"To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment."
― Ralph Waldo Emerson
Snow was less than excited about going with Kathryn to see the newest addition to Storybrooke, but she didn't want to disappoint her newfound friend. So she tagged along.
The center was huge and bright, made of snow white bricks. They walked into the lobby. It was pristine and covered in red velvet with horses painted on the walls. A young girl was sitting behind the desk, on her phone.
"Excuse me, where's Regina and Ingrid?" Kathryn asked.
"In the gym. First doors on the right."
"Thank you." Kathryn smiled. The place was bustling with children, moving things and equipment from place to place, happily talking and playing. They entered the gym and found it brightly lit with several kids painting on the walls. One wall was almost entirely covered in blue and white snowflakes. Another was being covered in purple and blue flames.
"Regina?" Snow couldn't help saying after seeing the brunette in paint spattered jeans, a fitted black tanktop that was also covered in paint and a white bandana tied around her head.
Regina turned in confusion at the sound of her name. "Yes?"
"This place looks amazing!" Kathryn exclaimed.
"Doesn't it?" Regina grinned, looking around. "We could've done most of everything with magic, but the kids were so excited to help. What are you guys doing here?"
"We came to check out the center." Kathryn answered.
Regina smiled and wiped her hands on her pants. "It's going good so far. If we can get the painting done by tonight, we can open tomorrow."
"Hey Gina!" Brett called as he rode up in a bright red go cart. A speeding white one came behind him, driven by none other than the Snow Queen herself.
"You're going to mark the floors." Regina said.
"Whoo!" Ingrid leaped out, wearing similar attire to Regina and hugged her girlfriend and planted a kiss on her cheek. "I promise I'll clean it up. But look, isn't it awesome?!"
"It is." Regina smiled. "Now clean it up."
"You're no fun!" Ingrid sighed dramatically and made both cars disappear with a wave of her hand. Brett let out a grunt as he hit the floor. "Sorry about that."
"Yeah right." Brett said with a laugh.
"Do you guys want a tour?" Regina asked.
"No, we should let you get back to your work." Snow said quickly.
Regina surprised her by smiling brightly. "Alright then. Ingrid, go help Marc and Jenna finish the snowflakes. Brett, find your sister and ask her if we need anything else for the dance studio."
The blonde nodded and walked over to the kids painting the wall while the boy raced off again.
"Well, we'll let you get to it." Kathryn smiled.
Regina nodded. "You're coming to the grand opening right?"
"Wouldn't miss it."
"Sure." Snow said.
Regina smiled again before turning back to the flames she'd been painting with Jake.
Kathryn and Snow walked back outside. "It's so wonderful to see Regina and Ingrid so happy."
"I suppose it's better than them being evil." Snow murmured.
"I don't believe they were ever evil." Kathryn said. "Just...heartbroken."
"Did you miss where Regina ordered the execution of an entire village and Ingrid cursed the whole town to kill each other."
"Well, no. But they've both suffered greatly, and deserve this chance for happiness." Kathryn waved to her husband as he pulled up. "I'll see you tomorrow, Snow."
Snow waved to them as they departed and started walking home, thinking over everything she'd just seen and thinking this was surely some kind of ruse or something. That couldn't have been Regina. It just couldn't.
Xxxxxxxx
"I can hardly wait for tomorrow." Regina said, leaning against Ingrid. Both of them were still wet from their shower and were relaxing naked in front of the fireplace. The blonde tilted her head to the side and started to plant soft kisses along the sensitive flesh.
"Me either." Ingrid said, licking her lover's pulse point.
Regina sighed. Ingrid was incredibly skilled with her lips, and her tongue, no matter where they were planted. "You're amazing."
"Thank you." Ingrid smiled against her neck and pulled her head back to kiss her lips deeply, sliding her tongue sensually along Regina's. "You shouldn't taste so good."
Regina smiled and turned around and climbed into the blonde's lap, shrugging off her towel that she'd been wrapped in. Ingrid smirked as her eyes fell upon her breasts and she quickly leaned forward to take one of her nipples into her mouth. Regina moaned deeply, running her fingers through her lover's long, beautiful hair. "And so sensitive." Ingrid purred.
"Only for you, baby." Regina smiled as Ingrid leaned back for another kiss. She could've cursed as the doorbell rang. "You've got to be kidding me."
"Just ignore it." Ingrid said. She smirked and pulled Regina close for another kiss. Regina gave in to the blonde enchantress and rolled onto her back, inviting Ingrid to climb aboard.
Ingrid grinned slyly before suddenly burying her head between Regina's legs. The brunette arched her back off the ground as sweet pleasure rolled through her, caused by her lover's expert tongue.
