Chapter 23
Dear Regina,
Not a day goes by that I don't think about you. Not a moment of my life you aren't on my mind. Everytime I close my eyes, I see your face smiling back at me. I miss you so much, my love. I miss you so much sometimes I feel like I can't breathe. Sometimes it hurts so much knowing you're gone, that I think I'll collapse on the spot and die of a broken heart. It has been the longest six months of my life, and I don't know how much more I can take.
Killian was sentenced to eleven months in prison for the attack. I had to testify against him in court and everything. It took everything in my power to not tell them about his attack on you. How he killed you, but I couldn't tell them. How could I explain that he killed someone without a body? Or worse, explain why I took your body and dropped it into the ocean, without implicating myself. He got away with killing you and only got eleven months for hurting me. I got word from the lawyer that represented me that he will be released early, due to good behavior. He told me he wouldn't rot in prison for what he did. It pains me so much to know that he was right. He'll be free by the end of the month.
I don't know what I'm going to do when he's released. At least when he was in prison, I knew I was safe. He couldn't hurt me anymore if he was behind bars. I don't know what I'm going to do when he's walking around town again, acting like he didn't kill the love of my life. I might have to move on from Storybrooke. Find somewhere else to live. Start fresh. But I don't want to leave here. Not when I know my family, our family, live deep in the ocean below me. How can I leave knowing they are just beyond my grasp? How can I leave all the memories we shared on this very beach? All the times we made love in our cave? How can I leave all of this? How can I leave the beach where I met and fell in love with you all over again?
Emma sniffled, holding back the tears as she looked up from her journal, scanning the ocean in front of her. She knew Regina wouldn't be there, but something inside her always had to check.
Ruby and Granny have been letting me stay in the inn until I figure things out. They have been nothing but a godsend. I couldn't have done any of this without them. And it turns out, we aren't that different. Ruby and I had a heart-to-heart conversation a few nights after you left, and I found out some howling information about Ruby.
Emma laughed as she wrote the words. It felt good to laugh, even just for a few moments.
There's not much left to report. Once everything calmed down, Ruby and I went back to the doctor to remove the IUD I had implanted after the pregnancy scare I had with Killian. I had to explain that I was no longer in an abusive relationship so I didn't need it anymore. The look of sympathy in her eyes was even worse. But I got it taken out, which is one less thing for me to worry about.
Ruby asked me yesterday if I think I'll ever move on and date someone else. And the answer is, no. Regina, I don't think I can ever move on from your death. And I know we weren't technically bonded yet, so I would be able to move on if I wanted to, but I don't think I can ever be with anyone else, Human or Nenriel alike. I meant what I said to you during our wedding ceremony. I made a promise to you, and I plan to honor that for the rest of my life. You're my Melda, Regina. And I will always mourn you, until we can be reunited. I even asked Ruby to cut my hair, to begin mourning, but she wouldn't. She told me to wait a few more months. She's my best friend, so she's the only person I want to cut my hair, so I'll wait. But I promise you, I will cut off my hair in honor of you.
Emma stopped writing for a few moments, checking her phone for the time, realizing her break was almost over.
I miss you so much, Regina. Every moment of every day. I don't know how much more I can take. Tonight is the first night of the full moon, which means tomorrow night will be six months without you. I don't know if I can make it another six months, let alone the rest of my life without you.
Emma sighed as the tears spilled onto the page below her. She wiped her eyes dry on her shirt before tossing her journal back into her bag. Writing in its pages no longer made her feel better, but it allowed her to feel like she was talking to Regina.
She slowly made her way back to the diner, ready to start the second half of her day. Ruby greeted her with a warm smile as she walked through the doors, her lips painted her signature red color.
"Did you have a good break?" she asked as Emma tossed her bag under the counter, tying her apron around her waist.
"It was alright," Emma said, shrugging slightly.
"Hey, are you alright? Going to the beach usually makes you feel better," Ruby asked.
"Yeah…I guess…" Emma shrugged again, scanning the empty diner.
"Hey, what's up?" Ruby asked, pulling Emma's attention to her.
"It's just…" Emma sighed. "...tonight is the full moon…"
"Yes, that I am blissfully aware of." Ruby laughed.
"Which means that tomorrow…" Emma said, tears welling in her eyes once again. "…is six months. Six long and painful months without Regina."
