*Regina's POV*
I stood at the cemetery with my arm around Henry's shoulders and he had his head on my shoulder. I rubbed his right shoulder softly and he sniffled. "It's going to be okay, Henry. I promise you." I said, softly. He turned around and hugged me, crying into my chest. "He killed them! He killed my family!" He sobbed. I held him close and sighed. "I know, Henry. I know." I said, quietly. "He killed my whole family." He whispered. "No. He did not. I am your family. Don't you ever forget that." I said, sternly. He nodded and cried into my chest.
You wrote your name in invisible ink,
For you were so afraid of what they might think.
But the scars they left, they were loud and clear,
Weren't they? weren't they?
When it's too much to bare, memories erase.
A disappearing act, deserving of our thanks.
When it surfaces, just hold your breath
And swim. just swim.
You begged and begged for some kind of change:
Maybe they'd wake up tomorrow and regret the pain
That they've passed down to you like DNA,
But no luck, no luck.
It seems only by the hand of God or death,
Will they truly change their silhouettes.
For a miracle or a consequence,
You wait and wait...
... maybe distance is the only cure?
Far away from hurt is where healing occurs.
But all you really want to do is make them proud,
Don't you? don't you?
It must be so hard, in the mess you're always cleaning up,
To believe in the ghost of unbroken love.
But I promise you,
The truth is that you're loved. so loved.
"Henry! Dinner's down here." I called up the stairs. Today's October 23rd. Henry's 19 now. He's been away at college. He's back now to visit his girlfriend. "Is it wrong of me to miss David?" Henry asked, quietly, as he entered the kitchen. I looked up at him and he looked upset. "Like, I know he killed my family. And I know that he was a total asshole to Emma and she's always basically been my mom but like.. I miss him before he was an asshole and stuff. Like when Emma and I were younger." He mumbled. I sighed and took a few steps closer to him. "Henry. It's totally okay to miss that David. From what I heard, he was a good father figure then." I said, softly. He nodded and looked away. "I'm glad he's dead." He spit. "Henry." I said, sternly. "No. I am. He killed my brother and Mary Margret. He was going to kill Emma. He wanted to kill me. I'm glad that asshole was shot. He fucking deserved so much more though." He said through gritted teeth. I saw the tears in his eyes and I pulled him into my arms. "I hate him!" He sobbed. I held him tight as he collapsed in my arms, sobbing on my shoulder. "Shh. It's okay Hen." I whispered, rubbing his back. "What's going on in here?" Emma asked as she walked in. She wrapped her arm around me and used her other hand to rub Henry's back. "I fucking hate David." Henry sobbed. "Oh, kid." Emma mumbled. After a few minutes of Henry crying and us comforting him, he calmed down and pulled out of our arms. "I'm sorry Regina." He said, rubbing his eyes. "Don't apologize Henry. Never apologize for feeling." I said, softly. He nodded and smiled at me a little. I looked at Emma and she nodded towards the foyer. I followed her out and we stood by the front door. "So, Sam is staying with your mom. Is Henry still going to stay with Violet?" Emma asked, putting her hands on my hips. I smiled. "I think so." I said, quietly. She smiled and leaned her forehead on mine. "I love you." She whispered. I smiled again. "I love you too." I said, softly. She leaned in, capturing my lips in hers and I smiled into it. Then, Henry cleared his throat. We pulled away and i blushed. He smiled. "I'm gonna go ahead and go to Violet's house. I love you guys. Have a good night." He said, smiling. We both smiled and he kissed us both on the cheek. He grabbed his duffle bag off the end of the stairs and left, leaving Emma and I. "Happy birthday, my love." I said, pulling her into my arms. "Happy anniversary, baby girl." She said, pulling me into a kiss. I smiled into it and I wrapped my arms around her neck. After a few minutes, we pulled away. I nuzzled her nose with mine and she smiled. "I know you probably have a whole night planned for us, but can I maybe break the plans a little bit?" She asked. I raised an eyebrow and she gave me the puppy dog eyes. "It involves you too. I promise." She said, whining. I smiled. "I guess." I said. She smiled brightly and nodded. "Put on a jacket. We're going out." She said, smiling. "We're going out?" I asked. She nodded and grabbed her red leather jacket, then grabbed my black leather jacket and handed it to me. I'm wearing tight black pants, a grey turtleneck and black ankle boots. Emma's wearing black skinny jeans, a white thermal, black riding boots and now her red leather jacket. I put my jacket on and she smiled. "Come on love." She said, grabbing my hand in hers. We left our house and went to Emma's car. She grabbed my left hand in her right as she turned the car on. "Where are we going?" I asked, quietly. She smiled. "Now why would I tell you?" She asked, smiling. I rolled my eyes. "Stubborn woman." I murmured. "You knew that when you started dating me." She said, squeezing my hand. I smiled.
