Chapter 12

Emma and Regina spent a few hours together. After they had lunch they went back to meet up with Henry and they found Zelena talking to him.

"You are so brave Henry! And your mother and Emma will be waiting for you once we are done okay?"

Henry smiled and nodded.

"What's going on here?" Asked Emma as both women walked in. Zelena and Henry were holding hands and explained how Zelena was officially his aunt and new best friend.

"Miss Mills, may I have a word with you?" Smiled the red head with excitement.

"I see you and Henry have bonded."

"I have to say Henry is by far amazing! I don't like kids, but Henry. Wow! His just so wicked! I walked in there and he made me sit with him and he read to me his book. I can see why Emma is in love with you guys."

Regina smiled and didn't say anything.

"Nevertheless, I have great news!"

"What is it?"

"We found a heart for Henry! It belonged to a man on his 20's. his heart is perfectly healthy and we should have it delivered by tonight. We must prepare for his surgery."

Regina couldn't believe what she was hearing, her smile grew from ear to ear. She hadn't felt this relieved in the past hours. Her son was on the verge of life and death and now… they had a heart for him. Henry would live. Henry was getting a transplant. Regina fell into her knees, as she cried of joy and Emma ran to her worried of what Zelena had said.

"Regina what's wrong?"

"Nothing… Emma nothing is wrong! Zelena is gonna save Henry. She found a heart. Zelena is saving my baby."

Emma turned to look at the red head who was smiling at the brunette.

"you did it? You found Henry a heart?" Emma couldn't stop smiling.

"Well aren't I the best? Henry's heart will be delivered tonight. That's what me and him were talking about. So if youll excuse me I have to go and prepare and OR for that little brave kid." Zelena smiled and began to walk when Emma ran after her and hugged her.

"You are… amazing. And I do love you. Zelena I love you and I will always be in your debt."

"Im just glad that you are happy. I told you I would do whatever was in my power to save Henry."

Emma nodded and hugged the red head once again and made her way back to Henrys room.

When Emma walked in Regina was kissing Henry all over and couldn't stop smiling. The past hours had been crucial and finally the day seemed a little brighter. Finally, Emma could start a life with her family as soon as Henry went through his surgery. After ten years of not being in Regina's life they would be able to be together and raise Henry. Regina would continue to be the mayor of the town and Emma would transfer to Storybrooke and take over PED's or Cardio. The two woman hugged Henry and nothing seemed like it could ruin that moment. She didn't even mind Robin. She knew she had to accept the fact that Robin was Henrys father, even if he didn't like him. Because of that useless man, Henry was created and even though he was useless and clearly good at nothing but drinking, Henry was much more. He may have been his son, but Emma knew he was raised by the most wonderful woman she had ever known. And soon she would turn into her wife.

"Emma!" shouted as he saw her across the room in the hospital cafeteria.

"Gold? What are you doing here?"

"I came to see Henry! He is like a grandson to me."

"What?"

"Dearie, Ive been in touch with Regina all this time. I helped her become mayor of the town."

"You have to be kidding me." Emma's face grew impatient and just took a deep breath as she tried to deal with the fact the Gold had sort of ruined their lived for the past ten years.

"Have you heard anything on him?"

"Yes! Zelena, she found a heart for Henry. We should have it delivered tonight."

"So henry… He will be fine."

"Yes!" Emma smiled and reached the Gold to give him a hug.

"Oh uh hey, do you have some spare keys to Regina's home?"

"I do."

"Do you think I can borrow them? I want to go and get Regina some clothes. She hasn't left Henry side since we arrived. And knowing her I know she won't."

"Yeah of course." Said Gold as he handed in the keys and pulled his god daughter for a hug.

"I'm sorry Emma. I should have never gotten in between you two."

"You really shouldn't have. But it's okay. We're together again. And everything is perfect." Emma smiled as she realized had a teary eyes and was holding himself from breaking apart.

"So when are you proposing to Belle?" asked the blonde changing conversation.

