A/N: Hey everyone, happy Sunday.
Here it is. The final chapter of Captain Swan.
First and foremost, let me thank two very dear friends of mine, Laura and Tracie, who supported me helped and went so far as to challenge me on this fic. Laura, without you the spelling errors on this fic would have been awful. Tracie, without you this fic would have been a whole lot different, and it wouldn't have been as good. Thank you both so very much.
I also want to thank all of you readers, for going on this incredible journey with me, and I hope that you will join me on the many new ones to come in the future (there are a lot, I promise…it's kind of ridiculous.)
On a side note: I'll be at Enchanted 2018 in Birmingham in two weeks time, I'm very excited to go to my first ever OUAT con, and I can't wait to meet Lana Parrilla! If any of you happen to be there, please feel free to come say hi. I'll be cosplaying as Enchanted Forest Rumple on Saturday and you can all find me on Facebook under Bee Vella if you want to have a chat or meet up with me at the con.
Thank you so much for all your support and kind words over the past few months. Writing a 40 chapter fic is not easy, and up until a while ago I didn't think it was something I could do. Having your support makes it easier, and makes it all worthwhile. Thank you so very much.
Love,
Bee.
Epilogue.
"Are you still fiddlin' around with that necktie?" Granny demanded as she rushed into the room.
"Don't you give me that, your granddaughter's not even dressed yet!" Emma snapped, removing her necktie with a huff for the umpteenth time. "I completely forgot how to do this, I haven't needed one in twenty years!"
"It's a wonder you didn't trip over yourself before Regina showed up, Swan." The old woman said, approaching her queen and taking the tie from her hands. "Give me that, you're as useless on your wedding day as your father was. And where the hell is Ruby?"
"Ow! Motherf-" they heard from the connected room of the suite.
"There she is." Emma and Granny said in unison.
"What did you do?" The older Lucas asked.
"Nothing." Ruby groaned petulantly.
"Did you trip putting on your trousers again?" Emma asked.
"Fuck you Swan!" Ruby spat. "Yes I did."
"It's fuck you your majesty thank you very much, Commodore Lucas." Emma teased.
"Kiss my ass your majesty." Ruby griped. "You're the reason we're in this fucking mess in the first place."
"Me?!" Emma turned, talking to an open doorway.
"Yes you!" Ruby popped into view, her trousers still halfway down her legs and trailing on the floor. "You're the one who talked me into this whole double wedding nonsense!"
"I'll have you know Lucas, Regina only brought the suggestion to me because it was Belle's idea." Emma informed her.
"Belle?" Ruby gaped at her.
"Yes. Belle." Emma crossed her arms indignantly.
"If that's true then why didn't she just come to me herself?2 Ruby asked.
"Fuck if I know, she's your future wife, you figure it out." I'd finish putting on your trousers first if I were you though." Emma teased. "Next time, take your boots off first."
"Fuck you Swan, I'll put on my trouser how I damn well please!" Ruby shot back.
"Enough!" Granny cried, startling both of them. "You're both acting like little children. Look at you two, you can barely dress yourselves but one's a queen and the other's leading a naval fleet. Now both of you shut up, quit cursing at each other like sailors, and get dressed! You two are getting married in an hour if I have to pull you both down the aisle by your ears, you hear me?"
A beat of silence, and then…
"Yes Granny." The queen and commodore both responded dutifully before they went back to getting ready.
"I'm sweating like a pig!" Regina huffed, patting a damp cloth on her neck and chest.
"You know it's ironic? We faced death itself on several occasions and became a queen and an ambassador…" Belle monologued. "But here we are, in jitters because we're getting married."
"Belle, while I usually enjoy your pointing out life's little mysteries…" Regina began.
"Not the time?" Belle asked.
"Very much so." Regina quipped.
"Oh, you two are downright ridiculous." Abbie said as she pinned up Regina's hair. "You've been through hell and back with those two, why's today any different?"
"Well for starters, the whole kingdom wasn't watching us go through hell and back." Belle pointed out.
