A/N: Ok… so this idea came to mind and I had to let it out. This story is sort of a parallel to Until The End, a few years into the future, Their daughter Emily helps them through a crisis while going through some growing experiences herself, can she get to the bottom of everything and help them get back together? Can they look past their issues and be there for their daughter when she with an issue of her own needs them most? This is actually a very light read, don't let the initial conflict fool you I promise!
Chapter 1 Elastic Heart. (Sia)
Night after night this was a ritual in the Mills-Swan household. Her job as mayor was demanding as always, filled with mentally draining and time consuming tasks, but when it came to her children; schedules were always respected because all three of them came first. This nightly routine however did not feel the same tonight, just as it had not felt the same for the past two weeks. The blonde was amiss and even though painful, Regina tried to keep herself together as best as she could. Her children had always had stability, and aside their current circumstances; Emma and Regina had that fact very clear, they came first no matter what. They would give them just that and more.
Regina entered her youngest son's bedroom with a soft smile and a fresh bundle of neatly folded laundry. Four year old Jack bounced as he fell on his bed and sat after hearing his mother's footsteps on the hallway.
Regina narrowed her eyes and smiled upon entering; Jack buried his chin in his chest and smiled brightly.
"What have I told you about bed jumping young man?" Regina scolded sweetly.
Jack giggled folding his legs Indian style "I sorry mommy… but I wasn't jumpin" He motioned with his hands as he shrugged.
Regina feigned seriousness as she effortlessly placed his clothes in the right drawers.
"Oh… you weren't?"
"Mommy I was flying! See?" The boy explained as he pointed at the red cape around his neck.
The toddler was a sight, he was wearing training pull up diapers with super heroes on them, no shirt no pants only his cape tied around his neck and damp disheveled hair.
Regina smiled and made her way to his bed and sat facing him. He was growing up, but to her it was imperative to help the youngster with his magic; after all within his innocence he could get hurt when using it unsupervised.
"I see…" She said and smiled tapping his little nose "But baby remember what you have to do when you want to play with magic…"
"I know… find you or mom or Emy"
"That's right sweetheart… you know it could be dangerous"
"Ok… I won't do it again…" He said as he pouted and looked down.
Regina kept her eyes fixed on him, then narrowed them and smiled. The boy caught her next move and broke into laughter and giggles as she began to tickle him. They wrestled for a few minutes but Jack soon pleaded for mercy out of breath.
"Mommy… please… I… stop…" more laughter "Stop Stop"
The brunette stopped the tickle attack heaving and laughing herself.
"Alright my love… it's time for bed… Let's put your pjs on and then…"
"Story time!" The toddler piped in enthusiastically.
Doing this without Emma didn't get any easier, but she needed to put her best face for her son. The boy kneeled on his bed and adorably tapped on his chin as he went through his book collection right above his headboard. Regina had no option but to laugh to herself and shake her head, all she could do was enjoy him fully.
Jack pulled out Dr. Seuss' The Lorax, then turned to his mom.
"Got it"
She smiled and began to unfold the ninja turtles pajama top.
"Ok… arms" She said and the boy quickly raised both limbs to allow her to dress his torso. She then went for the bottoms.
"No mommy I is hot…" He said wrinkling his nose.
"I am hot… Jack not I is hot" Regina corrected.
"mommy…"
"Yes baby?"
"How come I don't have blonde hair like mom and Henry?"
The brunette ruffled his dark short strands of hair
"Well… because you have dark hair… just like me... and Emy"
She then placed her hand tenderly on his chin and searched for his beautiful eyes, knowing exactly what she would find.
"And you have gorgeous green eyes just like your mama" She stared lovingly into his round innocent pools.
He smiled sweetly "And Henry and Emy have pretty brown eyes like you mommy" He tenderly replied and reached for her face, placing his tiny hand on her cheek.
At his young age the boy ignored a lot of what was currently going on with his mothers, They both tried as best as they could to keep it that way… they agreed to solve their issues without affecting them as much as possible. He was a tiny human… but after all a breathing feeling human with a bright and quick brain.
He furrowed his brows and caressed his mom's olive skin.
Regina's eyes glazed with tears she held back and gave him a peaceful yet sad half smile.
He climbed off his bed and reached for a shelf that rested across from it. It was filled with more books some super heroes figurines and picture frames. Each photo displayed a happy family moment. There was one of the whole family cuddled on the couch… Emma and Regina holding each other, his oldest brother Henry who was now a handsome man next to Emma, and next to Regina sat their sixteen year old daughter Emily; Jack sat on her lap making his best and silliest "cheese" smile. Next to that frame was a picture of Emma pregnant and the brunette lovingly embracing her as she kissed her cheek and simultaneously tried to look at the camera. Unable to find what he was looking for, he tip toed and reached to the frames behind those… there he found four individual frames, one of each family member. His green eyes spotted the one he wanted and took it.