"Oh Em, I'm so sorry. I…I didn't realize it's been that long. I'm sorry," Ruby said, fighting back her own tears.
"It's okay," Emma said, trying to hold herself together.
"What can I do for you? Do you need anything?"
"Ruby, I need you to cut my hair," Emma said, a steady stream of tears falling from her eyes. "I need to start to mourn her properly."
"Of course. You're right, I'm sorry. Let me get through the full moon, and then we'll make a night of it. We'll make it really special. And you can tell me all about her. Every gory detail, even the gross parts," Ruby said, trying to lighten the mood. "I promise."
"Thanks, Ruby." Emma tried to smile, her eyes red from tears.
"Thank god it's dead right now. It doesn't look good when the waitresses are crying behind the counter." Ruby laughed, causing the first genuine laugh from Emma in days.
They composed themselves just in time for the after school crowd to begin to file in. Ana arrived just in time for Ruby to rush off to spend the full moon in the forest with the other shapeshifting Wolves of Storybrooke. Emma was relieved that the night was busy. The hustle and bustle of the busy restaurant allowed her to keep her mind occupied and allowed her to not think about missing Regina. That is, until she crawled into bed at the end of the night. Her dreams were always filled with memories of Regina, every dream ending with the very same moment—the sight of Regina sinking away from her.
Ruby is always so chipper during Wolf's Time, which usually didn't bother her. Except for this particular day. Today, Ruby's positive mood and unending energy pissed her off. She had woken up in the middle of the night crying out for Regina, as she did every night for the last six months. She was exhausted and didn't have the energy to deal with the energetic Wolf.
"Morning, sunshine!" Ruby smiled as Emma made her way downstairs, going straight for the coffee pot to pour herself a large cup of coffee.
"Ruby, I love you tremendously. But if you don't calm the fuck down, I'm going to start loving you less," Emma snapped, taking a large sip of coffee. "Shit. Sorry Ruby. I didn't mean it." She frowned, ashamed of how she treated her friend.
"Hey, it's okay. I understand. Today is a rough day. You get a free pass to be a bitch. But just today." Ruby chuckled, tapping Emma's hip with her own. "But if Granny hears you curse like that in her diner, not even I can help you." Ruby laughed. Emma laughed along with her. It felt good to laugh.
Emma dove into her work as the morning rush filed in, once again distracting her from her sadness. She spent her lunch break on the beach, relishing in the warm spring air. Instead of writing in her journal again, she spent the entire time just staring out at the ocean, watching each wave crash into the shore. It should have been relaxing, but instead, every wave reminded her of Regina. Eventually, she made her way back to work, hoping her eyes weren't too red from all the tears she shed over the course of the day. She returned to the empty diner, relieved it was a slow time of day. This meant she and Ruby could talk for a little without being interrupted.
"How are you doing? Honestly," Ruby asked as Emma settled behind the counter to start prepping for the upcoming afterschool and dinner rush.
"I'm alright," Emma said.
"No, you're not. I know you're not. There's no way you can be alright," Ruby said, walking over to her friend.
"It hurts, Ruby. I don't know how much longer I can take this," Emma said, more tears falling from her eyes.
"I can't even begin to imagine how you feel right now, Em. And I don't ever want to know," Ruby said, opening her arms to invite Emma into a hug.
"It sucks, Ruby. That's for damn sure," Emma said, taking Ruby up on her offer of a hug.
"Go get some coffee and take a load off. I'll finish up here and I'll meet you in a booth when I can. And I'll take the first couple tables that come in," Ruby said once Emma pulled away.
"Thanks, Ruby," Emma said, trying a half smile. She walked over to the coffee pots, realizing she needed to make fresh coffee. She quickly filled the industrial filter with coffee grounds and pushed it back into the machine. She watched as the carafe filled with the dark brown liquid, becoming mesmerized as it filled up the pot when she heard a small clinking sound from one of the coffee cups stacked next to the machine. Slightly irritated that the sound pulled her out of her trance, she tilted the cup to see what caused the disturbance.
Her heart instantly stopped beating.
Sitting inside the cup was the familiar yellow shell. The very same one used by Regina to contact her. Her hand was shaking as she tipped over the cup, allowing the shell to fall into the palm of her hand. The moment it made contact with her hand, Regina's voice rang in her head.
"Meet me on the beach tonight,"Regina's voice was warm and cheery, and exactly the way she remembered it. Tears flowed down her face once more, this time from excitement instead of sadness.