"And we were wearing trousers, not big puffy dresses that could trip us at any second." Regina added.
"Didn't even think of that Regina, thanks." Belle sighed, suddenly more nervous than she was a second ago.
"Oops?" Regina gave her best friend and apologetic smile.
"Oops she says." Belle sassed.
"Belle, I am your queen and sovereign." Regina pointed out.
"And I am your best friend and ambassador and if you cross me I can make it very difficult for you to get those snow berries from Arendelle that you love so much." Belle threatened.
"That's treason!" Regina shot back jokingly.
"Oh please I was a pirate who helped you invade your mother's kingdom, that word means nothing to me." Belle teased.
"You two are as bad as Emma and Ruby." Abbie rolled her eyes.
"Do you think they're nervous?" Belle asked.
"I think I heard Granny yelling at them from the window when I went to get some air." Regina said.
"You mean when you went to smoke Emma's pipe while you thought no one was looking?" Belle teased.
"That's rich, coming from the girl harboring her fiancee's rum flask like a criminal." Regina quipped.
"Girls, I don't mean to alarm you, but you are getting married in an hour and you're kind of required to be there for it." Abbie stated. "Perhaps you should stop trading blows and finish getting ready."
"Yes Abbie." The two girls responded in unison. Abbie smirked.
"Did I mention how much I love being your maid of honor?"
"Okay, you two ready?" Granny asked, brushing off non-existent dust and fluff from Ruby and Emma's coats.
"I don't think I'll be ready to actually do this until I've done it." Ruby huffed and wiped at her forehead with a handkerchief.
"Don't be ridiculous, you love that girl more than anything in this world." Granny said.
"I do." Ruby nodded.
"Good, now just keep thinking those words till the priest asks the big question." Her grandmother chuckled before turning to Emma. "You too, Swan."
"I know Granny." Emma nodded.
"Look at you two." Granny said. "I couldn't be any prouder. And your mothers, gods, I bet they've got the biggest damn smiled on their faces right now."
Ruby and Emma couldn't help but glance at each other as they smiled.
"I should go make sure everything is set." Ruby said. "Make sure the orchestra didn't get drunk yet."
"This is a palace girl, not the tavern." Granny reminded her. "People have class here, and common sense."
"Yeah well…I need something to do to keep my heart from bursting." Ruby sighed, stepping closer to her grandmother and giving her a hug. "Thank you Granny, for everything."
"I was a little upset when you didn't want me to be the one to give you away, but then again it would be redundant. You never belonged to anyone but yourself." The older woman said.
"I'll belong to her when this is over, I wouldn't want it any other way." Ruby smiled at her grandmother brightly. "Did you ever think I'd get this far?"
"Wearing a naval uniform and about to get married in view of the whole kingdom? Hell no." Granny chuckled. "But that's the thing about you girl, you always surpass everyone's expectations."
Ruby tried not to blush, not that she cared much at this point. "Thank you Granny."
"Go on, you'll have plenty of time to thank me when I'm taking care of my great grandchildren." Granny said as Ruby hugged her again, getting a kiss on her cheek from her grandmother.
"Aye, I will." Ruby nodded, putting on her hat and giving her and Emma a bow of her head before she went off to make sure everything was in order.
"And you?" Granny turned to the blonde. "How are you feeling?"
"I'm…" Emma searched around for the right word for a moment, and the she sighed, a small smile forming on her face. "I'm at peace. I thought I'd be a nervous wreck. But after all Regina and I have been through, this is just another step forward."
"You always had more of a level head than Ruby." Granny said with a nod.
"You're joking right?" Emma asked. Granny waved her off with a chuckle.
"Well you hid it a lot better at least." The old woman said, examining Emma's coat - the one that belonged to her mother, and that for a time belonged to Regina. She pulled out a handkerchief, polishing off a button unnecessarily before she looked up at Emma again. "She'd be proud of you Emma. She'd be proud of absolutely everything you've done these past twenty years.
"I just wish she could be here." Emma said. Granny nodded.
