It's me again...It goes without saying that life got in the way and my creative streak went dormant for a very long time. I'm truly sorry for abandoning this one and leaving you hanging. Please let me know if there's still any interest in this story, and I'll do my best to keep writing.
David's stomach sank the closer he came to Snow's apartment on Main Street, dreading what he was about to do. Breaking her heart was the last thing he'd intended, but not being upfront about his feelings would hurt everyone in the long run.
The resigned look in Regina's eyes when he left her stuck with him. She looked as though she'd already convinced herself he wouldn't follow through. Even as he'd told her of his plan to end things with Snow, he could see she refused to believe him. David knew he had to prove himself and he'd spent the walk to town thinking it all through.
As harsh as it felt to confess his feelings for Regina to Snow so soon after they were reunited, he knew nothing good would come from putting it off. The betrayed look Snow gave him that morning made him suspect she'd sensed his feelings had changed. It was likely that she was already waiting for this conversation and he'd be walking into a war zone.
The situation put him on edge and he was determined to handle it as sensitively as he could. He'd already messed up royally when the curse ended and he let resentment and betrayal blind him, putting Regina through hell and even allowing Henry to treat her poorly.
Although it was indirect, he hadn't treated Snow any better while she and Emma were gone. He'd been with Regina twice now while Snow still thought they were going to be together. He didn't regret being with Regina, but he felt guilty for putting them both in this situation.
Snow had been his wife in the Enchanted Forest and he'd owed it to her to end their ties before he acted on his feelings for Regina. And after a lifetime of poor treatment from men, Regina didn't deserve him making her the other woman. Even though his heart considered her to be his wife, he hated the thought of what Regina could be telling herself now. She didn't fully trust him yet and he worried she was feeling used, not believing he'd really chosen her.
It made him determined to fix his mistakes thus far. He would stay true to his heart but he also had to consider how this would affect everyone involved. He had to tell Snow the truth and give her the answers she deserved. He had to make sure Emma knew he was still dedicated to building a relationship with her. He needed to reassure Henry that he didn't have to choose between his two families anymore. And most importantly, he had to earn Regina's trust and protect that delicate heart of hers throughout all of this.
The bells over the diner door pulled him from his thoughts as he walked past and he braced himself when he saw Snow. She rushed down the path, intercepting him before he'd reached the alley that led to her loft apartment.
"David!" She smiled breathlessly but it didn't quite meet her eyes. "We were just getting ready to come find you."
"Snow, I think we should talk," he said quietly with a nod towards her loft, hoping she'd understand that it would be a conversation best had in private.
"We have time for that later," Snow nodded curtly and wrapped an arm around his, tugging him rather forcefully towards the diner.
"I really think we should talk first, at your loft," David was taken off guard, having expected her to demand answers as soon as she saw him. Had she really not caught on to how things shifted since she'd been gone?
"There's something we need to take care of first," her expression grew serious at his hesitation, "Emma just called. She and Henry need us."
"Why? What's wrong?" He questioned and started to follow her willingly, worried that they'd ended up in some sort of danger while he'd been gone.
Snow didn't answer, pushing the diner door open instead as David prepared himself for whatever threat waited inside. "Surprise!" The crowd of townsfolk yelled in unison, gathered below a welcome home sign with Emma and Henry smiling as they stood in front.
David exhaled in relief and forced a smile, not wanting to cause alarm by letting on how uncomfortable he suddenly felt. Remembering the arm wrapped around his, he glanced at Snow and studied her expression warily. If she hadn't caught on when he'd left to find Regina, then surely she would've sensed something was wrong when he'd asked her to go talk.
But her smile was warm and it reached her eyes this time when as beamed up at him, "Granny and the town wanted to throw a welcome home party for us, but it didn't feel right to celebrate until you were awake."
"I see," he breathed out and his brows furrowed, but he forced a smile back in place when he noticed Emma and Henry motion them towards the bar. "Thank you all."
