Chapter Text
REGINA
She stood with disbelief flashing across her eyes, like this might be a bad dream, as if this déjà vu was a trick her subconscious was playing, however this lurid surreal nightmare was actually happening.
She stared at the happy couple and could feel her heart break. The smiling faces that only moments ago had been beaming up at her.
For a second she was reminded of the pain her own sister felt. Seeing the life that belonged to another, knowing it would never be hers, enviously wishing it could be her in this picturesque image.
"y-you. You did this?" her voice breaking as she turned to look at Emma
"I just wanted to save her life" Emma spoke softly before looking up at Regina.
"You're just like your mother" Then with a surge of strength fueled by a familiar anger her voice rang clear "Never thinking of consequences."
"I didn't know" Emma replied apologetically.
"of course you didn't" [Idiot] "well you just better hope to hell you didn't bring anything else back"
She felt the familiar surge of anger, a resentment that forged every muscle in her being into a trembling fury.
Finally taking a moment to look outside of herself and the imposing image before her, she glanced around to notice the scrutiny in the eyes of the townsfolk present.
Taking a moment, she looks down and checks in her emotions to compose herself, she forces a smile onto her face. And cautiously moves towards the happily reunited family.
"Marian, I am Regina" she gestures with an outreached hand. Being careful to look the other woman in the eyes and not to look anywhere else. Making sure not to look at Robin, or Rolland or anyone else. In doing so, she missed the look of realization and fear that quickly flashed Robin Hoods eyes.
Marian wearily stared down the former queen, unsure if she should take the hand stretched out before her, lest suddenly it turn into a serpent to strike her.
As the former queen begins to withdraw her hand, but never withdrawing the carefully painted smile, a smaller hand reaches out and grabs her.
Rolland grabs her hand as he jumps up and down. "Look my momma, my momma, look my momma!" He smiles brightly still jumping unable to contain his excitement, "see my momma!"
She feels a piercing pain in her chest, and forces to stop producing the moisture that threatens to escape her eyes, her smile never wavering.
She lowered her body to make eye contact with the child, "I can see that dear, and I know that you and your..." a seconds pause before she can finish the sentence that she is painfully producing "your family are very happy to be reunited, I am glad, but you all have a lot to catch up on."
She smiles fondly at the boy, knowing that this is likely goodbye. Goodbye to Robin, goodbye to Rolland, goodbye to second chances, goodbye to the glimmer of light that filled her dark recesses with hope. Brushing his hair with her hand, she said the inevitable words, "goodbye".
As she stood, once again being very aware of the eyes that studied her. Eyes that seemed to be waiting for a puff of purple smoke, and an evil glare. Her own eyes softened, sadness beginning to creep up, and slowly her smile so carefully painted disappeared, leaving only an emotionless mask.
She sauntered over to the booth where the newly expanded Charming family had sat.
Sitting by Snow and the infant Neal, she looked sideways at Snow, "like mother like daughter" a wan smile spread across her face after uttering the sentence. "congratulations on the christening, though I would love to stay and plot your daughters torture and ultimate demise, I am afraid I must leave now, the odd looks from the peasantry are aggravating me." she inhaled deeply before looking around at the clock and then the door, "And I have yet another remembrance to prepare."
She briskly stood, and with a feigned confidence walked out of the eatery.
...
As she stood outside the gate of Granny's Diner, [you better hope to hell, that you didn't bring anything else back ...] the moment replayed in her mind. on a loop. Broken only by the sound of a door opening, letting out the hushed murmurs of rabble filling the diner. She froze for a second unsure of her next move. She could magically reappear in her bedroom, or she could confront who ever dared provoke her, she could ignore whoever it was and walk away with a confident stride, or she could turn and kill the idiot behind her.
"Mom?" the voice made her knees weak and placed a small ripple of warmth in her heart.
She turned to see her son. "Henry, darling its cold out here, go back in, enjoy the party" The boy rushed to her and hugged her. The warmth she felt this time filled the entirety of her torso. She kissed the top of his head as she hugged him tightly.
The boy looked up at her with pleading eyes. "She didn't mean it, don't punish my family again"
Again she felt an overwhelming sadness come over her. "Darling, I don't know what you or anyone else is thinking, but I can assure you it is not my intention to punish anyone tonight"
His eyes seemed to be searching looking for something. [searching for the Evil] she thought.
"Mom?" his voice pleading.