"well dearie, I want to do it once Henry is out of surgery. I want all of you guys to be there. I want it to be a casual dinner, just us. If you are willing to be there."

"Of course ill be there! And Regina and Henry! We'll all be there!"

Emma jumped in to hug the old man once again and couldn't be happier for him.

The night was falling and Henry's transplant was on his way. Regina and Emma had spent all evening preparing him for the big moment. They had promised they'd be right outside the OR as soon as he got out. Zelena promised to let Emma inside until he fell asleep so he wouldn't be scared.

"How's my most important patient doing so far?" Asked Zelena as she walked in.

"Hi Zelena." Henry smiled as he tried to hide under the covers.

"are you hiding young man?"

"Im scared." Henrys voice began to break.

"Oh no sweetie. You have nothing to fear." Regina reached for her sons hand trying to calm him down. "I know Zelena will take good care of you. And Besides Emma will walk in with you until you fall asleep."

Henry began to inhale deeply. "Wheres Emma?"

"She will be here soon sweetie. She ran to the house to get me some clothes and will be back before you go inside." Regina smiled.

Emma had left about an hour ago, and Henrys heart would arrive any minute now. The night was cold and there was a storm heading its way. Everything was ready for the young boy to get his transplant. The surgery could take up to 24 hours or more, but Zelena could handle it. She was one of the top five most successful surgeons in New York, one of the top ten in the U.S. and was remarkable for her work. If anyone could save Henry was Zelena.

Henrys room was cold and quiet. It had begun to rain and lightning could be heard and Emma had not arrived yet. Regina decided to give her a call when Zelena walked in the room with a radiant smile.

"The ambulance that is carrying Henrys heart just entered Storybrooke. They should be here in no longer than 30 minutes."

"But Emma isn't here."

"Henry, dear, I know I promised Emma could walk in with you until you fell asleep, but I have to take you in and get you ready. I know Emma will arrive before I sedate you."

Henry grew scared and his breathing increased, Emma had promised to hold his hand until he fell asleep and she wasn't there.

"Henry, I know Emma will get here. I promise I will send her in as soon as she gets here okay? But I need you to go with Zelena. I will sit with you if you want?"

Henry nodded and soon Zelena and the nurses began to disconnect the boy from the machines and where on their way to the OR. Regina had changed into scrubs and walked next to Henry holding his hand every second.

"Mom?"

"Yes?"

"Does this mean you will let me have a dog?" Henry chuckled.

"Yes Henry…. You and Emma can have a dog." Regina smiled to her son who was now calmed and waited for the blonde.

"Miss Mills…. A private word please?" the red head inhaled.

"What is it?"

Zelena sounded concerned and it was obvious she had some tragic news.

"The ambulance that was carrying Henrys heart… there was an accident and-"

"No! No please no! You-" Regina was about to fall on her knees when the red head caught her and hugged her.

"Regina I found another heart. Someone just passed away and they also have a perfectly healthy heart. Were ready to start the surgery." The red head smiled and held Regina's hands. She didn't care who the heart belonged too as long as it was good for Henry.

"Henry! Zelena is going to start the procedure now okay. I will be by your side until you fall asleep. And I will be right next to you when you wake up."

"But Emma." The boy wanted to wait for the blonde, but there was no time to be wasted.

"Henry, im sure Emma is on her way. There a storm going on and the house is a bit far. But as soon as she gets here ill give her permission to check on you okay?" Zelena added.

Henry took a deep breath and finally agreed to proceed.

"Okay Henry, you will start to feel very sleepy, and when you wake up you will be back in your room with Emma and your mother sitting next to you."

Regina held his hand and slowly Henry began to inhale the oxygen that was being inhaled by his lungs. His eyes began to close when he finally saw a blonde streak of hair walk through the doors.

"Emma…." Henry smiled as the blonde ran to hold his hand.

"Im here kid. Im right here. You be brave now okay. I will always be with you." Emma leaned over and gave him a kiss on his forehead finally falling into a deep sleep.

When Henry opened his eyes he found Emma sitting on his bed. He loved how her hair always shined the most if the sun was hitting it with its light.

