Chapter 2: Lose Yourself to Dance

"I wanted to thank you all for everything you have done for my wedding. A bride couldn't have asked for better bridesmaids," Regina said, looking at each member of her bridal party. "I'm sorry that the wedding will not be going forward."

Mal Draco shook her head. "You have nothing to apologize for. Sidney is an asshole, if you ask me."

"I have to agree," Ursula Atlantica said, nodding. "He really just expected you to uproot your entire life because he snapped his fingers and said so? Please. I think you dodged a bullet there, Mills."

Mary Margaret Nolan reached out and took Regina's hand. "We just want you to be happy and it's clear now that Sidney wasn't going to make you happy."

"He was just focused on what would make him happy," Mal added.

"I think back to all the planning for the wedding and how he kept deferring to me," Regina said. "I thought he was just being unselfish but now I realize he just didn't care. It makes me wonder if he really wanted to marry me at all."

Ursula leaned forward and placed her hand on Regina's shoulder. "Don't go down that rabbit hole. It will only drive you crazy."

Mal nodded. "Just focus on moving on and living your best life. Don't give that jerk another thought. He's not worth it."

"You'll find someone who treats you the way you deserve and who will want to build a life with you and not treat you like an afterthought," Ursula added. "And then we can try to have this Christmas wedding again."

"I hope so," Regina said, "though I don't feel like dating again for a while now."

Mal nodded. "Good. Be single. Live a little. Who needs a man? Certainly not you."

"Who knows? You might meet Mr. Right when you're least expecting him," Ursula said.

"Probably not for a while," Regina replied. "But I'll keep that in mind and thank you. I really do have the best bridesmaids ever."

"Yeah, you do," Mal agreed.

Regina laughed as her phone buzzed. She flipped it over as her stomach twisted, both hoping and dreading that it was Sidney - not that he had tried to reach out to her after their dinner. Either he took her at her word or was waiting for her to cool down. Regina hoped it was the former but feared it was the latter.

Instead, it was a reminder for her first dance lesson and her heart sank. She had canceled almost everything but those. Regina hoped she wouldn't break little Roland's heart when she did so. After all, it was not his fault she didn't need the lessons anymore.

"Please tell me that's not Sidney," Ursula said, sounding annoyed. "If he's trying to grovel…"

"Give me the phone," Mal said, reaching out for Regina's phone. "I'll tell him what he can do with his groveling."

Regina swatted her friend's hand away. "It's not that. It's a reminder that I have a dance lesson soon."

"Dance lesson?" Mary Margaret asked. "I didn't know you were taking up dancing."

"They were supposed to be for me and Sidney so we wouldn't look like fools during our first dance," Regina said, her stomach twisting into knots. "Would you mind if I called to cancel?"

Her friends shook their heads and she thanked them as she called the studio. It rang and rang and rang, making her frown. "No one is answering," she said.

"Teachers probably double as the receptionist and so can't answer when they're teaching," Mary Margaret said. "You can try again later."

"It's on my way home," Regina replied, confirming the address. "I can just stop by and cancel."

Ursula shrugged. "Maybe you should keep them and learn to dance for yourself. It would be a great way to keep your mind off everything else."

"And you can totally get a revenge body and maybe land a cute ballroom dancer," Mal added. "Gender of your choice."

Regina shook her head. "I don't have time. I have some big deals to finish before the end of the year and I'm still in the process of canceling all my wedding plans. I should've gotten a wedding planner. That would've been one thing they could've handled."

Mary Margaret frowned. "Are you having problems canceling?"

"Not really," Regina said. "It just feels like I keep poking my finger in an open wound, you know? That every time I have to tell another vendor that I called off the wedding, my heart breaks all over again."

"Do you want me to do it?" Mary Margaret asked. "I am the matron of honor. It seems like something I should be doing."

Regina shook her head. "I've got it. The bakery was the only place that really put up a fight."

"The bakery?" Mal asked. "I would've thought it would be the venue."

