Part Thirty-Nine: The One With the Promise
Emma blinked her eyes slowly, a warm feeling of peace running through her body.
She smiled, inhaling the strong scent of apple blossom and wildflowers, forged like iron chains, lingering in the air.
Her body was bare, limbs intertwined with Regina's, warm skin upon warm skin.
There were no barriers between them.
No more lies.
They belonged to each other.
And Emma was ready to fight for that.
Emma snuggled closer to Regina, bringing her body impossibly closer to hers.
Regina stirred and a hint of a smile played on her lips, but she didn't wake.
Emma pressed a gentle kiss over her collarbone before resting her head between Regina's breasts.
She had gone through so many things in her life.
Things Emma couldn't even begin to understand.
She had it just as tough as Emma did.
Perhaps even worse in a world of Kings and magic.
In a world that only took and took and took until there was nothing left for her to give.
So she had done many terrible things.
Inflicted so much pain.
Emma felt a shiver run from the nape of her neck and down her spine.
Regina had taken power and then given back everything that was done to her.
Most of the time to the wrong people, but still…
Emma couldn't blame her for everything.
None of them were innocent, and none of them were the sheep fighting against the big bad wolf.
She saw what her parents did, what the other so-called heroes in the Enchanted Forest did.
Innocence was not something that ran through their veins.
They had killed and deceived to get their way just as Regina did.
They were just better at hiding behind noble reasons.
And Regina…
She had changed.
She was trying to be a better person every day, just as Emma was.
They made each other better.
They loved each other.
And their past…
Perhaps it was time to bury.
Emma purred softly when gentle fingers stroked her hair.
She inhaled deeply again, smiling as she pressed her lips against Regina's skin, her lips lingering there for a moment longer.
"Good morning," Regina said, her voice husky.
Emma looked up at her smiling before pushing her whole body up and pressing her lips lazily against Regina's lips.
"Good morning," Emma said back.
Regina smiled at her, lifting her hand to stroke her cheek.
"I love you," Regina said.
Emma smiled, trapping her lower lip under her teeth as she looked at Regina.
"You weren't kidding about that promise, huh?" Emma said playfully.
"Of course not," Regina smiled "I love you"
Regina pushed her head up, kissing Emma again.
"I love you," Regina said, smiling before kissing Emma again "I love you"
"I love you too," Emma said softly, smiling down at Regina.
She lowered her body on top of Regina, pressing their lips together.
And then the earth shook violently beneath them, the bed shaking slightly and the window panes rattling before Emma broke the kiss and rolled her eyes.
"Is that going to happen every time we kiss now?" Emma asked.
"I don't know," Regina frowned, "I think the closer we get the weaker the curse gets?"
"Great," Emma said flopping beside Regina on the mattress.
"I'm sorry," Regina said apologetically, turning in bed.
Emma turned to face Regina, putting her arm on her waist and pulling her closer.
"Don't," Emma said, looking into Regina's eyes "No more apologies"
Regina put her hand on Emma's cheek, softly stroking her skin.
"I don't deserve you," Regina whispered.
"Yes, you do," Emma said seriously "Because I deserve you"
Regina snuggled closer to Emma, kissing her lips tenderly.
"There is a lot we need to talk about," Regina said.
"I know," Emma nodded "But not now. Now I just want to appreciate waking up with you again"
Regina smiled softly, cherishing Emma's cheek.
And that smile on her face was so beautiful, so genuine and happy that Emma felt a strange feeling of warmth spread through her chest.
She loved her.
But it was more than that.
There was a connection between them, something that went far beyond this world.
Something that would last lifetimes.
She knew, without even a shred of doubt in her heart Regina would be the one she would spend her life with.
Fifty, sixty, a thousand years.
It would always be Regina.
Her heart would always belong to her.
She was completely ruined for anyone else.
"You know," Emma said before pausing. She closed her eyes and swallowed the lump forming in her throat before opening them again to look into Regina's eyes "I used to wonder if I would ever find love. I used to wonder if I would ever be capable of loving someone else or truly giving my heart away to another person. I used to wonder if I would ever find someone I could not live without"
Emma slid her hand up Regina's waist to her face, her gauze-covered hand resting on her cheek.
"I never thought that would be possible until you," Emma said, capturing the tear falling from the corner of Regina's eye "The second I saw you that night I brought Henry home, something inside of me knew. Even when I didn't, even when I hated you," Emma smiled "Something made me stay. Something kept whispering I couldn't leave. I couldn't leave you and Henry, and when we kissed… that ember that was burning low became fire. It consumed me whole Regina, and all I want is to keep burning"
Regina smiled at Emma, soft tears falling from the corners of her eyes.
She moved closer to Emma, pressing her lips against hers and then letting them linger there for a second longer.
It made her heart skip a beat.
It took her breath away and gave life back to her at the same time.
Regina broke the kiss, cherishing Emma's cheek as she looked at her.
"After Daniel died, I thought I would never love anything and anyone ever again," Regina said "I thought I lost my true love. Part of me died the night my mother killed him and the other part died, day after day after day until the only way I could survive was to turn into The Evil Queen"
"Regina…"
"I know what I was and I know what I did," Regina said interrupting Emma "There was a darkness in my heart that I thought would never see light again. I thought love was lost to me forever. Until I adopted Henry"
Emma smiled at Regina, a breath of emotion brushing over her heart.
The day she gave birth to Henry, her own heart was dark.
All she could do was push the baby out and tell herself over and over and over again he was not hers.
He was never going to belong to her.
Because nothing in the world ever would.
"I loved Henry the moment I held him in my arms," Regina said "And I think my heart loved you the second our fingers touched when you came into the house that night"
"Even when you were rude, tried to chase me out of town, threatened me, and then put me in jail?" Emma smiled.
