Alrighty, sorry again about the wait! The next one should be done and posted in the next couple of days! Unless I end up in the hospital for breaking my legs while skiing down these mountains lol! Happy reading! Please leave a review! :)
"Snow."
Snow turned at the call of her name and smiled when she saw the blonde princess approaching her, "Abigail! What are you doing here?"
"The same reason everyone else is here I would assume," she laughed lightly and Snow nodded with a quick raise of her brow, "the queen has been quite elusive. We are starting to wonder if she truly is getting married or if she has just gathered all of us here for a quick and efficient mass murder."
Snow chuckled lightly and shook her head, "no. No she is certainly getting married. No murderous intentions this afternoon that I am aware of."
"Really? I mean I don't know the whole story of course and I don't mean to judge but...she really found it in her to love? Truly love?"
"Regina has a great capacity to love, actually. That has never been the issue," Snow clarified with a weak smile and a small shrug, "the difficult part is getting through to her."
Abigail nodded and the shook her head curiously, "and this shepherd?" She questioned and Snow nodded in confirmation of his status, "whatever possessed him to presumably fight so hard to win her over?"
"That is still entirely unclear to me," Snow breathed out a small laugh and shook her head once again.
"Regina never struck me as the type to pay much mind to those below her. Not that I'm objecting. Frederick is no prince," she smiled and Snow smiled back just a little.
"As a matter of fact she finds the common people much better company. She has never been one to care about status. She finds the higher class foolish and entitled and lazy. She has put me back in my place on more than one occasion. She is quite good at wearing every face but her own."
"Well it would certainly seem that way now wouldn't it," she laughed out and Snow gave a tight laugh of her own.
"Oh you have no idea."
"So who is this shepherd her majesty has fallen in love with? Does he have a name?"
"Yes, actually, it's uh...it's David."
"O-oh...David..." She stuttered and Snow nodded uncomfortably, "David as in the David arranged to marry me but saved Frederick and pursued you? That David?"
"That would be the one."
"...that's...well...I'm not quite...sure what to say to that..."
"It is taking time to grow accustomed to the idea, I will admit. But...I see them together and...well it has been so many years since I have seen Regina so happy and calm. And with the way he looks at her and speaks of her...there is no doubt that his heart belongs to her. So I have accepted it. I'll get over him eventually. There will be no parting them," she spoke her tentative thoughts aloud and slowly felt them settle in as the truth. Oddly enough the notion that Regina and David would be inseparable made her calm and warm and dare she say on the cusp of happiness.
Abigail nodded silently as she watched Snow wade through her thoughts and after a moment or two she pushed her head forward, making her statement become a question, "the love they share must be true."
"It is...I truly believe it is," Snow nodded with her words as her mind whirred with questions and answers and small revelations. Then she quietly cleared her throat and smiled a small smile at Midas' daughter, "I actually have to go find Regina," she told her and the blonde nodded with a smile of her own, "we should catch up after the wedding during the feast."
"Absolutely. I'll see you this evening."
-Storybrooke-
"Tinkerbell," Regina warned lowly through her teeth but the fairy continued to chatter on behind her.
"All I'm saying is that this would be so much easier if you would just let yourself be happy."
"I am busy and if you don't shut up I will poof you to the other side of the forest and make you walk back to town!"
Tinkerbell pursed her lips and folded her arms as she slumped her weight against a tree and watched Regina's magic flow from her fingertips and in to the air around them. "You're being stubborn."
"I am being realistic."
"Well that is the most ridiculous thing I have heard you say all day."
"Tinkerbell he's married."
"Never stopped you before."
"I didn't want more before," she snapped with a threatening look at the incessant fairy before she continued working.
"What are you doing anyway?"
"Renewing a spell. It only lasts for a week at a time. So I have to come back out here and cast it again."
"What does it do?"
"Like the others, it calls Henry home."
"...how long has he been gone?"
"Six months. And four days."
"When is his birthday?"
"Next week," she answered quietly and tried not to let the ache in her heart overwhelm her.