"My father handled that," Regina said, grateful for his assistance. "I'm honestly not surprised about the bakery. We booked it very late and Sidney was very distracted during our appointment, often on his phone and trying the baker's patience. She said that because we booked so late, she had to deny other jobs and so she wasn't going to refund us. She didn't care what I did with the cake but she was making it, I was paying for it and picking it up."

Ursula shrugged. "Still sounds like a win to me."

"And if you need help eating that cake, Lily and I would be happy to help you," Mal told her.

"David and I can help too," Mary Margaret said. "We can have our own little party."

"A Fuck You, Sidney party," Ursula said. "It'll be fun."

Regina laughed before sighing. "That just leaves the dress. I can't return or get a refund for it. And I'm certainly not keeping it."

"That's a shame," Mary Margaret said, sighing as well. "You looked so beautiful in it."

"You did but you also don't want that mojo following you into your real wedding once you find real love," Ursula replied, sipping her wine.

Mary Margaret nodded. "That is true."

"Maybe you could do a trash the dress thing," Mal said. "You know where you wear the dress and we throw paint on it?"

Regina shuddered at the thought and shook her head. "I am not letting you throw anything at me. I'll figure out something to do with it later. Can we change the subject now?"

"Of course, of course," Mary Margaret said, eyes darting around before landing on Ursula. "How did that new exhibit at the aquarium go?"

Ursula groaned. "It seemed like the universe was determined that we not put on this exhibit but I beat it…"

As she told them about all the challenges she faced to get her exhibit running, Regina relaxed. She knew that she was going to have many more tough conversations for several more months as more people learned that she had canceled the wedding and wasn't married. But for now, she could just pretend everything really was fine and she was just enjoying a nice lunch with her friends.

Hopefully soon, the pain would recede and she would feel like Regina again, if just an older and wiser one.

Regina climbed out of the taxi and stared up at Storybrooke Dance Studio. She took a deep breath before entering it, hearing music from the back. No one sat behind the receptionist desk, which explained why no one answered her call. Regina followed the sound of the music and heard someone counting the beats as she stepped into the rehearsal space.

A couple danced the foxtrot and she watched as they glided across the floor. The person counting called out what she assumed was dance moves and the couple executed them. Regina pressed her hand to her heart as she got lost in the music and the romance of the dance. She wished she could dance like them even if it was just for fun.

The music ended as the man dipped the woman, her arm outstretched gratefully. Someone clapped and Regina looked up, surprised to find the man who had helped Roland earlier that week standing in the room. "Excellent work, you two. You are progressing quite nicely. Keep practicing and I'll see you at your next lesson," he told them.

He then caught sight of Regina and smiled, motioning for her to wait a moment. She nodded as the couple thanked the man and then walked out. As they passed her, Regina complimented them on their dancing.

"Hello again," the man said, approaching her with a smile.

"I didn't know you were one of the teachers here," she said, surprised as she thought of his picture on the wall. "I thought you were a student. Why didn't you take my sale?"

He chuckled. "It was Roland's first sale and I wanted to be a supportive father."

It seemed her visit was full of surprises. "Roland is your son?"

"He takes after his mother," the man explained, holding out his hand. "Robin Locksley, at your service."

"Regina Mills," she said, shaking his hand. It felt like something sparked between them and a tingling feeling washed over her, making her gasp.

Robin pulled his hand back and rubbed it against his pants. "Sorry. I guess I had some static electricity there."

"It was probably me," she said, feeling a bit foolish that she hadn't considered static electricity buildup. After all, it was cold and dry outside - perfect conditions for static electricity.

She cleared her throat as she adjusted the strap of her purse. "Anyway, I'm here about the lessons. I need to cancel."

"Oh," he replied, frowning. "We usually ask for twenty-four hour notice but since Roland didn't tell you that, I'll make an exception. When would you and your fiancé like to reschedule?"