David nodded around the diner cordially at the people greeting him, though he barely registered their faces while he tried to process the unexpected surprise. He'd been in an entirely different headspace just seconds ago, when he'd been preparing himself to end things with Snow. Yet in just a few moment's time he was being smothered by a crowd of jovial people who expected him to join their celebration.
"Hey," Emma's lips parted slightly, giving away her surprise at seeing David and Snow arm-in-arm. "Want a drink?" she managed and broke eye contact as she extended a pint of beer towards him.
"Thanks," he forced a smile, taking the offer as an excuse to shrug his arm from Snow's grip when he accepted the drink. He softened a little when he saw Henry was on the bar stool beside them and reached to run a hand over his hair, "Hey, kid."
"Quite the party, huh?" Snow chuckled happily, not seeming bothered that he broke contact, "It caught us off guard when we came for dinner."
David's mind reeled for the right response in the moment, still shocked to find her so amiable when he'd expected warfare. He considered the possibility that she truly hadn't caught on earlier and was oblivious to the fact he was about to break her heart. Despite how he dreaded telling her, he knew he couldn't lead Snow. He couldn't continue a charade and be dishonest with his family, nor disrespect Regina by doing so.
But how could he create distance between himself and Snow in a diner full of people staring right at them? How could he walk out now without making everyone aware their relationship was over before he'd even told her? Especially when she'd already ignored his request to talk in private. Each time she stepped closer or smiled at him felt suffocating. His mind kept going back to Regina and what must be going through her head.
David swallowed down his guilt and frustration, deciding to use the diner full of people to put some space between himself and Snow. Much to his relief, he was soon rescued from his turmoil when Granny and Ruby greeted him from the other side of the counter. He took the opportunity to turn towards the bar and attempt small talk, choosing to ignore the knowing glint in the wolves eyes as they spoke.
Once the celebration died down, he'd pull Snow away from the party to finish what he'd set out to do.
Regina watched Henry sitting at the bar, chatting animatedly with Ruby while she made him the milkshake he'd eagerly ordered. She waited for him to return and tried to ignore the wide circle of empty chairs that surrounded her booth. Seeing the way Henry's face lit up when she'd entered the diner made it all worth it.
Her heart had plummeted when David left her vault that morning and doubt had consumed most of her day. She knew as soon as he had a moment alone with Snow that his decision would change and they'd stay together. When she hadn't heard from him by evening, she'd told herself to make peace with it. She couldn't allow herself to sulk over a man that would never be hers.
It was a struggle to block out the thought of him, but she'd pulled herself together for Henry. She'd been shocked by the text from Emma inviting her to join their celebration. She'd even suspected briefly that it might be a trap, but her boy was the only thing that mattered now and no amount of heartache or fear could keep her from him. She'd swallowed her pride and accepted the olive branch, knowing she wouldn't be able to rest until she saw him.
Her insides had churned the entire drive to Granny's, knuckles going white from her death grip on the steering wheel. She'd been terrified that Henry would go back to ignoring and condemning her now that his biological mother and grandmother were back. And if she lost Henry, she had nothing left to live for.
Regina's vision blurred with tears when Henry's face lit up at the sight of her entering the diner and an overwhelming relief flooded her. She barely held back a sob when he ran over and hugged her tightly without hesitation. Knowing he'd missed her and worried for her, that he did love her, felt like healing magic on her heavy heart.
His warm welcome eased her anxiety and drowned out the rest, allowing her to ignore the disgusted looks sent her way. She'd dished out a helping of lasagna for Henry and listened to him chatter away happily with rapt attention. He told her how happy he'd been when he suggested inviting her and Emma thought it was a good idea.
It was clear that Henry believed his mothers had made peace and Regina could see how happy he was to no longer choose between them. The thought of sharing him with Emma still hurt like hell, but it was Henry's choice and she wouldn't deny him of it. His happiness was the most important thing to her and she vowed to never make him feel torn between them again.
It was only when Henry left to order dessert that her mind began to sabotage her again. She glanced around the diner, trying not to show her unease at being so blatantly shunned by the people around her. No one bothered to look her way anymore, not even caring to sneer or mutter at her presence. They'd moved on to pretending she didn't even exist and it reminded her of her miserable past.