Regina laughed wholeheartedly before pressing her lips against Emma's, her smile never leaving her lips.
"Yes," Regina said against Emma's lips "Even then. I wanted you away with the same force I wanted you near"
"I remember the feeling," Emma said back.
"I love you so much, Emma," Regina said "You and Henry are everything to me"
"I know," Emma nodded "You and Henry are everything to me too"
Regina smiled at Emma, covering Emma's hand on her cheek with her own.
She frowned at Emma and then her features turned serious before she slid Emma's hand from her face.
"What?" Emma asked concerned.
Regina looked at Emma's hand, the gauze was looking a little nasty, with red dotted spots all over the fabric.
Regina put some pressure over the gauze with her thumb and Emma immediately flinched at the touch.
It hurt.
Regina looked back at Emma, a sad look shining painfully behind her eyes.
Emma hated that look so much.
She was so tired of seeing it lurking behind Regina's eyes.
"Totally worth it," Emma said playfully, disguising the pain with a smile.
"Emma…" Regina whispered.
"He deserved more," Emma said seriously, feeling her heart turn dark as memories of what Jefferson did crept into her mind.
In this land.
And then the other.
To the woman she loved.
To her true love.
Regina brought Emma's hand to her lips, kissing it gently and breaking Emma out of the darkness that threatened to consume her thoughts.
"We need to change that," Regina said.
"What?" Emma blinked her eyes.
"We need to change the bandage," Regina said moving out of the bed "This one looks terrible not to mention is dirty and quite frankly, it has a smell"
Emma smirked before trapping her lower lip between her teeth moaning softly as she watched Regina's naked figure walk to the suite.
They hadn't done anything the night before.
Regina just bathed Emma gently until she was clean and warm, always keeping her closer to her body.
When they fell into bed together, they just brushed their lips against each other while hands explored, nails gently scratched and warm breath became the air they were breathing.
It was how they reconnected.
Tenderly, slowly, feeling.
They fell asleep intertwined in each other.
And Emma felt everything inside of her healing.
The soft click of the door being open, pulled Emma out of her thoughts.
She looked at the suite, grunting childishly when Regina left the bathroom, with a bag in her hands and a robe tied around her body.
But the smile on Regina's face as she walked back to the bed was totally worth the behavior.
"If you go in undress, you should return naked," Emma pouted.
Regina smirked lightly and sat on the bed, gesturing for Emma to sit as well.
Emma did as she was wordlessly told and sat on the bed, the sheets, falling around her waist, leaving her breasts exposed.
Her eyes immediately fell on Regina's throat and the way she swallowed dry and moistened her lips as her stare never left Emma's breasts.
It made her nipples go harder.
And other parts of her tingle and wet.
"You are staring," Emma said with a half grin
"What?" Regina asked, her eyes still focused on Emma's breasts.
Emma smiled, wanting nothing more than Regina's mouth sucking her breast.
But teasing her about it seemed like the delightful thing to do this morning.
"Should I cover my modesty, Madam Mayor?" Emma asked, a tone of seduction adorning her voice.
"Oh, absolutely not," Regina said, recovering from her daze enough to wink at Emma "Give me your hand"
Emma stretched her arm in Regina's direction. Regina took Emma's injured hand and carefully laid it on her thigh before opening the not-so-small bag and picking up a scissor.
Regina took Emma's hand between hers again and carefully cut the gauze. Emma flinched slightly when her hand was exposed, the skin was bright red and broke between her knuckles but there was no blood coming from the wounds.
"How much did you hit him?" Regina asked, looking at Emma's hand.
"A lot," Emma said darkly.
"Good,"
And that was all Regina said before reaching inside the bag again and picking up a vial and some cotton to rub the content over Emma's hand.
It burned.
But the way Regina cared for her injuries warmed something inside of her.
Regina cleaned her wounds and spread a healing ointment before wrapping clean gauze around her hand.
"There," Regina said softly.
She brought Emma's hand to her lips and kissed her covered palm before sliding the hand to her heart, holding it there.
"How are your arms?" Regina asked.
Emma turned her face to look at her right arm, still purple and with a few closed cuts spread all over her skin.
"It's fine," Emma said.
"Emma…"
"Truly," Emma said looking at Regina.
"What about you?" Emma asked, "The shock gun he used on you…"
"Left nothing but purple dots under my ribs," Regina said, interrupting Emma.
Emma nodded slowly, staring at Regina.
The need to have her near consumed her whole.
It settled devastatingly in her chest and it would not rest until Regina was in her arms.
"Come here" Emma whispered.
Regina pushed the bag away and lifted the sheets, settling between Emma's legs, head resting over her shoulder.
Emma wrapped her arms around Regina and kissed the top of her head, breathing in their combined scent and letting the weight of Regina's body lift the heaviness on her chest.
This was where she found her peace.
Being with Regina grounded her.
Regina ran her fingers delicately over Emma's arms, making her shiver.
"Regina?" Emma said lowly.
"Yes?" Regina said back.
Emma pressed a kiss on her temple, letting her lips linger there for a moment.
"I love you,"
Regina's whole body reverberated contently against Emma's.
She could feel the humming of her heart, beating in sync with hers.
Regina turned around in Emma's embrace and pressed her lips against hers tenderly, her tongue invading her slowly as if they had the whole time in the world.
And they did.
Emma was hers.
Today, tomorrow, forever.
Always.
Regina broke the kiss and smiled lazily at her before pressing them together again.
"I love you too," Regina said against Emma's lips.
A loud thunder broke the calm morning, the light invading the bedroom dramatically.
And Emma sighed and put her hand over Regina's cheek, looking at her seriously.
"How am I supposed to do this?" Emma asked, "How am I supposed to break this curse?"