"Sorry," Regina said, "I need to cancel the entire series."

Robin ran his hand through his hair. "Oh. Well, that's a whole different matter."

"I'm sure," she said. "Do I need to talk with the owner about it?"

"You already are," he replied, placing his hand on his chest.

It seemed he was just full of surprises that day. "I see."

"May I ask why you're canceling?" he asked, frowning. "Have you found another studio?"

She shook her head, knowing he had to be worried that she had been poached by another studio and was no doubt ready to woo her back. "I, um, I canceled the wedding. So there's no need for a first dance."

"Oh," he said, his voice softening as sympathy filled his eyes. "I'm sorry to hear that."

"It's for the best," she said, feeling that lump form in her throat again. "He proved that we were ultimately incompatible."

He bit his lip. "Well, I guess it's better now than rather after the wedding, right?"

"Yeah, I know," she replied. "What's some lost deposits compared to a divorce settlement and associated fees? It just…hurts, you know?"

"I know," he said. He sighed, placing his hands on his hips. "I'll take care of canceling the series but not just yet. You get one free consultation. Maybe dance could be a needed distraction right now."

Regina recalled her days doing ballet as a child and how much she had enjoyed the classes. But the carefree days of her childhood were gone so she had to shake her head. "Thank you for the offer but I'm just too busy for dance lessons," she said.

He nodded, crossing his arms again. "Alright. But I'll leave you scheduled for a week. If you change your mind, you're welcome to come in and take lessons. If not, you'll get your refund."

"Thank you," she said, grateful he did not put up much of a fight. "I appreciate that."

"I hope I see you again." Robin held out his hand. "But if not, I wish you the best of luck and a happy life."

She nodded before leaving the studio. Regina walked past the restaurant where her entire life had fallen apart and hailed a cab, ready to retreat to what should've been the sanctity of her apartment. But wedding gifts were still coming in every day, ordered before the wedding was called off and not enough time for them to be cancelled. She was going to need to figure out what to do with them while also writing thank you cards to everyone.

Or maybe that was something she could ask Mary Margaret to do as maid of honor instead.

As Regina waited for her cab, she glanced back at the dance studio. Maybe she did need a distraction from how empty her apartment was - she and Sidney had been planning on moving once her lease was up and she was slowly starting to pack. Now she needed to unpack as well as replace some things she had sold when expecting to merge her things with Sidneys. That should be a good distraction. She didn't need dance lessons.

Even if deep down, she did want them.

Her thoughts were interrupted as a car pulled up in front of her. She climbed in and gave the driver her address, leaving behind all thoughts of dance lessons as they drove away from the studios. Regina really did not have the time for something so frivolous like dance lessons. Work and Christmas would be good distractions as she got over Sidney. And then in the New Year, she would start fresh and move forward with a new plan.

Then she would be happy again.

Regina took a deep breath before entering her parents' favorite restaurant. They had a standing lunch date every Sunday but this was the first one since she called off the wedding. She had spoken with her parents to let them know but hadn't been able to have a long conversation with them. Part of the reason was because she was always close to tears but the other reason was that she didn't know how her mother would react. Sidney Glass had ticked every box on her list for an appropriate husband and Regina worried Mother would take his side, encouraging Regina to go back to him to stay on track with their plan. With Mother, it was always a crapshoot over whether she would put appearances over Regina's feelings or vice versa.

The host nodded to her as she entered and motioned to their usual table. She thanked him before approaching her parents as they looked over the menu even though she knew they would just get their usual orders in the end.

Usually that mildly annoyed her but today, it was comforting.

Daddy saw her first and jumped up from his chair, pulling her in for a hug. "Hello, sweetheart," he said.

"Hi, Daddy," she replied, melting into his embrace. "I'm so glad to see you."

"Oh, Regina," Mother said. "How are you?"

Daddy released Regina as she turned to her mother, who did look concerned. Regina took a deep breath. "I'm doing okay. I'm just doing my best to get through this," she said.