After awhile, she stopped the car and got out. I furrowed my eyebrows, seeing us to be at the edge of the woods. It's almost 7 pm, so it's after dark. Emma came around to my side and opened my door. "Come on." She said, smiling. "Em.. What are we going here?" I asked, nervously. She smiled again. "Just trust me, babe." She said. I sighed and got out of the car. She closed the door behind me and grabbed my hand in hers. We started walking through the woods and I began getting more and more nervous. I got closer to Emma and grabbed her right arm with my right hand. "Babe. You trust me. It's okay." She said, smiling. I nodded and bit my lip. After a few minutes, we stopped at a clearing in the woods and I smiled, seeing how bright it was from the moon. "This became my favorite spot after David.. You know. And.. I've been coming here ever since. And I just.. It's been 4 years and I wanted to share it with you and make it your favorite spot. So.." She said and moved away from me. She got down on one knee and my heart started beating extremely fast. Oh no. "Regina Mills.. I have loved you for so so long. You have always been there for me when I needed you and I could not ask for someone better fitting for me. So.. Would you please make me the happiest woman ever and spend the rest of your life with me?" She asked, holding up a diamond ring. I felt defeat in my stomach and I sighed. "Dammit Emma." I mumbled. She frowned and I saw tears in her eyes. "W-what?" She asked, sadly. I sunk down to one knee and pulled the ring I had picked out of my pocket and held it up. "You beat me to the punch, my love." I said. She smiled and let out a watery laugh. "Jesus I love you." She breathed out. I nodded and grabbed her left hand in mine. I slid her ring on her ring finger and she smiled before doing the same with mine, then she brought my lips to hers in a passionate kiss. "Now. Why don't we go home and have some dinner before we continue with my plans for the evening." I said, smirking as we pulled away. She nodded and stood up, then held out her hand for me. I grabbed her hand and she pulled me up. "I love you." She whispered. I nodded. "I love you." I said in response. She held my hand as she lead me out of the woods and I smiled to myself as we made our way back to the car.
You taught me the courage of stars before you left.
How light carries on endlessly, even after death.
With shortness of breath, you explained the infinite.
How rare and beautiful it is to even exist.
I couldn't help but ask
For you to say it all again.
I tried to write it down
But I could never find a pen.
I'd give anything to hear
You say it one more time,
That the universe was made
Just to be seen by my eyes.
I couldn't help but ask
For you to say it all again.
I tried to write it down
But I could never find a pen.
I'd give anything to hear
You say it one more time,
That the universe was made
Just to be seen by my eyes.
With shortness of breath, I'll explain the infinite
How rare and beautiful it truly is that we exist.
I stared at the ceiling as I held Emma's hand in mine. It's almost 2 am. I can't stop thinking about that night. The night I almost lost Emma. The night Emma and Henry lost Mary Margret, Neal, and David.
*flashback*
Henry and I are on our way to Mary Margret's house. It's only 12:15. When we finally got there, there were police cars and ambulances and there were officers starting to block off the entrance. "R-Regina.." Henry mumbled. I looked at him and he looked scared. I couldn't say anything as we got out of the car and made our way to the door. "I'm sorry but we can't let you in." An officer said. "No! I live here! My family's here." Henry said, his voice broken. The officer looked sad as he let Henry and I in. A broken sob ripped from Henry's throat as he saw Paramedics putting Mary Margret into a body bag. I felt tears in my eyes as I pulled him into my arms. We looked around and saw all the blood and 2 more zipped body bags. "W-where's Emma." He croaked out. I squeezed him closer to me as we made our way back out of the house. "G-go sit in the car. Okay?" I said. He nodded and made his way to my car. I went to talk to one of the police officers and he looked sad. "What happened." I asked. He sighed. "Ma'am, I can't tell you." He said, sadly. "Yes you can because my girlfriend could be dead right now and you're standing here not telling me shit." I said, through gritted teeth. He nodded. "David Nolan escaped from prison. Made his way here." He started and my heart shattered in my chest. "Emma Swan was the only one here when he first got here. He had a gun." He mumbled and I felt more tears in my eyes. "Then.. Mary Margret Nolan and her son Neal came in as he was about to shoot Emma... He turned around and shot Neal. Then, shot Mary Margret. Police had already been notified. A neighbor saw David as he was making his way to the house. He turned after shooting his ex wife and son and shot Emma, but his hit missed its mark and hit her in the shoulder because he had been shot in the back and head by police officers. Emma was immediately taken to the hospital." He said, sadly. "S-so.. David, Mary Margret and Neal.. Are all dead." I said, my voice broken. He nodded and I turned around and ran to my car. I got in and immediately turned it on, speeding out of the driveway. "W-what's going on?" Henry asked. I couldn't say anything as I sped to the hospital. I finally got there and parked. "Stay in the car for a little while. I'll be back soon." I said. He nodded and i got out. I ran to the entrance and found the receptionist. "I'm looking for Emma Swan. I need to see her." I said, terrified. She bit her lip, nervously. "Ma'am. She's in intensive care. I can't-" "I'm her wife." I said, cutting her off. She blushed and nodded. "Follow me." She said and got up. We made our way through the hospital and stopped in front of a room. She looked at me and frowned. "She's going into surgery soon to get the bullet out. You only have-" "I just need to see her." I said, going in. Emma's laying in a hospital bed, blood covering the hospital gown on her right shoulder. I made my way over to her and she wasn't even conscious. "I love you, my baby. I'm gonna be here when you get out of surgery and we're gonna go home. Okay? You, me and Henry." I whispered, then leaned down, kissing her forehead.
I felt my breathing hitch as I turned to look at the beautiful blonde laying beside me. I looked at the scar on her right shoulder and I traced it lightly. "I thought I lost you that night, Emma. I would've lost my entire world. I would've lost you and Sam. And... I don't think i would've been able to live without you." I said, my voice broken. I took a deep breath as I bit my lip. "I love you so so much, Emma. I will do everything in my power to protect you and Henry and Sam. You all mean so so much to me. I will protect you all for the rest of our lives. I promise." I breathed out, then kissed Emma's forehead. She scrunched up her nose in her sleep as my hair brushed across her nose and I smiled before kissing her nose. She smiled in her sleep and I wrapped my arms around her, pulling her to me. "I love you so much." I whispered, then began drifting off to sleep.
With shortness of breath, I'll explain the infinite
How rare and beautiful it truly is that we exist.