Regina frowned and bit her lower lip looking at Emma.
"I…" Regina paused "I don't know"
"What do you mean you don't know?" Emma asked.
"All I know is that The Savior is supposed to break the curse," Regina said "How you do it I have no idea"
"Then who the hell knows how I'm supposed to do that?" Emma asked.
They both looked at each other, realization hitting them at the same moment when their eyes widened.
"Henry," They said in one breath.
Regina pulled Emma's arms from around her body, moving out of the bed.
Emma rose as well, both of them walking to the closet and putting on some clothes, with the same rhythm and stolen kisses as they did since the day Emma moved in with them.
The same blissful routine of waking up next to the woman she loved.
Changing into clothes and then going about their day as if one wasn't responsible for a curse that trapped people from the Enchanted Forest into a new world and the other wasn't responsible for breaking that same curse and finally releasing the people from its suppose suffering.
A moment later, they were both ready for the day. Emma smiled at Regina and took her hand between hers as they both left their bedroom together and went into Henry's.
Their boy was still sleeping when they entered his room.
Emma went around the bed, sitting on one side as Regina sat on the other.
And then both of them gently shook Henry's shoulder, taking Henry out of his peaceful slumber.
Henry woke up slowly, rubbing his eyes as he look between Emma and Regina.
"What?" Henry asked sleepily.
"We have questions, kid," Emma said.
Henry sat on the bed and looked at his bedside table watch, grunting audibly when he saw the time.
"You know I still had twenty minutes," Henry said.
"This is important, Henry," Regina said, running her hand over his hair.
"What's going on?" Henry asked.
"Henry," Regina said "How is Emma supposed to break the curse?"
"I don't know," Henry said back.
"What you mean you don't know, kid?" Emma asked "You are like the expert on this stuff"
"The book doesn't say how you break the curse," Henry tilted his head to the side, "I think this is something you just… know"
"Me?" Emma asked "I have no clue, kid"
"Henry, are you sure your book doesn't say anything?" Regina asked.
"You read the book, mom," Henry said "Ma's story ends after Prince Charming put her inside the wardrobe"
"So, what?" Emma asked, "Do I just go outside and say 'may the curse be broken' and it's all over?"
"Well, I hope it takes a little more effort than that," Regina scoffed almost offended.
"Regina?" Emma raised a brow.
"What?" Regina asked "This is a powerful curse, it is the curse of the curses. I sincerely hope it won't be undone by some words thrown into the wind"
"Not helping," Emma said pointing at her.
Regina rolled her eyes and sighed.
"I know," Regina scratched her forehead.
"So, what do we do now?" Emma asked.
"I guess we go about our usual day," Regina looked at Henry "Which means getting ready for school"
"Seriously?" Henry asked.
"Seriously!" Regina said "It's time to get up and change. Your mother and I will be waiting for you in the kitchen"
"Fine," Henry said with an exaggerated sigh.
They left Henry's bedroom, going straight to the kitchen.
They made breakfast together.
Kissed against the refrigerator.
And the counters.
And the island.
Heard Henry complained about their behavior when he caught them kissing.
And Emma responded to his objections by kissing Regina again.
Normal.
Just another regular day in their lives.
After breakfast, Emma drove Henry to school.
She walked with him to the school entrance even though Henry complained at every step they took.
He wasn't a little kid anymore.
But Emma didn't really care about that.
"Emma!"
Emma froze at the school steps, gripping Henry's shoulder.
"Hey,"
Emma looked at Mary Margaret, feeling a knot form in her stomach.
How could that woman be her mother?
How could Mary Margaret be the woman she looked for nearly her whole life?
They were the same age and…
Sort of her best friend.
Emma swallowed dry, forcing her lips to return the smile and her hands to stop shaking.
"Mary Margaret," Emma said in one breath.
"I'm going to go inside," Henry said before getting rid of Emma's grip and running inside the school.
Traitor.
Mary Margaret moved closer to Emma, abruptly taking her hand between hers.
"What happened to your hand?" Mary Margaret asked concerned.
Emma stood awkwardly in front of the other woman, slowly pulling her hand back.
"Work," Emma said simply.
Mary Margaret nodded at Emma, looking worried at her.
"Are you sure it was just work?" Mary Margaret asked.
"Excuse me?" Emma asked back.
"The town is quite safe," Mary Margaret said "I don't really see how you could injure your hand at work"
Emma felt anger boil on the surface, her blood running a little hotter in her veins.
"And what is it that you think it happened?" Emma clicked her tongue.
"I don't know," Mary Margaret shook her head "I'm sorry, I didn't…" She cleared her throat "I'm sorry you were injured at work"
"Thanks," Emma said.
"So, how are you?" Mary Margaret asked "Apart from that" She pointed at Emma's hand.
"I'm good," Emma said.
"Are you happy?" Mary Margaret asked.
"I am," Emma smiled softly "Regina and Henry make me very happy"
Mary Margaret took a step closer to Emma biting her lower lip.
She opened her mouth to say something but then she just shook her head deciding against it.
"You should come over for dinner sometime," Mary Margaret said "I'd love to catch up"
"Yeah, I…"
"David and I are living together," Mary Margaret said "It's so weird, but lately I've been having these dreams about him riding horses and fighting with a sword"
"Oh!" Emma exclaimed.
"I've also been dreaming about Regina," Mary Margaret laughed lightly, "I think the whole Evil Queen thing from Henry's book finally got to me"
"Don't call her that," Emma said seriously.
She hated that title.
Hated what they called her.
Hated she once call her that too.
"Oh, I don't," Mary Margaret shook her head "Look, Emma, I know you like Regina and as your friend, I'm happy that you are happy. But I can't shake this feeling that Regina is… not the right person for you"
"Well then," Emma said "I'm glad this is none of your business"
"That woman was never good, Emma," Mary Margaret said.
