A/N: Thank you all for the endless love! I am so happy to deliver an early update, and there will be another (ch. 3) updated shortly! :) Please, please, please, I only ask that no one comments spoilers- please. If you do, I will have no choice but to delete your comments due to not wanting to spoil what happens in the story for those who are reading this for the first time. I hope you all enjoy my adaptation of this next chapter. Happy reading and don't forget to drop a review!
Regina awoke that morning unable to believe that today was the day. The day where she would be tied to Emma in every way humanly possible. She hadn't realized how much the thought frightened her until now. Not to be with Emma, or to become a vampire like her, but to be married. She would no longer sleep within the walls of this bedroom, or live in this house she had grown to love. She would live separately from her father, farther from her mother, with Emma by her side for all eternity.
And she couldn't couldn't wait to get started. Despite her fears.
"Good morning, dad." Regina smiled, stepping down the stairs and into the kitchen. Her hand caressing along her father's back as he sat at the table, eating breakfast.
"Good morning." Henry's eyes glued to his daughter, like they had for the past couple of weeks. Ever since he was given the news of the engagement.
"You're not going to forget your job today, right?" Asked Regina, buttering up a piece of toast and taking a bite.
"Honey, please. It's my job to deliver the minister on time. I got this." Henry assured, taking a bite of his eggs.
"And to be dressed and look presentable. On time."
Henry scowled at his breakfast, stabbing his pancakes a little extra hard.
Regina chuckled, "You think you have it bad? Lily will be working on me all day long." She takes another bite, taking a sip of her orange juice soon after.
Henry nodded. His head turned to a light knock along the door. "I'll get it."
"No," Regina held out her hand. "It's Lily. I'll get it. You eat your breakfast." As she passed, Regina wrapped her arms along her father's neck and kissed the top of his head. "I'll see you there?"
Henry grumbled but nodded, "On the dot." He promised.
Regina grinned happily, squeezing her arms gently along her father's neck in affection before answering the door for her soon-to-be-sister and maid-of-honor. "Hey, Lily."
"No time for that. Let's go," Lily reached for Regina's hand. "I will not have you be late for your own wedding." She dragged Regina out the door all while greeting Chief Mills over her shoulder.
Lily didn't look like her usual self, her hair was picked up with pins and neatly pressed, very business like. Her dress- of course- looked beautiful on her. Far more than beautiful. It looked perfect.
Once Regina was ushered into the bright yellow Porsche, Lily was already sitting at the driver's seat, strapping herself in. "Oh, hell, look at your eyes!" She tsked, shaking her head. "What did you do? Stay up all night?"
"Sorry. Bad dreams."
"Well… at least you'll have plenty of time to sleep on the plane tomorrow." Lily grinned, turning on the engine to her car.
Regina's brow lifts. Tomorrow? Emma had mentioned that they would be departing tonight after the reception, and now Lily said they would be on a plane tomorrow… hmm. Emma had been real careful not to drop a single hint of their honeymoon destination. Honeymoon. Her and Emma would officially have a honeymoon, which rattled the pit of Regina's stomach the more she thought about it, adding to the strange feeling of not knowing where she would sleep tomorrow night. Or perhaps… not sleep.
"You're all packed and ready," Lily retracted herself, realizing she gave something away from Emma's surprise for Regina.
Regina groaned, "Lily, I wish you would have let me pack my own things."
"It would have given too much away, I'm afraid."
"And deny you the opportunity to shop." Said Regina.
Lily grinned, "You'll be my sister officially in ten short hours… it's about time to get over this aversion to new clothes."
Regina rolled her eyes, looking toward the house, the outside already decorated with hanging lights, flowers everywhere and seats neatly aligned for the guests. Her heart accelerated. "Is she back yet?" She asked.
"Don't worry, she'll be there before the music starts. But you don't get to see her, no matter when she gets back. We're doing this the traditional way."
"I think Emma and I are way past traditional, don't you think?" Regina shoots a look at Lily.
