Today was the day, formal elections were to take place and Regina would have just a bit more help managing The United Realms. All of the preparations were taken care of and all that was needed were the candidates to show up and make their speeches, and they were already spilling in back stage. Finally everything Regina has spent so long working on is finally coming together and she couldn't be happier about the day. All the pain, sorrow and loneliness wasn't for nothing.
"Okay Everyone! Attention to me!" Regina announce to the growing crowd of election candidates. "As you all know many different elections are taking place today as we have quite a few different positions to fill in each kingdom and realm, the kingdoms in the enchanted forest will remain to have the same rulers as always, as for the new realms they will receive governors in which I will directly work with to improve the entirety of our newly founded kingdom, and with that I wish you all the best of luck!"
Thousands of people were spread throughout the field surrounding the stage. With the construction of The United Realms, 10 realms were brought to the little corner of Maine. Without the help of magic itself it wouldn't have been possible for all of this to fit. So many people were ready to see who would be their new governor's. The entire realm was exited about this day as they would finally be on track to being a flourishing society. Hope was pulsing through the realm, Happy Endings were here to stay. No more wars over personal vendettas, no more tears caused by tyrants. She would make sure nothing like that ever happened again.
Out of 10 realms 5 of them had unanimous votes, Jasmine and Aladdin as Governors of Agrabah with not one objection, next follows Anna and Kristoff as the Governors of Arendelle with Elsa being the only other candidate and stepping down just wanting to live her life just watching over the forest, Ruby and Dorothy as the Governess' of Oz with Everyone in attendance objecting Zelena's claim to the Emerald Throne (Not that she truly wanted it anyways), Will and Anastasia as the rulers of Wonderland beings how Alice nor Jacinda wanted the title, and Finally Henry as Mayor of Storybrooke following in his mothers footsteps. The other five had last for what seemed forever until the decision was reached.
"Ladies and Gentlemen! Citizens of The United Realm! As your Queen I will do everything in my power to work with these individuals to make your lives enjoyable and make this a place where one can live out their happy ending and second chance. I vow as your Queen I will not make the same mistakes from my past and I have multiple friends behind me to remind me why I must keep fighting for our new Country!" Regina spoke to the crowd with the big smile she could produce ready to finally have order in the realm but of course the smile couldn't reach her ears.
As Regina looked around at everyone in the crowd she was confused, everyone was present except for Emma. She shouldn't be surprised since Emma had Hope she has been absent from many events but she thought she would at least show up to this one due to Henry being one of the candidates. At first it wasn't very common just a missed event every so often but it has turned into something more frequent these last few weeks. She has tried to call the blonde multiple times with no success in reaching her and even had Henry try to reach Hook with no success either. Snow has tried to do a house visit all for no one to answer and the door to be locked.
After speeches were made, and hands were shaken Regina's group of close friends and family all came back to congratulate her.
"Who's up for dinner at Grannies tonight?" Henry asked the group food on his mind as always.
"That sounds perfect! It feels like it's been ages since we've been to Storybrooke right David?" Snow said with that ever present squeal in her voice
"I could definitely go for some Grannies right about now." David told Snow
"That sound like a great idea Henry, you could even call Emma to see if she and Hook would like to come as well, there are more than enough people willing to take Hope off the two of them so they are able to eat." Regina told Henry hoping he would be able to get Emma out of the house just once.
He stepped to the side to be able to dial her number, one ring… two rings… four rings… six rings… "Hi you've reached Emma Swan, i'm probably out slaying a dragon or chasing an ogre and can't come to the phone right now just leave a message and I'll answer when I can." Beeeeppp…. "Hey Ma it's Hen, I won the election and I'm the finally the new Mayor Mills you should've seen Mom with all her crying I didn't think the water works would stop. Anyway we are all going to grab a bite at Grannies and everyone would love it if you came we can all take turns with Hope so you and Hook can eat and take a breath… I love you Ma and I hope we'll see you there."
"Did she answer?" Regina asked
"Nope, no answer like always, I know baby's are hard and all, trust me Lucy was a handful but this is a new level mom I'm worried about her."
"I am to Henry, how about after dinner I go over and bring her something to eat? She might appreciate it, something tells me the handless wonder isn't the best in the kitchen."
"No kidding once when I was 17 he offered to make me pancakes and they were more like burnt flour patty's than anything, something about 'This is how pirates eat mate' I don't know it was gross tho."
Regina could help the laugh that escaped "Noted, I will bring her favorites just to cheer her up" Regina smiled and walked to her seat.
Dinner went off without a hitch and everyone had a great time as always, just spending time with one another. Grannie was ecstatic about Ruby's and Henry's win and of course might have gone overboard on the cooking. The first to retire were Snow and Charming as Neil was getting tired and Eva was becoming fussy, followed by Henry and Jacinda with a tired Lucy on his back. Ruby and a pregnant Dorothy decided to call it a night beings how all Dorothy wanted in that moment was the comfort of her bed. It was Zelena and Robyn that stayed with Regina the longest.
"So I noticed Emma didn't come." Zelena stated matter-of-factly
"Henry tried to reach her but once again no answer, I was going to order something to-go and bring it to her…. Even if I have to break into her home." Regina turned towards her sister with a smirk on her lips "What is she going to do? Have the Queen arrested?"
"Aunt Regina do you really think that's the best idea for all you know the two of them could be catching up on sleep, I heard you loose a lot of it in the first few months." Robyn asked her Aunt
"Well then she will know to answer the damn phone for once." She said with smugness prominent in her voice
"Granny would you mind making me two grilled cheeses' and order of onion rings and a bear claw to-go?" Regina asked Granny
"You just make sure to tell 'er to come in here and eat every once in a while 'kay."
"How did you know who it was for?"
"Ain't nobody else stuck to that same order all these years but 'er"
"I will make sure to tell her, that is if I can get her to open the door."
Granny turned to the kitchen to make Emma's food pouring everything she had into the small meal.
"Regina don't you find it odd?" Zelena asked her sister
"What? That she isn't answering her phone or door? Yes very that's why I'm going over there." Regina answered slightly annoyed, hadn't they discussed the oddity already
"No I mean how the pirates ship hasn't been seen in weeks."
Regina's head snapped to her sister "What do you mean?"
"I go to the Storybrooke docks quite often these days and I haven't seen his ship. One would think you wouldn't take a trip right after your wife had a child."
"Maybe she and him went on a trip and forgot to tell-"
"Sheriff's order up!" Granny yelled from the back
"Well it seems I'm about to find out, wish me luck." Regina waved bye to her sister and niece to walk to the home Emma and Hook share
On the walk over Regina couldn't help but think about why she left Storybrooke to begin with, or why she hasn't made much of an effort to reach out to Emma. Memories of tears, unsaid words, and suppressed feeling all start coming to the surface. Memories of Zelena holding her the night Emma came to her with an engagement ring and a smile rushed at her right as she approached the steps to the large blue home. Her hand hovered over the door ready to knock, trying to force herself to knock, do something other than stand there looking like a fish out of water.
-Knock Knock Knock-*
-Knock Knock Knock-*
"Emma are you home?" Regina yelled
Nothing*
-Knock Knock Knock-* *more nothing*
"I'm coming in!" Regina flicked her wrist and used magic to unlock the door.
"Honestly Emma if I could get in here with no problem imag- Emma!" Regina was appalled by the sight she has walked in on. The home was a mess, clothes, dishes, and food everywhere, but most important a sobbing Emma curled up on the floor with a crying hope lying next to her.