"RUBY!" Emma turned around toward her friend. "REGINA! SHE'S ALIVE!" Emma screamed, rushing over to Ruby with her shell extended in her hand in front of her.
"I don't follow," Ruby said, trying to piece together the puzzle.
"This shell! This is the shell that Regina uses to contact me when we are apart. It's enchanted to always find me! And it did," Emma said, excitedly.
"Emma. It's just a shell," Ruby said.
"No, it's different. I heard her voice, Ruby. Regina sends me a message and the shell finds me, that's how it works. She said to meet her on the beach tonight, Ruby! She's alive!" Emma said, her tears falling onto her shirt.
"Emma. How do you know you didn't justthinkyou heard her voice? You said so yourself, she was gone. She died. What if this is a trap or something? Someone trying to hurt you and using your grief to their advantage?" Ruby asked, concerned for her friend's safety.
"Because I know, Ruby. I know it's her," Emma said, excitedly. "I'm going." Emma smiled.
"Emma, are you sure that's a good idea?"
"Of course it is, Ruby!"
"Okay, but you're not going alone. She comes after sunset, right?" Emma nodded. "Then I'm coming to the beach tonight after I shift. Just make sure you don't get yourself killed before I get there," Ruby said, hip-checking Emma.
"I'll do my best," Emma said, smiling her first real smile in six months. Emma floated on cloud nine for the rest of her shift, running out as fast as she could once Ana arrived to relieve her. She ran upstairs to her room to take the fastest shower of her life before changing her clothes three times. She had to make sure she looked her best for Regina.
She ran out of her room, nearly forgetting to lock the door behind her, and rushed toward the beach. She had just enough time to build a small fire and pull out their now musty blankets, trying to set up the cave as best as she could. The wood was slightly wet, having spent the winter sitting in the damp cave. She struggled to get it to catch, cursing herself for not covering the wood with the tarp to keep it dry. The fire sprang to life just as the sun disappeared behind the horizon. Emma rushed out of the cave and toward the shore, she eyes scanning the water for signs of Regina. Her heart was practically pounding out of her chest as each moment passed before she saw a familiar head pop up out of the water.
"EMMA!" Regina yelled from the water a few yards away, disappearing under the water again, swimming toward the shore.
"REGINA!" Emma screamed, running into the water, soaking her clothes.
"EMMA!" Regina yelled again, pausing for a moment while she waited for her tail to transform into her perfect legs, before standing and running as fast as her new legs could take her. She ran directly into Emma's arms, wrapping her arms and legs around the blonde, holding on for dear life.
"Regina…" Emma whispered, her voice betraying her. Her body shook against Regina's, weeping with pure happiness. "Regina…I thought you were dead…" She held Regina so close that Regina struggled to breathe.
"You're alive," Emma cried, her tears falling onto Regina's bare shoulder. Emma refused to let Regina go, afraid she might disappear if she let go for even a moment.
They held each other for a few minutes until Regina eventually pulled away, releasing her legs and arms from around Emma, standing on the shore in front of her. Emma reluctantly let go, allowing Regina to take a small step back.
"You must be freezing. I built a fire in the cave," Emma said, pointing to the cave behind her.
"That sounds wonderful." Regina smiled, linking their fingers as Emma led them back to the familiar cave.
"I…I forgot to grab a towel for you, I'm sorry," Emma said, panicking when she realized what she forgot.
"It's okay, my love. That's what the fire is for." Regina smiled, sitting down on the pile of blankets they have used as a bed for almost two years.
"I can't believe you're actually here." She reached out for Regina, pulling her in for a deep and loving kiss. "This has been the hardest six months of my life," Emma said, pressing her forehead against Regina's as tears streamed down both of their cheeks.
"I know. I'm sorry it took me so long," Regina said, reaching to lace her fingers through Emma's hair.
"Ruby wouldn't let me cut my hair until now. She was going to do it after the full moon," Emma said, not moving away from Regina.
"I'm glad she didn't. It's not necessary," Regina said. Even though Emma couldn't see, she knew Regina was smiling.
"Are you okay?" Emma asked once she pulled away from Regina, looking her lover over to make sure she still had all her appendages.
"Yes. I've fully recovered. It took the healers a few months to completely cure me though. But not without lasting marks," Regina said, leaning back so Emma could see the large and ugly scars that covered her abdomen.