"She's here." She said, a hand going up to the left side of Emma's chest, right where her heart was pounding. The blonde queen smiled and nodded.
"You know you didn't have to take care of me." Emma said. "For the wedding I mean, I could have found help-"
"Don't be ridiculous." Granny waved her off. "The last thing I promised your mother before we lost her was that I'd see you through your wedding, and your coronation."
"Hope you won't leave me to my own devices after that." Emma teased lightly.
"I'm sure Regina can keep you wrangled." Granny chuckled. "But I'll still be around to give you a good talkin' to when you need it."
"Never doubted it for a second." The blonde laughed.
"Good." Granny nodded. "Now we should quit chit-chattin'. You're getting married soon."
"How's Regina?" Emma asked.
"Last I heard she was sweating like a pig and smoking like a fire." Granny said with a grin. "She's fine, you'll see so when she walks down that aisle."
Emma nodded.
"Well what are you waiting for girl, a royal summons?" Granny waved in the direction of the main gardens where the guests were already seated, chatting and waiting for the grand moment they'd all been invited for. "Get out there."
Emma nodded and stepped forward, hugging the old woman tightly for a moment before she pulled away, giving her one last smile before she turned around and walked out to the gardens.
Ruby gave her a nod, walking up to her as she came out.
"Everything is set." The commodore said, pulling out her pocket watch and looking at the time before she slipped it back into its place. "They're set to be out soon."
"Then there's no more room to stall is there?" Emma chuckled. "Come on, Lucas, let's get ourselves married, shall we?"
"Aye capt- uhh…" Ruby stopped and chuckled. "Your majesty. Sorry…haven't gotten used to that yet."
"Neither have I." Emma clapped her shoulder gently and gestured with her head for them to move.
They stepped over to the platform under the high arch that was covered in flowers from all over the isles as well as the valleys of Misthaven, a tribute to the two soon to be united kingdoms, shaking hands with the high priest and taking their positions to wait for their brides.
"Are you sure it's tight enough?" Regina fiddled with her tiara and the pins that held it in place.
"Regina if you ruin my pinning I swear to the gods-" Abbie began to threaten.
"They're all set." Granny said as she came into the main hall where Regina and Belle waited for their cue.
"Oh Granny, thank gods." Maurice sighed, wiping the sweat off his brow.
"Father's about to have a fit and we're out of rum." Belle said with a slight roll of her eyes.
"Men." Granny rolled her eyes and pulled out her flask, passing it off to the retired former ambassador. He sighed in relief and took a couple of swigs. "You're more nervous than the brides."
"Don't be so sure." Regina spoke up with a huff.
"Oh enough of that, come here." Granny said, gesturing to both of them. "Now you two girls have faced foes the likes of which you never even imagined you'd have to deal with. You're telling me getting married is turning you into a nervous wreck?"
"I'm fine." Belle shrugged.
"She's also slightly drunk." Regina gave her best friend a pointed look.
"Perfect." Granny nodded. "Ruby will be the proudest wife ever."
Belle giggled and shook her momentary buzz off. "I'm fine, she's exaggerating. Daddy drank most of it."
"Men will never be able to deal with weddings properly, that's just a fact." Granny said, looking over at Maurice. "You better not trip my soon to be grand-daughter-in-law on her way up the aisle."
"Yes Granny." Maurice nodded nervously.
"Good." She said before looking back at the girls. "Now come on, Ruby and Emma are in place…it's time you four got married."
"All rise." The high priest said. Emma and Ruby turned to face the main door that lead to the gardens - the one the aisle had been planned around - as the music started playing a slow, gentle melody.
The door opened, and the bridesmaids started making their way out, down the aisle in even, measured paces, each having their moment in the eyes of the kingdom before the brides stole the show.
When the last of them had made their way to stand around the platform where Emma, Ruby, and the priest stood and waited, the flower girl stepped out. The guests all let out a low 'aww' as little Suzie Moore made her way down the aisle, sprinkling petals as she went, and her aunt Abbie right behind her, flowers threaded through her hair as she made her mark as the brides' best friend and closest confidante.