Tink nodded as she adjusted her weight on the tree and Regina finished her spell, "he'll come back, Regina."
"I know," she didn't.
"He will find a way, Regina."
"I know," she repeated but her voice cracked and her tears betrayed her and started falling down her cheeks. She was just so tired. She bent forward, swaying a little before her hands met the cold stone of the well and started crying.
Tinkerbell dropped her shoulders and frowned when she saw Regina's shoulders shaking with near silent cries. She didn't even want to know what Regina was feeling. She was a mother who lost her child and there was nothing to compare that to. It was a loss that no mother should feel. Quietly Tinkerbell pushed herself from the tree and walked up beside Regina, moving a hand over her back before she wrapped her arms around her in a hug and rested her head on her shoulder.
"I miss him."
"I know...I know."
-Enchanted Forest-
Regina stared up at the enormous wooden doors before her and smiled. She would be lying if she said she wasn't the slightest bit nervous to show her face in front of all of those people. She hadn't made any appearance at all to any guest since they started arriving at the news of the royal wedding. She knew of the rumours of course but she was too preoccupied by David, Henry, Maleficent, Ruth, and her father to care. Regardless of the light she now embraced in her heart, she still had her reputation to maintain. That she was not to be crossed and that she would be doing no favours. That wasn't about to change with the addition of a husband. She knew she was going to have to show that though.
That David had not weakened her in any way, shape, or form. He had strengthened her and balanced her but he had not put her in a place to be used and walked on. She'd break their damn legs if they so much as tried.
"Are you ready, my dear?"
Regina smiled a little more at the sound of her elderly father's voice as she turned to look at him. And then she looked back up at the doors, "I have been waiting for this wedding for my entire life. It is strange to think I will have to find a new dream. It is also rather exhilarating."
"Oh I am sure it won't be too difficult for you to find another. You have always been dreaming," he smiled and she hummed a single laugh at the doors and nodded her head.
"I don't want to cry. But I fear I will."
"Do not fear it, child," he smiled and she took a deep breath, "I can only imagine the relief you are feeling right now after the suffering you have been through. Embrace it. Enjoy it. This is your day. Are you ready to live it?" He asked with a smile and offered her his arm.
Regina looped her arm through his with a nod and a small laugh before she took a deep breath to settle herself and calm her tears, "I am."
"Then let us go," he smiled and moved to start pushing open the doors but was stopped by a new voice.
"Regina," Snow called quietly before she entered with her father.
"Yes?"
"I just wanted to say one last thing..."
"I'm listening," Regina encouraged and then waited as Snow looked for the right words.
"It has been a long time since I have seen you in love and an equally long time since I have seen you smile or heard you laugh. You are happy. And that makes me so happy. It will still take time for me to fully accept that David has chosen you but I am accepting it. He loves you and you love him and that is all that really matters. So...I just wanted you to go in there knowing that I have decided to support this and that I will have your back."
Regina looked her up and down carefully with a hint of surprise. She hadn't exactly expected those words, "I...thank you."
"You're welcome," Snow nodded with a small smile and the cleared her throat and moved to the doors, "now let's get you down that aisle," she smiled and quickly opened the the towering doors before Regina could say anything more. As the doors swung open the entire hall went silent in anticipation to finally see the queen that had kept herself hidden for these last few weeks. Snow simply smiled at them all with a comfortable exhale and started walking toward her place in the crowd beside the small raised altar David stood patiently at. The whispers began the moment she was out of the way and they could all lay eyes on Regina. But to Snow's relief they were mostly commenting on her beauty and the gown she wore.
David paid no mind to the music playing as she started walking toward him. His whole body just ached with his love for her and her beauty was unmatched. His heart softened and an adoring smile pulled the corners of his mouth even higher when Maleficent gently and subtly caught Regina's hand as she passed. The women shared a smile as their fingers entwined and squeezed before they slipped apart as Regina continued forward and Maleficent stayed back by the door where there were less people.