"You're beautiful, no matter what you look like." Emma smiled, brushing her fingers over the pink marks on Regina's stomach. "I have them too…" she said, turning around and lifting her shirt to show Regina the large scar on her left shoulder. Regina didn't say a word, instead she ran her fingers over Emma's scar in the same fashion.
"Your Tatya was by my side the entire time. She refused to leave my bedside unless someone was with me," Regina said, as Emma turned back around.
"How is she? How is your sister and Tatya?"
"Everyone is doing well. They all miss you tremendously."
Emma frowned slightly. "I miss them too, even though I didn't remember them until six months ago." They sat in silence for a few moments, both trying to control their emotions. "You were giving me so many signs, Regina. You told me your Melda disappeared on the exact same day I woke up on the beach. You even told me my own name and I still couldn't understand. You were right in front of me the entire time. Why couldn't I remember you?" Emma asked, tears rolling down her face.
"The curse that Maleficent put on you prevented you from remembering me, even the smallest of details. It wasn't your fault, my love. It was Maleficent's."
"What happened to her? After I left?"
"She was banished from the Queendom and stripped of her magic abilities for the rest of her life. She's probably roaming around, brooding in her failure."
"I think she was the one who told Killian to find me and take me in. He told me a blonde woman swam up to the docks that morning and told him where to find me. She paid him to keep me away from the water," Emma explained.
"That makes sense." Regina frowned. She sniffled, trying to hold back tears. "I…ummmm…I brought these with me…I thought you might want yours." Regina said, pulling the small pouch off her wrist, digging inside and pulling out the two rings that were nestled deep inside.
"Our rings? You took mine when you left," Emma said, realizing she remembered Regina pulling her ring off.
"I didn't want you to lose yours, just in case you remembered me one day," Regina explained. Emma smiled and reached for the yellow ring with the purple filigree pattern. She reached out her left hand, silently asking for Regina's. Regina placed her left hand inside hers and extended her fingers, allowing Emma to slip the ring back onto her finger before she slipped Emma's ring back onto her finger as well.
"Thank you." Emma smiled. It felt amazing to have her ring back on her finger.
"There's one more thing…" Regina said, reaching into her pouch and pulling out a small bottle containing an unknown potion.
"What's that?" Emma asked.
"This is what I have been working on the last few months while I was still healing. It's called 'Love's True Form'," Regina said, handing the bottle to Emma. "When Maleficent cast the curse on you, she turned you into a Human. In every aspect. That's why you didn't transform back after the curse was broken."
"That explains it," Emma said, frowning.
"And because you're a Human, we can never really be together. Unless one of us takes this potion."
"One of us? Not me?"
"If I take the potion, I'll turn into a Human, and I can stay on land with you forever," Regina said shyly.
"And if I take it, I turn back into a Nenriel?" Emma asked, understanding the situation.
"Yes. The choice is yours, Emma."
"You would be willing to give up the entire ocean for me?" Emma asked, gazing deep into Regina's brown eyes.
"I would give up the entire world for you, Emma."
"It's a good thing you'll never have to make that sacrifice," Emma said, pulling off the cork and chugging the potion, tipping the bottle completely upright to make sure she drank every drop. Everything went fuzzy for a few seconds before returning to normal. A normal she hadn't felt in over seven years.
"But…but I don't understand…" Regina said, tears welling in her eyes as sadness and frustration flashed over her face. "Why didn't it work? Why are you still Human?" A stray tear escaped from her eye.
"Who said I'm still Human?" Emma chuckled.
"No tail, Emma," Regina snapped out of frustration.
"Regina…" Emma smiled, rubbing her thumb over Regina's cheek to clear away the tears that were falling. "It's the full moon, remember?" she said, pulling her hair back to reveal the gills that had formed behind her ears a few moments ago.
"It's the full moon." Regina smiled, tears of happiness falling from her eyes.
"I just have a few things to take care of, then we can go home," Emma said, her own eyes leaking with happy tears. She moved to her bag and pulled out her journal, tossing it into the fire.
"You're burning your journal?" Regina asked, extremely confused.
"This book represents a woman who doesn't exist anymore. Plus, it's caused so much trouble already, I can't risk any more trouble when I'm gone." Emma smiled. She reached back into her bag and pulled out her phone, unlocking it one last time. She tapped the screen a few times when she heard a soft whine outside the entrance to the cave. Her head snapped up to see a red wolf standing outside, trying to get their attention.