"I promised you that I would do better. That for you, I would be better." [Whatever I say or do, will I ever convince you?] she thought as she looked into the sweet boys pleading eyes. "Why don't you go back in, everyone in there is celebrating, currently I don't have much to celebrate. Go home with Emma tonight, and tomorrow you can come home with me." She brushed his hair, similarly to how she had brushed Rolland's hair not long ago.
The young boy looked up at his mother, unsure of leaving her, unsure of staying with her, unsure if his fears were reasonable. He smiled at her, briefly hugging her tighter before turning back to the Diner.
[Alone. Again. As always.] She felt the cold of the night air [it's colder than usual] she noticed the darkness of the road towards home and turned to see where her car was parked in the brightly lit parking lot. [Why step away from what I've always known? From what has always been there to greet me, to engulf me.] The cold night air dried away any wetness emerging from her eyes. She turned on her heals and began the trek home, walking towards the darkness.
EMMA
"Well you better hope to hell you didn't bring anything else back" pity for the woman speaking struck Emma. Sadly looking at the pain she caused as she heard the words come from Regina's mouth. And then a slight hesitation, at what the Mayor could have had possibly meant with these words.
A mixture of horror and guilt slowly spread across her being. But with a quick glance at the sudden composure Regina contained, she wondered if her own guilt wasn't blowing this out of proportion.
[No. She is faking it. She was so happy, and I ended it, that can't be a sincere smile] her thoughts were interrupted by a hand squeezing her shoulder.
She turned her head slightly to look up at reassuring blue eyes.
"You did the right thing love." Killian whispered into her ear. She closed her eyes for an instance. She could feel his hot breath brushing her hair as he did.
She looked on at the happy couple, and at Regina approaching them. She felt her own body tense, ready for the fight she would have to break up, for the magical shield she would have to place on the family. Ready for the shit to hit the fan.
Then her son Henry approached her and timidly asked "What's going on? Who's that with mom?" and suddenly she realized something [if Regina goes back to evil, she will take it out on this family, it will be my fault if Henry loses his mom.] She looks away from her son feeling the guilt slowly gather in her throat. Looking at Regina and her meeting with the family.
Noticing the small child jumping up and down with excitement, watching the interaction between the mayor and the child. [That's how she strokes Henry's hair, she must have also loved Rolland. What have I done?]
She reaches out and holds her own sons arm. Looking at him unable to produce the words as she notices Regina step into the booth with Snow.
Searching his face she takes in a breath and begins "That is Robin Hoods wife, I...I brought her back from the past. She was in the dungeon with me and" cut off by Hooks clear confident voice "Your mother saved her life, but in order not to break the time continuum she brought her with us."
Henry looked up at Killian, then at his birthmother. "So, mom is alone again?" and with that they notice that Regina is no longer in the diner.
"I should go check on your mom kid."
"No wait, I'll go, I don't want you to get hurt." worry filling his eyes, at what this situation could bring about.
"He is right love, undoubtedly we will once again have to brace against the Evil Queens wrath" Killian then holds her, looking into her eyes, hoping to reassure her.
She held him tightly then. [I have love] looking back into his blue eyes, with a feeling of ease settling her tense muscles. Placing her head on his chest breathing in the scent of leather and spices. Feeling relief she sighed happily, only before another guilty realization spread through her conscious mind. [I have love, and I've taken someone else's... I have a second chance to be happy and in love, and I have ripped away the second chance of someone else] she closed her eyes tightly, burring her head deeper into the pirates chest.
"Emma are you okay?" a soft feminine voice asked from behind
She turned to see her mother. Snow looking nervously at her daughter.
"Emma, I know what happened, you did the right thing. You saved a woman's life, you reunited her with her family. That child has his mother again." Snow caressed her daughters hair, hoping her words would bring comfort to the distress in Emma's face.
"Yea I know. But, what about Regina? What if what I did..." she couldn't finish the sentence, afraid to even finish the thought.
As the diner door opened and closed with a thump. She had the sudden realization that the diner had gone very quiet. The room was filled with whispered mutterings from all present. Eyes darting from the reunited family, to the features of the savior, and to the door where Henry was now entering through.
"Um ma, I think I'm with you tonight. I think my mom needs some time alone" Henry spoke not looking up from the ground, hands buried in his pocket, and a redness to his nose attributed to the cold outside.