Regina had spent countless evenings ignored and alone as Leopold's young bride. Just like her husband, the kingdom never forgave her for not being his beloved Ava. Their treatment after the loss of Daniel left her broken and lonely to the core. He'd been the only person in her past to make her feel like she was enough and worthy.
She hadn't been enough for her mother to love. She hadn't been enough for her father to protect her. She hadn't been enough for Leopold to treat her as more than an object or outlet for his rage. She hadn't been enough for Henry when he'd gone in search of his birth mother. She hadn't been enough for David to choose her.
The lump in her throat became painful as she forced back frustrated tears over the direction her mind took her. She felt the lack of David's presence in the diner like a knife in her gut now that Henry was no longer distracting her. Thoughts of him and Snow being together now taunted her, twisting the blade deeper.
It was pathetic to think of how she'd caved at the slightest bit of care and affection, how she'd allowed herself to have hope that he'd stay true to his promise. She'd always known what the outcome would be, but it didn't make it hurt less as the hours passed by with no word from him. She knew his final decision hadn't ended in her favor.
Despite how she tried to channel her cold alter ego, she knew she couldn't keep up this facade for much longer. She needed to go home before she let herself crumble in front of people who would revel in it. Another glance at Henry solidified her decision, seeing him caught up in a conversation with Ruby and Leroy as he enjoyed his milkshake. He was content and she didn't want to bring his mood down with her inability to control her own.
Regina donned her coat and slipped outside, inhaling a deep breath of night air and letting her proudly squared shoulders sag now that she was alone. It had drained every ounce of energy within her to keep her chin up despite everyone's scrutiny and blatant disdain for her. What they thought of her didn't matter, at least that's what she told herself. She would never allow them the satisfaction of seeing her in pain.
"It's good that you came," She heard a familiar voice behind her and turned on her heels, seeing Emma Swan approaching her with a guarded expression, "Henry has been worried about you."
Regina cleared her throat and nodded, "Thank you for the invite. I've missed him," she admitted, hating how her voice wavered with emotion.
Emma eyed her for a long moment. "I know…I won't lie and say it was an easy decision to make. I think you can understand the position all of this puts me in."
She stiffened at the blonde, sensing the direction the conversation was going and proceeding cautiously, "My history with your family has nothing to do with Henry. I think we should agree that we'll no longer put him in the middle."
The blonde's brows arched indignantly, "Your history with my family doesn't affect Henry?" she scoffed, "You raised him with his grandfather. You trapped my dad in a marriage and raised my son with him. Are you such a narcissist that you can't even see how twisted this shit is?"
Regina bristled, "Of course I do!" she snapped, taking a breath before continuing more calmly, "I'm not proud of what I did. Lying to Henry and David. I trapped them into a life with me when I never deserved them in the first place. But I promised Henry I would be better. I would never manipulate him or force him to be with me again. I'm just asking that you allow me to be in his life, if he so chooses."
"Oh like you did?" Emma's expression grew colder, "You forbid him to see me when he wanted nothing to do with you."
Regina recoiled, unable to hide how much it hurt to be reminded of that harsh reality. Emma looked away from her and exhaled deeply as a heavy silence lingered between them. The blonde shifted on her feet uncomfortably, almost as if she regretted being so blunt.
"I'm very aware of how poorly I handled the situation," she replied once she trusted her voice wouldn't break, "I only want to see my son."
Emma slowly turned her gaze to look back at her in contemplation, "You really think I want to tell Henry he can't see you? He doesn't deserve that. God, David would probably go apeshit if I tried. Do you know how fucked up it is that he still sees Henry as his own son? I have to live with the fact the three of you were a family and Henry will always see the two of you as his mom and dad. How can I deny him that? And if I go along with it, then I ruin my relationship with Mary Margaret. I'm losing someone either way."
Regina shifted her gaze towards the ground in shame, unable to face the familiar pain she saw reflected in the other woman. She knew what it felt like to grow up fending for yourself, alone and vulnerable to the horrors life had to offer. She understood the amount of fear that came with loving people when all you'd known was loss. "I am sorry."