They arrived at the platform, taking their places as the music faded off. And then the orchestra started up again, this time in a much more regal tune.
Everyone waited for a short moment on bated breath, before they caught sight of the skirts of bright, white dresses, and then Regina and Belle appeared, escorted down the aisle by Granny and Maurice respectively.
"I think I'm gonna cry." Ruby whispered to Emma.
"I'm hoping you do so I won't look like the only sap at this altar." Emma whispered back, her eyes not leaving Regina's as she watched her make her way down, her heart beating like a ward drum in her chest.
Regina tried to keep her breathing even and used all her self control not to let go of Granny's arm and run the rest of the way down the aisle, knowing Emma would catch her in her arms as soon as she got there.
"Regina?" Belle said softly, her eyes trained on Ruby and excitement bubbling up in her chest.
"Yes Belle?"
"Thank you for being crazy enough to stow away on that ship." Belle said.
"Thank you for being crazy enough to go along with it." Regina responded, gently reaching down with her free hand and squeezing Belle's, the younger girl returning the gesture in kind.
To the four girls, it seemed like forever, but they finally arrived to the altar, and Maurice and Granny both gave Belle and Regina two soft kisses on the cheek before they took their hands, and carefully and symbolically moved their hands towards Ruby and Emma's.
The queen and commodore took their fiancees hands gently, both bowing down and pressing a kiss to the hand in theirs before Regina and Belle stepped up and took their places on the center of the platform.
"Please be seated." The high priest said, the guests all taking their seats. "Brothers and sisters, we stand here today, in the light of the gods, to witness the union of our two beloved queens, Emma of the White Kingdom, and Regina of Misthaven, and their two dearly beloved friends, Commodore Ruby Lucas, and Ambassador Belle French. May the gods bless them and keep them in their eyes and light, and ward away all evil as they live and prosper."
It was easy, almost too easy in fact, to drown out the rest of the priest's prayers. As he named each of the gods and prayed to them for the girls' futures and lives and dreams, Regina and Emma found that they had all their prayers answered just by looking into each others' eyes. Ruby and Belle, doing the same, knew that no amount of praying could ever bless them more than they'd already been by having each other as they had, as they would from now till the bitter end.
And that's how they remained, until the priest finished his prayers and pulled out two matching silk ribbons the color of gold.
"Will you please join hands?" he asked the couples, who complied easily, Emma taking Regina's and Ruby taking Belle's. The priest very carefully wound a ribbon around each of the couples' joined hands, tying a loose knot just on top of their hands and laying it there.
"As these sashes binds your hands as one, so do the gods bind your souls, as do your hearts willingly and freely bind themselves to each other. As will your lives be bound to one another for eternity." He said. "Will you take the holy vows?"
"I will." Emma said, a grin on her face.
"I will." Regina breathed out, her heart racing.
"I will." Belle gave a firm nod, her hand gripping Ruby's tightly.
"I will." Ruby said, swallowing at the lump forming in her throat.
"Do you vow to honor and hold each other to the highest regards and respects, to cherish each other's very presence in your life? Do you swear in front of your gods and loved ones to always be loyal, kind, and loving towards the one whom you yourself have chosen to be joined with? Do you vow to always be true and faithful to one another as you would wish them to be to you? Do you vow to endure and overcome all that might ail you in life as one soul of two hearts, as the gods command in the holy scriptures? Do you vow to do so from this day, until your last day on this earth?"
It was as if, at that moment, the very air stood still. The waves of the ocean not too far from them seemed to quieten down, everyone seemed to hold their breath for fear of disturbing the moment.
Neither of the girls knew which should go first, neither wanted to wait.
And thus, as a chorus, the four women who'd been through thick and thin together spoke.
"I do."
Five Years Later.
"And so the princess and her glorious knight were crowned queens. And the kingdom rejoiced as a new age of love and peace was hailed. And with their love true, they lived happily ever after."
"Wow!" the little boy grinned up at his mother. "That's amazing mommy! Is that yours an mama's story?"