David glanced down at Henry for a moment and the boy was grinning from ear to ear as he watched Regina while beside him Ruth was trying not to cry. But of course his eyes fell back on Regina and she only had eyes for him. The dress was absolutely stunning. Just stunning. The light from the many windows made it glitter and sparkle and as she drew nearer he caught glimpses of the diamonds and pearls and gold dust. Her wavy hair was pulled up in to a loose bun but she allowed for a few shorter pieces to fall in gentle curls on either side of her face.
Her lips were red. Red like the blood she used to water the earth with. Her eyes were dark and warm but she wore nothing on them. Just a thin dark pencil line behind her lashes to exaggerate the look of them. She was beautiful. Elegant. He could hardly resist the urge to walk to her and meet her sooner. But he waited until she parted from her father and stood before him. "Hello, my love," he greeted quietly with a smile.
Regina could only smile back. It was giddy and excited and so happy but she knew if she tried to speak she would lose control and start crying. So she took a deep breath and kept her eyes focused on his as he continued to smile at her.
"I will say I expected the dress to be a little less conservative," he teased quietly as he leaned in closer and she raised an eyebrow and twisted at the waist a little so she could look at the back of her dress.
"I would argue that 'conservative' is not a word that would describe it," she teased back effortlessly and then looked up at him under her thick lashes with her body still gently twisted for him to catch a peek.
"I stand corrected," he grinned as his eyes lingered on the pearls and diamonds draped across and down her bare back. She hummed in approval and straightened herself out again with a playful smirk that had him fighting to kiss off her mouth. He could feel everyone's eyes on them and while he didn't appreciate the judging and burning eyes, he couldn't wait to put them all in their place. "Shall we marry?" He smiled at her and she nodded with a smile of her own. Nervous and tense but he knew she was more than ready.
He leaned forward just enough to press a kiss to her forehead and then lingered there when she rested her forehead against his and took a deep breath and loosely intertwined their fingers. "I love you," he whispered and she whispered the same in return. And then the man at their side began reading the them in to their marriage.
...
The palace had never been so lively. Even when her mother and father were ruling and held their parties, they paled in comparison to this. It was full of nobles and common folk alike. Mingling, laughing, gossiping, eating, dancing, singing. You couldn't help but smile and laugh with them all and it had been awhile since Snow had had a good laugh. David and Regina were inseparable and were always at one another's side. Whether they were whispering to one another, dancing, or talking with guests, they were happy and smiling. It made it easier.
She had already had her fair share of dances and discussions and was now content to simply sit and watch everyone. It was nice to see the kingdom so happy. Henry was playing with several children close to his own age both nobles and peasants but none of them cared. They were laughing and running and playing and it made Snow smile. And then Ruth joined their young company and had them all whispering and laughing and Snow happily watched to see what they were up to.
"May I steal you away for a dance, your majesty?"
Regina turned with a smile but it faltered for a moment as she looked him up and down and felt David's hand fall possessively on her hip, "George. I am afraid I must decline that dance and have you simply stand still as you threaten me."
"Threaten?" George chuckled lightly and the queen gently pursed her lips while David scowled at him, "I have no threat in mind. Simply an alliance of our kingdoms," he replied smoothly and snapped his head around when he felt something hit the back of it. But he found nothing and no one there.
With a furrow of her brow at his sudden and odd reaction, Regina replied simply, "there will be no alliance of any sort, George. David is not your son by any means. James wasn't even your son for that matter," she paused when he flinched again and looked behind him and when he turned back her brow was furrowed further, "I hold no ties to your kingdom," she paused again when he snapped a hand up to the back of his head and spun his head around to look behind him. She glanced up at David and when he glanced back at her he was equally confused as she.
"I hold no ties to your kingdom," she repeated when he turned back around, "I owe you nothing. I do not like you. I do not even respect you. There will be no alliance-what are you looking for?!" She nearly shouted in exasperation when he spun around again.
"The fool who dares throw things at my head!" He bellowed as he looked around but those whose eyes he caught simply looked at him as though he was insane before they continued on with their lives.