"She was," Emma said looking into Mary Margaret's eyes "But everyone around her broke her into pieces until she had no choice but to rise above what you all call her"
"Everyone here was always kind to her," Mary Margaret said.
"And yet, here you are, acting otherwise behind her back," Emma said back.
The school bell rang, making a sea of late children rush between them inside the school.
"I have to go to work," Emma said.
She turned her back to Mary Margaret, walking down the steps.
"Emma," Mary Margaret shouted "Have dinner with me and David"
Emma stopped at the bottom of the steps and looked up at Mary Margaret.
"Maybe," Emma said "You should go inside. You don't want to be late for school"
Mary Margaret smiled at Emma before going inside.
And as Emma walked back to her car, she wondered if it would ever be possible for her to have a mother-daughter relationship with the woman she used to be friends with and now she was supposed to call mom.
Regina was in her office reading yet another budget file.
It felt so strange to do this now when she knew she was on the road to having her curse broken.
With her help, no less.
Regina scoffed and shook her head, turning another page on the budget report.
She supposed she should enjoy her last moment as the Storybrooke Mayor.
After the curse broke, all the magic of the illusion she created would be gone.
The veil covering their memories would be lifted.
And both their lives would sink into their mind as one.
Regina bit her lower lip, leaning against the chair.
The curse was going to break, she had no doubt of that.
Even if Emma didn't know how, Henry was right.
It was inside of her.
She was born to break the curse, it was her destiny.
And Regina would do anything she could to help Emma fulfill it.
Because nothing in the world meant more to her than Emma and Henry.
Not even the wrath of her subjects after their memories return.
Regina was no fool.
She knew the townfolks wouldn't just forgive her because she was in love with the Savior and helped her break the curse.
It would be no smiles or forgiveness and words of understanding.
They would seek revenge.
And possibly with Snow White and Prince Charming by their side.
Regina looked to the side abruptly when the loud sound of her phone ringing echoed inside her office.
Regina straightened her posture, an automatic act on her part, and then reached for the phone pressing the green button before bringing it to her ear.
"Hello?" Regina said toneless, almost bored.
"Madam Mayor, this is Principal Weaver," The man said on the other side of the line.
Regina rose from the chair, gripping the phone hard in her hand.
"Where is Henry, did something happen to him?" Regina asked in one breath.
"He is quite well, he is in my office right now," Principal Weaver said.
"In your office?" Regina asked, "What is he doing in your office?"
Regina looked at the door, watching Emma enter her office, without even bothering to knock first.
The attitude was so Emma, that she couldn't help the smile that formed on her lips and the warm feeling that spread through her chest.
The familiarity of the gesture centered Regina in a way she knew would never fade.
No matter how many years passed between them.
"Madam Mayor, are you listening?"
She wasn't.
She was only vaguely aware of the man's voice on the other side of the line while Emma entered her office and walked in her direction.
"I'm sorry, what were you saying?" Regina asked.
Emma kissed her cheek briefly before sitting down in the chair.
"As I was saying Madam Mayor, Henry has been coming late to school not to mention all the classes he's been skipping," Principal Weaver said "If that continues he is going to lose the year due to absence"
"What the hell are you talking about?" Regina asked a mix of anger and concern bubbling on the surface.
"I tried to talk to you before, Madam Mayor, but you were not open for conversation," Principal Weaver said "But this situation has come to a point where I have no choice but to inform you that Henry will be suspended and will have to attend summer school"
"This…" Regina shook her head, incapable of forming any coherent thought.
Emma rose from the chair and stood beside Regina, gently putting a hand on her arms.
"What's going on?" Emma asked.
"This is impossible," Regina said her eyes searching Emma's gaze for comfort "Are you sure you are talking about my Henry?"
"He is the only Henry in school, Madam Mayor" Principal Weaver said "Is there any time you can come to my office to discuss the situation?"
"Yes," Regina said "We can go now"
"We?" Principal Weaver asked.
"Me and his other mother," Regina said firmly "We'll be right there"
"Of cou…"
Regina turned off the call, killing the man's last words on the phone.
"Did something happen with Henry?" Emma asked.
Regina looked at Emma confused, lips slightly parted as she took and then exhaled a breath.
"Did you drive Henry to school this morning?" Regina asked.
"Yeah, you know I did," Emma said "I even walked with him to the gate although he protested the whole time"
"Apparently, he has been skipping classes," Regina said waving the phone in the air.
"What?" Emma asked surprised "Why?"
"That is what we are about to find out," Regina said "We need to go to school now"
Regina walked behind her desk, putting the phone back in place and reaching for her purse.
And as she swung the purse over her shoulder she realized she didn't ask Emma if she could or even wanted to go to the school with her.
But her worries vanished as fast as they wormed their way inside her brain.
Emma already had a hand stretched in her direction and an impatient posture on her body.
"Come on, let's go," Emma said tilting her hand to the side.
So Regina just took Emma's hand between hers and Emma lead their way out of the mayor's office, into her car, and then to the school.
They walked the hallways of the school together, hand in hand until they arrived at the Principal's office.
And just like Emma so often did, Regina didn't bother with knocking before pushing the door open.
Entering the place as if it belonged to her.
Which it did.
For now anyway.
Emma smirked beside her, leaning casually against Regina and whispering in her ear.
"You could have knocked, you know?" Emma said.
But Regina just looked at her and winked with a side smile playing on her lips before looking around the office.
Principal Weaver was sitting on a chair behind his desk, Henry sitting across from him.
And leaned against the wall there was Mary Margaret, arms crossed and a disapproving look on her face as her gaze landed on her hand intertwined with Emma's.
It almost made Regina gloat in delight before the thought of who the woman was hit her all at once.