"No Henry." Regina giggled softly as she put the book down, her five year old son leaping from his seat on the sofa onto his mother's lap. She caught him and lifted him up so that he was sitting properly. "Your mama and mine's story is a little different, but thankfully we're just as happy."
"You got a happy ending too?" he grinned at her.
"Well the story isn't over yet." Regina said, pressing a kiss to his cheek.
"Where's mama?" he asked.
"Probably saying hello to Granny at the tavern." Regina said.
"I was." Emma spoke as she walked through the door of the summer mansion, the sun of Cape Black reflecting off her gold hair until she stepped inside further.
"Mama!" Henry grinned, leaping off of Regina's lap and running to his other mother.
"There's my little prince!" Emma laughed as she picked him up, spinning him around and hugging him tightly.
"Mommy read me the story again mama!" he said.
"Did she now?" Emma asked. "And did the ending change?"
"Nope." He shook his head. "They still got married and lived happily ever after! Like you and mommy!"
"That's good, I worry about those two sometimes." The blonde queen joked, Regina rolling her eyes at her wife as she stepped up to her to press a kiss to her cheek.
"Mama, will you tell me yours and mommy's story?" Henry asked.
"One day, sweetheart." Emma nodded. "When you're a little older hmm? It's a bit complicated."
"Okay." Henry sighed before another idea brightened his features. "Can we play?"
"Well I did have some papers to sign but-"
"Ow! Fu-"
"Ruby!"
"What in the hell?" Emma muttered to herself.
"Sorry sorry." Ruby sighed as she stepped into the house. "That step has always been funny. I should talk to Emma about getting it fixed."
"We'll tell her when we're back on the-"
"Ruby? Belle?" Regina spoke up as the couple entered the door.
"Or maybe not?" Belle said, grinning when she saw her best friend. "What are you two doing here?"
"We decided to start our summer early." Regina said, Belle stepping up to her and hugging her early. "Where's-"
"Anita be careful!" Ruby chided the little girl who was running up the steps. A dark haired girl with big eyes grinned widely when she walked into the main room of the mansion.
"Aunt Emma! Auntie 'Gina!" she greeted brightly.
"Anita!" Henry cheered, nearly leaping from his mother's arms as she put him down, he took off like a rabbit towards his best friend and hugged her tightly, with her hugging him back.
"Henry!" she cried happily.
"Swan." Ruby grinned at her best friend, who went over to her and wrapped an arm around her.
"Lucas. How's the travels?" she asked.
"We just got back from Dunbroch. Queen Merida is looking forward to coming to the Isles soon to discuss further trade deals." Belle informed.
"Wouldn't it be easier for her to send an ambassador?" Regina asked.
"You know how she is, hands-on or nothing." Belle smiled and shrugged.
"Must be why you two get along so well." Her best friend teased.
"Mama, Mommy, can Anita and I go outside and play swords?" Henry asked.
"Well now, is it knights or pirates?" Emma asked.
"Pirates!" the two children giggled.
"We'll fight off the Evil Queen's Navy and free the island!" Henry announced.
"Aye aye captain Henry!" Anita saluted before the two children ran outside.
"Hmm, Remind you of anyone?" Ruby turned to ask her best friend. Emma chuckled.
"How's the ship?"
"The Savior? As fit as she was the day we first sailed her." Ruby nodded.
"Join us for lunch?" Regina invited.
"We'd love to." Belle said, looking to Ruby who nodded.
"There's always time for good food and good friends." The commodore said, nudging Emma who wrapped an arm around her roughly and accidentally knocked her hat off.
"Oy!"
Regina and Belle laughed at the antics of the two women who never really changed in the past five years, not that they would have had it any other way.
And they lived happily ever after.
The End.
A/N: I hope you enjoyed that ending as much as I enjoyed writing it. Please let me know what you thought. If you'd like to support me further, you can donate to my ko – fi page at ko – fi dot com /bluehoneybee
The cover for this fic was made by UselessLesbianLaughter on AO3 - check her out and show her some love!