OMG HI! Much sorry, so procrastinate. With no ado...the final chapter of The Proposition.

Chapter 14

The day started way too soon for Emma. The blonde was awoken by an aggressively handsy mother muttering about how she slept like a log. Emma barely had the mental capacity to wish that was the case. Her eyelids couldn't seem to crack open for longer than a few moments. She was saved by the rich aroma of a steaming cup of coffee held underneath her nose. She smiled gratefully at her father before almost inhaling the brew, including getting a scalded tongue. Gradually the noises going on around her became clearer and Emma realized that it was her mother and Granny speaking loudly on their phones. A trait they shared regardless of Emma's constant insistence that the person on the other side could hear them very well.

Her father had retreated back upstairs and Emma just sat there, collecting herself, until she was given direction. It's not like her tossing and turning had given her any insight into how to approach the day. Hearing her boss' name brought her quickly back to the morning.

"Regina has one? Great! Which one? Oh no, don't answer, I want to be surprised!" Mary almost squealed down the receiver which made Granny cover her unused ear to hear the person on her line better. Emma mentally shook herself awake when she realized the most important person today was missing.

"Where is Regina?"

Her response was a dismissing hand wave and the two other women continued talking and jotting things down on a notepad. Emma focused on Granny as it seemed she was about finishing up. She caught the words feast, rabbit, and fresh before Emma just pulled herself out of the tangle of blankets she was wrapped in. As she shuffled off to get another cup of coffee Granny followed her trail.

"Morning Ducky. You have just enough time to shower and get ready for the day. MM will tell you the same but at a much higher volume."

Emma filled her cup while muttering a greeting, then kissed gray, soft hair that smelled of spices and pine. "Thanks but save me from her today please." Emma grumbled then opened the fridge for food to snack on. She didn't know if everyone had breakfast, the looks of the kitchen says it wasn't a big one, but she wasn't a cooking breakfast type. She sighs deeply and grabs a piece of leftover turkey meat from a container and slouches against the island to nibble on it.

"It's just the morning Gran, you know how I am. One more of these and I'm good." She lifts her almost half finished cup and tries a brighter smile. Granny doesn't seem to fall for it.

"You know I would believe that on any other day but considering your bride-to-be had the same attitude, I don't." Her light blue eyes bore down into hers but she can't keep looking. "She was up on time, maybe even before, looking like she got ten minutes of sleep, but you know I wouldn't say nothing, and smiling like she was choking down old deer meat."

Regardless of her bleak mood Emma couldn't help but break a smile at that imagery. Then it dropped at the implication of what Granny said. Was Regina not as okay with this as she said last night, Emma thought. She continued drinking her coffee just so she had something to do with her hands and not look at Granny.

Granny tried to get her attention but was cut off by Mary entering the kitchen area. "Alright, morning sleeping beauty! Go jump in the shower and get dressed. Quickly! We'll do your hair and makeup on the mainland." Mary began pushing Emma out of the kitchen and she went willingly, half to escape Granny's sharp eyes and a half just to get moving. Sitting still was beginning to feel claustrophobic.

So Emma showered as thoroughly and quickly as possible and threw on comfortable jeans and a sweatshirt for the time being. As she pulled down the soft, light blue fabric her mind told her the next thing she would be wearing is her wedding dress. She smoothed down the sweatshirt over her fluttering stomach then dried her hair a little more. A knock on the door came just as Emma was walking out of the attached bathroom.

"Everything is looking good on the mainland, though, it's only about half done. Granny sure can whip people into gear." Mary says as soon as she enters the room. Emma flashes a quick smile and nod before she tosses her towel on the bed. "Listen, it's okay if you don't want to go through with this, sweetie. Regina is a big girl. I'm sure she can figure it all out on her own."

Emma plops down on the comforter and finally notices that the bed is made. The comforter is pulled snug around the edges perfectly and the spare blanket is folded at the bottom. She looks at the pillows sitting plump and picturesque. In her mind she sees Regina meticulously pulling at the edges until it's right with a little furrow of her brow she sometimes gets when editing. The thought pulls the corner of her lips upward slightly.

"Hmm?" Emma faces her mother when she realizes she's talking. "Oh, no, I'm okay." She tidies up what little of a mess she made in the room to keep herself busy. Mary gets the hint, Emma graciously sends a thanks to the heavens, and leaves her daughter alone. Emma goes through applying moisturizer, lotion, and chapstick in a haze. A part of her mind is thinking about every possible situation and yet not landing on what she will do, besides stand there and say "I do".

There was an acknowledged hum before Granny spoke. "When I imagined your wedding day I pictured someone a little less grumpy as the bride." A wrinkled hand pushes back a mess of hair behind Emma's ear. They share tentative smiles while Emma's mind races for a cover.

Everyone packs up their best outfits to wear for the ceremony and any other essentials and ride together on the family boat. Emma, for once, feels queasy on the ride over and the bucking waves don't help her. They move as a group from the boat to the truck and on towards the town hall. The trio chatter around Emma but she barely hears them and gives grumbled sounds in response when needed. Eventually she is ushered through a side entrance of the town hall building in it's back corridors and rooms.

Emma faintly glances around at the administration offices, meeting rooms, and waiting rooms. Word had gotten around, thanks to her family, that the Emma Swan was having an impromptu wedding so most of the building was empty of actual workers. However, there was a buzz between the halls, people scurrying about, trying to get everything set up. Mary and Granny continued to get side tracked to offer direction to someone. They ascended a thin flight of stairs to the second floor, which was considerably more quiet, to an empty meeting room.

Mary laid their outfits delicately over chairs around a rectangle table and then sat Emma down on an unused seat. Granny left for a brief moment, only to come back with Nova. "Ah! The other bride-to-be! Ducky, we will have you looking even more beautiful in no time." The old woman said. Her light purple, long dress swished around her legs as she animatedly walked the room.

Emma smiled tightly at her mother's long time friend. "The other? You've seen Regina?" Emma asked while Mary began combing through her wavy, damp hair.