"RUBY!" Emma exclaimed, rushing outside to meet her friend. "Regina is alive." She pointed to the brunette woman wrapped in an old blanket. If wolves could smile, Ruby would be smiling from ear to ear.
"She figured out a way for me to go back. To become a Nenriel again. And I took it," she said, showing Ruby the same gills she revealed to Regina a few minutes ago.
Ruby whined a little before pulling the same excited expression in her eyes.
"Ruby, I want you to take all the money I've saved up. There's quite a bit in the bank account. It's already in your name from when we were keeping it a secret from Killian."
Ruby shook her head no.
"No. I want you to have it. I don't need it anymore. Take the money and use it to build a life with Dorothy."
Ruby hesitated for a moment before nodding her head yes.
"Ruby, I can't thank you enough for everything you've done for me over the years. You saved me. You literally picked me up off the ground and carried me away from my rock bottom," Emma said, pausing to collect herself. "You are more than a friend to me. You're my savior, and I don't know how to even begin to thank you for that. And if there is anything you ever need. Anything that I can help you with or do for you, please let me know. I am forever in your debt."
"We are both forever in your debt," Regina said, walking over to the friends slowly, a large blanket wrapped around her.
Ruby nodded.
"I love you, Ruby," Emma said, wrapping her arms around the Wolf's neck. Ruby placed her paws on Emma's back, hugging her the only way a Wolf could. "This isn't goodbye, do you hear me? We'll come back to the beach every once in a while during the full moon. Keep the cave stocked for us." Emma smiled through her tears.
Ruby nodded. Emma gave Ruby one last hug before returning to the cave with Regina. They quickly packed the blankets back up and covered the fire with sand to put it out.
"Are you ready?" Regina asked as Emma started to undress, leaving her clothes and bag under the tarp with the blankets.
"I've never been more ready for anything. Except maybe bonding with you." Emma smiled, reaching for Regina's hand. They walked out of the cave for the last time, stopping to give Ruby one final hug, leaving a soft kiss on top of the Wolf's head before heading back into the water.
They walked out until the water was past their waists and almost to their chest, when they stopped and floated on their backs. The both watched with bated breath as yellow strands of silk began to encase Emma's legs, completely covering her pale skin. A moment later, the silk disappeared, leaving behind a yellow tail with a faint purple swirling filigree pattern running through it.
"Welcome back," Regina whispered as Emma began to wiggle her tail and fins, stretching the stiff muscles.
"You have no idea how much I've missed this," Emma said, more tears welling in her eyes. She turned back to the beach one last time, waving at her friend who sat watching her every move. Ruby let out a sad howl before running back toward the forest.
"Let's go home," Regina said, linking her fingers with Emma's, her finger rubbing against the ring Emma now wore.
"I have a better idea." Emma smiled, pulling Regina under the water.
Emma led the way through the water until they arrived at a familiar reef, tucked away just beneath the surface.
"You brought me here once, and it was the most amazing experience of my short human existence. This is where I want to bond with you, Regina. Right here, right now. Before we go home. I want to finish what we started," Emma explained. "That is, if you want to."
"Of course I do, Emma. This is perfect." Regina smiled. "Turn around." Regina smiled, running her fingers through Emma's long blonde hair. Emma turned around slowly to allow Regina to continue to run her fingers through her hair, softly and gently removing any tangle or knot she found. "I'm glad you waited to cut your hair," Regina whispered as she divided Emma's hair into three equal pieces, working them into a long braid.
"Me too," Emma said softly, turning her head slightly to look at Regina behind her.
"I didn't bring anything to tie our braids…" Regina said sadly, once she reached the end of Emma's hair.
"It's okay. We can improvise." Emma said as she scanned the area for a makeshift hair tie. She tore off two long pieces of seagrass and held one out toward Regina. "This should do. Just be gentle." Regina quickly worked to tie the grass around Emma's hair, holding her hair in place. "Perfect," Emma said as Regina ran her fingers over her braid, her lips softly kissing the scar across Emma's left shoulder. "Your turn." Emma smiled, pulling Regina's attention away from the memories of that painful experience. Emma quickly went to work, detangling Regina's hair with her fingers before creating a perfect braid down her back, securing it with the piece of seagrass, wrapping her arms around Regina's waist when she was finished.
