A/N: As promised! Here is another wonderful chapter! :) I am beyond grateful for all of your quick reviews that keep coming in. I mixed a little of the film moments with book moments and mashed it into my own creation. I hope you all approve. Next to be updated is the honeymoon chapter. ;) Stay tuned... Happy reading!
The wedding was a success, flowing into the reception quite smoothly. Just as Lily had planned it. Champagne was flowing left and right, the music was playing beautifully, although not as beautifully as Emma could have played it. Everyone was talking among themselves, while Emma took Regina by the hand and guided her through a flower curtain, where they were greeted by Seth's smiling face.
"Hey! Congratulations, Emma." He shook her hand, grinning. "I'm really happy for you."
"Thank you, Seth." Emma smiled.
"Gina," Granny Lucas stepped up with her cane for more support than before. Sue standing protectively alongside her, her eyes taking in every golden pair of eyes in the room. "You look beautiful tonight."
"Thank you," Regina smiled. "Have you heard from her?"
"I'm sure Ruby wishes you the best."
Regina frowned, nodding in understanding.
"Eugenia," Emma nodded curtly. "I want to thank you for allowing Seth to be here tonight. It brings Regina a lot of happiness." She nods curtly at Sue, who nods back.
Henry walked up with a glass of champagne in his hand, "Well, I plan on getting drunk," he said, hearing chuckles erupt around him. "Sue, may I get you a glass?"
Granny Lucas shoots him a glare, poking her cane hard along Henry's side as she walks in between them. "I'd love a glass, Henry."
"Ah, Emma," Tanya neared Emma with open arms, her family- the Denali's clan- behind her, all looking like they had just walked out of the front cover of a fashion magazine. Regina watched carefully as she embraced Emma in a hug, kissing her cheek a little too long for her liking. "I've missed you." She said.
Emma pulled back, wrapping her arm along Regina's waist again. "You look well Tanya."
"So do you."
"Let me introduce you to my wife." Emma smiled. It was the first time she had referred to Regina as her wife since it had become true, and Emma's voice couldn't be filled with more satisfaction saying it now than before. "This is my Regina; Regina this is Tanya. And her family, Eliazar and Carmen."
Tanya eyed Regina and extended a hand to her. "It's nice to meet you, Regina."
Regina shakes the beautiful vampire's hand, smiling.
"Regina," Carmen approached, placing a delicate kiss along Regina's cheek. "Welcome to the family."
"Thank you." Regina's smile grew as she shook Eliazar's hand next. "Hi."
"Bienvenida," Eliazar smiled, nodding curtly.
"This is Kate," Emma nodded.
"Regina," Kate approached her next, smiling warmly as she embraced her. "I'm so sorry we haven't had the pleasure of meeting you before, but don't worry, we have neons of time." She winked, sharing a laugh with the rest of her family.
Everyone was laughing, but Irina, who stood a little aways from the group, glaring menacingly into Seth's eyes from afar.
"Irina…" Carmen nodded. "Come meet, Regina."
Irina slowly walked up to Carmen, keeping her voice to a whisper. "I can't do this."
"You promised," Kate whispered back, her golden eyes glaring at her sister.
"They invited one." Irina's eyes fiercely glare in Seth's direction again.
"Irina, he's our friend." Emma announced.
"He killed Laurent." Said Irina, glaring at Emma next.
"He tried to kill Regina." Emma glared back.
"I don't believe that." Irina spoke through her teeth, "He wanted to be like us. To live in peace with humans. With me."
"I'm sorry." Emma's frown deepened.
"Irina," Carmen called out, watching as Irina storms away. "I'm sorry, Regina. Please forgive her."
"It's okay," Regina smiled.
"Let's not monopolize the brides, shall we?" Eliazar smiles. "Congratulations, again. It was a pleasure. I'm sure we'll see you again soon."
"Nice meeting you." Regina turns to Emma once the Denali family walk away from them.
"Well, what's a wedding without a little family drama?" Emma smiles, not seeing at all shaken by the small confrontation with Irina. Clearly nothing would spoil this evening for her, as it shouldn't.
Regina chuckled, "Yeah."
A softer melody played out, and Emma held out a hand before Regina. "Would you do me the honor of our first dance?" She smiled.