Nova had brought a medium sized metal case and dropped it on the table near Emma. She flipped it open to reveal more hair accessories than Emma had ever owned or used. "Of course, I did her hair! Astrid should be finishing up her make-up here soon. If she stops gabbing. I swear she could talk the ears off a herd of elephants. And I don't know where she gets it from, her father and I are more listeners than talkers, but ever since she was a little thing she rattled on and on about who…"

Emma kept nodding every now and again like she used to when Nova got started. It was like this anytime she worked with her hands, which was fine, if her hands weren't currently plugging in a curling iron to get hot. Again, Emma realized why Nova and her mother got along so well. Thankfully, she was able to tune most of it all out as the pair talked to each other. David had disappeared fairly quickly before Emma even realized it. Normally it would bother her she had no one to distract her from the two chatterboxes but she didn't think she even wanted to talk to anyone.

The only person she wanted to talk to was getting glammed up for their wedding. She shifted in her seat which rewarded her with a light pat on the shoulder. "Keep still. Your hair is being difficult. It always is if you let it air dry so much. I remember getting you ready in the morning for school was so…" Mary chided Emma which turned into another down-memory-lane story. Emma did her best to keep her head still and not feel like a child again.

By the time they got her hair brushed, dry, and Nova took a fat curler to it, Astrid came in the door with a large smile. She had long, dark brown hair like her mother. Astrid tended to braid her hair to keep it out of her face unlike her mother's floppy bangs. Emma vaguely remembered that Astrid was a grade above her and they were very friendly to each other since their parents were friends. "Ah, I should've knocked. I'm sorry. Well, I'm here anyway. Hi!" Emma greeted her warmly and shook her hand since her upper body was still a statue.

Mary hugged Astrid tightly and got the pleasantries out of the way. Emma couldn't help but space out again. She could feel the three women moving around her but didn't register what was going on. That is until she heard her fiance's name.

"Where's Regina?"

"Oh, she's down the hall in the family room. There's a private bathroom so she could change and Jack is entertaining Lucy. You remember Lucy? Well, maybe not, I can't remember the last time you visited but she's almost three now. She's pretty much jogging around everywhere, so much energy now and we..."

"Astrid, breathe, sweetie." Nova interjects gently. Astrid smiles bashfully and takes a deep, exaggerated breath.

"Anyway, Regina is with her step sister and Jack and Lucy in the family room. She looks so beautiful. Even before we did her hair and make-up, right mom?"

Emma can't see their faces but can tell that they are smiling towards each other. "Yes, she is very lovely. You sure shoot for the fences, Emma."

Emma just smiles pleasantly at their compliment but sits as still as she can while eyeing the door. Regina, her fiance, is just down the hall getting ready to marry her. The three women talk around her, pulling conversation topics out of thin air, but Emma hears buzzing and mumbling. She closes her eyes and imagines she's reading a chapter from her favorite book. Before she realizes it a hand is tapping her on the shoulder.

"Come now, child, you can't fall asleep on your wedding day. Maybe not even on your wedding night."

"Granny, please."

Emma opens her eyes to see Mary's disapproving look and Granny raising her hands in surrender. She didn't even register Granny coming into the room. Astrid comes around in her line of sight with a dopey smile.

"You look so relaxed but I need to touch your face now. Thought I'd give you fair warning." she says before rubbing a cool cream across Emma's cheekbones.

"We're going to check on the preparations. Be back later." Mary announces before her and Granny step out of the room.

Emma feels her hair half pulled up firmly but comfortable. Warm curls cascade down around her neck. Nova gives a final pointless fluff before smiling proudly. "Lovely. I can't wait to see you in the dress as well. I'll leave you with Astrid."

For once Emma doesn't mind the fact that Astrid can hold a one sided conversation without her input. She merely hums and nods, when possible, and Astrid continues on with her thoughts. Regardless of her flighty thoughts her hands are firm and gentle on Emma's face. It soothes Emma for the first time today but she is brought back to reality by the door opening.

Nova is all smiles as she whirls into the room carrying a couple of tan garment bags. Her exuberance is quickly matched by her daughter as the bags get draped lovingly atop the table.

"These were made a while ago so I'm not sure how they'll hold up to your figure now. Why don't you look through them and I'll be back in a minute for adjustments." With a triumphantly pleased smile she is gone again.

Emma feels her fingers go numb as she approaches the covered dresses. She imagines herself picking out a regular outfit for the day and not its importance. She ignores how loud the zipper sounds in the room despite Astrid's chatterings about the coming events. It is all a dull noise to Emma as she opens up the first bag to reveal an off white, short dress. The thin, corded straps are limp around the hanger before Emma runs her fingertips along it to tug on them.

She nods and agrees with something Astrid has said before unceremoniously placing the open bag to the side. The next bag is opened a little quicker than the last but it is immediately dismissed when Emma catches a glimpse of pastel pink. The blonde's nose scrunches up in distaste to her mother's fabric choice. However, it is immediately replaced by a small smile when she thinks of Regina's reaction to that same dress. For a brief moment Emma imagines a day back in New York with her boss in her corner office.

Regina had recently succumbed to her boss' wishes to read his nephew's brand new manuscript. Emma had been witness to her boss' facial features change comically to every horribly written page. In her hidden state, Emma saw one of the first reveals the woman hid behind the hard exterior. It had surprised her then and brought a smile to her face in memory now. Before she could reflect on how times had changed, Astrid picked up the garment bag she just dismissed and regaled Emma on how lovely it looked.

Emma gave her a pleased smile and reached for the last garment bag upon the table. Finally shaking off the last of her nerves, Emma opened the bag quickly but immediately paused.

The last dress in the bag did not look like the others. It was more striking and less frilly. There were no frills at all and it shone its crisp white color right in her face.

Emma carefully removed the bag and held the dress out in front of her. Its length went from the bottom of her chin to her knees in an elegant piece. Astrid stood proudly before her, a smile larger than any given that day, gracing her face.

"I just knew you would choose that one. You and Regina will look lovely next to each other."

Emma simply agreed and quickly found a mirror to look at herself. She held the dress up by its hanger. "Will you help me get into it?" Emma asked Astrid, which got her a loud squeal and happy clappings in return.