The venous smile died on her lips.
"Madam Mayor, Miss Swan," Principal Weaver said, standing up from his chair and closing a button of his suit too small for his large belly.
Regina let go of Emma's hand and walked to Henry, kneeling beside him.
"Henry, what is going on?" Regina asked.
"As I said over the phone…"
"I am asking my son," Regina interrupted Principal Weaver looking deadly at the man with a tone that left no room for argument.
Emma knelt on the other side of the chair, putting her hand over Henry's leg.
"What's going on, kid?" Emma asked "I left you at the entrance this morning"
"It's nothing," Henry shrugged "I just… have to prepare for.. you know"
"Prepare for what, Henry?" Regina asked gently.
Henry looked at Regina lowering his head and voice when he whispered:
"The curse,"
"Henry…"
"He missed my class this morning," Mary Margaret said interrupting Regina "I found him in the woods behind the school with a stick in his hand hitting a tree"
Emma looked behind her shoulder at Mary Margaret before focusing her attention on Henry again.
"We'll talk about this at home," Emma said softly.
She rose from the ground and looked at the Principal, putting her hands on the back of her jeans pockets.
"If you have already given Henry his punishment, we would like to take our son home," Emma said.
"No," Mary Margaret said, taking a few steps closer to Emma "Henry is obviously going through something and I think we all know what the problem is here" Her eyes landed on Regina.
Regina rose from the ground, her eyes locking with Mary Margaret's. Anger was already pumping through her veins, and Regina had to look for a place deep inside of her to control the will to lash out.
"And what, dear, pray and tell, do you think his problem is?" Regina asked sarcastically.
Emma sighed audibly, scratching her forehead.
"Henry, go wait outside," Emma said.
Henry looked between Emma and Mary Margaret before his eyes landed on Regina. Regina nodded at him and smiled as softly as she could to reassure Henry before he took his backpack and left the office.
"What's your problem?" Emma asked the second the door was closed.
"Henry is always either skipping classes or getting late to them," Mary Margaret said before looking at Regina "It's obvious he is going through something at home, and if I had to guess, I would say it's your relationship"
"Excuse me?" Regina asked angrily.
"His mother is dating his adoptive mother and honestly, that was just too quick," Mary Margaret said "You two barely know each other and are already living together. This has to be confusing for him. He is probably desperate to find some alone time to process whatever is happening at home"
"Oh, you have some nerve…"
"Regina!" Emma said interrupting Regina.
And the look on her face left no room for argument.
Emma took a step closer to Mary Margaret, standing tall in front of her.
"You keep your thoughts about what you think of my relationship with Regina to yourself," Emma said coldly "Henry has two mothers who love him very much and he knows he can trust us with anything"
"No, he doesn't, Emma," Mary Margaret said "Don't you see what's happening? He is…"
"Yes, he is skipping classes, we are aware of that now," Emma said "And we will talk to him about it and deal with it as a family"
"You are not a family," Mary Margaret said simply.
Anger burst into Regina, spreading like wildfire, stinging her heart.
But the weight of that anger, the heaviness of that rage wasn't coming from her.
It was Emma's.
It was powerful and terrifying, so dark and violent that Regina felt the air leaving her lungs.
She hurried to stand beside Emma, intertwining her fingers with hers, squeezing her hand for Emma to come back to her.
Emma's eyes were locked with Mary Margaret's, as cold as the first dawn of winter and Regina feared Emma would do something that could damage any relationship they might have in the future.
Regina couldn't risk that.
They were mother and daughter and Regina would never take away Emma's chance to have a relationship with her mother.
The earth shook beneath her feet.
Anger rose higher, leaving a bitter taste on the back of Regina's tongue.
Regina took another step, putting herself between Emma and Mary Margaret.
"Emma, honey," Regina said softly putting her hand on Emma's cheek "Emma, look at me"
The earth shook beneath her feet again, angrier this time.
"What is this?" Principal Weaver said somewhere in the room.
Regina leaned closer to Emma, pressing her lips against her ear.
"I love you," Regina whispered "Come back to me"
Emma blinked her eyes once and then twice, breaking eye contact with Mary Margaret and locking them with Regina's.
Her body relaxed, and the anger subsided even though it didn't disappear.
But it wasn't oppressive anymore.
It didn't threaten to shake the earth.
Emma took a step back and turned her head to look at the Principal.
"What is Henry's punishment?" Emma asked.
"Two days suspension and summer school if he misses another class," The man said slightly uncomfortable "But I believe we need to discuss the reason for this behavior, I think…"
"We'll talk to him at home," Emma said interrupting the man in a way so familiar to Regina's own way that she almost smiled.
Emma squeezed Regina's hand between hers, a hint of a smile on the corner of her lips.
Then she looked at Mary Margaret again, her features cold and posture rigid.
At least the woman in front of her had the decency to look guilty.
"Emma, I didn't mean it like that," Mary Margaret said.
Emma nodded slowly, gripping Regina's hand.
"As I said, we will deal with this issue at home as a family," Emma said seriously "And unless there is another matter that needed to be discussed we would like to take our son home"
"We haven't really…" Mary Margaret started to say.
"We are done here," Emma cut her off.
She pulled Regina with her as they left the office, her hand nearly crushing Regina's bones.
But Regina didn't say anything.
She let Emma hold her hand and pull her out of that office as if that was the only way to salvage a relationship that was yet to start.
After the door closed behind them, Emma exhaled a breath and then softened her grip on Regina's hand.
"Let's go, kid," Emma said looking at Henry.
"What happened?" Henry asked.
"We'll talk about it when we get home," Emma said.
Henry swung his backpack over his shoulder and walked in front of them.
And Emma didn't let go of Regina's hand as they walked out of the school or as they drove back to the mansion.