"You might be, but Emma isn't." Lily grinned. "And I am proud to say that I'm the only one who's seen you in your dress. I've been very careful with my thoughts around Emma when she's around."
Regina studies the house decorations from the outside as they pull into the driveway. "Well, at least you got to use the decorations from graduation."
"Waste not, want not." Lily grinned, turning to Regina. "Now, close your eyes."
Regina's brow lifts.
"I don't want you seeing the inside decorations just yet."
"Since when is the bride not allowed to see her own decorations for her own wedding?" Regina protested.
"Since you put me in charge. I want you to get the full impact when you come down the stairs." Lily exited the car, appearing in a blur along Regina's door, holding it open for her. She clapped her pale hand over Regina's eyes, guiding her inside of the house.
Regina is immediately overtaken by the scent that fills the room. "What is that?" She wondered blindly.
"Is it too much?" There's worry in Lily's voice. "You're the first human in here; I wanted to get it right."
"It smells wonderful!" Regina smiled, taking a whiff of the intoxicating fragrance. "Orange blossoms… lilac… and something else- am I right?"
"Very good, Gina. You only missed the freesia and the roses."
Lily didn't uncover Regina's eyes until they were in her massive bathroom, where every possible beauty supply was laid out finely. When Regina protested about uncovering her eyes as they headed up the stairs, Lily reminded her that Emma wanted Regina to enjoy every human experience.
"Is this really necessary, Lily? I'm going to look plain next to Emma no matter what you do to me."
Lily reached for Regina's shoulders, forcing her to take a seat along her pink chair, in front of a mirror. "No one will dare to call you plain when I'm through with you."
Regina closed her eyes, sitting absolutely still- as still as a human could sit- for Lily, allowing her to buffer, shine and transform her from head to toe. It almost felt like an hour had passed by, or perhaps it did, given that Regina was sure she had drifted off into a short minute sleep somewhere along her beauty treatment. Kathryn stopped by the entrance of the bathroom, looking absolutely stunning in a silver dress, her hair picked up like a crown along her head. Her makeup was done to perfection. Was it possible for Regina to even look equally stunning around this family? She doubted it.
"They're back," Kathryn announced.
Emma's back! Suddenly Regina's stomach did a somersault, followed by another, feeling the string of eagerness in seeing how beautiful Emma must look all dressed up, her long blonde hair loose and golden.
"Don't let Emma come up here!" Lily warned, holding up a long finger.
"Don't worry. Emma values her life today. Besides, Mal is making sure to keep her plenty busy downstairs." Kathryn grinned, stepping further inside the bathroom to join them. "Do you need some help with that? I could do her hair."
While Lily smiled at her sister's offer, Regina's mouth couldn't help but fall open. She had never been Kathryn's favorite person, and to add to their strained relationship, Kathryn would have traded everything in this world- including her perfect family, and her love for August- just to be what Regina was. Human.
"Are you sure?" Regina couldn't help but ask.
Kathryn stepped closer until she was positioned behind Regina, her skillful fingers carefully removing the pins Lily had placed along her head. "Please. I'm not offended by your choice of bride, Gina."
Regina's eyes study Kathryn's easy facial expressions through the mirror in front of her. "Just my blatant lack of respect for mortality."
"Essentially." Kathryn grinned a perfectly envious white-teeth grin.
Lily danced happily along the balls of her feet, wrapping an arm around her sister's form and pulling her close. "Weddings. They bring everyone together!"
What felt like another passed, and Regina began to grow a little nervous all over again once she continued to hear the door opening and closing from downstairs, followed by a wave of voices filling up the room. Kathryn had done a wonderful job on her hair, and Lily did spectacularly on her make-up that Regina hardly recognized herself.
Lily had stepped out to meet Jefferson downstairs. He had been sent to pick up Regina's mother and husband Phil from their hotel. She was back fairly quickly, finishing up a few last minute touches on Regina's make-up. Regina's heart stopped when she saw what Lily cradled carefully in her hands.
"Now, let's get you into the dress." Lily grinned. "Robe off, and arms up." She instructed. As Regina did what she was told, Lily was quick to slide the dress on her, adjusting it just right along the curves of her body.