"I've been waiting for you to ask. Now about the length…"

Down the corridor and passed a wooden door stood Regina, already in her dress, before a mirror. Nova stood just off to her side fighting a stray lock of hair that wouldn't remain where it should. "Stop fidgeting."

Regina's eyes shot up to the woman through the mirror and her hands stilled. "I'm not fidgeting."

Nova didn't bother rolling her eyes at the woman. "Yes, you are and it's going to ruin your outfit. Don't tell me your nerves are getting to you now."

Regina huffed at the woman and straightened her spine all the more. "Of course not. I made my decision. A Mills always follows through on their decision."

Satisfied with her touch up, Nova grabbed a can of hairspray to lightly mist the immediate breathing air around Regina. The brunette tried to hold in her coughing fit. "Try not to sound too enthusiastic about your wedding day." Nova said while waving away the remaining chemical mist. "I just might tear up."

Regina gave a mock smile though she's not quite sure it passed at all with her companion. Her dark eyes scanned herself in the full length mirror once again and could not believe what she was seeing. Regina Mills was in a wedding dress. The business woman had not dare imagine what she would look like on her wedding day in at least a decade. While Regina's mind was running with her own thoughts, Nova gave her a few moments of silence. However, the woman could not remain so for long.

"I know it's not my place but I'm dying to know your plans with Emma."

Regina snapped back to reality with a blink. "Pardon me?"

Nova waved a tissue sheet she pulled from some unseen place and pretended to ask coyly. "MM always said that Emma will settle down here eventually but now that I get a look at you I don't see you living here. So, will you whisk our girl away to the big city forever or retire in old Storybrooke?"

Regina had had plenty of time in the waning hours of the morning to think about all the unnecessary questions and comments people would make to her today. So she was ready to give her best business-like response. "We haven't fully discussed our life long plans but both of our careers are in New York so that's where I see us in the near future." She tacks on a smile for genuineness.

The brunette focuses back on herself in the mirror in hopes that it will dissuade more conversations. She has no such luck apparently because Nova simply moves to her other side and gazes at her through the reflection. "Such a shame, really. That Swan home has been passed down as far back as this town. Why that family has been here as long as anyone can remember. I wonder what MM would want to do with it if Emma doesn't come back. Not to mention when any grandchildren will be able to visit."

Regina feels her stomach pull knots but she puts the feeling from her mind and straightened her shoulders. "I'm not sure."

"I believe that's putting the carriage before the horse, don't you think?" Zelena pipes up quickly. Regina turns to see Zelena sitting comfortably at the side of the room. It seems she had deemed her comments unnecessary until now so a tattered magazine was placed at the waist side. "I can only speak for myself but it was not my intention when I got married to pop kids out as soon as possible. It's nice to just be married for a spell first."

Regina smiles faintly at her half-sister for the attempt at assisting her. Nova gives her a cursory glance and a quick smile. "Everyone is different." Nova goes back to fluffing Regina's hair unnecessarily. There's a pause and a sniff before she speaks again. "It will be so nice to see the Swan family grow though. Mary and I have been friends since we were young and she's always wanted to have a family. Now that our daughters are grown it turned to grandchildren. I love my little Lucy to tears and so does MM."

"What's not to love?" Jack harps from a small table in the corner where he and Lucy have distracted themselves with coloring pages. He's smiling lovingly at an oblivious little girl coloring in a princess and a castle. Jack who, from Regina's standpoint, is fairly common with dark curly hair, looks over with a sheepish smile. "I'm sorry for eavesdropping on your conversation. This is my third page of coloring and I'm bored to tears." He smiles ruefully at them.

Zelena smiles warmly, a certain understanding there, and Nova titters like a nun at him. Regina is taken aback by the sound from the older woman but relents since Jack's smile is probably the most outstanding thing about him.

"Well the main event is just about to be underway, I'm sure of it. I'm so excited! Emma has been like a second daughter to me when she was younger. It'll be so nice to see MM's little girl finally get married. We all thought Emma would say yes but I'm sure you're glad she didn't, huh Regina?"

"What?" She didn't think her inner thought would come out so Regina is surprised to hear how sharp it sounds to her ears.

Nova doesn't seem to notice as she continues on with her thoughts. "Of course, Ruby tried to marry Emma but it fell through. Such a shame. They were sweethearts." A deep sigh later. "For a while there I thought Ruby would never ask Emma to settle down with her. She was such a wild spirit when she was younger. Now, though, I can't say. I hardly see her. Anyway, everything happens for a reason, I'm sure."

Nova sneaks a glance at herself in the mirror they are facing, pats her hair, and moves back across the room to her grandchild. While the two adults hold childlike conversation with the kid, Zelena rises to stand by Regina. Zelena watches as the recent information floats through Regina's mind.

She knew that Emma and Ruby were an item but she didn't think that Ruby was that serious. Regina got the vibe that Emma was a one night lover for the most part. She had confirmed as much the night that they shared things about each other. The night Regina let go and opened up. Emma didn't think to mention that she had been proposed to before. Is that why she did not want to marry her? Regina's thoughts were spiraling. Every move that Emma had made was being reanalyzed thoroughly.

With her heart rate increasing, Regina quickly asked to have a moment alone with her sister. Jack and Nova seemed taken aback for a moment before they agreed to let them have the room. Jack gathered up a few pages of coloring, the box of crayons, and ushered his child out. Nova followed soon after with a genial smile.

As soon as the door snapped shut and the two women were left alone, Regina began to pace. "Alright, luv, what's the matter?"

"She was proposed to before. She turned Ruby down. Her childhood sweetheart. What if she doesn't really want to get married?" Zelena watched as Regina continued to pace, her thoughts getting louder. "I knew she didn't want to in the beginning. She fought it. I didn't question why. I never asked her if it was okay. I didn't. I just...bull headed my way through the problem like… like I always do." Regina finished pathetically. She was tempted to slump down into a chair but was ever mindful of the outfit she was wearing. She settled for leaning against a wall, fingertips splayed against her forehead.

Zelena stayed to the side silently for a moment. "What is the problem here?"

Regina huffed, aggravated. "How can you ask that? I am forcing her to marry me so I can keep my job! How could I do that to her? What kind of person does that make me?" Regina exclaimed making her way to the other side of the room.