"Good," Daddy said. "You're strong, Regina. I know you'll be fine when all is said and done."

"I know," she replied, glad for her father's support. "I hope you can get the deposit back from the venue."

Mother waved her hand as they sat down. "Don't worry about that. Your father and I are dealing with that."

Daddy nodded. "If we lose the deposit in the end, it will be a small price to pay to know that you aren't married to the wrong person."

"Agreed," Mother said. She sighed as she picked up her wine glass. "Who knew Sidney would end up being so unsuitable?"

Relief swept through Regina as she realized that Mother was on her side in this breakup and she was glad for it. She accepted a glass of wine from her father as he sighed as well. "He fooled us all," he said.

"Yes, he did," Mother said, scowling. "The gall of that man to not give any consideration to your career or your wants and just expect you to move to Boston!"

"I know," Regina replied, relaxing as she sipped her wine. "And then to sit there and act like I had no right to be upset about it. He even talked about putting a pin in our wedding, like it was a movie suggestion for us to watch."

Mother shook her head. "Ridiculous. It's his loss. He'll never find anyone who can hold a candle to you."

"Agreed," Daddy said. "I know you will find the person who will treat you the way you deserve and will be a partner to you."

"I hope so," Regina said. "But I think I'll take a break from dating for a while."

He nodded. "I think that's probably a good idea."

"You can focus on work," Mother said. "And land some big clients and become an even bigger deal here in New York."

"Or you can focus on yourself," Daddy added as Mother pressed her lips together. He ignored her as he continued: "Take a vacation, pamper yourself, start a new hobby. Just take care of you first."

Regina nodded as she saw a young girl run past in a pink tutu, her hair up in a bun. She did some twirls and tried to pirouette as her grandparents clapped. They then hugged her and she remembered when she was that little girl in a tutu, eager to perform the newest steps she had learned for whoever was willing to watch her.

"Why did I stop dancing when I was little?" she asked, not caring if she interrupted her parents' conversation.

"What?" Mother asked, blinking a few times. "Why do you ask?"

Regina shrugged. "I had signed Sidney and myself up for lessons ahead of our first dance but canceled them. Being back in a studio reminded me of how much I had enjoyed dancing when I was younger and I couldn't' remember why I stopped."

Mother and Daddy exchanged a look before she sighed. "You weren't very good at it and your father and I felt your energy would be better put toward extracurricular activities where you could excel."

"But I loved dancing," Regina said. "I enjoyed it."

"You loved and enjoyed all the activities you did after dancing," Daddy pointed out, looking a bit uncomfortable.

Mother nodded. "And look where they got you. You were accepted to an Ivy League school, attended one of the best law schools in the country and now work at a very prestigious firm. Those activities set you on the path toward success."

"They did," Regina agreed. "It just seems…I dunno."

"Seems what?" Daddy asked, his tone gentle as Mother looked on with curiosity but no judgment.

Deciding there was nothing really to lose, Regina took a deep breath. "You're right, I did enjoy those activities and they did help me get where I am today. But maybe because my perfectly planned life just blew up spectacularly in my face, I'm seeing things in a new light. And considering that maybe doing something just for fun and because you enjoy it is just as important."

Mother made a noise and looked like she was about to say something before Daddy stopped her. He nodded. "Maybe you're right," he said.

"Maybe that will be my New Year's resolution," Regina said, leaning back in her chair. "I'm going to do something just for fun."

"Well, you can always come try yoga with me," Mother suggested. "Or take up tennis at the club. There are so many wonderful connections to be made at the club, either on the court or off."

Daddy shrugged. "I think Regina has time to figure out what she wants to enjoy. Why don't we focus on enjoying our meal?"

"Sounds good to me," Regina said, knowing her mother was unable to consider anything that didn't ultimately advance her goals. Even fun things were strategic networking opportunities for her.

Regina didn't want that at all.