Regina's taste was pure ambrosia to the blonde. Her scent was intoxicating, her moans invigorating. She was exquisite, perfect in every way. Someone knocked on the door again.
"Don't you dare." Regina hissed, her breaths coming quicker and heavier now. She was close, but Ingrid just couldn't resist. She stood up and walked towards the door, magically cleaning her face and manifesting a white dress over her body. Regina chased after her but quickly leaped behind the door as she opened it.
"Can I help you, Miss Swan?"
"Where's Regina?" Emma demanded.
"She is...indecent at the moment." Ingrid said, ignoring the glare from the brunette behind the door. "May I take a message?"
"No." Emma sighed. "I'll just go-"
"Okay." Ingrid slammed the door and grinned at a pissed looking Regina. "What, dear?"
"Maybe I should take that message." Regina suddenly smirked and moved to open the door, but Ingrid immediately barred her way. The very thought of Emma seeing what was hers naked made her want to freeze the house solid. She slammed the brunette against the wall and kissed her fiercely. Regina giggled against her lips as they stumbled back to the living room and collapsed back onto the floor.
"You are playing a very dangerous game, Miss Mills." Ingrid smiled, gently caressing the brunette's cheek as she looked into her eyes.
"Yeah?"
"Yes. I'm not usually the jealous type, but what's mine is mine. End of story."
Regina chuckled. "I know. I love you, Ingrid."
"I love you too."
"Now finish what you started." Regina commanded.
"Yes, your majesty." Ingrid smirked.
xxxxxxxx
The grand opening of the center was a huge success. Every kid in Storybrooke had shown up to attend. Regina's heart soared just at the sight of their smiling faces. She couldn't count how many hugs and kisses she and Ingrid received that day. Kathryn and the Charmings had shown up as well to witness to the product of Regina's change of heart.
"It's beautiful, Regina." Kathryn said, hugging her old friend.
"It is, isn't it? And most of it was built using magic so the place practically runs itself." Regina grinned. She was shocked when Brett and Jake ran up to her and hugged her neck.
"You rock Miss Gina!"
Taylor tackled Ingrid to the ground. "You guys are awesome!"
They quickly ran back off and Regina helped Ingrid back to her feet. "Well, I'd say this was a success." She looked at Henry. "You don't want to try the place out?"
"You mean, I can?" He asked uncertainly.
"No, we built a giant rec center and you are the only kid in town that can't go to it." Regina rolled her eyes and pushed him towards the door. "Go, have fun. Go, go, go."
"Well, I'm gonna go check out my trampoline room." said Ingrid, kissing Regina's cheek. "See you later, love."
Regina turned to the others. "Want a tour?" They agreed and she spent the next hour showing them around the massive rec center. There were a few last minute additions, such as a small library and computer center, a roller rink on the lower level and a cafeteria that could magically produce whatever the kids wanted to eat at the touch of a button.
"Isn't this taking like a huge amount of energy to run with magic?" Emma asked.
"Yes and no." Regina replied. "It would take a lot of energy to run, but we found a way around it so it doesn't use our energy. Don't worry, it's nothing dangerous." She lead them to the trampoline room where Ingrid was bouncing around Brett who was doing a bunch of flips. Jake and Taylor were playing with a basketball and dunking it on a small goal attached to the wall.
"Gina, come on!" Ingrid called. She laughed and leaped clean over Brett to run to her girlfriend and pull her into the room. She pulled Kathryn and the Charmings in as well. "Come on!"
Regina laughed at the blonde's antics. She was actually older than Regina herself and acted like such a child sometimes, but it warmed the brunette's heart. The blonde was not one to hold grudges like herself. She was smiling and being quite friendly to the Charmings, even Emma. Regina realized that some of that had rubbed off on her. Ingrid was changing her, and she was okay with it. Ingrid was making her a better person, helping her become a better one.
She smiled as she stepped out of the room and Ingrid followed. "I love you, Ingrid."
"And I love you." Ingrid smiled and kissed her forehead. "Something wrong?"
"No." Regina shook her head. "Just really happy."
"Gina!" She turned and was nearly tackled by a familiar dimpled little boy.
"Roland! I'm so happy to see you!" She laughed, hugging him just as fiercely as he was hugging her.
"This place is great! Can I go play too?" He asked, looking into the trampoline room.
"Absolutely!"
"Yay!" He kicked off his shoes and ran in to play ball with Brett and Jake.
"Regina." Robin said as he and Marian approached. He smiled at her, but looked confused at Ingrid standing so close to the brunette. Marian was practically glaring at her. "You built this?"