"I'm not going to lie," Regina said after she turned to face Emma once again. "I'm nervous about this part."
"I am too. Why are you nervous?" Emma asked.
"Because last time, you were ripped away from me when we got to this part. I'm afraid that's going to happen again," Regina said, reaching for Emma's hand.
"I know the feeling," Emma said, squeezing Regina's hand before reaching to cup Regina's face softly. "I can't promise that won't happen again. But I'm going to do everything in my power to make sure it doesn't."
"Good." Regina smiled, leading Emma to the ocean floor. They settled down next to each other, assuming the same position they had seven years earlier, their hands clasping each other's between their bodies, their other arm holding onto the other as hard as they could.
"I give you my heart, I give you my soul…" Emma started, her voice soft yet confident.
"I give you my heart, I give you my soul…" Regina repeated, after taking a deep breath.
"From the skies up above to the waters down below…" Emma continued, her smile growing wider with each word.
"From the skies up above to the waters down below…"
"Where we were once two we now become one…" Emma said, squeezing Regina's hand between their bodies.
"Where we were once two we now become one…" Regina repeated, her heart pounding in her chest.
"From this day, and all the days to come," they repeated in unison, both of their smiles so wide their cheeks hurt.
"Are you ready?" Emma asked before they finished the incantation that would begin their bond. Regina nodded.
"Don't leave me this time, okay?" Regina said, brushing her hand up Emma's arm, resting her hand against Emma's cheek.
"I'll try not to," Emma whispered. They both took a deep breath at the same time before chanting together.
"Now we bind together, existing as one in body, heart and soul. A hi mín gwedhi- go-, er bodui, emel a faer." The magic swirled around their bodies instantly as soon as the words left their lips.
They closed their eyes and pressed their foreheads together as they embraced the magic that was binding them, merging their souls. They could feel the filigree pattern emerge on their tails, marking to the world that they were Meldas, that their souls had become one. Time seemed to stop as the magic continued to consume them, while bright and beautiful fish swam around them, creating a protective shield around the couple. They could even feel the presence of the reef's resident seahorse couple, swimming around their heads to keep them extra protected. Their heads became fuzzy as the final stage of their bond was taking place, the only thoughts in their mind was each other as they held on impossibly tight.
Eventually, the magic faded slowly, indicating their ritual was completed. They were officially bonded together.
"Emma…" Regina whispered, not pulling away or opening her eyes.
"I'm here…I'm still here…" Emma answered, holding Regina tighter.
"You're really here," Regina whispered, opening her eyes slowly, being met immediately by Emma's green eyes, staring into hers with nothing but love and devotion in them.
"I am…Regina…it worked…look," Emma said, directing their gaze to their tails and the most beautiful filigree pattern swirling inside them.
"We're bonded…" Regina smiled, her salty tears mixing with the water around them.
"We're bonded…" Emma smiled, kissing Regina sweetly. "There's only one thing left to do to seal our bond forever," Emma said, her smile spreading impossibly wide.
"I know exactly where to go." Regina smiled. They slowly floated up, their heads still feeling a little fuzzy. Regina grabbed Emma's hand, lacing their perfectly fit fingers together and led Emma to their second destination. A few minutes later, they surfaced in their secret cove, excited and nervous about the final step in their bonding ritual.
Emma lifted herself out of the water and onto the rock ledge. They both watched as Emma's yellow and purple tail shifted back into the pale legs she walked on for the last seven years. Once Emma had her legs back, Regina lifted herself out of the water as well, settling next to Emma as they both watched her purple and yellow tail turn back into the perfect tan legs she had one night every month. Without another word, Emma pulled Regina in for a deep and passionate kiss, one filled with so much love that it made Regina cry from happiness.
She leaned back and pulled Emma along with her until they were laying on the ground, Emma pressed against her. Emma pulled away after a few minutes, kissing Regina's neck with practiced ease. Her body and lips already knew exactly where and how to kiss Regina to drive the woman wild. Regina's body reacted instantly to Emma's kisses and caresses, causing a throbbing in her core that begged for Emma's touch. Emma continued down Regina's familiar body, stopping when she arrived at Regina's abdomen.
"Regina…" she whispered, brushing her fingers over the scars on Regina's otherwise perfect skin, her tears falling onto Regina's skin. "I'm so sorry this happened to you. I'm so sorry you were in pain because of me. This was all my fault."