Regina willingly accepted Emma's hand, pushing back the bundle of nerves along her stomach as they moved to the middle of the dance floor. All eyes on them. Regina didn't even mind the attention once Emma pulled her into her loving embrace, leading them into the perfect dance. All she cared about was right here- holding her.
"Enjoying the party, Mrs. Swan-Mills?" Emma leaned in to whisper in her wife's ear.
Regina dared to laugh a little, "That's going to take me a while to get used to."
Emma grinned, "We have a while," she whispered.
"Forever." said Regina.
"Forever." Emma leaned down and captured Regina's lips within her own, and Regina melted instantly, forgetting about everyone else in the room with them.
Henry cleared his throat, tapping Emma gently along the shoulder, "Emma… would you mind?" He nodded toward Regina.
Emma smiled, "Of course not." She placed Regina's hand within Henry's and stepped back so that they could share their father-daughter dance.
The father-daughter dance seemed eternal, but not that Regina minded. She shared a few laughs and tears with her father, although he held his in. And now, the room had grown quiet as August approached the stage, tapping his fingers along the microphone, looking dashing in his tux.
"Is this thing on?" August's voice echoed along the room. "Hello?" He grinned once Kathryn was heard whistling at him. "Um, I'd like to propose a toast," he raised his champagne glass that he will not drink. "To my new sister. Gina… I hope you've gotten enough sleep these last eighteen years… because you won't be getting anymore for a while." He laughed a little.
The room fell silent, and a few cheeks blushed, along with Regina's, while Emma's brows rose to her hairline. Henry drowned down another glass of champagne, while Cora chuckled, shaking her head, sharing a small smile with Mal.
Zelena made her usual speech, pretending to be happy when in reality, Emma whispered over to Regina what was going on inside of her envious mind. Followed by Henry, who stepped up with a frown to his face, and another glass of champagne.
"Emma will be a good wife to my daughter," he spoke clearly into the microphone, eyeing Emma the entire time. "I know this because… because I'm a cop. I know things. Like… how to hunt somebody to the ends of the earth. And I know how to use a gun."
Regina and Emma share a laugh along with the rest of the room.
Lily was next, giving a charming speech, followed by Regina's mother who broke into tears and sang a lullaby that she would sing to Regina when she was just a baby.
Mal stepped up next, looking ever so elegant in her sparkling light purple dress. Her hair perfectly arranged. "I'd like to extend my gratitude to Cora and Henry for bringing such a wonderful person into the world and into our lives. Especially my daughter's," her eyes shine sweetly toward Emma and Regina. "We will cherish and protect her forever."
Emma was next to stand in front of the microphone, which Regina couldn't help but fall more in love with her; the more she delivered her speech. "It's an extraordinary thing to meet someone who you can bare your soul to. And who will accept you for what you are." She smiles, her eyes shining bright as they look at Regina's happy expression. "I've been waiting for what seems like a very long time to get beyond what I am. And with Regina I feel like I finally begin. Therefore, I'd like to propose a toast to my stunningly beautiful bride…"
Regina can't help but blush, her smile reaching the corner of her eyes.
"No measure of time with you will be long enough. But let's start with forever."
Regina nodded, returning her wife's smile. She was certain that by the end of tonight, her face would get stuck with a massive grin. And she was okay with that.
Everyone danced, and mingled among themselves afterward, Lily and Jefferson wowing a crowd with their impressive dance skills, along with Kathryn and August, who danced beside them. While Emma and Regina kept their dance slow and steady, enjoying each other's embrace every second that passed.
"You know," Emma lifted her head from Regina's in search of her bride's eyes. "I haven't told you, but you look breathtakingly beautiful this evening."
Regina's cheeks flushed on automatic, "Yeah, right. You're saying that when there's other vampires, plus you that outshine me."
Emma grins, her fingers playing with a fallen strand of jet black hair, "No one could ever outshine you, Gina. You are beautiful beyond any immortal here." Her eyes look away for a moment.
"What is it?" Regina's brow furrowed, knowing perfectly well that Emma was picking up on something off in the distance.
"A surprise wedding gift."
"Another one? Emma, you already bought me an expensive car." Regina grinned.
Emma smirked, spinning Regina out and back into her body as she swayed them away from the crowd, all the way outside. Her eyes looked toward the dark trees, where Regina saw a shadow figure standing nearby.