"Yea, kid. I was hoping you could be with your mom tonight, but I'm glad you're gonna be with me." she gave her son a small smile, stroking his arm hoping to elicit his eyes away from the floor and onto her.
"I'm gonna sit with gramps and baby Neal, call me when it's time to leave" hurriedly he went over to his charming grandfather and baby uncle.
"Emma, don't worry about Regina she just needs some time alone. I don't think she really means any of her threats." Snows voice was softer than needed be, but it made sense with all the whispers they could hear around them.
"Wait! What?!" Alarm ringing in Emma's voice. All eyes turn to look in her direction. She tries to shield her face with her hand. And continues in a hushed voice "What threats? Should we keep an eye on Marians safety? Is there anything we should be seriously worried about?"
"No, no. Emma, I don't think we need to alarm ourselves just yet, I... I am not sure but I think we are ok for now, maybe we should just keep an eye on her as a precaution." Snow added timidly
[it's all my fault, I went back, I screwed with the events in time, What if we have to deal with her Evil Majesty all over again?] as if answering her own question she quickly said "If Regina goes back to evil, then we will be here to stop her."
"Hey kid! come on, were going home" She reached out a hand so that her son could get to her, gave a nod to her mother, and to Hook. Leading Henry back out the door.
Hook grabs Emma by the shoulder before she can make a clear get away. "Wait, Swan, meet me tomorrow at the docks, so we can talk about us, and where this relationship is going." She silently smiles curtly at him before starting to exit.
SNOW
Beaming down at the little bundle of joy in her arms. Scanning the little face, relishing all of her sons soft features.
"He is perfect isn't he?" Her husband beamed at her as he took in the sight of his wife and their newborn. "I always knew we would end up here some day, our family finally everyone together, and happy, finally we have peace" His soft eyes never leaving the serene image of his wife holding their son. "Everything has been settled, now all we have to do is worry about what the future holds for our larger family" Smiling brightly as she looked up at him with loving eyes.
Just then Ruby came by, leaning on the edge of the booth "Hey David, I need some help with the shipment that made it in this week. Could you?"
"Sure, um honey I'll be right back" A gallant smile spread across his face before leaving.
Soon after there seemed to be some sort of commotion, with people hugging. And then she could hear Regina's voice cutting through very clearly "Never thinking of consequences" Regina continued to talk with her daughter Emma but this time she couldn't make out what they were saying.
Snow turned to look at her grandson sitting across her, then at the scene unfolding before her. Regina had rapidly gone from stern to a carefully sculpted smile on her face, and she approached the people hugging. Henry stood to walk towards his mom and try to figure out what was going on.
Snow watched as Regina was denied a handshake with her outstretched hand. Still Robins little boy jumped up to greet her hand, soon Regina crouched to talk to the happy little boy with bouncing energy. Snow sat observing how her stepmother caressed the top of his head lovingly. She held her own son slightly tighter, feeling his full weight in her arms. As she looked down at her sweet bundle of joy, breathing in his soft delicate baby scent, she notices that Regina has sauntered in besides her.
Monitoring Regina's face, she noticed that the smile was no longer sculpted onto her face, instead she could see an aura of sadness. Suddenly she realized what was going on. [oh Regina, you poor thing.] as if she could hear her thoughts Regina turned and gave her a sideways look, "like mother like daughter."
She noticed a weak smile barely covering her lips, and again her stepmother spoke "congratulations on the christening," then her voice turned, as if attempting sarcasm but failing to get the message across "though I would love to stay and plot your daughters torture and ultimate demise, I am afraid I must leave now," Then with bitterness "the odd looks from the peasantry are aggravating me." Snow heard a deep sad sigh erupt from Regina's mouth, just as she darted a glance at the door, "And I have yet another remembrance to prepare."
[a remembrance? Is it the anniversary of her father's death? of Daniel? Cora?] A small surge of fear trickled up her spine, she remembered the black spot in her own heart. And with that thought baby Neal began to struggle with her tight grasp.
She didn't have time to look up at Regina to see if there was malice in her eyes. While in her own thoughts the other woman had gotten up and left. The murmurs of the people within the eatery so blatantly gossiping about what had just happened.
Just then her husband walked in, with slight confusion he asked "What's going on? Why is everything so quiet?"
Snow scooted out of the booth and handed the infant to him. "Give me a minute."
She turned to see her daughters head on the pirate suitors chest. She knew she had to comfort her daughter. This situation looked bad, but surely it was nothing they should fret over right now.
