My New Beginning: Part 3

Chapter 28 Is It Really Over?

Emma conjured a coach and Katherine, Gold…oops, Rumple, Emma, and I got into the coach then the horses took off.

"Babe, lie down. I know you're exhausted."

I was too tired to argue. I stretched out to where my head was resting on Emma's lap and it was lights out for me.

-Dreamland?-

I recognized where I was immediately; the River of Truth. I walked toward the bank and sat down under a beautiful tree.

"You look very relaxed, Regina."

I smiled recognizing the person speaking to me. "I am just taking everything in. Can I ask you something?"

"Anything," Achak sat down next to me.

"Is it really over? Will my family have to fight again in order for us to have a normal life where we can be happy?"

He placed his hand on mine and gave it a gentle squeeze. "You can rest, ah wee, it is over. You and Emma can enjoy the rest of your lives together with more children than I can count."

"I hate to burst your bubble and Emma's bubble, but no more babies."

He chuckled, "I hate to burst your bubble, Regina, but there will be more babies in the future. Not soon, but the twins will be out of diapers by then."

"Good!"

We shared a laugh then my mind started to go in overdrive. "Achak, will Katherine, Henry, Michael, or Hope have to go through what Emma and I had to in order for them to be happy?"

"Darkness will not return until you and your children have passed on to eternal life in paradise. Rest now, ah wee, you and Emma fought hard these last couple of years. It's time you both get a break."

"It's about time." I turned to look at my friend who I've come to know as the Great Spirit. "Achak?"

"Yes, ah wee."

I smiled and, from my heart, stated, "Thank you for everything you've done for me and my family."

"It was my pleasure. Keep watch on Pocahontas when she and Henry finally meet."

"Absolutely." I smiled and winked then he smiled at me. "I will leave you to rest, ah wee."

He placed his hands covering my ears and rested his forehead on mine. Darkness took over me instantly.

* * * * *MY NEW BEGINNING* * * * *

-Carriage Ride-

I could hear the sound of hooves beating against the forest road and clearly, I would be interrupting a conversation if I would open my eyes. So, I decided to pretend to still be asleep.

"Mommy sweepy?"

"Yeah, baby girl, Mommy is very tired. Let's let her sleep."

"Come sit by me, wee one."

It was silent for a little while then the conversation started back up again.

"You know, Rumple, I never got a chance to truly thank you for everything you've done for Katherine."

"You don't need to thank me, Emma. Little Katherine here has shown me what I have been missing all my life. I'm very thankful that I have Belle and Henry. I am now beyond thankful that I decided to accept all of Henry's siblings as my grandchildren."

Damn it, Rumplestiltskin! I thought I wouldn't have to cry anymore yet; he says something like this!

"Who are you and what did you do to Rumplestiltskin?"

Rumple chuckled, "I reformed him into the man he's supposed to be; focused on his family and let go of power that consumed all of me for far too long."

"I guess you and I had to experience a lot of loss and suffering before we found our true love then our priorities changed for the better."

I revealed that I was awake and Katherine left Rumple's side to come to me. I sat up to hold my adorable two-year-old.

"Mommy not sweepy anymore?"

I smiled, kissed her forehead, and hugged her. "Mommy is feeling much better now that she took a good nap."

"Feel alright, babe?"

I leaned over and gave Emma a butterfly kiss to her cheek. "Much better. I still can't believe how many people had to die in order for the darkness to go away."

"Well, I hate to break it to you, dearie; darkness will always be around. As long as light exists, darkness does too."

"I know that, Rumple. I was talking about what just happened."

"I know what you meant, Regina. Darkness will be held at bay for now, but we don't know when it will show its hideous face again."

Emma and I looked at each other then the carriage arrived at the castle and stopped.

* * * * *MY NEW BEGINNING* * * * *

David, Snow, and Henry ran up to open the door.

"Gamma! Gampa! Bubby!"

Henry took Katherine into an embrace and removed her from the carriage. David helped Rumple so he wouldn't collapse. Emma stood then I grabbed her arm.

"Emma, please stay. I need to talk to you."

Snow questioned, "Are you two coming?"

"Yeah, mom, we're coming in just a minute."

After everyone made their way back to the castle, Emma turned to me. "Alright, what's going on? Are you alright?"