She could sense Emma needed that touch.
It was grounding her, keeping the rage caged.
Regina could understand that.
If Emma's anger hadn't been carved so deep into her heart Regina knew Emma would be the one trying to cage the murderous feeling inside.
Nobody threatened her family.
And nobody dared said they weren't one.
They arrived at the mansion, and Henry's shoulder slouched as he walked to the living room.
Regina and Emma sat on the couch, Henry taking the armchair opposite from them.
"Kid, what the hell," Emma said "I left you in front of the school"
"Henry, honey," Regina said eyeing Emma before looking back at Henry "Why are you missing your classes?"
"I told you, I was practicing," Henry said.
"Practicing what kid?" Emma asked.
"Sword fight," Henry said, a shade of pink tinting his cheeks.
"What?" Regina asked.
"I'm not stupid, I know what can happen when the curse breaks," Henry said looking at Regina "I have been practicing sword fight because I need to be able to protect you, mom"
"Henry," Regina said softly.
"People are going to be angry," Henry said "I know the heroes won't hurt you but there are also a lot of villains here. I need to know how to protect you from them"
Regina rose from the couch and walked to Henry, kneeling in front of him and taking his hands between hers.
But before she could say anything, Emma's voice echoed behind her.
"Nobody is going to hurt your mom, kid," Emma said "If anybody wants to get anywhere near her they are gonna have to go through me first. And I'm the Savior, remember?"
"I know," Henry nodded "But you don't really know how to sword fight"
"No, but I have a gun," Emma said.
"Emma!" Regina scolded her.
"Sorry," Emma said embarrassed before kneeling beside Regina.
"Henry, honey," Regina said softly "You don't have to worry about protecting me. It's not your job to protect me, but mine and Emma's to protect you"
"But I can protect you too," Henry said looking at Regina "I learned how to fight, from the books"
"There will be no fight, Henry," Emma said "I'm the Savior. I'm the curse breaker. And…"
"You are Snow White and Prince Charming's daughter," Henry said.
"Right," Emma cleared her throat "That"
"Henry," Regina said "I know how to protect myself. I'm The Evil Queen, remember? They wouldn't dare, not with the Savior by my side"
"Do you promise?" Henry asked looking at Regina.
"I do," Regina said.
Ignoring the sour taste of the lie prickling her tongue.
Henry threw his arms around Regina, hugging her tightly.
And Emma looked at her puzzled, rubbing Henry's back as Regina avoid look into her eyes.
"Now, promise me you won't miss classes anymore?" Regina asked when she let go of her son.
"If the curse is not broken until there, sure," Henry said cheekily.
Regina had no choice but to mentally agree with him.
Who knew what would happen after Emma broke the curse?
Especially with her…
Emma's phone rang, and she let out a puff of hair when she saw the name flashing on the screen.
"It's Graham," Emma said "I have to go back to work"
Regina nodded at her, running her hand over Henry's face.
"Go," Regina said "I'll stay home with Henry"
"Living normal, right?" Emma laughed "I'll see you guys later"
Emma bent to kiss Henry's head and then kissed Regina softly on the lips.
Regina ran her hand over Henry's face again, one certain burning in her heart.
Once the curse was broken, people would come for her head.
But no matter what happened, Henry and Emma were untouchable.
And Regina was going to make sure they were safe.
Emma was in the passenger seat with Graham driving back to the station after a call.
The earthquake, as Graham was calling, that hit the city that afternoon shattered the glass of a chocolate store, and the owner called the police to deal with the miscreants.
Which in Storybrooke meant school kids trying to run away with free candy.
They arrived at the scene and made some ugly faces and tough talk at the kids before sending them away.
Luckily, nobody was hurt by the glass or even the tremor.
And apart from some cracked sidewalks that the Mayor's office would have to deal with later, the town was intact.
Emma pressed her head against the cold glass of the window, looking out the town.
The tremor this afternoon was entirely her fault.
She felt the energy running through her veins as the rage she was feeling consumed her whole.
You are not a family.
Emma closed her eyes, letting that anger run through her again.
She acknowledged the pain and allowed it to run through her body but she didn't let it consume her.
The words, her words, cut deeper than Emma would ever think possible.
Because Regina and Henry were the only family Emma ever knew.
They took her in and make her whole.
Every day spend with them mended a piece of that loneliness inside of her and took down a brick of the wall she put up to protect herself from ever getting hurt.
How dare she say they weren't a family?
How dare she looked at Emma in the eyes and say Regina and Henry weren't her family when they took her in while she abandoned her?
Emma knew the words were directed at Regina, the ancient grudge between them returning to Mary Margaret's mind as the curse weakened.
And she knew she wasn't being completely fair to the woman either because she did take Emma in when she needed a place to stay.
When she needed time to find Regina.
But still…
Emma couldn't stand the words directed at her.
The attack she felt when her words stabbed her heart.
Mary Margaret was once a friend, someone Emma trusted easily and inexplicably.
Someone she felt a connection with.
The first person she called a friend in a very, very long time.
But the Mary Margaret she met as a friend and the Snow White who was supposed to be her mother were two different people.
Because while one was a friend the other was a mother.
And both of them had a problem with the woman she freely chose to love.
Emma opened her eyes, staring out at the streets of Storybrooke.
She wasn't ready for things to change.
She didn't want things to change.
She knew it was selfish of her apart, she knew the curse was keeping people from their beloved ones.
But the feeling she had the night before when she was inside her car staring out the road to leave Storybrooke still wormed into her heart.
She wanted to forget everything.
She wanted to take Regina and Henry to the lake house and just stay there, until time passed by them, until her time to fulfill her destiny was over.
All Emma truly wanted was her happiness.
And she knew where her happiness lay.
Where her loyalty was.