"Hey…" Regina propped herself up on her elbows to give herself a better view of Emma. "I would protect you until my last dying breath. And I would do the same thing again if I had to. I would rather die than lose you again, Emma. I love you so much," Regina said, reaching to pull Emma back up to her.
"I love you too, Regina. I love you more than life itself," Emma said, tears continuing to fall down her face.
"No more crying, okay? That's all in the past. Let's leave the past behind us and focus on the future…our future." Regina smiled, wiping the tears from Emma's face.
"I can do that." Emma smiled. Regina pulled her in for another kiss, one so intense their minds went fuzzy once again. Regina's hand traveled between their bodies, seeking the bundle of nerves between Emma's legs, pressing her fingers ever so slightly, causing the blonde to moan slightly into her mouth.
"Regina…" she moaned again when Regina swiped her finger through her soaking wet folds, returning once again to her clit, running small circles around it. Emma's hand moved on its own to Regina's core, following Regina's lead and swiping through her folds as well, settling on Regina's clit. Their movements fell into a familiar rhythm, their clits beginning to swell as their core begged for attention. As excited as they both were to finally be finishing what they started seven years ago, they took their time, savoring every touch and every caress, slowly building their pleasure.
Neither could remember who was first to penetrate the other with their fingers, slowly thrusting into the other, seeking that special spot hidden deep within. They moved as though they were one body as well as one soul, quickly bringing each other to the brink of pleasure.
"Regina…Regina, I'm so close…" Emma said, trying to will her brain to speak.
"Me too…" Regina managed to speak as Emma's fingers continued to make contact with her sweet spot.
"You…you go first…take me first…" Emma tried to say, their shared movements slowing. "I've tasted you already. It's your turn to taste me," she managed to say through the haze of passion.
"Together…" Regina moaned, unable to formulate more words. Emma smiled, understanding exactly what her Melda was asking for. She slowly removed her fingers from inside Regina, urging Regina to do the same.
"Don't move…" Emma whispered as she sat up, quickly changing positions so they were laying on their sides, their heads lined up with each other's cores. She pulled Regina's hips closer, encouraging Regina to drape her leg over the top of her shoulder to give her more access to her core as she draped her own leg over Regina's shoulder, moving her own hips slowly and gently toward Regina's lips.
She slowly wrapped her lips around the swollen nub that formed through Regina's neatherlips, flicking her tongue against it before sucking gently, Regina moaning so loudly her voice echoed against the stone around them. A moment later, she felt Regina's lips wrap around her own nub, sucking softly, slowly bringing her back to the edge.
Fireworks exploded inside of them as their mouths filled up with the sweet essence of their Melda. A warmth washed over them as they swallowed, their bodies become incased with the other.
"Emma…" Regina whispered, her breath heavy in her chest. "I can feel you…I can feel you inside of me…" Regina continued, trying to catch her breath.
"I can too…" Emma said, running her hand along Regina's low back to let the brunette know she was there.
"Every ounce of me feels like you're wrapped around it." Emma slowly moved to change positions once again to lay next to Regina. As soon as Emma was next to her again, Regina shifted into her arms, laying her head against Emma's chest.
"I'm a part of you now, Regina. And you're a part of me," Emma whispered, kissing the top of Regina's head.
"We did it…" Regina said, tears collected against Emma's skin. "After all these years, Emma. We finally did it. We're bonded."
"And no one can separate us now, Regina," Emma said, holding Regina tight, kissing her head again, softly.
"Nothing can take you away from me," Regina said, looking up at Emma.
"And nothing can take you away from me either." Emma smiled. They laid in silence for a little while longer, their bodies still tingling from their recent bonding. They held each other as they watched the stars above them until the sky began to brighten with the sunrise. Regina sat up and kissed Emma softly.
"Let's go home."
Eleanore Swan was last seen walking out of Granny's diner one full moon night, and never seen or heard from again. Her personal effects were found in an old cave on the beach the next day by her best friend, Ruby Lucas. There were dozens of theories floating around town as to her whereabouts, including the seemingly far-fetched theory that she simply swam away, returning to the water she loved so much. And although it has never been fully confirmed, some say that she could be seen walking out of the ocean on a full moon, accompanied by a beautiful brunette woman, where a red wolf waits for them to say hello.
A/N:I'm sad to report that there is only one more chapter left of this tale. I hope you have been enjoying the adventure!