"Who is that, Emma?" Regina frowned, looking up at her wife.
"I'm gone for a few months and you've forgotten about me?" Ruby grinned, walking out of the shadowy forest, dressed in her best pair of black jeans and a buttoned up, red shirt with a black vest to finish.
"Ruby!" Regina's eyes light up, she shares a smile with Emma before she runs up to her best friend, embracing her in a hug.
Ruby marvels in Regina's embrace for a little while before pulling away, "Hey, Gina." She smiles.
Emma smiles, her eyes on Ruby. "This is kind of you. Thank you."
"Kind is my middle name." Said Ruby.
"Kathryn won't forgive me if she doesn't get her turn on the dance floor," Emma smiled sweetly at Regina, nodding at her before she headed back inside to join the party.
"Ruby," Regina breathed, smiling so much her cheeks ached. "I can't believe you actually came! Thank you."
Ruby smiled, "It's great to see you, Gina. I've really missed you."
"I've missed you, too. So much." Regina wrapped her arms around Ruby's warm frame, resting her cheek along her shoulder. "I'm so happy you're here."
"That was the idea," Ruby murmured along Regina's hair, cradling the back of Regina's head carefully to not mess up her hair. "I'm sorry I'm late. I didn't have anything appropriate to wear."
"Ruby," Regina chuckled, looking into Ruby's eyes. "You could come all wrapped up in fur and I wouldn't care."
Ruby's brow lifts, "Had I known that was an option I would have considered it. Although, that probably would have been bad considering half of your guests are… unique." She chuckled, "So…" she held out her hand. "Does the best friend get a dance?"
Regina grinned, happily reaching for Ruby's hand and allowing her to pull her into an embrace. She rests her head along Ruby's shoulder again, feeling her arms wrap around her, her hands resting carefully along her back and waist as they sway.
"Does your grandmother know you're here?" Regina murmured, allowing for Ruby to lead.
"I'm sure Graham's told her by now. I'll talk to her when the party's over."
"She'll be so happy you're home, Ruby. She's missed you something awful. I've missed you." Regina breathes in Ruby's familiar scent. She always smelled of pine and rain all mixed into one.
Ruby's hand rests on the small of Regina's back, she takes her other hand firmly into hers and places it along her chest, dancing in circles to the rhythm of the tempo coming from the party. "I don't know if this is all the time I'll have with you. I better make the best of it."
"It's the best gift you could have given me, Ruby." Regina feels a single tear slide down her cheek.
Ruby lifts her head from Regina's, "As much as I wasn't sure I would come… I'm happy I did," her thumb softly wiped away at her tear. "Although it was impossible to forget how beautiful you are." She laughs, "It feels weird being on two legs again, in clothes! It's bizarre how weird it feels. I've been out of practice with the whole human thing."
"Where have you been all this time?" Regina murmured, following Ruby's lead as they spin.
"Mostly up North." Ruby smiled, her eyes finding Regina's again as she slows. "I wouldn't have missed seeing you like this, though. You look unbelievable, Gina. So beautiful."
"Lily will be happy to hear that. She invested a lot of time on me today. I can't say the dark doesn't help my case, too."
Ruby grins, "It's not so dark for me, remember?"
"Right. Werewolf," Regina murmurs, resting her hands along Ruby's back.
Suddenly Ruby's eyes turned sad, the blue color in her eyes turning a little darker. "Are you happy, Gina?" She asked, her smile gone.
"Yes."
Ruby nods, pulling herself into Regina again, resting her chin along her shoulder.
"What about you?" Regina searches for Ruby's eyes again. "Are you happy?"
Ruby chuckled, "Close enough. But hey, this is supposed to be your big day. Enough about me."
"And are you okay… being here?" Regina frowned.
"Why? Afraid I'll crash the party?" Ruby's eyes looked toward the forest, hearing faint growls and catching sight of different pairs of glowing eyes. "You aren't the only one. But I'm not here to crash your party, Gina. Although… you'd think I'd be used to telling you goodbye by now."
Regina fights back tears, feeling one escape her as she swallows down the lump in the back of her throat.
Ruby's frown deepens as she tilts her head, her thumb catching another tear along her cheek. "Hey, come on. You aren't supposed to be the one crying, Gina."