And as she ordered her meal for brunch, she made a decision about what fun activity she was going to do first.

That evening, she took a car back to Storybrooke Dance Studio and entered it once more. Once again, she noted that there was no receptionist behind the front desk and rolled her eyes as she continued into the main rehearsal room. Robin was there alone, flipping through some CDs. He looked up as she walked in, no doubt hearing her heels against the wood floor, and smiled. "Well, look who has returned," he said.

"Yes," she replied, feeling nervous now that she was there. She wasn't one to do something spontaneously but this still felt right. "You said I get one free consultation. I'd like to take that now."

He nodded, setting the CDs down and approaching her. "Sounds good. Do you have anything in particular you want to learn?"

"I was hoping to learn a waltz for my wedding…" She trailed off, feeling the familiar pain whenever she thought of her failed relationship and canceled wedding.

"The waltz is the perfect place to start," he told her. He glanced down before saying: "First, though, you need to change your shoes."

She frowned, looking down at the black heels she wore almost every day. They were her most comfortable pair and she believed she would be fine dancing with them. Certainly one didn't learn ballroom in sneakers, right?

"What's wrong with my shoes?" she asked.

"They aren't dancing shoes," he told her, walking away. "You need to wear proper shoes to dance. For support."

She frowned. "I wear these all around New York. They're fine for support."

"When walking," he said, looking through a bin on the other side of the room. "But not for dancing."

He pulled something from the bin and returned to her, holding a rather ugly pair of black shoes with a smaller, blockier heel. She looked them over before meeting Robin's eyes. "You expect me to wear shoes that have been on someone else's feet?"

"No," he replied, holding up a wrapped pair of socks. "I expect you to wear them with these."

She sighed, realizing she was not going to win this battle. Regina took the socks and shoes. "I'll be right back."

"I'll go get the music ready," he said, walking back toward the stereo.

Regina returned to the lobby and sat on a bench there. She took off her other shoes and unwrapped the socks, pulling them on. Even with them, she grimaced as she placed her feet into the shoes Robin had given her while cursing herself for not researching the proper footwear. This was off to a terrible start and she hoped it would only go up rather than down from there.

Classical music played from the studio and she walked into it, finding Robin once again waiting for her in the center of the room. She approached him and held out her hands. "Am I ready now?" she asked.

"Yes," he said. "Now, have you ever danced before?"

"I took ballet when I was a little girl," she said, feeling inadequate now. "But I stopped. I wasn't any good."

He frowned. "Well, let's get that thought out of your mind. We're here to determine what you can do so take a deep breath and just follow me."

"Alright," she said. "What's first?"

"We'll start with hold," he told her. "Are you familiar with that?"

She nodded, placing her hand on his shoulder and holding out her other hand. "Like this, right?"

"Right," he said, taking her free hand and placing his other hand on her back. He pulled her closer. "Our lower halves need to be touching but we lean back so there's some space between our upper bodies. And we both look to our left."

"So we're not looking at each other? How will I know what to do?" she asked him, her heart speeding up as her stomach twisted into knots.

Robin met her eyes as he said: "You need to trust me."

"Alright," she said, looking to her left. She told herself that she could do this - it was just dancing, nothing more.

"On my count, we'll start with the box step," he said. "We'll start with you moving back on your left leg while I move forward on my right foot. Got it?"

Regina nodded. "Let's go."

"Alright then," he said. "One, two, three and…"

He moved forward and she moved back, relaxing a bit as they moved well together. Robin gave her instructions but when he told her to move to the left, she moved to the right instead, almost tripping over him. "Are you okay?" he asked.

"Yes, yes," she said, feeling her cheeks heating up. "Sorry, sorry. I've got it."

"It's okay," he told her. "You don't have to be perfect right now. I'm trying to figure out your skill level. So don't be embarrassed by mistakes."

She almost laughed at his words after the past week she had had. It seemed she had made nothing but mistakes in her personal life the past couple years and she knew she had plenty to be embarrassed about. Embarrassment was a constant now along with the grief for the life she had planned but would never experience now. What was a little more while dancing?