"So...it is a dodgy wedding." Zelena commented.

Regina looked at her with shame. "Oh, I'm sure you're absolutely appalled with me. I'd like to say this behavior doesn't reflect on me as a person but that would be a gross lie. This is your estranged sister." She adds a pathetic flourish of her arms. "A selfish, uptight, bitch that can't keep a secretary let alone a friend or partner."

Regina is surprised by her own words but not as much as the sudden welt of emotion that gets lodged in her throat. She turns away from Zelena, still unsure of how much she wants to put out on display of herself.

Zelena hesitantly approaches Regina from the side. After an unsure moment Zelena says, "That may be but you are my sister. We cannot choose our family. And I want to see the good in you." Regina looks at her. "I barely mustered the courage to come find you...I'm not going to run now. Besides, I know you are more than a selfish bitch who runs a book maker's company."

A tentative smile crosses Regina's lips. Until she recalls why she is doing this. Her job. A job she loves and has done whatever possible to earn and keep. "Thank you, Zelena." Her eyes trail across the room towards a bare window. She barely registers she is moving until her hands are among the sill, her thoughts roaming quickly. "We'll still have ghosts from our past to haunt us but whatever comes in our future, I hope we'll have an understanding and trust there as well. Despite the distance between us...I really hope you come up to visit me when you can."

"I want that too and of co- wait, what do you mean? Up to visit?"

"Perhaps I could take you to my father and our mother's plot."

"What are you on about?" Zelena is at the brunette's side, an almost concerned look crossing her face. Zelena waits with anticipation for Regina to focus on something before turning back to her. A sad look in her eyes.

"I can't marry Emma like this." She whispers.

Zelena is taken aback, her lips fall open for a moment, then she finds her voice. "You bloody WHAT?"

Regina shushes her loudly, eyes darting towards the door, before slightly glaring at the redhead. "Keep your voice down."

"I bloody well won't if you got something like that to say." The redhead replies tersely but she isn't shouting any longer.

"I can't marry Emma…" With those words out of her mouth once again, a fire starts in Regina and she is striding to her forgotten purse on an unused chair. Her mind is strangely blank as her body moves, only thinking of a quick exit. She barely stops when a hand grasps her elbow.

"Wait, you're mad. You can't leave the wedding. Think of Emma."

"I am. Probably for the first time in three years I am thinking about what is best for her and it is definitely not this, Zelena." Her brown eyes are unwavering, just as her voice, and something about it stills the almost frantic redhead. "I should've done this from the beginning. It's just a job...but she is not just Emma."

Zelena is sure her heart is beating faster but is unsure if it's because of the excitement or fear. Seeing her long lost sister make a breaking discovery, because what else could this be, makes her have only one course of action. With a deep steadying breath she releases Regina.

"Let's get you outta here."

Down the hall Emma's heart is beating faster the longer she waits. At first she chalks it up to pre-wedding jitters, until her palms start to sweat before the pacing begins so she knows it's a little more than that. She glances at a wall clock to see that the wedding is scheduled to begin in a few minutes. She quickly wonders if she should be down there by now or if her mother will get her.

Her feet are moving, her hand is wrenching the door open, and she is down the hall before she catches her breath. Her mind is saying she is going down the back stairs to the main hall where the ceremony is taking place but her feet carry her right down towards the back exit. The cold settles around her almost familiarly however by the time she gets to the corner of the building there is a bite to it.

A part of her chides herself for not getting her jacket but she's beyond that now. Her only thoughts are about why her feet brought her here. She needs to sort everything out later and get inside to Regina but she finds her feet frozen.

"A bit cold out, Ducky."

Emma whips around in surprise. "Just waking myself up, ya know. Shouldn't have more caffeine." Her voice wavers and rattles obviously to her ears. By the stoic look Granny is giving her, Emma knows she isn't fooling her. Granny pulls a jacket from behind her back and gently tosses it to Emma. She quickly wraps it around herself, grateful her arms are getting a reprieve from the cold. A little while she sighs out, "I'll be inside in a moment."

Granny ignores her words and takes a few steps closer, however, her eyes are focusing on something unforeseen in the distance. Emma becomes a little worried as the silence stretches a few moments longer.

"Did I ever tell you about my wedding day?"

Emma deflates slightly, not expecting those words at the moment. "Yeah, maybe a couple dozen times." Emma says hesitantly with some humor, stuffing her hands deeper into the pockets.

"Yes, but I'm sure I left out the part where I left the wedding to marry another man. I think you were a bit young for that."

"What?" Emma screams, her mind goes blank with shock. She has no words. Her face elicits a chuckle from Granny.

"It was not an affair if that's what you're thinking. No, I was in love with a man from a smaller family. My parents had set me up with a prospective young man from a rich family but...I couldn't convince my heart that it was a good idea."

"Granny...wha- how- what happened on your wedding day then?"

Granny tilts her head as if she needed to think about it but Emma assumes that day was burned forever in her mind.

"Someone approached me and asked me what I wanted." A gentle smile crossed her face. "It was such a simple question and yet no one had asked me in a long time. It made me think, and I thought quickly, about what I wanted and it was not to marry somebody I didn't want to."

Granny's old but sharp eyes bore into Emma's with acute precision, the blonde wonders if Granny knows something she doesn't. "Umm then what?"

A hefty sigh. "I ran out of that wedding. Found the man I loved and begged him to marry me that hour. It was quite scandalous and my family refused to talk to me for decades." The smile returns, Emma thinks this is the youngest she's seen the woman in years. "It was the happiest I had been in my life."

"Even without your family being there for you?" Emma asks anxiously.

"Child, family is what and who you make it. It's a mutual endeavor we lead with people through our lives. If someone isn't there to grow and love with you then it ain't much of a family. I learned it the hard way so I hope you're really listening."

Emma stared at the gravel and dirt lining the back road entrance to the building. Her mind raced about what she should do. Thinking about what her Granny said. Thinking about Regina. She wanted to date her because of the woman she has learned about in just the past few days but she also has risked so much for her boss and by connection her job. It made her stomach turn just thinking about it. How could she go through with a relationship, a true and honest one, when she essentially blackmailed Regina right back? For a better position?! She had to stop this. Emma eyes shoot up upon her realization.