What she had to protect.
"Are you okay?"
Emma turned her head to the side, Graham's voice pulling her out of her thoughts.
"Yeah," Emma said.
"How is your hand?" Graham asked.
"A little itchy," Emma said lifting the hand before her eyes "But it doesn't hurt much"
Graham tapped his finger on the steering wheel, taking a breath.
"I stopped by the hospital this morning," Graham said.
"What for?" Emma asked, looking out the window again.
"You know why," Graham said "Do you want to know how he is?"
"Unless he stopped breathing I don't really care," Emma said.
"He will pay for what he did, Emma," Graham said.
"Yeah," Emma said " I'll make sure of that"
"I think you already did," Graham said, a tone of reprehension in his voice.
But Emma didn't care about it.
Because to her, he still had a lot to answer for.
Emma watched the streets, her eyes falling upon a man barely standing on the sidewalk as he walked.
His body shook and he was dragging his leg on the concrete, every step he took looking like more effort than he was capable of.
It took Emma a while to recognize the man.
August.
Emma felt something squeeze her heart, a voice of consciousness telling her to go to him.
"Graham, can you stop the car?" Emma asked.
"Of course," Graham said.
Graham parked the car right beside August who didn't even notice their presence.
"I'll see you at the station later," Emma said before opening the door and leaving the car "August?"
August looked at Emma a miserable attempt at a charming smile playing on his lips.
"Emma," August said.
Emma moved closer to him, taking his arm to put over her shoulder to support his weight.
His arm was hard against her hand, but not in the way muscles were supposed to be.
The arm almost felt like a piece of wood.
"What's going on?" Emma asked worried "Did you fall from your bike or something?"
August laughed darkly, taking another step.
"No, I didn't," August said "But it doesn't matter anymore. You wouldn't believe me. I'm too late"
"Are you talking about the curse?" Emma asked.
August stooped walking, looking surprised at Emma.
"You believe it now," August stated.
"Yeah," Emma nodded "Regina she… she told me"
"The Evil Queen told you about the curse?" August asked.
"Don't call her that," Emma said protectively, a hint of anger in her voice.
"I didn't mean…" August shook his head "It's just how I have always known her since I was a boy. And before that"
"Before you were a boy?" Emma chuckled "Don't tell me you have memories of being a spermatozoon"
August laughed lightly, taking another step forward with Emma's help.
"No," August said "I was created from matter"
"What?" Emma asked confused.
"Before I was a real boy," August said "I was made of wood"
Emma stopped walking, looking at August with parted lips.
"You are Pinocchio," Emma whispered.
"I am," August nodded.
"You put your story in Henry's book, didn't you?" Emma asked.
"I did, yes," August said.
"How…" Emma shook her head "How do you have your memories? Why doesn't the curse affect you?"
"Because the curse never touched me," August said "Like it never touched you"
"How is that possible?" Emma asked.
They stopped in front of Granny's diner and August tiredly turned to face Emma.
"There is a story I need to tell you," August said.
"What story?" Emma asked.
"The story about the boy that came through the wardrobe before you," August said "Come on"
August limped in front of Emma going inside the diner.
Emma stood rooted to the ground, watching him go inside wondering how was it possible that a wardrobe that only fit one brought two into this world.
Emma took a step forward and followed August inside the diner.
She wasn't sure why she was still surprised to learn that the story wasn't exactly as she was told.
Regina was looking out the window staring at the dark night and the empty road, waiting for Emma to come home.
Emma had texted her earlier, saying she wouldn't be home for dinner.
That there was something important she needed to do, a story she needed to hear.
She didn't elaborate much when Regina asked what was she talking about. All she said was that she would explain when she come home.
Regina searched for that place inside of her, that part in her heart that belonged to Emma, looking for any sign of danger.
But her heart was silent, beating calmly inside her chest full of love and an occasional hint of surprise mixed with sympathy.
But still, Regina couldn't help but worry.
After what happened to them, after what Jefferson did, after she lost Emma…
The ache of the distance was almost physical.
She needed Emma near.
Regina sighed and pulled the window open, the cool air of the night kissing her cheeks coldly and blowing her hair back.
The time away from Emma, as devastatingly as it was, gave her time to think.
Time to come up with a decision.
Another backup plan for when the curse was broken.
Because there was no if anymore.
It was just a matter of when.
Regina breathed in the night air, her lungs expanding and then going down, smoke leaving her lips slowly as Regina exhaled.
She closed her eyes, her thoughts taking her back to the conversation she had with Henry during dinner.
About his sword fight practice.
As much as Regina tried to tell him beautiful lies and pretend everything was okay, she knew the truth in her core.
Heroes, villains, it didn't matter which category they fit.
Once the curse was broken they would all come for her head.
And worse yet, the people she loved.
She knew people like Snow White and Prince Charming would protect Emma and Henry.
Despite the animosity between Emma and Mary Margaret at school today, they were mother and daughter.
She knew she would protect them.
But the other half, people like Gold and Jefferson…
They would hunt them to hurt Regina.
Unless there was nothing left of her to hunt.
And if she was the price to pay to keep Emma and Henry safe, so be it.
She would gladly pay every penny.
Regina opened her eyes when the sound of a familiar engine reached her ears.
She watched Emma's yellow car drive down the street and then pull up in front of the mansion.
The second Emma opened the door, their forged scent reached Regina's nose, so strong and powerful that Regina held her breath for a second, taking in their scent.
True love was so different from what she thought, once upon a time.
The way her heart was linked to Emma's, how their soul felt like two shared halves.
It was beautiful and terrifying.
Her heart knew no boundaries when it came to Emma.
There was very little Regina wouldn't do to keep her safe.
The sound of Emma's footsteps in the hallway broke the eerie silence of the house.