"Henry," Cora smiled as she headed up the stairs. "Don't you look nice in a suit."
"Thank you," Henry nodded, taking in the sight of his ex-wife in her spaghetti strap, blue dress. "I suppose you don't look too bad yourself."
"That's kind of you to notice. Thank you." Cora grinned. "Can you believe it? Our little girl is getting married in just a few hours!"
Henry took a sip of his glass of champagne, drowning it down, hoping to down down the thought of Regina officially becoming a married woman in just a few hours.
"Speaking of Regina, have you seen our daughter?"
Henry's brow furrowed as he studied the large picture frame along the wall. "Are those graduation caps?" He points.
Cora whirls around, drinking in the sight of the multi-colored caps along the frame. "Ha! How creative!" She grins, holding onto the long skirt of her dress as she marches up the stairs.
"Or weird," Henry murmurs under his breath, following his ex-wife up the stairs.
"Lily? Regina?" Cora called out.
"In here, mom!" Regina calls out, turning toward the door.
Cora comes in with a smile so big and teary-eyed, it's impossible for Regina to not feel like the center of attention already. "Oh, my goodness! Look at you! Sweetheart, you look so beautiful!"
Regina chuckled, fighting back a blush from coating her cheeks. "You too, mom. Thank you for being here today."
"Are you kidding? No way would I miss my own little baby's wedding day! Thanks," Cora reached for a tissue from a box that Lily held out to her, dabbing at the corner of her eyes.
Henry cleared his throat before helping himself in through the door. He smiled upon seeing Regina's brows hit her hairline. "I know. I look hot."
Regina released a small laugh, unable to believe how dashing her father looked in a black tuxedo.
"Oh! I almost forgot…" Cora turned to Henry who handed her a box that she held out before Regina, opening the lid. "I thought you should have your something blue."
"Mom…" Regina breathed, her eyes taking in the two hair combs with blue sapphires engraved in them.
"And something old," Henry pitched in. "Besides your mother."
Cora scoffed, glaring in Henry's direction before she turned back to their daughter. "They were your grandmother's. She would have wanted you to have them."
"I had the stones replaced." Said Henry, proudly.
Regina smiled, shaking her head, "You didn't have to do this for me."
"Of course we did, sweetheart. It's your wedding day! Enjoy them," Cora pulled her daughter in for a hug, careful not to ruin an ounce of her make-up. "I know they are in good hands with you."
"I love you, mom," Regina murmured along her mother's shoulder, her eyes fighting away tears with each blink she took.
"Oh, I love you, too." Cora weeped softly, breaking away from their hug.
"That's enough," Lily instructed. "Cora, you need to head downstairs, take your seat. The wedding's about to start." She grinned, and Regina's heart completely stopped. "Henry, you know your duty. Right along Regina's side."
Henry nodded, remaining quiet, his eyes on Regina the entire time.
"Gina," Lily moved in to hug Regina, her lips whispering carefully into her ear. "Breathe. And try to slow your heart rate or you'll smudge my masterpiece."
Regina chuckled, nodding in a promise to Lily, although how she could possibly slow her heart rate right now- was a mystery to her. Especially when she linked an arm along with her father's after he offered it to her and they began to walk down the stairs, hearing Palchelbel's Canon in D minor playing from a band that had been hired.
"You ready?" Henry murmured under his breath, halting at the last step of the stairs. His eyes turned to his daughter.
Regina's eyes seeked out the only person she wanted to see, and there she was… standing at the altar, in all of her shining glory, with her hair long and loose, dressed perfectly in white pressed pants and a white buttoned up shirt, tucked finely into the waistband of her pants. Emma was waiting.
"Just don't let me fall, dad." Regina murmured, suddenly worrying that she would trip on her face on her way through the aisle.
"Never." Henry promised, his eyes watering with tears that he desperately fought back. He turned for Regina's approval, marching her along as she gave a single nod.