Regina blinked softly and smiled as she let out a breath. It was Emma's. He walked towards his bed and sat across from his mom once again.
"Here mommy… you keep it" His eyes filled with empathy… his tiny eyebrows furrowed. He felt for his mom, even though he didn't understand what was going on.
She took the picture and smiled sadly. "Thank you baby…" She said as she shared the meaningful moment with her son.
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After successfully putting baby Jack to bed, Regina made her way downstairs and into the kitchen, where her cell phone laid on the counter. She walked to the surface, picked it up and swiped the screen; she called the last number, just as she had done for the past hour.
"Pick up, pick up Emily…" She waited as the phone rang and rang; the woman rolled her eyes frustrated as her daughter's voice came through.
"Hey this is Emily, I'm sorry I can't take your call so-"Regina ended the call and ran her hand through her dark locks as she looked around; thinking where could her daughter be, and more importantly why wasn't she answering her phone.
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Across town Emma and Regina's beautiful daughter drove her newly acquired black compact car, the brand new vehicle had been a gift from her utterly spoiling grandparents. The girl was the perfect breed of both her mothers; she had Regina's hair only longer, eyes and smile, perfectly in style… Regina's daughter indeed. On the passenger seat was Frankie, the beautiful girl wore a more androgynous attire that matched her personality quite perfectly, a bit more careless and playful. Her dark hair was also on the longer side, her eyes charmingly blue.
Both girls laughed as another song ended, the light of the stereo reflecting on their faces.
"Em I'm famished!" Frankie said.
"How surprising… can't you just wait?"
"Hell no… I actually can't, just stop somewhere so I can get something before going to your mom's please…" She begged with her ridiculously pretty blue eyes "With a cherry on top?"
Emily turned just in time to see her goofy expression and smiled.
"Alright... fine! But please be quick, my mom's gonna kill me… she keeps calling me"
"Why don't you just answer?" Frankie reasoned, seeing Em's slightly torn demeanor.
Emily pulled over by granny's, after putting the car on park her eyes drifted.
"Em…" Frankie placed her hand on the other girl's arm. "Your mom is not going to be mad just because you had the urge to see her, I mean she's actually pretty cool and—"
Emily rolled her eyes avoiding the shedding of tears that glazed her eyes. "I know… I know she wouldn't, but I'm just so mad! This whole situation is ridiculous Frankie… my moms adore each other, it's not fair!"
Frankie furrowed her brows and almost hesitantly allowed her hand to reach for a few strands of hair that lingered over Em's face as she continued to bow her head. Frankie swallowed hard and went for it, she tenderly tucked them behind the other girl's ear. Emily quickly looked up and turned her face their gazes met.
"I know this sucks Em… and there's nothing I can say to make you feel better because whatever I say right now is gonna sound like a bunch of bullshit you know? Frankie tried an honest smile as she continued to look at her friend in the eyes. "But I'm here… you're not alone and I promise, whatever happens I'm not going anywhere"
Emily blinked and smiled lopsidedly. "Thanks… I mean that"
Frankie allowed her hand to easily fall and shyly entwined her fingers with Emily's. Em found comfort in the warmth of her friend's slightly sweaty palm, she squeezed her hand tighter and stared at the tangle of fingers.
"I know" Frankie said.
Emily felt the air in the car get thicker by the second, she smiled and sighed breaking the moment as she pulled her hand away coolly.
"Alright, get your food and hurry please…" Em said.
Frankie smiled as she unbuckled her seat belt. "I'll be super quick I promise, grab n' go…"
Frankie held her smile and stared at Emily like an idiot.
"Go!" Em said and let out a small laugh.
"Right… I'll be back in a jiffy" She finished jokingly, winked and got out of the car. Emily looked at the retreating figure of her beautiful and most unconditional friend. She smiled.
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Both girls had successfully arrived at Emma's old apartment, the blonde had kept the place in case Henry would want it once he was older and too cool to live with his mothers, but after the boy had decided to go to college in New York he never set foot in it. The blonde never thought in a million years she would be living there again, let alone away from her wife and children.
Emily rang the bell as Frankie took a bite of the muffin in her hand; the girl grimaced and spit out the bite she had just taken.
"Gross…"
Emily looked back at the slightly taller girl. Frankie looked at Emily with the same disgusted expression on her face still.
"Oh my God… this muffin tastes like dirty socks"
"Eww…" Em joined in. Both girls were startled as the gorgeous blonde opened the door.