Coming up from behind her daughter, she asked in a soft voice "Emma are you okay?" She could see the guilt and the sadness that was sweeping her daughters features. [oh Emma, don't look so sad, please, I did the same thing, I did it worse, it will all be ok] but the words that came out of her mouth did not mirror the ones in her mind.
"Emma, I know what happened, you did the right thing. You saved a woman's life, you reunited her with her family. That child has his mother again." she spoke quickly, trying desperately to convince her daughter, hoping that the sadness would wear away from her daughters features. Snow caressed her daughters hair, desperately looking into her eyes, wishing she could chase away the same pain she once felt.
Emma replied, still unconvinced, still restless and guilty by what had just transpired "Yea I know. But, what about Regina? What if what I did..." The diner door opened before Emma could finish her sentence. A rush of ice cold air flowing into the establishment.
The door closed with a thump, as Henry walked back in. His nose bright red from what was obviously the cold night air stinging his face. "Um ma, I think I'm with you tonight. I think my mom needs some time alone" Henry spoke to Emma without looking up. Emma replied."Yea, kid. I was hoping you could be with your mom tonight, but I'm glad you're gonna be with me."
Henry never raised his eyes from the ground. "I'm gonna sit with gramps and baby Neal, call me when it's time to leave" as the boy went over her husband and baby, she tried to give her husband a reassuring look [ill take care of it, everything is going to be okay]
She turned again to her daughter trying to speak very softly and calmly to reassure her daughter as well as herself that everything was under control "Emma, don't worry about Regina she just needs some time alone. I don't think she really means any of her threats." Though this might be bad, She hoped they had nothing to worry about.
"Wait! What?!" Alarm ringing in Emma's voice. Her daughter quickly covered her face and attempted to whisper, but sounded hoarse and louder than expected. "What threats? Should we keep an eye on Marians safety? Is there anything we should be seriously worried about?" A pang of regret hit Snow in her stomach, what was meant to be reassuring was actually, a catalyst for her daughters insecurities.
[way to go Snow, you're blowing it] "No, no. Emma, I don't think we need to alarm ourselves just yet, I... I am not sure but I think we are ok for now, maybe we should just keep an eye on her as a precaution." timidly she tried to fix the panic she had caused. [I'm pretty sure I heard sarcasm in Regina's voice. She has come too far to go back to Evil Queen. How do I fix this?]
"If Regina goes back to evil, then we will be here to stop her." Emma declared.
Snow shook her head, almost in disbelief [Regina can't be evil again, How could this be happening again, How do I stop this from escalating?]
Emma called out in a strong clear voice "Hey kid! come on, were going home" with a nod Emma and Henry started out the door. Snow started back to her family sitting in the booth.
"What happened?" David asked
"Let's just go home, I'll explain everything before we go to sleep" Snow smiled at her husband, and with his free hand he reached over to caress her shoulder. They started out soon after they collected the baby bag, and carrier.
On their departure, Snow realized all eyes were on them and on the reunited family. She looked at the family the young boy still bouncing with excitement, oblivious to what had happened. And as she looked up at Robin who was holding his wife, pressing her head against his shoulder, she noticed unmistakable sadness in the mans eyes.
[What's going to happen next?] A surge of cold chilled her bones as her husband opened the door, and then wrapped his arms around his wife and child.
ROBIN
As someone walked by the booth, the balloons parted and he saw her. Marian. Just as beautiful as the last time he saw her.
[Marian?] He then heard his own voice echoing the thought "Marian? Marian?" unsure if the angel he was seeing was really there.
But then she spoke "Robin?" [It really is Marian. Not an apparition, she isn't dead!] Quickly he leapt to hold her in his arms. "I thought you were dead. I thought I would never see you again." they held each other tightly and with a slight gasp of her breath she replied "and I you" He held her tighter then, unwilling to let her go. That is until a little voice chimed from bellow "Momma?"
Marian knelt down, cherishing the son she never thought she would see again "Roland. oh, my baby" hugging him tightly, pressing him to her heart."Roland" a happy sigh left her lips.
Robin held his family kissing his wife atop her head, feeling a rush of warmth as he held them tightly. [I never thought I could have this again.] his own thoughts sounded so familiar, but he couldn't stop to think why. Because in his arms he held his family.