Regina leaned on the wall next to the window with her arms crossed, waiting for Emma to enter their bedroom.
One moment later, Emma was pushing the door open, and the sight of her by the door made a calmness settle in her heart.
"Hey," Emma smiled at her.
"Hi," Regina whispered.
Emma walked faster in her direction, faster than Regina's eyes could register, and before she knew her lips were upon Emma's, kissing her intensely with a power of something indestructible.
Claiming and demanding what was rightfully hers, what would always belong only to her, every beat of her heart in this borrowed time they still had together.
Emma broke the kiss, pressing her forehead against Regina's, her lips brushing softly against hers.
"Is everything okay?" Regina asked softly.
Emma kissed her lips one more time before pulling away an inch to look at Regina.
"August is Pinocchio," Emma said.
"Oh!" Regina exclaimed.
"He was the one who put his story in Henry's book," Emma said "And get this, he is turning into wood"
"But that… That is not possible," Regina said "The magic here is not strong enough to do this to him"
"Hey, don't ask me," Emma lifted her hands in the air "I saw what I saw and he is half wood already"
"How," Regina shook her head "How did he escape the curse?"
"He came through the wardrobe before me," Emma sighed "His father made a deal with the Blue Fairy and they lied to Snow and Charming about it"
"The wardrobe could take two people," Regina stated.
"Yep," Emma nodded "He is the boy who found me on the side of the road, well, sort of. He walked with me in his arms to the road after he left the forest"
"I had no idea," Regina said.
"This whole thing is just…"
Emma sighed again and walked to the middle of the room, scratching her forehead.
"I need to break this curse, Regina," Emma said "It's the only way to save him"
Regina nodded slowly, looking intensely at Emma.
Her heart started to race inside her chest, and her breathing was slightly ragged.
She had a plan.
One she formed during dinner while Henry told her about the book he used to learn how to fight.
One that was sewn into her brain as her little boy told her about a knight's honor.
About how prepared he was to defend her from any harm.
Every word Henry spoke during dinner filled Regina with pride and fear.
Pride for the boy she raised.
And fear for his life.
Because it was time for Regina to face the real truth about breaking the curse.
It was time to leave the fairy tale behind.
She harmed everyone in this town.
And revenge was something each one of them would seek.
"What's wrong?"
Emma took a step and then another closer to Regina, holding her face between her hands.
"Why are you scared?" Emma asked.
Regina slid Emma's hands from her face, taking a step back.
"I need you to promise me something," Regina said.
"What?" Emma asked.
"When the curse breaks," Regina paused, considering her words "When you break the curse it's possible that some of the townsfolk will want retribution for what I did"
"Nobody is getting anywhere near you," Emma said seriously.
Powerful protectiveness sipping from her words.
It made something pull in Regina's chest.
Something intense that took her breath away for a second.
"It might not be that simple," Regina said looking at Emma "These people, they were trapped here for twenty-eight years. They will want my head in a trial"
"Regina, listen to me," Emma said her voice hard and smoky "I will do terrible, horrible things to anyone who comes anywhere near you"
Regina gave a side smile at Emma, the savage instinct awakening and drawing her closer to her.
She closed the distance between them, capturing her lips on a kiss, dragging her teeth and tongue on her flesh.
"As will I," Regina said out of breath when she broke the kiss "But I still need you to promise me something"
"What is it?" Emma asked.
"If things get tough if people lose control and come for me…"
"Regina," Emma interrupted her.
But Regina shook her head, pressing her palm against Emma's heart.
"I need you to take Henry out of town," Regina said looking into Emma's eyes "He is the Prince, the heir to my crown. People might see him as both a threat and a way to hurt me"
"He is a kid," Emma said "Everyone knows him in town"
"Exactly," Regina said "If things get out of hand, I need you to take Henry out of Storybrooke. I need you to take him somewhere safe"
"No," Emma shook her head "We'll leave together, all of us"
"It may not be enough time," Regina said sadly.
"Then let's just go, right now," Emma said "Pack a bag for you and Henry, we'll get inside my car and we'll leave town. I still have my apartment in Boston, we can go there and…"
"Emma, we can't," Regina said "You have to break the curse"
"No, I don't," Emma said desperately "I never wanted this, all I want is you and Henry"
"I vowed to myself I would never take anything away from you again," Regina said in a choked voice "And you deserve a chance to get to know your parents"
"I know them, I met them," Emma said "I don't need them anymore"
Regina put her hand on Emma's cheek, softly cherishing her skin.
"You say that now, but you will regret it one day," Regina said "And you might resent me for it"
"No, I won't," Emma covered Regina's hand, a tear rolling down her eye "You and Henry are the only ones I care about"
"That is not who you are," Regina smiled softly "You walked in here determined to save August's life"
"That was before I knew yours would be in danger," Emma said.
Regina kissed Emma's lips tenderly, letting her lips linger there a moment longer.
"We don't know what's going to happen after the curse is broken," Regina said "But I know I can't do this without knowing there is a plan to keep you and Henry safe"
"Regina…"
"So please, promise me," Regina cried "Promise me if things get out of hand you will take Henry out of town. Please, Emma, promise me Henry comes first"
Emma took Regina's face between hers, tears pouring from the corner of her eyes.
"Okay," Emma nodded "I promise that if things get out of hand I will take Henry out of town,"
"Thank you," Regina whispered.
"But once he is safe I am coming back for you," Emma said fiercely "So you just need to hold on until I come back, okay? Promise me you will hold on until I come back for you"
"I promise," Regina cried.
Emma leaned forward and captured her lips in a kiss.
And as Regina kissed her back, the only certainty she knew was that she would hold long enough for Henry and Emma to escape.
And then she would use her last breath to keep the promise she made Emma.
Hoping it wouldn't be too late.