Regina moves into Ruby's shoulder, burying her face along the crook of her neck. "Everyone cries at weddings."
Ruby chuckled, bringing her lips near Regina's ear. "This is what you want, right?" She whispered. She felt Regina nod. "Then smile." She breathed in Regina's sweet perfume, her eyes closing as she fought back tears of her own. "This is how I'm going to remember you. Pink cheeks, two left feet… heartbeat."
Regina's eyes slowly close, her voice a whisper, "Because soon I'm going to be dead to you?"
"No," Ruby shakes her head as she lifts it, searching for Regina's beautiful brown eyes. "But after tonight… I know things are going to drastically change."
Regina hesitated, but eventually said, "It's not my last night." She explains quickly as she watches Ruby's brow furrow. "I didn't really want to spend my honeymoon writhing in pain."
Ruby snorts, "What's the point, Gina? It's not like you're going to get to enjoy a real honeymoon with your vampire."
Regina's brow furrowed as she took a step back, "That's none of your business, Ruby, and my honeymoon with Emma will be real like anyone else's."
Ruby's frown turns grim, her eyes grow widely, "That's a sick joke. While you're still human? You can't be serious, Gina! You can't do this!"
"Ruby-" Regina steps back, but Ruby's grip tightens around her arms, pulling her back in.
"No, listen to me, Gina!"
"Ruby, let me go!" Regina yanked her arm away.
"Take your hands off of her, Ruby." Emma's voice was cold as ice as she glared in Ruby's direction, standing protectively beside Regina. "Now."
Ruby's tight fist trembled as she glared in Emma's direction. "Are you out of your mind? You'll kill her!"
Seth appeared behind Ruby, wrapping his small arms around her frame as she struggled to get free. "Ruby, Ruby, calm down. Just walk away, okay?"
Ruby shoved Seth away, causing him to fall onto the ground. Her eyes focused on Emma, "If you kill her, I will kill you, I swear to God-" She grunts as she feels another pair of arms grab onto her.
"Calm down, Ruby, this isn't the place," Quil hissed through his teeth.
"That's enough, Ruby!" Graham shows up from a shadow, standing in front of Ruby menacingly. "I think it's time for you to go."
"Stay out of this, Graham." Said Ruby.
"You're not going to start something that we'll have to finish." Said Graham.
"She'll die!"
"Regina's made her choice. She's not our concern anymore."
Seth stands, grabbing Ruby's arm, "Come on, Ruby. Please."
Ruby glares into Seth's eyes, followed by Graham's, ending with Emma's before she yanks her arm away and marches into the woods.
"I'm sorry, Regina." Graham nods. "Emma."
"Thank you, Graham." Emma nods.
Regina watches as Graham and the others- Seth included- disappear into the woods. She shakes her head as soon as they're gone.
"Are you alright?" Emma asks, holding her close.
"It's my fault. I shouldn't have told her that," Regina murmurs.
"It's not your fault, Regina." Emma presses her lips along her forehead. "Don't blame yourself." Her eyes close as she breathes. "Although… Ruby's right."
Regina's head tilts, her eyes searching Emma's, seeing the automatic fear behind them. "Emma," she shakes her head.
"What can I possibly be thinking? I should let Ruby kill me before I can-"
"Stop, hey," Regina reaches for Emma's face, cradling it in her hands. "Graham's right. I chose this. It's my decision- our decision. Right?"
Emma's eyes shined brighter as they looked into Regina's, her jaw tightening. "I'm scared," she murmured.
"I'm not," Regina's hands moved to Emma's hair, holding her extremely close to her body. "I trust you. Now, as your wife, I order you to stop worrying about what hasn't happened yet and let's enjoy the rest of tonight and the rest of our eternal lives ahead. You hear me?"
Emma couldn't help but smile, releasing a light chuckle from the back of her throat, "Yes." She pressed her forehead against Regina's, her eyes closing.
"I love you, Emma," Regina whispered. "I'm never going to get tired of this, holding you this close."
"I love you. Always." Emma murmured, dipping her head down until her lips met with Regina's. Her hands cupped her warm cheeks. She parted, placing a kiss along her wife's forehead, "Come on. Let's get back before everyone starts noticing our absence."