The warm embrace was broken with the sound of a strong voice "Never thinking of consequences"[Regina.] He could feel his wife pull away in fear at the sound of the voice. But he didn't dare look away from his wife's features. His eyes caressed every dimple and pore on her face. He couldn't look away, he couldn't afford his attention to anyone but her. Then his wife shifted her position, standing in front of her husband and child as if to shield them.
He again heard Regina's voice, confident "Marian, I am Regina" [I mustn't look up. I couldn't look up. Not at Regina. Not now, not with this overwhelming mixture of sorrow and rapture.] Still he raised his eyes, to see the woman he had kissed moments ago outside of the diner. A sudden flash of realization, that he had loved another, a woman who had difficulty loving, and fear, fear for what was to come.
Regina had her hand stretched out, a sign of peace. But Marian, his Marian she never returned the gesture. [Please love, don't cross Regina] his mind begged hoping that if Marian would take the other woman's hand, then things could be amicably resolved.
To his own surprise, Rolland reached out to grab Regina's hand. Jumping with excitement, eager to share with the woman. "Look my momma, my momma, look my momma!" His son smiled brightly, literally leaping with joy. "See my momma!"
Then noticing the pain in Regina's carefully molded features. He felt a searing pain in his chest, and suddenly it felt like he was drowning. Unable to breath, for fear of the flood that would ensue. Powerless to console the woman before his eyes, the woman he was beginning to court, and maybe even love.
As the woman knelt to speak with his son, he noticed that his wife was reaching to pull Rolland back. [No] He then reached over to pull back his wife, holding her tightly, pressing his face against her neck. Smelling the forest, a scent so familiar, the scent of home, a warmth so captivating, that he lost himself within it.
He finally opened his eyes to see a little face beaming up at him. "She said 'Goodbye'." The young boy hugged his family again, then looking up at Robin continued "We can share with her tomorrow, yea daddy?"
He tenderly smiled at his son knowing well that seeing Regina again would be unlikely "Come, let's sit and talk. Let your mother have a good look at you"
Marian then caressed her sons hair, exactly where Regina had done so, only she was hoping to wipe away whatever trace of unholy magic the woman might have left. She spoke softly to her son, tears muddling her words "you are so big now, my sweet baby boy, you have grown so fast, I never..." she trailed off unable to finish, managing only to kiss her son.
Robin sighed happily. [Even if I had wished on a million stars, and made a deal with the devil, I could have never imagined this to be mine again. My sweet Marian.]
"Wait! What?!" Alarm ringing in Emma's voice. Breaking the moment Robin was relishing. He turned to look in her direction. Emma continued to speak with her mother, now in crude hushed tones and trying to shield her face with her hand. [Not Regina]
"Robin?" Marian's voice chimed with apprehension, looking at her husband for protection.
"Do not worry my love, it is not likely something we must fret over" his eyes looked into hers hoping to ease any doubts or fears.
Again he heard Emma's voice in assertion "If Regina goes back to evil, then we will be here to stop her." [No. Not Regina] "Hey kid! come on, were going home"
Marion then held on to his arm with a constrictors might. "What are we to do my love, the queens wrath has slaughtered many innocent villages, and plundered the hearts of many a man."
Unable to speak for fear that his voice, might give him away, he pulled the woman into himself. Holding her gently but firmly. She raised her head into his neck and leaned into his strong shoulder.
[Not Regina.] he continued to tell himself within his thoughts, uncertain of what this mantra could mean. [She is resilient, beautiful, strong, sassy, independent, remarkable. She is no longer evil. Not Regina] He looked up at the ceiling, sadness beginning to overwhelm him. [She was once the Evil Queen, heart break lead her to despair and destruction, could she revert? Could she hurt my family?] Breathing in deeply he tried to stop the thoughts that were threatening to flood him.[Not Regina]
Thankfully his son, had broken his train of thought, as the young boy was still buzzing with excitement, jumping up and down, speaking too fast for any of the adults to catch what he was saying.
Robin spoke in a voice that was forcefully calm "Everyone else has gone home" his wife began to search his face, wondering why her husband suddenly had an aura of sorrow. "We should go home and rest, it is time for Rolland to be asleep. And you can explain to me, how this miracle has come to be"
Rising from the booth, he lead his family towards the door.
As they stepped out, Rolland cried out "It is too cold, my face hurts, and my hands hurt" [cold? Is it really that cold out?] He removed his coat and wrapped it around his son. Picking up the little boy, balancing him in one arm, as the other held his wife. And toward the forest they set off.