"Yeah," Emma exhaled, shoving her hands in her back pockets as she took a long pause, "Look…I do want what's best for Henry, but I'll do whatever it takes to protect him," she looked at Regina firmly.
"We have that in common," Regina nodded, her expression just as serious, "You may not trust me, but you can trust me with Henry."
"He believes in you," the blonde nodded once, "Just don't disappoint him, alright?"
"I won't," she swallowed her pride, looking at Emma earnestly, "Maybe you'd consider letting him stay over sometime? I have his room just waiting for him."
Emma's expression grew wary once more, looking almost hesitant before she replied, "I'm not sure that's best."
Regina's stomach sank, immediately regretting showing her vulnerability. No matter how hard she tried to redeem herself, it would never change their opinion of her. She'd hoped that Emma could be the exception, that they might understand one another in a way others couldn't and form a truce of sorts. Her crushed hope and embarrassment turned into bitter anger and her control quickly unraveled.
"Because you know so much about parenting in the five minutes you've been with him? Talk to David, at least he took care of him while you were away. Like I did for the first ten years of his life when you were away the first time!"
"Okay, thanks for coming," Emma's expression darkened dangerously.
"I just want to see my son!" she snapped, unable to contain her frustration.
"And you think this is how you're going to convince me? I invited you tonight because Henry wanted it and Archie said you're trying to change…but you don't make that easy to believe, Regina."
"Archie said what?" Regina asked as a cold dread rushed through her.
"He said you came to see him for help not to use magic, and that you're trying to be a better person. I was hesitant when Henry asked to invite you, but I asked Archie and he thought it was a good idea."
Humiliation hit Regina like a ton of bricks at the knowledge they'd discussed things she'd told the cricket in confidence. Archie and the Charmings and god knows who else had debated whether or not she was worthy of seeing her own son. She stood frozen and silent for a moment, her battered psyche overwhelmed by too many emotions to process.
The darkness inside her heart called to her and she felt the familiar urge to retreat behind the emotionless walls of her alter ego. Turning hurt into rage was the only thing that had protected her in the past and instinct beckoned to take over. The progress she thought she'd made with Archie's help was a lie. The effort she'd put into changing her coping mechanisms and stifling her darkness was meaningless.
No matter how hard she tried, she would never do enough. She would never be enough. Cora's voice hissed in the back of her mind. Stupid, stupid girl.
Emma was frowning at her when she came back to the present, "Regina?"
"I think we're done here."
"I can't believe you're doing this!" Snow shouted in a tearful rage that showed no sign of slowing down. "She pulled us apart and destroyed our family, David! She lied to you for years!"
"That's just it, Snow," David swallowed the lump in his throat, "It's been years…decades of a life together. Twenty-eight years of memories aren't easy to let go of."
"Memories?! Nobody has any memories from the curse, David. Every day was the same around here and nothing happened. We were cursed!" She seethed, pacing in front of the sofa where he sat.
"I do…have memories," He admitted and met her gaze when she paused to look down at him sharply, "I remember every birthday and anniversary and all of the milestones with Henry. The curse affected me differently. My sense of time was skewed until we adopted Henry, but my every day wasn't the same for me like it was for all of you."
"But it was all a lie!" Snow screamed, her face puffy from crying and flushed with anger, "Of course she gave you your sense of time back when you got Henry. That was just to cover her own ass as he got older. You really think it had anything to do with her actually caring for you?!"
David remained silent for a moment, exhausted as he carefully considered how to answer. They'd been having the same conversation for hours since leaving the diner, but Snow wasn't accepting any of it. He didn't know how to make her understand he was sure of his decision without devastating her.
So he continued to weather her rage and answer her questions, knowing he owed her that much. "I didn't realize just how many years had passed, because every day was new for me. I might've been under a curse, but I can see now that there was truth in my life with Regina."
"How dare you?! This is insane! She must have you under a curse now!" Snow shouted and shook her head in disbelief, "How could anything be true if it was based on a lie?! She trapped you. It's sick!"
