A/N: Apologize to all for taking three weeks to update again on this story or any other of my stories. I enjoyed my two week vacation so much, I didn't want it to end. And I needed a longer break from writing. But I'm back (and I don't plan to leave or stop writing) and I'm updating again! Ya'll know that I am here for SQ and for those of you who continue to enjoy any story I come up with. But, this story will be finished especially for a very special person in particular that always finds way to keep my heart beating. 3 Happy reading, all! Stay tuned for more.
Chapter 24: A New Emma Swan
"Well," Mary Margaret stood before her open door, arms crossed over her chest as she was greeted by a much calmer Emma the following morning. "Good morning. Are you here to brand me a backstabber?"
Emma frowns, keeping her hands tucked inside of her pants pockets. "I come in peace. I promise."
"Hm," Mary Margaret's eyes take a moment to drink Emma in before she's stepping aside and away from her door, motioning her an invitation inside.
"Actually," Emma speaks up, not taking a single step inside of the woman's home. "I was wondering if you'd like to join me for the day."
"Join you, where?" Mary Margaret's brow lifts.
"I need to buy a dress." Said Emma. "For this evening. I've asked Ruby to tag along, too. I hope you don't mind. You know, because I know that if we exclude her she will murder me while I sleep."
"A dress?" Mary Margaret's body takes a step forward. "It wouldn't be for Regina's wedding anniversary party, would it?" She continued, seeing the answer flash across Emma's dark eyes. "Emma, have you thought about what you're doing if you attend that event?"
"I have," Emma nods. "And I've never been more prepared for anything in my life. All I need is a dress." She pauses. "Last night, after I left here, I realized that you were right. I need to close Regina's chapter in my life and by doing that, I need to be at that event."
"I see," Mary Margaret nods. "And by going to this event, you think you'll be able to close that chapter in your life and leave it behind?"
"I do. Because I will introduce them to a new Emma Swan. One Regina won't expect to see."
Mary Margaret's eyes narrow as she keeps them locked with Emma's. "And which Emma Swan is that?"
The corner of Emma's lip lifts a little. "The Emma Swan that will no longer be affected by Regina Locksley or the memories she left behind."
Mary Margaret's brows raise to her hairline as she simply nods. She knew that whatever Emma had planned was more to prove something to herself. And this plan would soon come back to bite her in the ass, but she wasn't about to tell her that. Emma would soon find that out on her own.
"You did what?" Robin's blue eyes look widely at his father.
"Don't start, Robin." Samuel said pointedly, resting his left foot along his right knee, in a casual manner. "Emma Swan will be working alongside us, helping us thrive. Why shouldn't I invite her?"
Robin's jaw clenches, his lips thinned into a hard frown. "You always get your way, don't you?"
"The same way you do, my boy." Samuel stands, moving over to the mini bar to serve himself a drink. "Except I like to think of myself as a little more cautious. I hope you'll be on your best behavior tonight."
"Aren't I always?" Robin's head tilts, his eyes glaring at his father.
Samuel chuckles, gulping down the sip he took of scotch. "I'm talking about respecting your wife on the night of your anniversary celebration."
"Oh, is that it? Is that how little you think of me?"
"Don't be absurd, Robin. I never think little of you." Samuel shakes his head. "I won't lie- I had my little… flings, too in the past, I made my mistakes. But I never allowed your mother to know about them. And once she was pregnant with you, everything changed."
"Regina and I are perfectly fine. I don't hide anything from my wife." Said Robin.
Samuel chuckles, "I gathered that. She seems to be well informed about your little affair with Zelena. I just hope that at least tonight, your eyes are only for your wife."
"You have nothing to worry about." Robin assures.
"Good." Samuel sets his glass down along Robin's desk before reaching for his son's shoulder. "I'll see you tonight, hm?" He pats his shoulder before exiting his office.
"I swear, Mr. S, this dress cost like 100 dollars! But it is so worth it. Wait until you see Emma in it." Ruby grinned, pacing anxiously across the living room while David sat in his infamous chair. "Em, come on! Are you done in there?" She calls out.
"Yeah! Just give me a second." Emma called out.
"What is this dinner for again?" David asked, being kept out of the loop on things.
