I'm so angry. WHY DOES THE WORLD CONTINUE TO DESTROY EVERY INCH OF YOUR HAPPINESS? I saw the page, Regina. You and Robin Hood, and I am going to help you- even if it hurts. Let's find this author and let's rewrite your story because it's beautiful.

I'm so angry. My magic is uncontrollable- an angry dance that just wants to keep on moving and hurting. When I lashed out at Henry I broke down. You understand me, Regina. You know too well the grip magic can have on your soul but you survived. Heck, you did more than that! You raised a beautiful son and learned how to love again. And your love is fierce.

Emma

Regina,

There aren't enough words to express what you are. I can only brush upon the surface in these letters because… I'm afraid. I don't want to fall in too deep. I don't want to fall too deep in to somewhere I can only drown. But when I saw you, by the town line, after we had defeated that thing and had worked together- it doesn't even matter anyway.

I'm already drowning.

Emma

Dear Regina,

Thank you. I would've pressed the trigger, my hand wanted me to, I wanted to. And you saved me. Sometimes I wish you would stop, just to make things-this-simpler. Sometimes I wish that I wasn't me and could be just be something worthy of… But none of that matters because you've found Robin again.

And Zelena is pregnant. Wow, Regina that author really has written you one hell of a story. Have you ever thought about writing your own?

I'm scared, Regina. For the first time magic is scaring me and there is nothing we can do. I fear for our son, too. Gold's stupid agenda and this stupid stupid fairytale world is ruining every chance at happiness. WHY CAN'T EVERYONE JUST STOP?! I can't lose my family, Regina. I can't lose you. And whatever corrupt plan is in store for us we have to promise not to lose ourselves… because it is the only thing that is keeping us human.

No matter what happens, promise me.

Emma

Regina,

This is it. This is where our story either ends or begins. I've been holding it in for too long and I just can't anymore:

Regina Mills I am in love with you. I think I always have and I always will. Now, I'm no Shakespeare, but I will try because you're worth everything.

Regina, I can't imagine a world without you: I can't imagine not walking in to town and seeing you roll your eyes at my presence; I can't imagine not witnessing your smile when Henry gives you a hug; I can't imagine not exploding at your contact…. I am in love with you and I have been right from the word, "Hi".

And that love has grown. And I'm crying now because I need you… and I can never have you. I think I've always known that I've loved you. I wrote you these letters because you're a beautiful sky that needs painting. You're not a story book character, you're everything and I, Emma Swan, am so undoubtedly in love with you that it hurts.

It was when you sacrificed yourself for Henry that I just knew I couldn't hold it in anymore. You think you're selfish and some evil queen but Regina, why can't you understand that you're EVERYTHING THAT I'VE EVER WANTED! I love you. And I'm smiling now because it feels so darn good to finally say it.

Regina, I want to scale the walls that you've so carefully crafted. I want to look deep in to your past and the secrets and want everything because Regina Mills doesn't need sugar coating. I want to wipe every tear that has ever fallen from your eye because I LOVE YOU and you so deserve to be loved.

But I can't. And that is the saddest tragedy of all.

Emma

A/N: Wow! This was a long update! Next time we will see the epic sacrifice and find out why Emma is still dark. I have been sooooo desperate to write that last letter yet actually found it quite difficult because Emma has always been in love with Regina so has already said everything (pun intended) in her other letters! Phew. Only a few more chapters left guys so please continue to review – I need encouragement!