David rubbed at the tension in his neck before he looked up to respond, "Now that the curse has ended, I can see how skittish Regina was with me at the start. I don't know how, but I always sensed she was a little broken. In the beginning I thought it was because we were newly married and still figuring it out. But then she started opening up and sharing bits of her past. It helped me understand her more…and our relationship evolved."
"How can you believe anything she shared with you?! She was a Queen, David! She had everything and my father treated her like gold, but she killed him!" she screamed again and shoved him roughly when he stood in an attempt to calm her, "Nothing she told you was true! Can't you see that? She made up an entire backstory to manipulate you!"
"But it was true, Snow," He said cautiously, trying to be as gentle as he could, "Yes she changed some details for the curse…but I can see now that everything she shared with me can be linked back to her actual past and what she went through. There was truth in what she told me and the feelings between us when she…when she finally let herself love me."
Snow's palm stung the side of his face with considerable force, causing David to take a few steps back and cup his jaw. "You've been brainwashed by her! You'll come to your senses and see what a mistake you're making!" She screamed despite her voice being hoarse from hours of doing so.
"I am sorry I hurt you, Snow," he said, meeting her gaze in an attempt to express his sincerity. "I mean it... I tried so hard to deny it and make myself feel differently, but I can't. I can't lie to you or her or to myself any longer. It wouldn't be fair to anyone."
"Nothing about this is fair," Snow hissed bitterly, "She took my father, my kingdom, and now my husband. She should be rotting in jail for her crimes, yet she is getting her happy ending…with you, of all people. You disgust me."
David watched as she stared back at him, her eyes cold and angry. The silence lingered as they came to an unspoken understanding that there was nothing left to say. Nothing that she would hear right now, anyways.
"I am sorry for hurting you all the same," He said earnestly, but Snow's expression remained lifeless.
She shook her head in disgust, turning to disappear behind the bedroom partition of the loft, "You can see yourself out."
David let himself into the mansion and shucked his coat, hanging it on the hook by the door as he kicked off his boots. "Regina?" He walked into the foyer and scanned the downstairs for her. A glance at the clock made him realize just how late it was and he made his way to the stairs, knowing she'd be in bed.
"Regina, I'm back," he called out again when he topped the stairs and made his way down the hall, frowning when he reached the bedroom door, "What is this?"
"What does it look like?" Regina muttered coolly, refusing to look at him as she fought with the zipper on his luggage.
His clothing and toiletries were pulled out of his closet and the bathroom, thrown into haphazard piles on the bed. He frowned and took a few steps into the room. "It looks like you're kicking me out of our house."
"Aren't you clever for a shepherd," she snarked as she shoved the zipped suitcase onto the floor and made her way across their bedroom, her eyes fixed on the other smaller case.
"Have you changed your mind?" David stepped in front of her, forcing her to stop and glare up at him. He raised an eyebrow at the manic energy emanating from her petite frame. "Want to tell me why you're acting insane?"
"Insane?" Her lips parted and she laughed bitterly, "Was that Archie's clinical diagnosis? Or is that just what you call me when you talk about me behind my back?"
"What in the hell are you talking about?" He frowned in confusion at the resurgence of vitriol from her.
"Emma told me," Regina's eyes glittered with rage and hurt, "That Archie admitted he'd been treating me. Tell me, who all was on the royal council that decided my punishment this time? Who deemed me unworthy of seeing my own son?!"
"Regina, look at me." He paused and waited, but she remained defiant. "I didn't even know you were seeing Archie. I don't know what Emma said to you, but I sure as hell didn't talk behind your back or decide you shouldn't see Henry."
Her head snapped back, dark eyes glittering as she leveled him with her gaze, "Oh really? Were you too preoccupied making up with your wife?" She sneered, her hurt becoming evident by the catch in her voice. The glimpse of vulnerability seemed to renew her anger and she turned away to deflect from it, busying herself with throwing his toiletries into a carry-on bag. "I came to the diner tonight. You'd already left to be with your wife."