Everything was perfectly arranged. To the last row of flowers, to Emma's golden eyes, and breathtaking smile as she was met with Regina's gaze while walking down the aisle. It took everything in Regina to not run down the rest of the way to be at Emma's side. She didn't even care to look at everyone else's smiles or happy faces. All she cared about was standing before her, becoming closer and closer.
Henry reached for Regina's bouquet once they were at Emma's side, handing it over to Lily who gave him a smile. His hand gripped a little tightly along his daughter's before he was forced to release it within Emma's own hand. He cleared his throat, fighting back a knot of emotions as he took a seat next to Cora.
"Try to control yourself, Henry," Cora whispered. "It's not like it's goodbye forever."
Henry blinked, facing forward and focusing on his not-so-little-girl-anymore.
Regina's fingers squeezed along Emma's as Emma's cool hand took hold of her other one, until they were both facing each other. And upon seeing the smile along Emma's lips, Regina just knew… she was home.
"Is every member of the Swan family this ridiculously good looking?" Robin asked while in his seat along one of the aisles. His eyes focused on Tanya and Irina, exchanging a couple of words with Mal.
"They have to be from another planet," Mulan muttered.
Zelena leaned into Ella, keeping her voice at a whisper. "You know, if this were any other situation. I would swear Regina was pregnant."
Ella scoffs, "Knock it off, Zelena."
"I'm just saying, okay?" Zelena shrugs. "I mean who on earth gets married at eighteen?"
Ella rolls her eyes, deciding to tune out Zelena for the rest of the evening.
"Ladies and gentleman," the minister began, a smile spreading across his lips. "We are gathered here today to witness the union of Emma Alexandra Elizabeth Swan and Regina Marie Mills." His eyes turned to Emma. "Please, repeat after me. I, Emma Swan."
"I, Emma Swan…"
"Take you, Regina Mills."
"Take you, Regina Mills…" Emma smiles.
"To have and to hold."
"To have and to hold…"
"For better or for worse."
"For better or for worse."
"For richer, for poorer."
"For richer, for poorer…" Emma repeated the next line as she was told. "In sickness and in health. To love. To cherish. As long as we both shall live."
Henry's chin wobbles, his nose turns red. He reaches for a handkerchief that Cora graciously offers him.
"Now, Regina, please repeat after me," the minister smiles. "I, Regina Mills."
"I, Regina Mills…"
"Take you, Emma Swan."
"Take you, Emma Swan…" Regina can't help but smile as Emma's smile glows.
"To have and to hold."
"To have and to hold…"
"For better or for worse."
"For better or for worse…"
"For richer, for poorer."
"For richer, for poorer…" Regina's eyes looked adoringly into Emma's golden ones, no longer feeling insecure about anything. "In sickness and in health. To love. To cherish. As long as we both shall live."
Emma grinned, and as Regina looked into her golden triumphant eyes, it was then Regina knew they would make it. There was nowhere Regina wanted to be but at Emma's side.
"Now, for the rings…" the minister smiled joyfully, turning his attention to Emma after Regina slipped a platinum ring of her own along Emma's finger. "Do you, Emma Swan, take Regina Mills to be your lawfully wedded wife to live in holy matrimony for as long as you both shall live?"
"I do." Emma smiled.
"And do you, Regina Mills," he turns to Regina. "Take Emma Swan to be your lawfully wedded wife to live in holy matrimony for as long as you both shall live?"
"I do." Regina smiled, blinking away tears that she hadn't realized had won their battle until she said those two little words that would seal their lives forever.
"I now pronounce you married," the minister smiled. "You may now kiss the bride." He motioned toward them both.
Emma cradled Regina's face carefully in her hands and dipped down, while Regina rose along her tipy-toes to meet Emma's lips within her own. She could feel the cool brush of Emma's thumb wiping away another fallen tear along her warm, blushful cheek. There was an explosion of applause and cheers, along with a white flower pedals that fell from the ceiling, raining all around the newly wed couple. And even as they parted, turning to their families and loved ones, smiling happily, Regina couldn't look away from Emma's- her wife's- smiling, beautiful, porcelain face, unable to believe that Emma was hers.