"Well whomever it is it seems that they are as bored with this conversation as I am," she drawled out and he looked furiously back at her but she only rose to the challenge and stepped closer to him, David's hand slipping from her hip with the movement, "do put on a smile or take it upon yourself to leave my kingdom quietly before I remove you myself," she threatened quietly and sharply and after a moment's pause, George turned and left. Another small chunk of bread hit the back of his head as he turned and it enraged him further but Regina couldn't help but smirk.
Laughing, Henry skipped up to Regina's side, "he is exactly the same in Storybrooke," he chuckled and in return was lightly smacked upside the head, "ow! What?!" He laughed louder as he rubbed his head upon instinct more than anything else.
"Don't 'what' me. You think I don't know you played a part in that?"
"Okay, I did, but to be fair it was Ruth's idea and Maleficent threw the first piece," he reasoned and his grin only grew when David gave a loud laugh and Regina closed her eyes and shook her head as she bit back a wide grin of her own. "You can't tell me he didn't deserve it!" He argued with a laugh and David continued to laugh in to the back of his hand when Regina lightly smacked the back of her hand against his chest.
"Maleficent is a bad influence and I expected better from Ruth."
"Maleficent is an awesome influence and Ruth hates King George and therefore doesn't need to live up to her regular expectations," he countered with a smirk and Regina rolled her eyes with a smirk of her own.
"Really I am just disappointed," she shook her head and Henry sobered a little, "I mean, bread?" Then he slowly started grinning again and the glint of mischief was back in his eye, "really, my dear boy, you couldn't have picked something that would stick to that egg of a head on his shoulders?" She smirked with a shift of her weight and Henry grinned wildly up at her. Then he leaned away as if to take a step back and she raised her eyebrows in confirmation and he let out a devious chuckle and sprinted off to the enormous table still filled with food.
"I love you so much," David grinned and laughed as he kissed her jaw and wound his arms around her middle to hug her close and her hands rested on his arms.
"Dance with me, my love," she requested with a smile as she dropped her head back against his shoulder and lifted one hand to hold the side of his face.
"Absolutely."
-Storybrooke-
David walked slowly up the path to her front door. The massive white house seemed to tower over him as he stared at it. He had never really taken the time to really look at it. It very much suited Regina. Big, intimidating, powerful, yet still elegant. The golden one hundred and eight stared him down and he took a deep breath to steady his mind as he stepped on to the porch and came face to face with the door.
She had sent him a text asking him to come if he had time. As if he wouldn't make time to be with her. But he had to keep himself in line should he wish to maintain her trust and company. So with another deep breath he raised his hand and knocked his knuckles against the white door. "Just don't kiss her, David," he breathed to himself and moments later he heard the soft taps of her stilettos approach the other side of the door.
She opened the door with a stoic expression but when she saw it to be him her shoulders slumped in exhaustion and her expression did the same. He hadn't quite noticed how comfortable and trusting she was around him until then. She was allowing him to see her tired and miserable and vulnerable. She let him see her as human and that touched a place inside him.
"I've had a bad day," she told him and her voice was weak and small. Her eyes were burning with unshed tears as he looked at her with such a gentle kindness and sorrow. A certain sympathy she didn't mind being looked at with. "I don't want to be alone tonight," she confessed and swallowed nervously. She didn't ask for things. She was Regina Mills, mayor of Storybrooke, the Evil Queen, she didn't ask for things. She didn't show her vulnerability. She so desperately wanted him to stay true to his word. That she didn't have to worry about his lips on her own. She just wanted...company.
David frowned at her small voice and her nervous eyes flicked frantically between his as he stepped closer to her and over the threshold in to her home. But he only pulled her in to a hug. He held her and she blew out a long and shaky breath as she sunk in to him and wrapped her arms around him in return. She nuzzled her face in to his chest and her warm breath upon his skin beneath his shirt had him shivering. He buried his nose in to her hair and took a deep breath and upon his exhale he tangled his fingers in her hair.
"Thank you," she whispered and swallowed again, keeping her face in his chest for she knew if she got any closer to his face she would kiss him.
"Of course."