"I ended it with Snow. I pulled her away from the celebration and had a very long discussion with her tonight. That's all," David said firmly, reaching for her arm gently in an attempt to make her turn back around, "Regina-"
"I don't believe you," She jerked her arm away and turned, shoving the bag into his arms, "You can come back for the rest later. Just leave, David!"
"I have nowhere to go!" He snapped in frustration, throwing the carry-on to the floor, "I left her. What part of that are you not getting through that hard head of yours?"
"You'll go back," Regina scoffed as he rounded the bed, her expression flashing a hint of the fear and hurt that drove her anger, "I'm not waiting for you to realize you made a mistake."
"I didn't make a mistake," David shrugged frankly. He watched her straighten her shoulders to square up at him, trying to look as powerful as her anger was. It usually amused him, but he was too exhausted to laugh and get slapped twice in one day.
"You say that now, but just wait until people find out," Regina argued, "You don't want this, David. You'll be an outcast, even if they think I put you under some sort of spell. You couldn't handle it."
"So stubborn," He muttered under his breath, making a snap decision to cup the back of her neck and pull her mouth up to his firmly in one swift motion. Her breath hitched against his lips before she gave into the kiss and an involuntary whimper escaped her.
The sound encouraged him and made him determined to put her mind at ease, his kiss growing hungrier and more demanding. He slid his hands up her neck, threading his fingers through dark hair and tilting her head back to deepen the kiss. Her lips parted further and allowed the tip of his tongue to brush hers, coaxing an aching moan from her throat.
The noise she emitted made her come to her senses and she pulled back suddenly with an angry little shove against his chest, "Don't touch me!"
"Why? Are you afraid you'll lose your steam?" David raised a brow at her challengingly, "Afraid you'll cave like you always do when you know you're mad at me for no good reason? You remember what that leads to, honey."
"Get out," Regina growled and crossed her arms in a shameless display of petulance. It drew his gaze down where he caught a glimpse of hard nipples through the silky material of her camisole.
"Leave!" She snapped and crossed her arms higher over her chest when she realized what had drawn his attention.
David lifted his gaze to hers, smirking over her failed attempt at hiding her body's response to his kiss. "I'm not leaving, Regina," He murmured, stepping forward each time she stepped back, not relenting until she was pressed against the wall, "This is my home, too. And I want to stay in my home, and sleep in my bed, with my wife."
"Well that might be a problem, seeing as I'll murder that bitch if she steps foot into my house," She threatened, her eyes glittering possessively.
David pressed his hands against the wall above her head, watching her intently as he contemplated his next move. She was testing him, trying to push him until he proved her right. She wanted a reaction, which meant he couldn't give her one. He inhaled deeply, wrangling his last bit of patience before he spoke again.
"You know I didn't mean Snow. Maybe one day you'll get that through your hard head. I ended it with her tonight and it has been over for me for a very long time. You have been my wife for 28 years, Regina. So please save us some time in the future and know that I am referencing you when I say it."
"And what if I don't want to be your wife?" She sneered.
"I would never force you to be with me," He frowned seriously, "I only want you to be happy. I think you agree that we were...genuinely happy. If you don't feel the same you only need to say so. Tell me you want me to leave right now, and I'll respect your wishes."
She remained silent for a moment as her dark eyes hinted with her desire to cave, but she clung to her anger instead. "Isn't it obvious what I want? Why do you think I was packing your things?"
David saw the way her mask faltered when he called her bluff, further confirming what he'd suspected. Her reaction was driven by fear and he knew she'd push him away unless he pushed back. Their marriage had worked because of his ability to walk the fine line between humoring her insecurities and not letting her walk all over him. She didn't respect or trust anyone that wouldn't stand up to her and he wasn't playing that game.
"You still didn't say it, Regina. Tell me you want me to leave now and I'll go," he repeated patiently and waited, stifling an affectionate smile at the way she glowered back at him but remained silent, "How about this…I'll take my suitcases to the guest room and give you some time to think. You can let me know what you want when you're ready."