"Hey."

"Hi."

"You were so brave Henry. I'm so proud of you. Now go back to sleep. I just wanted to make sure you were fine." Emma smiled and Henry fell back to a deep sleep again and walked over to Regina as she just stood watching her sleep for a few seconds.

"Hey…." The blonde whispered to Regina who was in a deep sleep as well. "Regina…."

"Emma... Hi." The older woman smiled as cuddled in to the blonde.

"Im sorry I didn't call. My phone died and I couldn't get a signal."

"Its okay. Henry is out. Our son is safe now." Said Regina with a very sleepy voice.

"I know. I love you guys so much. You know that right? You know my heart will always belong to you guys."

"I know."

Emma leaned over and kissed the brunette as she pulled her close and hugged her until she fell asleep again.

The next day Regina woke up and Henry was still asleep. She wondered where Emma was and figured she was probably downstairs getting her some coffee. She waited and waited until finally Zelena stopped by to check on Henry.

"His doing well so far." Zelena smiled slighty. Regina smiled and took a deep breath realizing there was something wrong with the red head.

"Hey have you seen Emma? i know she arrived last night, but this morning when I woke up she was gone and I haven't seen her. Thought maybe she was with you?"

Zelena stared quietly. "Regina… I need you to take a sit."

"Um, okay?" Regina smirked slightly and did as she was asked.

"What's wrong now? Is it Henry? Is the heart not compatible?"

"No…. no. Henry seems perfectly fine. Its Emma."

"What about her?"

"Yesterday we lost Henrys heart, because the ambulance got in an accident. But we found another heart right away. You see…. A few minutes before I got the call they brought in a patient who was shot multiple times. She died instantly and that was the heart we used on Henry."

Regina listened but wasn't understanding what Zelena was trying to say.

"Well id like to meet this person's family. And thank them personally. However, I still don't understand what does Emma have to do with all this?"

Zelena took a deep breath, her eyes filled with tears and reached for Regina's hands.

"Zelena…. Who's heart was transplanted into Henry?"

"I had no idea. I wanted to save Henry and I just agreed on the heart. It wasn't until this morning when I was going through the paper work that I saw her name."

Regina stared at Zelena. She kept talking but Regina couldn't hear anything.

"No…. No! Stop. Just stop!" the brunette stood up and took a few steps until she finally fell into the ground.

"you're lying! No! I need to see her. This can't be happening. What happened?"

"She went to your house to pick up some clothes for you and apparently Robin had followed her and-"

Emma had borrowed spare keys to go Reginas house and get her a change of clothes. she was halfway through town when she realized there was a pickup truck following her. She head straight down the road instead of turning on Miflin street. She head straight to the port and soon realized Robin was the man driving the truck.

"What do you want Robin?" Emma asked as she walked to face the ocean.

"What do you think I want Emma, what every father wants of course."

"You want Regina and Henry back?"

"Precisely."

"Why?" asked Emma.

"Why? Just who do you think you are? You've been away for ten years. Just what makes you think you can walk back in and say you want to adopt my son?" Said Robin as he showed a serious expression.

"Robin, think of it as a win win. You will no longer have to ever deal with a child."

"That's not what I mean Swan!" Robin raised his voice making Emma jump. "Henry is my son! And he wont use the last name Swan! If he should have a last name it should be Hood."

Emma began to step aside as she realized that Robin was drunk and getting violent.

"Robin, you need to calm down. I know this is hard, but you're clearly drunk. How about we talk when you're sober?"

"Talk? Oh now you want to talk? What is it that you said to me earlier? Oh If I even dared touch Regina or my own son youd have me kicked out of the hospital? And now you want to talk?" Robin reached for Emma's neck and held it tight.

"You will not take away my family."

Emma began to choke as Robin pressed her neck tighter. She finally kicked Robin in his croctch and made him let her go.

"Are you out of your mind?" Shouted Emma as she tried to catch her breath and began to walk back to her car.