Emily turned around and smiled happily. "Ma!" The girl managed as she jumped her mother enthusiastically holding onto her like a monkey.
"Em…" The blonde returned the affection more than gladly, in all honesty she felt like she could breathe again. Emma placed her cheek on her daughter's hair, she closed her eyes and savored the instant; she then placed a kiss on top of her head.
Frankie swung on her heels smiled as she watched them. Emma opened her eyes and pushed Emily away in order to find her eyes.
"What are you doing here so late?" Emma asked worriedly.
"I know I just saw you yesterday but I… I missed you…" Almost bursting into tears.
"Oh Emy…" Emma said and embraced her daughter once again. This entire situation simply broke her insides as each second passed. She furrowed her brows and relished in the smell of her daughter.
In that exact instant Emma's cell phone rang. She broke the hug.
"Come inside girls…" Emma said as she walked towards her living room where she found her cell.
Frankie was the last to come in, closing the door behind her. She buried her hands in her pockets as she looked around.
"It's your mom"
Emily sighed, that same torn look on her face. Her friend rubbed her arm gently.
"Hey…" Emma answered the phone.
"I've been calling Emily for the past two hours and she won't answer her phone, I'm-" Regina's altered timbre could be heard easily, Emily looked sadder by the second, mad, upset… broken.
"She's here with me Regina, she's fine… Actually she just got here" Emma said and could hear Regina sigh with relief. She hadn't heard her wife's voice in a week, and this moment was simply killing her, she missed her, she wanted badly, she needed her.
"Please send her home immediately, she was supposed to be here hours ago"
"Ok… She'll be there soon" Emma said and Emily stomped her foot on the ground frustrated. The blonde attempted to prolong the instant "How are—" Emma's face fell, all she could hear was the sound of the dial.
Regina had hung up on her.
Her stomach sank even deeper.
Emily rolled her eyes "God! This is so unfair! I don't want to go back, I just got here" The teenager said with teary eyes.
Emma's heart broke. This entire situation fell like a nightmare, two weeks ago she was more than happily married and living in blissful domesticity. More than half of her was missing, she felt like it literally hurt to breathe.
"Ma, I want to talk to you… I want to know what happened! I deserve to know…" Emily finished unable to contain her tears, and broke down crying. Emma pulled her into her chest and held her. Frankie looked down.
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Regina sat on the couch as she saw the lights of her daughter's car reflect on the window. Emily was home and the brunette was fuming.
As the girl entered the home Regina crossed her arms, comfortably wrapped in her black silk robe.
Emily saw her mother and shut the door behind her.
"What time is it?" The former queen said with ice in her tone.
Em rolled her eyes and looked at the screen of her phone.
"Nine thirty… Mom… I-"
"Ok, perfect, so your clock works… and so does your phone, Emily I have been worried sick! I have called you a million times… and given the circumstances I may safely assume you were, simply ignoring my calls"
"Mom I'm sorry! I wanted to see ma!"
"Emily I have nothing against that, but your behavior tonight was irresponsible and inconsiderate" Regina scolded sternly. It was breaking her heart; She had a special relationship with every single one of her children… Emily being her only daughter and a spitting image of herself was no different.
"This is so unlike you! You know I would never keep you from seeing your mother… why couldn't you just be straight with me and tell me?"
"You don't understand!" Emily yelled back.
"Emily try me… I'm here and I'm listening"
The young girl crossed her arms; bit the inside of her cheek and looked away visibly upset, hiding her teary eyes.
"I know that this is difficult for you and your brother, I understand more than you think honey" Regina softened as she saw and felt just how upset and broken her daughter looked. It seemed as if she was stuffing down and swallowing immense amounts of raw emotion.
"Why won't you talk to her?! it's not fair mom! This is just stupid!" Em piped back. She had always looked up to her mother, basically worshiped the ground she walked on… never dreamed of speaking to her this way.
"Ok that's enough!" Regina scolded with glazed eyes not breaking down "Give me your car keys" She demanded.
Emily looked at her with soaking wet eyes filled with betrayal "Mom!"
Regina opened her hand expecting the demanded object.
"You can't just take my car!" Emily cried hurt.
Regina remained with steel in her face and voice.
"Give me. your car keys. now!" She scolded dead serious.
The former queen's eyes were filled with absolute pain, mirroring her daughter's equally broken ones.
Emily gave her the keys, the girl gave her mother one of her very own old evil queen glares and walked passed her absolutely pissed.
Regina closed her eyes and finally the tears fell quietly, she heard the footsteps rush up the stairs and disappear. She finally broke down and fell to her knees and cried like a baby. She had not allowed herself to cry since the day Emma left.
Please tell me what you think! Should I continue? Would you like to read more?