"Me and Ingrid." Regina smiled. She'd long since gotten over the thief and no longer had any problems with him, except for maybe the obvious love he still had for her. But his wife was none too pleased about Roland's relationship with the former Evil Queen, and she did little to hide it.
"For the children?"
"Indeed, but as you can see, the adults can have just as much fun." She gestured to Emma and Charming bouncing around like they were crazy.
"And the people of this town just trust you with their children?" Marian asked, sweetly, a fake smile plastered on her face.
Regina's however, was genuine. "It would appear so."
"And they trust the Snow Queen as well? After everything the two of you have done?"
"It would appear so." Ingrid replied in the same fake voice as she.
"Regina." Robin butted in. "I'm glad to see you so well. How have you been?" He smiled at Regina, missing the twitch of Ingrid's eye as she caught the look of love in his.
"Wonderful, thanks to the lovely queen at my side." She smiled and kissed Ingrid's cheek. Ingrid tilted her head, watching the thief just as intently as he was watching her. He didn't appear pleased that Regina had gotten over him so quickly, and with a woman at that.
"The two of you are together?" Marian asked. "Were you so heartbroken over losing my Robin that you swore off men forever, Evil Queen?"
"No." Regina said, still keeping her cool. "Someone else just managed to sweep me off my feet."
"Marian. Maid Marian, right?" Ingrid said, taking a step forward.
"Yes." Marian said, grabbing onto Robin's arm.
Ingrid pointed at her. "Maid." Then at herself and Gina. "Queen." She smirked. "You seem to misunderstand something. You are currently being quite passive aggressive to two women who are called the Snow Queen and the Evil Queen. Now, you are just a thief's wife. You don't even have your bow. And you really think pissing off two queens with magic is the best idea?"
Marian scowled. "You cursed me."
"What?" Ingrid said.
"You cursed me." She pointed at Regina. "And she ripped out my heart. And tried to steal Robin from me. And Roland."
"To save your life." Regina sighed. "And I didn't try to steal Robin from you. You were dead, dear. He wanted to move on. But now you have him again. Why are you still so angry? Everyone else seems to have moved on, except for you."
"Because you said you and he were soulmates."
"Were." Regina emphasized. "Now I could care less about what pixie dust thinks. My happy ending is not with him. You can have him, by all means. I do not care." She laughed, pulling Ingrid back.
Robin's eyes flashed with anger. "So you go from me to the witch?"
"Standards fell a little low, I suppose." Marian said.
Ingrid laughed. "You really put up with this?"
Regina shrugged. "I tend to just ignore them."
"That's very difficult to do."
"Indeed."
"Can we have steak tonight?"
"That's a random question."
"But a very important one."
"Hey!" Marian snapped. "Still here."
"Unfortunately." Ingrid rolled her eyes. "How about both of you just move on. Robin, Regina doesn't give a shit about you anymore. Marian, no one cares about you anyway." SHe turned to Regina. "Steak and baked potatoes?"
"What about lamb?" Regina asked.
"Or lobster?!"
"I've never had it. I'm told it's good."
"It's wonderful. You have to try it."
"I'm going to get Roland so we can go home." Marian said to Robin, gaining the attention of both queens. "I don't want him anywhere near the woman who killed me." She glared at Regina.
"Actually I just ordered your execution. I didn't actually do the killing." She smirked. "Although now, that seems like a lot of fun."
"Why would you ruin Roland's happiness just because you and your husband are unhappy with the lives you chose?" Ingrid asked. "Look at him." They turned and smiles touched each of their faces as Roland laughed and played with the other children. "Let him be happy for once since you came back. It's what this place is for, to make kids happy." She looked at Regina. "Race you to the go carts?"
"You're so on."
Xxxxxxx
"I don't believe this for a moment." Snow said, leaning against the truck, waiting for Emma and Henry to leave the center. She crossed her arms and looked up as a laughing Ingrid and Regina left, followed by a whole train of kids.
"What?" Charming asked, coming to her side.
"That is not Regina. We've always known how she was incapable of change. This is just a ruse."
"I don't trust her, but she hasn't done any wrong, Snow. She's actually done a bit of good here with the center. I've never seen so many kids in one place."
"Do you think Anna and Elsa would approve of their relationship?"
"I don't know. Why?" Charming asked.
"I just wonder if they know, that's all. If Regina and Ingrid are so happy with their relationship, why wouldn't they tell Ingrid's nieces?"
"Maybe they don't care what anyone else thinks."
Snow shrugged as he turned to get into the car. "Maybe someone should inform the Queen of Arendelle." She smirked softly to herself. Maybe then the others will see through Regina's plot, whatever it was.
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