"Swan!" Robin shouted but Emma continued to walk. Suddenly a gun shot was heard and Emma stopped walking. She slowly turned around and she found Robin pointing at her with a gun. She heard multiple shots again and soon found herself in the floor. Staring at the sky as she heard the truck drive off.

Zelena walked over and kneeled with her as she hugged her and the brunette let out her tears and continued to deny herself that Emma was the girl whose heart had been donated. Zelena helped her get up and walked her out and she kept trying to control Regina, but she fell into the ground when she saw all of her friends waiting outside for them. was sitting next to Belle. Ruby and Granny sat on another corner.

"Regina… What's wrong? Oh god what happened?" Ruby ran to hug the brunette.

All Regina did was break down and continued to cry as she held into her friend Ruby. Everyone knew Henrys surgery had been a success, but no one had heard about Emma.

"Regina!" Ruby held her tighter and all Regina did was cry. Gold and Belle walked over and finally kneeled next to her.

"Zelena, what happened? Where's Emma?" But when Zelena heard the blondes name, she burst into tears and that's when Gold knew something had happened to his god daughter.

"Where is she? Where is she!" Gold demanded to be told as he shouted to Zelena and the nurses around. Belle reached to hug him and calm him down, but soon he fell into his knees and just like Regina. He began to deny the event that Emma was gone.

Regina walked through the hallway and everything seemed in slow motion. She continued to walk and it was as if life was over. She had just found Emma a few days ago. They had found each other after losing each other. They had planned to get married as soon as Henry was out. Her and Henry were supposed to go get a dog. They were supposed to be the Swan-Mills Family, but now they were nothing. Emma was gone. She stood in front of a silver door. She had always hated hospitals, but for some reason she wouldn't wish to be nowhere else. The eighteen-year-old blonde she met ten years ago was laying in a table right behind the silver door. She kept staring at it and for some reason reminded her of Daniel. She had never seen such a beautiful door in her life. The color silver wasn't just any silver. It wasn't bright and it wasn't dark. It was just the kind of silver you felt peaceful with.

"Ready?" Asked Zelena as she walked next to her and pressed her hand firmly. Regina took a deep breath and nodded. She had hopes of finding Emma sitting on the table and that it was all just a stupid prank of hers. She would run up to her and kiss her, then punish her by not talking to her just so the blonde could chase after her like a puppy until Regina forgave her.

When the door opened there was nothing in the room. A silver wall with several doors that contained bodies inside. And there in the middle of the room was a table. A white cloth covered a body.

"Would you mind giving us some privacy?" Asked Regina gently.

"Of course. I will be out here if you need anything." Zelena waited for the brunette to walk inside and closed the door slowly.

Every step Regina took closer to the body was crucial. There was no coming back once she saw the body. She wanted to walk away and not look. She could tell the rest of her life that Emma had walked away. But how could she do that to her? The cloth looked so beautiful as it covered the body. She had never seen a cloth so soft. It had no wrinkles and it looked as if it had fallen from heaven. "I could use some sheets like this in my bed." She thought to herself. She slowly placed her bag in the floor and just stared into the sheet, right above Emma's. carefully she grabbed the corner of the sheets and pulled it up. "How can your hair still be bright as the sun?" said Regina as she slowly rubbed her hand against the blonde's hair. Emma looked so peaceful, it was as if she was asleep rather than gone. Her hair was full of life. Her soft pink lips. How could Emma be gone, when she had just been there that morning. Regina had seen and felt Emma.

"I went to say goodbye my queen. I couldn't leave without saying goodbye to you. You or Henry." Emma smiled as she stood next to Regina. "Im sorry I didn't get to see our wedding. And im sorry I broke your heart. But I don't regret it Regina. I will always be with you. My heart will always belong to you. Because Henry has my heart… and if I could go back in time… id still do the same mistake if it meant that id be the one to save Henry in the end." Emma stared at the brunette who's eyes filled with tears.

Regina smiled at Emma and slowly leaned over to kiss her one last time.

