Sunlight sifted into their master bedroom, bringing brightness to the already cozy couple. Regina laced her fingers through her husband's sandy brown hair, fading in and out of sleep. She felt the rise and fall of his chest at her side, paired with his strong heartbeat. For once they had nowhere to be, no emergency that needed fixing. She felt a smile tug at the corners of her mouth, one that reflected the ease of Saturday morning.

"What's that for?" She heard Robin ask softly, turning his head so he was able to look directly up towards her.

Collecting her thoughts, Regina's smile only broadened.

"I just never thought my life would turn out this way," she replied, leaning down for a kiss. It felt so easy, loving him.

The words settled comfortably between them. Just when sleep tempted to take over once again, Robin took a breath, preparing to say what was on his mind.

"I've been thinking about something lately," he began, "something that I can't leave alone."

He hesitated, suddenly unsure of himself. Words were never his strong suit.

"I know there's been a lot going on these past few months… and I'm glad things worked out the way it did. When Caroline and I were in the Enchanted Forest, though… it made me think of my mother, being a kid again. I realized… I hardly remember a thing about her."

Regina securely laced her fingers with his as she listened.

"I probably remember too much about my father. My mother, though- it's like she slipped right through the cracks. I want to remember what she was like."

She gave him an inquisitive glance. "What are you saying?"

"I want to go back- with the spell."

"That's way too dangerous-"

"-Let me be the judge of that. It's something I have to do, Regina. For my own sanity."

Taking a breath, she tried to think it through in her head. They've overcome far lower odds before. Instead of arguing with him about the possibility of not waking up, she gave a slight "okay" and that was that.

Caroline could tell there was something different in the air from the second she woke up. She quietly ascended down the hallway, not bothering to knock before entering the spare bedroom. To her dismay, her worries were confirmed- Zelena's things were packed in the suitcase her parents had lent her, ready to go at a moment's notice. Caroline stared at the suitcase in a solemn haze.

"I was going to say goodbye before I left," Zelena began, halfheartedly. The girl wasn't sure if she meant it or not.

"Why can't you stay?"

Her family and friends all lived in Storybrooke for as long as she could remember, and they all seemed happy. But Henry moved away, so did Neal and Tinkerbell. Maybe happiness was was simply a state of mind.

"I like it here, but I want to explore the world. There's so much out there that I don't know about."

Caroline held back her response, which was a deep wish to go with her, but she knew that couldn't happen, and knew that some things had to be done alone.

"I'll miss you," was what eventually escaped her lips, her voice soft and genuine.

"Well, I'll miss you too," Zelena said, walking over so she was closer to her. Without giving the action a second thought, she wrapped her arms tightly around Caroline, reveling in her embrace. "When we first shared that piece of pie at Granny's, I had no idea you'd turn out to be the coolest niece ever."

Her words made the ten year old let out a soft laugh.

"What's going on?" Robin asked, surveying the scene. Soon the commotion caught the attention of the entire household. Though he was half asleep, Roland swore he saw a tear or two glimmer in the woman's blue eyes.

"Where will you go?"

Zelena smiled back, shrugging her shoulders. "Anywhere I want."

Regina found herself at a loss for words, not knowing what to say to the woman who caused her so much harm. Through all the bad things, though, she was able to experience a joy she wouldn't have found otherwise. That had to count for something.

"You're welcome back anytime you want to visit," she found herself saying out loud, earning a surprised look from Robin. "If... and only if you don't fall back on old habits."

Zelena was equally surprised. She knew their relationship still required a lot of trust, but the possibility of having a positive relationship with her sister was something she never thought would happen.

"Thank you, Regina- you too, Robin."

The three of them exchanged introspective looks at one another, unsure of their emotions towards the situation. Robin remembered clearly how she held them captive in the Enchanted Forest, but he also knew there would be something about the chaos that he would miss.

"Good luck out there," he added, offering soon after to take her bags to the car she conjured for herself in the driveway. After what happened last time, Zelena made a promise to herself to really learn how to drive before getting behind the wheel again.

Caroline didn't want to be the only member of her family to shed tears over her aunt's departure, but she just couldn't help herself. She kept brushing her hand across her cheeks as tears fell, one after another. Zelena pulled her in for one last hug.

"I'll come back, I promise. In the meantime… I'll send you a postcard."

Her words made the girl smile, and made watching her drive away hurt slightly less. She stood by her family as the car got farther and farther away, disappearing into the unknown.

ONE MONTH LATER…

She awoke in a startled rush of short breaths and sweat, the darkness an unwelcome visitor in her bedroom. The fear from her nightmare still felt fresh in her mind.

"Mom!" Caroline called out in desperation, quickly scolding herself inwardly. She was getting too old to be calling for her mother at night. With fear coursing through her veins, however, she couldn't help it.

"Caroline?" Her mother asked, giving her door a soft knock before nudging it open. Blackness was soon replaced by golden rays of light as her mom sat down on the bed next to her. "Did you have a bad dream?

Her arms quickly enveloped around her neck, breathing in a sigh of relief. She felt immediate warmth comfort her.

The two of them lay in peaceful silence. Soon, Caroline felt all of her uneasiness dissipate from her body. With her thoughts flowing so freely, the girl didn't think twice before she spoke. "I'm sorry I took your diary- I just... I was curious, about what you were like back then."

She felt her mom sigh beside her, either from the abruptness of her words or from late night exhaustion. "I used to write in that diary all the time- never thought I'd see it again. I should be thanking you for bringing it back."

Giving her daughter a squeeze, she then tucked a loose hair behind her ear. "From now on, your father and I are going to be better about being open about things- our past, what's going on, everything. No more secrets... promise?"

She smiled back. "Promise."