"Is that how you really feel, Ducky?" Granny's voice pulled her back to the moment. Not thinking she said her realization out loud, she shoots a questioning glance at the old woman. She receives a playful smile in return. "Child, whatever you do, you must do from the heart. Act in honesty and no one could fault you for doing what you need to do."

As if reading her thoughts, Granny holds up a set of keys with a small, red crystal wolf dangling on the metal loop. On autopilot Emma grabs the keys looking at it curiously then to Granny. "Ruby's boat keys?"

Granny simply shrugs. "Go with your gut if it's taking your heart a minute to catch up. Don't worry I'll take care of MnM. Give you some time." The old woman winks and simply saunters back inside.

It takes Emma a minute. Or two. However, by two and a half her feet are moving down the sidewalk. Thankfully she had not slipped on her heels to match the dress just yet and was still wearing her comfy ankle boots. The hard rapping of the soles against cement and wood assault her ears. The beat kept getting faster and faster and soon her heavy breathing was added to the noise around her.

Emma was running. Down the street, cutting through the back alleys of stores, and on towards the docks. She could just feel in her bones she had to get back to the island. She knew what she was doing was wrong. Bailing on her wedding, literally being a runaway bride, but none of this had felt right. Honestly, the only thing that did was Regina. Thinking of being with her made her happy but not marrying her like this. Not starting their life together like this. Maybe if she wrote it all down in a letter and left it for her she would understand.

Emma reached the docks as a fleeting thought of moving to Canada crossed her mind. Pushing it aside she focused on finding Ruby's baby, her red speedboat, docked a few boats away from where their family boat usually did. In her frenzy of finding Ruby's boat and getting to it, Emma didn't notice their family boat was nowhere to be seen.

On the island, Regina had raced up the stairs as fast as her heeled boots would let her go. She didn't waste time undressing at the courthouse so her fitted black coat covered up her upper half and her lower half was billowing, wide dress pants, a stark contrast in creamy white. Zelena was huffing and puffing right behind her, her best outfit being a dressy casual blouse and tight, dark slacks. "How can you move- so quickly- in that?"

Regina pushed the door open with all her might, thankful the Swans were trusting people of their community and really they live on an island, and made her way up the stairs. She had to lift the long dress pants up so she wouldn't trip but Regina did not slow much as she ascended the stairs. Zelena simply slumped her weight on the banister in exaggerated exhaustion waving her sister away. "Yes yes, you go I'll- watch the- door... Blimey- I'm knackered."

Regina is in her borrowed room. Her eyes cast about frantically for a moment or two, however, she moves quickly. In the early morning she had packed her toiletries, folded and put away her clothes, and cleaned the room. Not because she thought she may need to make a quick exit but cleaning and organizing calmed her nerves. So, her bags were packed rather quickly. She hauled her luggage with tremendous effort to the upstairs landing. "Zelena! Help!"

A few moments later, Regina sees her sister's red head pop up along the side of the stair's banister. A surprised look on her face. "Bloody hell, you weren't meaning to live here, were you? Both my children could fit in that luggage there."

"Just come up here and help get it down." Regina says in a huff. Her face is red from exertion and her pulse has remained a quick beat from panic. Every second she imagines the doors opening to find a very furious Swan family ready to curse her existence. Zelena moves up the stairs carefully, slowly in Regina's eyes, and examines the luggage before handling the biggest one.

She grunts from the effort to slowly glide the heavy objects down each stair. Regina tries to grab the others and follow her sister down as well. It took a few minutes and both women's arms felt heavy from use.

Zelena leaned against the wall in a huff. "Well I need a breather now." Regina gave her a pointed look. Zelena rolled her eyes before pushing away from the wall. "Alright fine. I'll get my bags." She stalks off to her borrowed room.

Regina thinks for a moment about checking the rest of the residence for any stray belongings but she highly doubts anything of hers has gone far. So she looks around the wide, spacious, and beautiful home just to try to memorize it. She wonders for a fleeting moment if her and Emma had gotten married, if the house would have felt more welcoming to her. If she would become more familiar with it because of all the family dinners she now knows she could not attend.

She tries to move past this thought however. Tries not to imagine a life she could have had with Emma. Her Emma who would be there at her side to shield her from anything if need be. Emma who had somehow become her go to person. Regina imagines getting on with her life in Canada, where she no doubt will be deported to, without the beautiful blonde to have at her side. And she's surprised to realize that the thought turns her stomach into knots. It's not a pleasant thought at all. But it must be done.

Her thoughts are interrupted by the opening of the front door.

Regina whips around to face Emma casually strolling inside. Her mind feels like it's gone completely blank. Once she is spotted, Emma stops in her tracks for a moment looking like she got caught sneaking back home after curfew. For a few tense moments they both stare at each other in surprise.

Then Emma seems to snap out of it. "What are you doing here?"

"What are you doing here?"

They stare each other down while simultaneously trying to come up with an answer. Emma shuts the door loudly. "We're supposed to be getting married, like, right now! What the hell are you doing at my parents' house?"

"Well, what are you doing at your parents' house when you should be at the altar at this very moment, Ms. Swan?" Regina tries to throw back even more harshly. Then another thought crosses her mind. "Are you running from our wedding?" She accuses while getting a glimpse of a white dress dangling below her puffy jacket. Regina's eyes track down until she sees worn brown boots covered in dirt. "Dressed elegantly I see."

Emma balks for a moment before she straightens her back. "I was- wait, you're one to talk!" Emma's eyes mirror Regina's as she looks upon her outfit. "Is that pants or a dress?" She mindlessly comments when she sees the off white flowy material. She shakes her head quickly before Regina thinks to answer. "Nevermind. Why are you here?"

Emma steps closer to Regina, who backs up a step, aiming an accusing finger at her. Regina puts up her defenses quickly. "I was merely trying to allocate a means of communication between myself and someone from Immigration. It's very important. I thought the plans we had previously made could be put on hold for a certain amount of time."

Emma blinks slowly before shaking her head slightly. "Regina, you've been my boss for three years. You think I don't know what your roundabout professional attitude sounds like? Or what all those useless words mean?"