"If only true loves kiss woke me up… if only I could kiss you one more time." Emma smiled as a tear ran down her face when somehow she was able to taste the apple in her lips while Regina kissed her good bye. "I want you to be happy my queen. I need you to promise me that you will find love again. That you will find your happy ending."

"You were my happy ending Emma… How am I supposed to live now? How will I live now? How am I going to tell Henry?" Regina cried.

"No… no… I wasn't your happy ending Regina. I understand now why I was put in your life. Why I saved you that night. I understand why life put us together. I wasn't your happy ending. I was only your happy begging. Your happy ending is out there. And you will find them. You will be happy again." Emma smiled as she leaned over and kissed Regina on the side of her head.

"We will meet again Regina… I will find you again. In another life. I will always find you."

Regina felt a warm touch on the side of her head and stop to think for a second, something inside of her knew Emma was there. Regina smiled and even though this was the worst day, she felt peace. The warm touch made her feel happy. Emma was gone, but she was able to feel what Emma made her feel within every kiss that the blonde ever gave her.

"Good bye Emma. thank you… For saving our son." Regina smiled once more and leaned in again to finally kiss her one last time.

"Oh for the love of god… can you two cut that out?" Said a voice that made Emma turn around.

"Lacey?" she smiled as she saw her old friend standing by the door.

"Well who were you expecting?" Lacey smiled as she opened her arms out and waited for Emma to run over and give her a hug.

"is there anything youd like to do before we leave?"

"Leave? Where are we going?" Asked Emma a little concerned.

"To our happy ending."

Lacey reached out for her hand and smiled as they both began to walk out to a long way that lead to a bright light.

"Don't think I will forgive you that easy for leaving Doctor Swan. Ill find a way for you to make it up to me."

Emma laughed and continued to walk "And just what will you have me doing?"

"Nothing Emma… Youre here with me… that's enough." Lacey smiled.

When Henry woke up he found his mother sleeping next to him on a chair. He had a few presents around his room. Zelena was sleeping on the couch but he couldn't find Emma nowhere. He moved slightly and Regina woke up right away smiling as she saw her son finally waking up.

"Henry! Oh Henry!" Regina smiled and hugged her son.

"Hi mom." Henry smiled as Zelena walked over with a huge smile and rubbed his head slightly

"Hi Zelena."

"Hey there champ! How do you feel?" Smiled Zelena.

"Im okay. Where's Emma?"

Both Zelena and Regina looked at each other and stayed quiet trying to think of a way to tell Henry what had happened.

"Mom?"

"Henry… Emma… She… Henry, Emma isn't here."

"Oh… well where did she go?"

"Henry what your mother is trying to say is that-"

"Emma is gone sweetie." Regina finally let it out.

"Where did she go?"

"Emma went with Lacey." Regina smiled as Henry tried to process what his mother was telling him.

"Emma is gone? But how… She was just here. She came over and checked on me. No youre lying! Emma is here!" Henry said as he began to cry.

"Henry… Henry listen to me! I need you to calm down! Please calm down! Your heart is still getting used to your body." Zelena said she grabbed Henry and hugged him tight followed by Regina.

"Henry Emma isn't entirely gone." Said the red head making the boy calm down instantly

"What do you mean?"

"Your heart… Emma will always be with you."

Henry turned to see his mother who had tears in her eyes but a warm smile and nodded. Henry cried and even though he was alive and had the blonde's heart, he wished he could see her one more time.

"So Emma saved me?"

Regina smiled and nodded as she reached to kiss her son's forehead and placing her hand in his chest "She will always be with us Henry."

*One Year Later*

"Okay Henry are you ready?" Regina said as she waited by the door.

"Coming!" Shouted henry from upstairs as he rushed to the car and they drove off for about an hours out just outside of storybrooke.

"So where are we going?"

"I have a surprise for you."

"What is it?" Asked Henry excitedly.

"You'll just have to wait till we get there."

When they arrived to their destination Henry realized there were a couple of people in the small farm and couldn't quiet figure out what was that they were doing there then he heard small barks and he turned to see his mother who was already looking back at him with a big smile.