"I'm fine. When I was resting, I saw Achak. He told me that we will live peacefully until you, me, and our children pass away."

She smiled from ear to ear and took my hands in hers. "I am more than relieved that we will live the rest of our lives peacefully."

"And there's something else." Emma looked at me with an inquiring expression so I decided to continue, "He also said there will be many more children in our future."

She smiled evilly. "Hot damn!" She got up to give me a passionate kiss but I stopped her. "Not so fast. Michael and Hope need to be out of diapers first."

"Sounds like a plan."

We shared a kiss and Emma got up then stepped out the carriage. She took hold of my hand and helped me out. When my feet touched the ground, I immediately thought of the twins.

"I want to see my babies."

Snow smiled. "They are waiting for you in your bedroom."

I used my magic to whisk myself to my bedroom so I can get to my little ones faster.

-My bedroom-

Sarah and Clara were sitting down holding my babies when I materialized into the room. They stood up when I made my way to them.

"Your majesty, sit down and we will give Hope and Michael to you."

After I sat down, Sarah handed Hope to me then Clara handed Michael over. Finally, I am able to enjoy holding my son and daughter without any dark entity threatening to take them away. I heard a wave of magic coming from the balcony. I recognized the foot falls immediately.

"I knew I would find you here. Hey kiddos, it's Ma."

Michael stretched and Hope yawned. I looked at Emma and smiled. "They recognized your voice. Hope looks like you."

"Michael is you all over!"

I chuckled and planted butterfly kisses on their foreheads. I sighed, "We now have everyone with us from the Destiny Reset."

"Yes, we do. Told you we would see them all again."

"You did. Oh Emma, I feel so…so…"

"Happy?"

"Yes," I choked back tears and added, "I can't believe in the span of three years that we fulfilled the prophecy, had three kids, and jumped realms. No wonder I'm exhausted."

Emma knelt in front of me, smiled, and her face turned serious. "I have a serious question to ask. Do you want to go back to Storybrooke or stay here in the Enchanted Forest?"

"Emma, I am tired of jumping realms. I want to stay here. We can always grow magic beans if we want to go to Disney World with Henry, Katherine, Hope, and Michael."

She smiled and replied, "I have to agree with you. I am tired of all this jumping back and forth between realms."

After giving Hope and Michael a kiss, her lips met mine in a long loving kiss. She rested her forehead against mine then my door opened up.

"Mommy! Ma!"

Emma turned around and scooped Katherine up then spun her around placing her on her hip. Snow, Henry, and David walked in.

"Sorry Mom, we tried keeping her still for a little while longer then she escaped."

"I wanted to see my bwother and sister."

Emma walked over to where I was sitting then knelt down with Katherine.

"Look baby girl, there's your sister Hope and your brother Michael."

She gave both of them a kiss on their nose. Damn it, these damn hormones are still out of whack! Henry walked over to me.

"Can I hold them?"

"Sure."

I carefully handed Michael then Hope to him. He sat down next to me on my chaise lounge chair. Emma sat down on the other side of me and embraced me. We watched our two oldest interact with the twins even Gamma and Gampa were taking their turns holding and talking to them.

"Hey."

I turned to look at Emma. She motioned to the balcony and we got up, walked out, and she leaned on the ledge.

"Look out there, babe." I looked out and the sun was setting creating a beautiful mix of blues, oranges, reds, and purples. "The kingdom is calm and this view of the sunset…a perfect way to bring this day to a close."

"It is so beautiful. I am thankful that I get to spend it with you and our family."

"This is where it all started."

I smiled then corrected, "Actually, it started…" then Emma interrupted, "I know how it really started. I'm talking about since the ritual. Our relationship started right here on this balcony."

"Look how far we've come. I wouldn't have it any other way. I love you, Emma Grace."

"Love you, too, Regina Katherine."

Our lips met then I heard a voice. "Ewwww!"

Emma and I laughed then turned to our sweet little girl. I held out my arms and she ran into them. I picked her up and gave her a big kiss.

"Mommy."

"Yes, my princess."

"Am I wealwy a pwincess?"

I smiled and nodded. Emma replied, "Yes, baby girl, you're a princess. Mommy and I are queen."

She squealed with glee and Emma and I couldn't contain our laughter. I can only imagine how many more days of this we will have. No matter what, I know my happy ending is happening now.