"Ms. Swan, I'm not sure you think-"

"No! Don't lie to me and do not 'Ms Swan' me. Not now." Emma approaches closer to Regina, meeting her eyes perfectly since Regina is wearing heeled boots. "Are you running out on this wedding?" She asks calmly.

Regina raises her chin and collects herself. "This is not working out for me." Her mind is still running with words but her lips cannot let any of them escape. She takes a deep breath and returns the question just as calmly. "Are you running out on this wedding?"

Emma feels a coldness fall down her spine. Her mouth moves silently for a moment. "I can't marry you Regina. I've come to realize this uh well just recently. But there's just something that doesn't sit right with me. I think maybe you feel the same way too?"

Regina stares into Emma's searching green eyes for a little while. She feels the words of rejection slither across her skin. A dismissal is easily ready on the tip of her tongue but the words don't come out. If this is the last real conversation she's going to have with Emma, she's not going to lie. "I can't marry you Emma… There's so much to say I- well- It was unfair of me to force my problem onto your life. I need to account for my actions and if that means being deported.." She offers a tiny shrug of her shoulders. "Well there are worse things."

"Are you serious?" Emma can't help the rise of her voice but makes an effort to control it better. "I mean, after all this time you wanna think about yourself some more?"

Emma's words strike her across the face, flustering Regina. "Myself? I am not being selfish in this, Ms. Swan. All I'm thinking about is you and your life."

"Oh and how is running from this not being selfish?"

Regina huffs and pulls herself to her full height. "And how are you running from the wedding not selfish?"

"I-"

Regina feels unsure of what else to say. She didn't plan on running into Emma before making her escape. With that in mind she tries to flee now. "Enlightening. I have to go." Regina steps around a silent Emma to her suitcases. However her actions are stopped by a hand on her elbow.

"Wait. Listen."

Regina releases herself from Emma's grip while whirling her fiery eyes on the blonde. "No, Emma you listen. I have been trudged around this whole godforsaken island in the middle of nowhere with barely a say in anything. So if anyone should be listening it's you." Her response is wide green eyes and silence. Regina takes that as a good sign.

"As much as it is my fault that all this has happened, since I have been here in..in Storybrooke I have been going along with your ideas and your family. I have put my best foot forward and kept my mouth shut. Well, no longer. I think we can both agree that this is not going to work. We cannot get married."

"I agree."

"Furthermore, your - what did you say?" Regina stands surprised.

Emma nods. "I agree with you."

That takes Regina a moment to register before lashing out. "You agree with me? Just like that? After everything I had to do to convince you...you just- just agree? Just like that? What about your family?"

Emma squares her shoulders. "What about your job?"

"That's not important right now!"

Emma's brows furrow quickly. "Well, it was damn important a few days ago! What the hell, Regina? You're going to get deported."

"And I will survive in Canada."

Her stoic demeanor angers Emma a little bit more. "What the hell did we go through all this for then? What is so much more important than your career?"

"Alright ladies! Let's calm down." Zelena makes her grand entrance at that moment. Emma jumps a little since she didn't realize Zelena was there at all. The redhead sidles up to her sister. "Whatever it is going on right now… Either shite or get off the can. Or some American thing like that."

"What the hell? You're both running away today?" Emma asks in a huff.

"Well, it's not like I have family in Alaska I can shack up with in the meantime. And despiteRegina's cold feet she is my sister and I'll support her." Zelna adds smoothly. "I see your feet got rather nippy as well."

Emma runs her hands through her hair or at least tries to since she realizes that it was done up. She groans in aggravation and spins away from the sisters and stomps into the living room.

"What's got her goat?"

Regina watches Emma go a little sadly. She didn't want to cause the woman any more frustrations and really was thinking of her. If Emma didn't see it that way, what else could she do? And as if Zelena could read her mind, she leans in a little towards Regina.

"You should probably go explain yourself."

Regina balks at the suggestion. "Me? She was yelling at me too."

"Yes. I quite heard enough from the both of you and I'm just going to assume that you both have the same reason for running off on your wedding. So, maybe come clean about the real reason, eh?" Before Regina can weigh that argument, Zelena's hand at her back is gently pushing her towards the living room. Each step feels like her shoes are getting filled with cement and her breathing is clogging her brain but Regina makes it to her destination.

Emma is standing at the fireplace looking at the pictures on the mantle with her back to Regina. She notices Emma's outfit for the first time since she removed her puffy jacket. She can't help but stop in her tracks at the view. Her hair is in a half bun with gently curls cascading around her neck. Her dress is a crisp white, sleeveless, with a lace collared neck, and cuts off just above the knee. She looks lovely even when Regina's eyes take in the dark and tattered boots she's still wearing.

Suddenly feeling too warm in her coat, Regina removes the layer and drops it on the back of the couch as she clears her throat. "You look beautiful." Regina wants to roll her eyes at herself when the compliment comes tumbling from her mouth.

Emma scoffs and turns to give her a snide remark but swallows it quickly when she sees Regina. "Whoa." Regina's outfit is creamy white with a low V-neck line, laced sleeves that reach just past her elbows, and wide flowing pant bottoms. Emm's eyes trail her body then back to admire the way Regina's hair is sleek and voluminous and her make up highlights her cheekbones and eyes. "You're…" Emma can only gesture vaguely towards Regina who is standing by the couches awkwardly now.

"Thank you?" Regina adds when Emma remains quiet. The thought of leaving Regina hanging from a well deserved compliment lights the fire under her ass.

Emma steps towards her quickly. "NO, I mean you're beautiful as well. Gorgeous even. I can't even find the words." She admits with a sheepish look.

"Thank you, dear." Regina says, a bit shy from such exaggeration of her appearance. From anyone else, at any other time, she would accept the compliment with barely a bat of her eyes. Coming from Emma it means a little more to her. Suddenly she is reminded of why she is here in her assistant's living room. She takes a deep breath. "Listen, Emma, I want to come clean about something."

"Me too." Emma adds quickly.