"Really?!" shouted Henry as he ran towards the people. Regina had finally taken him to get a puppy like she had promised Emma she would if Henry was brave enough to go through the surgery. She walked calmly through the grass as she enjoyed the warm air that hit her face. It had been a year since Emma was gone and things had been hard, but she continued to be the best she could be. When the authorities found Robin, Regina sentenced him to a 50 year sentence and banned him out of Storybrooke forever. and Belle got engaged a few weeks after Emma passed away and on the day of the wedding they all went to visit the grave. As for Ruby, she and Regina began to get closer and soon found themselves being the best of friends after years of pushing Ruby away. Doctor Jones finally became the best he could be and dedicated his life to help others. Zelena went back to New York, but every so and then shed visit Storybrooke and eventually her and Regina became like sisters. If Emma was in there they would have been married by then and have had like five dogs.

"Regina?" a familiar voice called the brunette, she looked around and finally found a familiar smile.

"Daniel?" Smiled Regina as she ran to hug Ingrid's brother.

"Daniel what are you doing here?"

"I own the ranch. What are you doing here?"

"Henry… the puppies." Regina smiled.

"You brought Henry? I must meet him! Where's Emma? I'd like to say hi to her." Daniel asked, but he realized the change in Regina's look when he mentioned the blonde. "I'm sorry, did I say something wrong?"

"No… of course not. It's just… Emma… she passed away a year ago."

Daniel stayed quietly and approached the brunette softly as he reached for her hand and held it for a few seconds.

"I know how much Emma meant to you. I'm sure wherever she is, shed want you to be happy."

Regina took a deep breath as she felt a warm air hit her face, it had been a year and she finally felt good. Being there with Daniel felt right.

"So the puppies. I actually have a couple that just arrived. They're still not up for adoption, but I can make an exception for Henry, if that's okay with you of course."

"That definitely would mean a lot. I don't think his found one yet, ill go get him?"

"Sounds good! Ill meet you on the horse stable?"

Regina nodded as she walked away to find her son.

"Where are we going?" Asked Henry as he and Regina walked towards the stables. There was the sound of puppies and Daniel walked out with a small Dalmatian on his hand. Henry ran towards Daniel and took the puppy away from him. It was clear he had found the dog he'd take home.

"So you're Henry huh?"

"Yeah, but wait, how do you know that?"

"Well… because a year ago I met your mother and Emma… And your mother told me your name was Daniel… Well my name is also Daniel."

"You knew Emma?" Henry asked excitedly.

"Yes! Briefly, but I met her. She sure seemed to love your mother."
"Yeah… She saved my life twice. When I was a baby… and when she gave me her heart."

"Her heart?"

"Emma's heart was the donation Henry received."

Daniel looked at Henry then back at Regina and smiled at both asking what they would name the new puppy. Both Henry and Regina stayed quiet as they tried to figure it out.

"Henry… Listen to Emma." Said Daniel as he placed his hand in Henrys chest. The boy closed his eyes and replied Pongo with excitement.

"Pongo… Pongo it is!" Daniel smiled as he watched Henry run outside to play with his new friend.

"That was so sweet of you, thank you."

"Anytime…"

"Well I think its time we head out. Itll be dinner time soon." Regina smiled as she began to walk away, but the warm wind hit her face again. The feeling of peace in her life was back.

"Daniel…" she turned around to see the stable man as he stood watching

"Yes?"

"Do you believe in second chances?" Asked Regina.

"I certainly do."

"Then would you like to grab dinner sometime?" Asked Regina as Daniel grew a big smile on his face.

"It would be an honor." Daniel smiled "With one condition?"

Regina waited.

"We go and tell Emma."

Regina smiled as she realized Daniel acknowledge that Emma had been her only real love. Her eyes filled with tears and she grew a smile from ear to ear as she remembered the blonde asking her out for the first time.

"Lets get on with it then." Regina smiled as Daniel walked next to her and began to walk with Henry on their side holding Pongo.