It turned out to be more than she could handle.

Within only a few steps after her first mistake, she made another and stepped on Robin's foot. He was gracious with her and gently corrected her but she quickly made another misstep, nearly falling backwards. She started to stare at her feet but even watching them didn't help as she nearly tripped Robin by not properly mirroring his movements. Each wrong move just reminded her that she could do nothing but fuck up these days. Her face burned and tears pricked her eyes as she struggled to breathe, overwhelmed by the desire to just retreat and curl up in a ball in a corner where she couldn't hurt anyone else.

"Regina, I need you to look at me," Robin said, his voice firm but still kind even though he should be completely frustrated with her.

She shook her head. "I have to look away. That's what you said."

"But now you're too focused on your feet," he said. "So I would rather you look at me than them."

"Alright," she said, looking up at him and meeting his blue eyes. Despite all her mess ups, she saw only kindness in them and his voice remained even and gentle with all his instructions. For a moment, she thought she could recover and get through this lesson with some of her dignity intact.

And then she tripped over her own feet yet again.

Regina pushed away from Robin, feeling like shit. She tried not to cry as she shook her head. "I'm sorry. This was a bad idea."

"Regina, no," he said, moving closer to her. "It's okay."

She shook her head. "No, it's not. This is an optional activity and so I am opting out of it."

"You're right that this is optional," he agreed. "It's a hobby and hobbies are just for fun. Don't put so much pressure on yourself."

Taking a deep breath as a lump formed in her throat, she shook her head. "I don't do failure as a hobby. I'm sorry for wasting your time. Thank you."

She turned and walked out of the room. Robin tried to call out to her but she ignored him as tears blurred her vision. All she wanted to do was go home and forget this ever happened. Then she would wake up and move forward, trying to not feel like such a failure.

Regina made it home and stopped short. Several wrapped gifts sat on her counter, no doubt delivered by her building's doorman. It made her heart break again as she realized most people had already ordered gifts and had them sent to her – especially Sidney's family. Most of her family had already gotten her gifts for the shower and, as Northerners tended to do, would likely have given her money at the wedding.

At least, she hoped these gifts had been preordered and that Sidney wasn't holding onto hope that they would still get married.

She reminded herself that whatever Sidney did or did not tell his family was not her problem as she opened one of the cards to confirm the sender. Regina pulled out a card and read it, confirming it was from Sidney's aunt. At the bottom of the card, she had written a lovely note to Sidney and Regina, sending her regrets that she could not make the wedding and that she knew they would be "the most handsome groom and beautiful bride" on their wedding day.

Regina looked up, catching sight of herself in the mirror and realizing the woman looking back at her was far from a beautiful bride. Her cheeks were pale with tear tracks running through them while her eyes were red and puffy. Dark wisps of hair had escaped her bun and had curled around her shoulders. The dress she wore was dark and the shoes…

Shit.

Regina groaned as she realized she was still wearing the borrowed shoes from Robin's studio as well as the socks he gave her. It looked as awful as she felt. She kicked the shoes off and made a note to have Tink send them back to the studio the next day. And she figured she could just bury the socks in the bottom of her hamper. Maybe by the time she next did her laundry, they would just look like another pair of socks and she wouldn't have to relive the embarrassment all over again.

But she was probably just fooling herself.

She sighed as she set aside the card. "There goes the bride."

Regina took a deep breath and walked away, determined it was time for some self-care. First would be a bath with some nice scents in the air and then her complete skincare routine. After that, she would put on some soothing music and pray for a dreamless sleep.

Then she would wake up and figure out how to keep moving forward yet again.

A/N: Uh oh. Things aren't going so smoothly for Regina. Will she keep up with her dance lessons or will she give up?

Thank you to everyone who enjoyed the first chapter! I hope you enjoyed this one just as much.

-Mac