"I know our relationship status has changed drastically over the past couple days and its nerve-wracking for me. You've been just my assistant for three years, then suddenly my fiance, and then girlfriend, I assume. It's just a lot to get a hold of."

"I agree! You've been the pain-in-my-ass boss for years and then I'm getting ready to marry you and then wanting to date you all in a couple days." Emma says while approaching Regina.

Regina somewhat smiles in relief that Emma is actually on the same page with her about something. "The thing is I can't marry you, Emma. I just stepped into your family life and I see all that you have and I can't take you from that."

"What? You aren't taking me away."

"It feels like it. When we divorce or break up, what happens then? What will your family think of you?" Regina asks earnestly.

"They already know."

"What? What do you mean they already know?" Regina asks with wide eyes and mouth agape.

Emma approaches her more since she looks like she is going to freak out or something. "I mean that when Mr. Gold called my mom about Zelena, she kind of got the full picture. She was still hesitant about believing the lying part but she knew it was suspicious since before we got here." Emma adds with a shrug to downplay the news.

The move infuriates Regina and she slaps Emma on the shoulder. "When were you going to tell me that?"

"Ow! Well, I don't know. At some point I was going to but a lot happened so quickly! You were dealing with Zelena being here and then we had Thanksgiving all in this house and then we were getting married. I didn't have time to think about that!" Emma animates wildly with her hands, almost pleading with Regina using her eyes. "It's been a crazy week."

"Oh my god. What your mother must think of me…" Regina laments as she paces around Emma. "Why didn't they say anything?" Regina rounds on Emma again.

Emma holds her hand up in surrender. "You'll have to ask them. I guess my mom really was in denial about the whole marriage thing more than we knew at the time and my dad is a big softy. He probably just liked the idea of me bringing someone home for the holiday." Emma was tempted to shrug again but held it in.

Regina delicately pinches the bridge of her nose and takes a deep breath. "So, we didn't fool anyone in our families? Everyone knew before we knew that they knew?"

Emma scrunches her face at that for a moment. "What?"

"Zelena was informed of the situation from Mr. Gold as well. Her take on it was a mix between your mother and father actually. She was skeptical it was real but went along with it because I'm her sister." Regina locks eyes with Emma and gives a half-hearted shrug.

Emma can't help but smirk at the humorousness there. "Wow, we suck at this secret sham marriage thing."

However, Regina doesn't smile like Emma hoped she would. The woman sighs and squares her shoulders a little more. "No but that doesn't change the fact that we are not getting married. There are no pretenses anymore. You don't have to go through with this because of your family's wishes." Emma is about to interject but Regina cuts her off. "And I will still try to uphold my end of the deal. I can put in a good word for you to my bosses."

Emma grits her teeth at the mention of their deal. She wants to spit on that proposal now. "Regina, I don't give two shits about the promotion. It was very underhanded of me to make that deal with you."

"It was underhanded and inconsiderate of me to threaten your job with a marriage proposal." Regina adds in.

"Yeah but I could have said no and worked my ass off for another position. I didn't need to throw your deportation back in your face just so I could get a higher paying job. That's pretty pathetic."

"My actions were pathetic." Regina shakes her head. "You were just trying to make the situation better for yourself. It's understandable. I am a horrible boss to work for."

Emma cringes a little at that. "I mean, I wouldn't say you're Employee of the Month but I managed. And there were some good moments in there too."

Regina scoffs and gives her a little smirk. "You do not need to mince words with me, I know how I am perceived. Truthfully I neglected to see it because I didn't want to. I thought if I ignored what other people thought and just focused on my work I could be happy that way. I am successful but not completely happy.

Regina's eyes search around the living room not settling on anything in particular. Emma can see a bit more shine to her eyes and it quite easily breaks her heart. It may not be the best moment but during this whole week Emma has gone with her gut when it came to dealing with Regina. Right now she is listening and it propels her to hold her boss' hands. Regina's eyes snap to their clasped hands like it's a new entity in the universe.

"In some small ways, your presence in my life has brought a little bit of happiness. These past few days has made me realize just how much I've come to rely on you, Emma." Their eyes meet and Regina is almost blown away by the kind smile she is receiving. "It has gone beyond work now and, to be honest, I was looking forward to you trying to cook a green bean casserole and seeing my condo." Regina smiles when she gets a chuckle out of Emma.

"Oh, you say that now." She teases. "Having our first date was at the top of the list of things to do with you once we get back to New York. If we are being honest with each other, I was looking forward to expanding on that list as the days go on."

Regina smiles brightly from her words before it drops a little. "Emma, I care about you so much. Truthfully that's why I can't marry you like this. I couldn't walk down that aisle knowing I was doing this to you just for a job. My position is not worth more than you. I can work in Canada and eventually get my passport and Visa dealt with but I couldn't hurt you."

Emma squeezes her hands a bit more. "Damn Regina, I care about you too. I thought I couldn't marry you like this either. I just stood there thinking it was all wrong. I didn't want to have all this bribing and blackmail and lies be the start of our relationship. I want to date you properly and if I have to move to Canada to do it, I will.

Their enamored smiles with each other are cut short by a voice at the entrance of the living room. "I think you're well beyond that point now, my dears." Emma and Regina both snap their heads up to see Zelena, Emma's parents, and Granny in their dressed up outfits gazing at them.

"Oh, uh hey guys." Emma tries to cover but fails spectacularly.

Zelena makes her way around a couch to stand by the pair. "Listen Emma dear, whatever you had originally planned with my sister is sort of a runaway train at this point. That Gold fellow expects you two to be married or my sister gets the boot and you get jail, I assume. I don't know the details but not seeing this through will hurt you both more than just getting cold feet."

Regina looks around to Emma's family. "Is this okay with you?"

David wraps an arm around a smiling Mary while Granny nods approvingly. "We've been standing here longer than you realize. It's nice to see who you really are, Regina."

"Thank you, Granny." Regina smiles back warmly at the woman before locking eyes with Emma. "Since the air is cleared up between us and everyone else, I don't suppose you want to try this again?"

Emma contains her grin to speak. "Why Regina Mills are you proposing to me?"