"Oh," Ruby shrugged. She had been warned by Emma beforehand to not say anything to David on what was truly being celebrated. "It's like a business dinner. You know, to welcome Emma into their team at this company she'll be helping." She grinned.
"Alright, I'm coming out. But remember, you promised not to laugh." Said Emma, walking out, fully dressed in an all black dress that hugged every curve of her body. It had a V-neck line that ended just before her cleavage. The sleeves reached her wrists, hiding her tattoo, and there was an opening at the hem of the dress, ending just before it reached her knee. Thank God for Ruby, for helping her with her hair which was left loose, curling at its ends.
Ruby's grin grew as David's eyes grew wide. His body slowly stood from his seat. "Wow," he breathed.
"What?" Emma looked herself over. "Does it look bad?"
"No way," David shook his head, his eyes glossing over. "You look like a princess, Emma. But then again, you were always a princess to me."
"Come on, dad." Emma blinked, fighting back tears of her own that she didn't need to manifest right now.
"You look perfect, Em!" Ruby beamed. "Better than I thought you would. You will definitely turn some heads tonight with this dress."
Emma's cheeks turn a shade of pink. "Thanks. And thank you for helping me with my hair. You did good."
"Of course I did." Ruby winked. "I know my stuff. Oh! And here," Ruby reaches behind her, handing her a black rectangular object. "You can't forget this."
Emma chuckled, holding up the wallet Ruby insisted she'd buy to match her dress tonight. She wasn't much for purses or dresses, but if she was going to do this to herself tonight. She was going to do it right. "Well, I gotta go or I'll be late."
"Yeah, go!" Ruby rushes to the door, eagerly holding it open for Emma.
Emma walks up to David. "I know I've been busy since I arrived here, but tomorrow before I leave back to New York we can do whatever you want to do." She smiled.
"That's a deal." David smiled. His eyes watering at the sight of his daughter. "I still can't get over how beautiful you've gotten, Emma. When did you grow up so fast on me?"
"When you blinked." Emma chuckled, pulling him in for a hug. Her eyes shut tight to fight back more tears.
Tears that David quickly wiped away from the corner of his eye with the back of his knuckles as they parted. "Go on, now. You don't want to be late."
There's a knock at the door, which makes Emma turn. "That's Sidney," she announced, turning back to David and Ruby. "I gotta go." To say she was suddenly feeling nervous was an understatement. Her stomach wanted to hurl ten times over.
"Knock 'em dead, Emma." Said David, hearing a chuckle filled with nerves erupt from Emma.
"I will. Bye, dad." Emma gave one last smile, her eyes meeting with Sidney's as she pulled open the front door. "Ready?"
"Whenever you are, Ms. Emma." Sidney gave a curt nod and a kind smile as he stepped away from the door.
"Wait, Emma!" Ruby came running back into the room, holding out the invitation in her hand that Emma had neglected to retrieve from her bedroom. "You can't forget this."
"Oh," Emma accepted the invitation, her eyes studying the cover which she had now memorized. "Thanks, Ruby."
"And, Em," Ruby's eyes pin onto Emma's as she kept her voice a whisper. "Whatever happens tonight. Just know that I'm with you."
Emma smiled, pulling in Ruby for one more hug as they had given each other many tonight. Lastly, as her eyes meet with Sidney's again, Emma walks with him down that familiar path and onto a new one for the remainder of the night. A path she never thought would hold its doors open for her. "Thank you, Sidney." She said as Sidney held open the passenger door for her and shut it once she was nestled inside.
Once Sidney climbed into the driver's side, he adjusted his rear view mirror, until his eyes had a perfect view solemnly on Emma. His eyes faced forward, left and right, inspecting every other car around them as he drove out before he turned his gaze back on Emma. He watched her carefully, how she fiddled with the invitation she held in her hands, the way her fingers trembled whenever she would flip open its fold. The way her breathing would slightly hitch as she drew in a breath. It wasn't until Emma's eyes looked out the passenger window that Sidney could spot a million thoughts in them.
"Is everything alright, Ms. Emma?" Asked Sidney, seeing Emma's eyes change a shade of green.
The corner of Emma's lip slightly lifted. "I have a feeling that if I say everything's fine, you won't believe a word of it, Sidney."
Sidney chuckled, "I'll believe whatever you want me to believe, Ms." He watches her eyes meet up with his through the reflections of the rear view mirror. "If you say you are fine, I'll believe you. If something is troubling you however… just know that I'm here to lend a listening ear if you ever should need one."
The corner of Emma's lip tilts a little more into a more visible smile. "Thank you, Sidney. You're a good man. Mal couldn't have hired anyone better."
"Thank you, Ms. Emma." Sidney gave a curt nod. Emma could see the corner of the man's eyes through the mirror crinkle as she was sure he was smiling.
As her eyes turned to watch the world flutter past them from inside the car, Emma drew in another breath, feeling her heart accelerate along with it. The car ride remained silent for a good solid minute before she said, "You know, Sidney," she waited a beat before continuing. "Life has a funny way of bringing you back to where it all started. Coming back here was as if the past was almost determined to catch up with me." Her throat bobs. "And tonight, I shall be seeing those familiar faces of my past that I spent years running from, welcoming them into my future."
Sidney's eyes watched her patiently. "If I may. One thing I've learned, Ms. Emma…" he waits until Emma's eyes meet with his through the glass to continue. "Is that sometimes when the past is so determined to catch up with you, it's simply because back then, when you might have been forced to face it, you didn't have necessary means with which to defend yourself. Now, things are different. You have those means and then some."
The corner of Emma's lip slightly lifted, "I have those means," she echoed Sidney's words. "Then, why do I feel so frightened?"
"Echoes of the past, Ms. Emma." Sidney smiled, even if Emma couldn't see him. "Even echoes travel around the world, and can come right back to you." He waits, watching Emma look out the window again. "If I may… one thing I've learned from all of my years working for Mrs. Page says that the past is called the past because sometimes one's future is much stronger."
"Yeah, that sounds like Mal." Emma allowed herself to chuckle. Her eyes meet with Sidney's through the mirror. "But, what if a certain… echo is much stronger than the rest as it makes its way into your future?"
"Then, it's up to you how well you interpret it. Sometimes echoes carry subliminal messages."
Emma didn't know if she agreed with that notion, but she would go along with it for now. And one thing was for sure, she wouldn't allow this- or any- echo to affect her present. Not anymore.
"Here we are, Ms. Emma." Said Sidney, holding the back passenger door open for her to exit.
Emma drew in a slow and steady breath as she exited the vehicle. Her eyes drank in the dance hall where she would be spending her evening. Where Regina surely was with her husband by her side. Others walked past her as they arrived, handing their invitations to the guards that stood by the door. Something Emma had only seen at nightclubs, like the one Lily took her for celebratory drinks. Of course Robin Locksley would want to go all out for this evening.
"Are you alright, Ms. Emma?" Sidney asked, immediately startling Emma out of her thoughts.
Her green eyes blinked to attention. "I'm fine," she said, sticking out her chin.
"May I speak freely?" At Emma's nod, he continued. "Whatever echo roams about tonight in that dance hall… Whatever it carries… it shouldn't frighten you. Echoes can't hurt you. Especially you. They won't sound back if one doesn't pay mind, and doesn't holler."
"Thank you, Sidney." The corner of Emma's lip lifts as her hand lands along Sidney's bicep. "I promise you, I'll be alright." Her eyes turn back toward the building. "I'm actually looking forward to hearing what those echoes will bring with them."
"I'll be around if you need me." Sidney nods, climbing back into the driver's seat of the Lexus before driving away, leaving Emma to look up at the building once more before walking along the pavement path.
"Good evening, ma'am." One of the guards in suits nods in Emma's direction.
"Good evening." Emma gives a curt nod in return.
"Invitation, please?"
Emma quickly searches into her small purse and pulls out the invitation as she hands it over. Her heart raced inside of her chest as one of the double doors was held open.
"Please, go right in. Enjoy your evening."
Giving another curt nod, Emma crossed that door frame with her right heel forward.
Regina watched a happy couple dancing along the dance floor as a live band played a classical waltz upon Robin's request. A glass of champagne in hand.
"Darling," Robin's voice disrupts her one moment of tranquility that she had just gathered by watching the happy couple dancing to the music. Especially as she felt his hand land along her waist. "Have I mentioned how exceptional you look tonight?"
Regina's eyes meet with Robin's without an ounce of love in them. "Thank you." She says, quickly giving her attention back to the happy couple. A ping of jealousy burning inside of her chest.
She hated tonight and all it stood for. She hated this dress with a sparkly cream colored top, and its long blue skirt. She would rather be anywhere but here, and it unfortunately showed. So much that Robin quickly tensed beside her as he leaned in to whisper into her ear.
"Try to contain your happiness, my love," Robin whispered, his arm holding her even closer to his side. "Or people will think that we aren't happily married."
Regina chuckled, not bothering to look into Robin's eyes as she continued to observe the couple dancing. "You of all people are worried about what others might think, when you practically fuck my own sister in your office?"
Robin's jaw tensed as his eyes looked over to Zelena, who wore the green dress she had promised him she'd wear tonight. She observed them from across the room, holding her glass up before taking a small sip. "Zelena means nothing to me, Regina." His index and middle fingers press along Regina's jaw, forcing her eyes to lock onto his. "But you do. Three little words out of you, and I'd kneel before you."
Regina's eyes locked onto Robin's, as she plastered on her best smile for the world to see. She knew exactly what those three words were. Robin had been waiting to hear them for years without any luck. "You're right. I think it's time to say those three words to you. After all, the occasion does call for it." She sees Robin's eyes practically light up as she leans in, until her lips brush his ear. She could practically feel Robin's hand hold her closer, estranged from the small sign of affection from Regina. But the closer the better. That way, she could feel how her husband's body deflated as soon as she whispered, "I loathe you."
Just as Regina steps back, she can see the blue color of Robin's eyes drain away, along with the evident smile that had been there just a second ago.
"Satisfied?" Regina drowned her drink before walking away. Her head whipped around as she felt Robin's strong fingers tighten along her arm.
"Where are you going?" Robin seethed through his teeth, keeping Regina close to him.
"Let me go unless you want me to make a scene." Said Regina, eyeing the room, not seeing anyone watching them.
"Regina," Kathryn walked up, smiling as she interrupted their moment, catching Robin's hand loosen from her best friend's arm. "I'm sorry to interrupt, but would you mind showing me where the bathroom is? This place is massive. You don't mind, do you, Robin?" She smiles up at him.
"Not at all. But don't be long, dear. We haven't had the pleasure of dancing to our song yet." Robin's eyes never leave Regina's, even as she walks away with Kathryn.
"Thank you," Regina whispers, massaging her bare arm where Robin's fingers grabbed her. She handed her empty champagne glass to a nearby waiter as she exhaled a sharp breath.
"Do you want me to come up with an excuse and say you have a headache? I will." Asked Kathryn.
Regina shook her head, "No. Robin would never forgive me if I dare leave. And the last thing I need is to not live this down."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes. I just… I need some air. I need to freshen up, that's all. Can you hold out the fort for me?"
Kathryn nods, "Of course. Go." She gave Regina a light shove along her back.
"Regina? Regina!" Cora's eyes met furiously with Kathryn's. "Where on earth does she think she's going?"
"Relax, Cora, she'll be right back. She's just going to powder her nose up a little bit."
Cora sighs, shaking her head. "Go with her, please. Be sure she doesn't leave."
Despite knowing Regina would not leave, Kathryn followed on her trail. For Regina's sanity rather than Cora's.
Emma walked along a hall with marble statues aligned in a row along the walls. Her heels clicked with each long step she took.
Regina lightly dabbed her face with a hand towel that was placed along the sink counter for such purpose. She sighed, looking herself over along the mirror before walking toward the door and pulling it open. Her eyes moved along to a pair of heels clicking along the marble floor, where they traveled up along a bare exposed leg and mid thigh, followed by a black dress, a long pale neck, long blonde strands that curled at their end. Along with two familiar green eyes that she never thought she'd see again. Her heart raced inside of her chest, so fast, it was very difficult for her to catch a single breath as a good ten feet away, walking along her path was Emma.
Emma's long lashes blinked as her eyes shifted to someone moving so fast back into the bathroom, that it didn't give her enough time to register who it could possibly be, leaving her to walk past the bathroom door, oblivious to who was hiding along the other end. Instead, she almost runs into Kathryn, who came running along the corner.
"Oh, excuse me! I'm so sorry." Said Kathryn, oblivious to who stood before her as she raced past her.
Emma however, did remember who Kathryn was and what she looked like. Her head followed Kathryn's trail, seeing her enter the bathroom door.
"Regina?" Kathryn's eyes looked widely at her best friend as she now dabbed the drenched towel along her neck and bare chest. "What's wrong? Was the champagne? I told you not to drink so fast!"
"No," Regina shook her head, her chest tightening with each breath she inhaled through her parted lips.
"God, what is wrong with you? You look pale! You look like you've seen a ghost."
Regina huffed out what was meant to be a chuckle, but sounded more strangled than she expected.
"What is it?" Kathryn took a step forward. "Regina, talk to me. What's going on?"
Emma's green eyes drank in the room, and a few familiar faces that came with it. Henry Mills was the first one she saw straight across the room, deep in conversation with a young couple who laughed at something he said. Although Emma never had the pleasure of meeting him in the past, she knew what she looked like because Regina always carried a picture of him in her wallet, inside of her purse. Her father was everything to Regina. Next, there was Zelena. Regina's sister, reaching for what seemed to be her third glass of champagne.
"Champagne, ma'am?" A waiter came by, holding a tray with a single glass of champagne steady along his hand.
"Thank you." Said Emma as she reached for the glass and took a small sip. After her sip, her eyes met with a pair of brown ones just across the room. Cora Mills' eyes looked wider than Emma had ever seen them as they locked onto her own.
Emma was sure that if Cora had been holding a glass of her own, it would have shattered at her feet. She knew Cora remembered her. If anyone would never forget her, it would be her.
"Cora," Henry moved in, catching a glimpse of the panic along her face. "What's wrong?"
Emma allowed herself a little smile that lifted along the corner of her lip. Her eyes never leaving Cora's shocked orbs as she raised her champagne glass and gave the older woman a single nod.
"Cora," Henry's voice was a little firmer, forcing his wife to attention.
"What? What happened?" Cora asked, her eyes blinking up at her husband's.
"You tell me," Henry chuckled. "You're like in shock. As if you've seen a ghost."
Cora turned back in the direction of the entrance, where Emma had been standing just a few seconds ago. Finding nothing but an empty spot. Her eyes danced along the room, attempting to spot that familiar face again. "Henry…" she whispered, feeling her voice choke behind her throat. "I-I'm not entirely sure I didn't see a ghost."
Henry's brow furrowed as his head tilted quizzically at his wife's estranged behavior.
"Emma?" Kathryn's eyes looked widely into Regina's. "You mean your ex-girlfriend? That Emma?"
"Yes, that Emma. The love of my life, Emma." Regina breathed, hunching over the cool tile of the bathroom sink.
"No way," Kathryn paced along the bathroom, turning back to Regina. "Are you absolutely certain of this, Regina? This sounds absurd. Why would Emma be here of all places? Of all days!"
"I don't know, I don't know why she would be here. For what purpose. But, I saw her, Kathryn!" Regina took two quick steps up to Kathryn, holding onto her arms for dear balance. "I swear to you, it was her. She was… she was so different… so changed. She had on a black dress and her hair was loose, but it was her. I remember her well as if it were yesterday, and it was her-"
"Alright-" Kathryn's hands wrapped along Regina's own arms. "Calm down. Take a deep breath." She watched as Regina did that very thing. "You know, there is a chance that you are mistaken. I mean, you've had a few drinks-"
"No." Regina shook her head, her eyes glaring into Kathryn's. "No, Kathryn. I am not drunk, okay? I am telling you- it was Emma!" She sighed.
"Cora!" Samuel approached Cora, happily raising his glass. "Spectacular party, isn't it?"
"Yes. It's been lovely, Samuel," Said Cora, her eyes focusing around the room. Not spotting that familiar face anywhere.
"The place is beautiful, isn't it? What do you think of it, Henry?" Samuel asked.
"I love it. The event turned out better than Robin expected, I presume." Henry smiled.
"You know Robin, he's nothing if not extravagant in everything he does." Samuel shook his head, taking a sip of his champagne. His forehead crinkles as he notices Cora's panicked state. "Cora… are you alright?"
"Hm?" Cora turns immediately to Samuel.
"You look unwell." Samuel chuckles.
"I'm fine," Cora shakes her head, forcing herself to smile. "I just- I thought I saw someone I knew a while ago, but… I was mistaken."
"Ah, well," Samuel smiles as his eyes look across the room. His hand beckoned someone over. "Now that you're both here, allow me to introduce you both to our new partner who is not only guaranteed to be our savior but will help us grow. Meet, Ms. Emma Swan of Page & Swan Industries."
Once again, not only do Cora's eyes grow wider than before but she actually feels her heart stop beating as none other than Emma stood before her. Cleaned up and in a very expensive dress from what she knew of fine brands, but it was her. The same woman that almost messed everything up for her daughter once upon a time ago and was back to mess it up again. She wondered then, if Regina had already had a run in with her. Her eyes immediately searched for her daughter along the room.
"Emma Swan, this is another of our employees. Allow me to introduce you to Henry Mills. I'm sure you'll see him around the company a lot." Samuel smiled.
"Mr. Mills," Emma extended her hand, nodding curtly to the man who gave her a kind smile in return. "It's a pleasure to meet you. Finally."
Finally. Cora's heart died within her chest with that one word from Emma's lips.
"Pleasure to meet you, Ms. Swan," Henry greeted, smiling from ear to ear. "I never expected you to be so young."
"Thank you, sir," Emma smiled.
"Oh, uh, my wife- Cora." Henry introduced them, oblivious to the tension building up around them. A tension that built up all the more for Cora once Emma's green eyes fell on hers. No longer with that innocent and hopeful look, but a glare. A glare that might as well be like a threat to her.
"Mrs. Mills," Emma extends her hand, watching as Cora's eyes look in horror. She'd be lying if she said she wasn't enjoying the crazed and panic behavior she was bringing out in Cora. Emma remembered well that Cora was never one to give her hand in greeting if they ever formally met. But right now she didn't have a choice. Bringing a trembling hand between them, Cora reached for Emma's hand in greeting.
"It's a-" Cora clears her throat, feeling it dry. "It's a pleasure to meet you."
The corner of Emma's lip threatened to lift, but she contained herself, keeping a stone-like expression in front of the woman. Who intimidated who now? Emma thought to herself, marveling in this feeling pulsating through her veins.
"You come from New York, don't you?" Henry asked, oblivious.
"I do, yes, sir." Emma nods, giving her attention to Henry. "I was thinking of flying back today, but Mr. Locksley here pressured me into attending tonight's event in celebration of our partnership and I simply couldn't refuse."
Samuel chuckled, sharing a smile with Emma. "And I am beyond glad that you decided to attend. New York can always wait until tomorrow."
"I suppose it can." Emma's eyes turn to Cora's, who haven't moved away from her.
"If you'll excuse me for a moment. I seem to feel… a little unwell."
"Are you alright?" Henry asked. "Do you need to go home?"
"No, no," Cora forced a small smile. Emma caught her lip almost trembling. "I'll be alright. I just need to get some fresh air. I'll- I'll be right back." And just as her eyes meet with Emma's again, her heart races back to life as she rushes out of the room.
"I apologize for that, Ms. Swan," Said Henry.
"What are you sorry for, Henry?" Samuel waves a hand dismissively. "You know how women are- perhaps she just wants to fix herself up a little more. Besides, we have all night, don't we, Ms. Swan?"
"We sure do, Mr. Locksley," Emma chuckled. "We have all night." She brings her glass of champagne up to her lips and takes a sip before her eyes watch Cora as she exits out into the hallway.
At first, Emma thought of herself as crazy to come tonight, but after seeing Cora's reaction to seeing her again, she couldn't even imagine what would be Regina's. Sidney was right. Some echoes did carry subliminal messages.