"It's your turn to get down on one knee, sweetie." Regina counters quickly with a mischievous look in her eyes. Her response only makes Emma laugh out loud. She really wants to throw caution into the wind and kiss her assistant right here. As she's leaning in to do just that Zelena holds her arms up between their meeting faces.

"Park your car there, sis, we haven't finished the ceremony yet." Regina gives her sister a meaningless glare while Emma looks at her curiously. "You still have to say the magic words."

"But we aren't at the courthouse yet." Emma asks while looking at her family as well. They have taken up an area near the couple but a few feet away.

"Yes, but since you both spoke your feelings honestly I figure I'll just wrap it up right here and we can get on to the party."

Regina balks at her sister. "You're ordained?"

Zelena simply looks between the pair proudly. "Quite right. Before you give me grief for keeping it hush yesterday I didn't think it was appropriate to insert myself in the ceremony so quickly. If you really had no one to marry you I would have offered then but here we are now." She finishes with a shrug.

Emma shakes her head as Regina tries to let that new bit of information go with a sigh. "Regina Mills, will you marry me?"

Emma likes the way she caught her boss unaware and gets to see her face look taken aback. She recovers quickly though and gives Emma an adoring smile. "Emma Maryland Swan, will you marry me?"

Emma narrows her gaze at the woman's smug smile. "You will pay for that." She comments under her breath just for her.

"Alright then, stop being cute for one second and don't step on my lines." Zelena says with some forced dramatization. "Regina Mills, do you take this lovely and fit woman to be your wife?"

Regina gives her sister the side eye real quick before directing a megawatt smile to Emma. "I do." Emma catches the way her eyebrow raises just a bit like she's rubbing in the fact that she got to say it first in Emma's face. That makes her grin like a dork knowing this woman takes every little thing like a bit of a competition.

"Emma- uh Swan, fine, do you take this gorgeous and intimidating woman to be your wife?" Zelena announces, unable to say Emma's full name due to the death stare she got for her efforts.

"I do, absolutely." Emma thinks her cheeks should be hurting by now but she can't tell. Emma can hear some sniffling in the room but she can't pay it any mind now.

"By the power vested in me from this website I was on a while back, yadda yadda, kiss your wife already." Zelena declares quickly.

Before Zelena finishes her sentence, Regina and Emma come together for an explosive kiss. Regina has kissed before and very recently but she hasn't felt a kiss mean so much before. It's like the happiness bubbling up is pouring out into the connection she's sharing with Emma. She can barely understand her hands are clutching at hips, Emma's warm hand cradling her jaw, and clapping going on around her. She absolutely loves the feel of Emma's lips on hers. A part of her brain that is more conservative alerts her that people are watching so she makes her retreat. A brief moment Emma chases her but she quickly moves away too.

They share smiles and their hands return to hold each other. Emma turns to smile at her family that move to congratulate her. Mary is first to bring Emma into a crushing hug while David does almost the same to Regina. In her blissful state, Regina has no room to freeze and simply hugs the man back. The parents quickly switch newly weds and hear the same words again. Regina can see the tears being held back in Mary's eyes and it kind of moves her.

"I'm happy you're in our family now Regina."

"Thank you, Mary." She says and her eyes suspiciously feel watery too. She is quickly distracted by her sister and her tight hug.

"I really can't believe I just married you. That was wicked. I hope you don't mind I did taht but I just went with the moment." She rambles a bit and it's endearing to Regina. She places a gentle hand on her arm.

"It's alright Z, I think it went very well for being a spur of the moment thing." Regina relents.

"That's kind of this whole day, right?" Emma adds with a big smile on her face. The group laughs and agrees with that statement.

"Well, spur of the moment wedding needs to make way for spur of the moment reception. I suppose we should let everyone at town hall know we're returning with a married couple already." Granny adds, ready to get moving.

"Oh that's right! We left everyone there. Let's get a move on." Mary says with her returning peppy attitude.

"It's a good thing the reception is at the same place everyone already is at." David adds with a chuckle. "We'll return first and break the news and get everything ready for your arrival." He adds to Emma and Regina. David and Mary walk out of the living room with Granny right behind them.

The old woman turns to them. "Make sure you both show up to the reception huh?" She leaves with a smirk on her face. Zelena gets a good laugh out of that.

"I want to be her when I'm older."

Regina eyes her sister. "It'll be a shame to see that hair go."

Emma chuckles at Regina's attempt at teasing her sister. She finds herself reaching for Regina's hand without a word.

"You may laugh now but I'm going to be a fun granny. And you should do well to listen to her wise words." Zelena says while leaving the room as well.

Regina watches the woman go with a smile on her face then returns her attention to Emma, her wife. She feels her fingers coil around hers and it makes her giddy. "Why is everything with you feeling so different and new?" She finds herself asking before she realizes it.

Emma smiles but catches on to what she is saying. "Maybe because it feels like it's something brand new. Technically holding your hand is brand new. Kissing you is brand new. Laughing with you is brand new. And learning to love you...is brand new."

Regina's breath catches in her throat at her words. The watery feeling is back in her eyes again but she bravely blinks them away. She reaches out to caress a smooth cheek and her eyes never leave the light green gems before her. "Being a part of a family feels brand new. Even if I've had a million breaths, breathing feels brand new when I see you. My Emma."

The green eyes before become more glassy and a hand comes up to mirror her own. She leans into the comforting feeling. It does feel brand new and the only strange thing about it is that it is automatically comforting.

"I have a little proposal for this new venture between us, Ms. Mills."

Regina holds back a chuckle at Emma's attempts at sounding professional right now. "And what would this proposal be?"

"I get to kiss you whenever I want." Emma smiles playfully at her and she returns it.

"And my end of the deal is?"

"You get to kiss me whenever you want."

"I like this proposal a lot." Regina says with a smile before bringing Emma in to kiss her.

The End

Hot damn it's been ages hasn't it? I am all kinds of sorry for not finishing this story sooner. I have all the excuses lined up at the ready but I will withhold and just say I appreciate you for reading my fanfiction! If you started years ago when I uploaded the first chapter or are barely catching it this year, I appreciated you! Be well!

PS I am running an epilogue through my head so if it matters to anyone I will post that. Or I will regardless just as a little prize for the ones that have waited so long. (: