Title: The Girl who would be Queen.

Author: Starbuck1980 (Livejournal and Tumblr)

Fandom: Once Upon a Time

Pairing: Swan Queen

Rating: NC17 for trigger warnings, language and sexy times.

Summary: Spoilers for Stable Boy S01E18, Fruit of the Poisonous Tree S01E11, The Return S01E19 and one line in part 28 from A Land without Magic S1E22.

Emma is sent a book, similar to Henry's containing details of the Evil Queen's past. Mixed FTL with SB. Dark & twisty.

Trigger Warnings: Child abuse – Physical and emotional, emotional neglect. Cutting/suicidal tendencies, flashbacks, nightmares, Self-loathing. Please consider before you read this if you have been/still are affected by any of these. I write from experience so these scenes are fairly detailed and could be difficult to read. I do not in any way condone cutting but having lived with this tendency for a long time, I understand it. I am also in no way saying that if you are affected by abuse, you should keep quiet. In fact if you or someone you know if affect by any of these topics, please consider seeking help. There is someone out there who can and will help you.

Disclaimer: I own nothing; if I did OUaT would be taking a very different path with this pairing. Chapter titles are taken from various songs by Evanescence. All rights belong to Disney/ABC and Amy Lee/Evanescence.

A/N: This is the final part, after this there is no more! This was for my own need to tie up the loose ends with Henry. Thank you so much for reading, I have very much enjoyed writing this and reading all your comments. I feel a kind of responsibility to anyone who's reading this to explain abuse in a sensitive way that would be appropriate for kids. So the part where Emma tells Henry about the abuse Regina suffered, I did google it. I have no personal experience telling kids about this stuff.

Epilogue.

Emma sat fidgeting in her bug waiting for Henry's class to return from camp. It had been her idea to collect him and prepare the way for what they had to tell him. They had spent most of Friday in blissful ignorance, hardly getting out of Emma's bed and enjoying the comfort of the other's body. Yet as the day wore on they realised that Henry would be back the following morning and he needed to be told, not only about them but about what Regina had and was going through and about the curse as well. Emma had been clear from the start, only the truth would suffice and Regina's protests had been marginal at best. She knew it would only work if they were honest.

Emma's plan was to pave the way before she and Henry arrived home but as Emma mulled the words over in her mind she wasn't sure how to tell a ten year old that his mother had less than desirable childhood.

Regina had been against the idea at first but Emma knew Henry would want to know why she had done the things she had. Regina didn't want to be excusing what she had done but Emma knew that it helped to explain how she had become the person she did. She knew Henry would need this justification in order to forgive her.

The bus finally pulled into the parking lot and Emma got out of the car, leaning against the hood as the bus slowed to a halt and then stopped. Parents began to swarm the bus, chattering and waving excitedly and Emma hung back, allowing them time and space to collect their children.

Her stomach dipped as Mary Margaret stepped off the bus, an unexpected feeling of warmth mixing in her belly as she watched her mother send children off to their parents, a smile lighting up her pretty face. Emma had been completely focused on what she would say to Henry that she had totally forgotten about seeing Mary Margaret, or Snow, as Emma now knew her to be. The petite brunette caught her eye as Henry came down the steps, Mary Margaret's hand on the small of his back and a smile on her lips. Sudden warmth embraced Emma and made the blonde want to run over and embrace her mother. She contained herself, swallowing the lump that rose in her throat as Henry and his teacher approached. Today was about making sure that Henry understood everything that had happened this last week. Confessions to her best friend would have to wait until another time.

'Emma!' Henry exclaimed excitedly as he hurried the rest of the way towards her and threw his arms around her narrow waist.

'Hey Kid, how was it?' Emma asked hugging him tightly, a smile playing on her lips as her eyes focused on Mary Margaret.

'Great! How come you're here?' Henry replied, grinning as he stepped backward. He looked up at her, noticing the expression on her face as she looked back at his teacher.

'Your mom and I agreed that I would come pick you up,' Emma replied with a shrug, taking Henry's backpack. 'Hop in I said I would have you back for dinner,' Emma said again leaving out the part where she was to be there too.

Henry did as he was told, glancing back at Mary Margaret and thanking her as he got in the front seat. He looked at Emma, whose focus was still on his teacher, her eyes watery with tears. Henry wasn't sure who she was more pleased to see.

'Everything okay?' Mary Margaret asked frowning, Emma's expression not going un-noticed. Emma paused for a moment, deciding; before throwing her arms around her unsuspecting mother.

'Ohh... Okay...' Mary Margaret exclaimed taken aback by Emma's sudden hug, usually it was the brunette who instigated affection. 'What's going on?' she asked again, Emma's arms tightening as she fought with the tears that threatened before stepping back and shrugging. Emma didn't speak for a moment, how could she tell this woman who looked no older than Emma that she was her mother. It seemed preposterous, especially as Mary Margaret still believed the curse to be nonsense.

'I just missed having a friendly face around, that's all,' Emma said, shrugging again as she glanced over at Henry who was watching them with eager interest.

'Things that bad between you and Regina?' Mary Margaret asked with sympathy in her soft eyes. She reached over squeezing Emma's upper arm lightly.

'No actually things are pretty great in that department,' Emma replied unable to keep the grin from her face as Mary Margaret quirked an eye brow.

'I just missed having a friend this week and I have something to discuss with Henry, which I need to fill you in on too,' Emma stuffed her hands in the pocket of her jeans, unable to meet her friend's gaze.

'Well if it can wait, I'll be done in about an hour or so,' she replied frowning at Emma's odd behaviour.

'Actually I can't. I have dinner with Regina and Henry. I'll fill you in later okay? Maybe tomorrow?' Emma said she wasn't sure how to imply that she might not be home tonight. 'I might be home kind of late,' Emma added with a sheepish smile.

Mary Margaret looked at her oddly but as Emma didn't offer anything further she nodded. 'See you then,' she said as Emma gave her another quick squeeze before seating herself in the driver's side of the bug.

Emma was silent as she gripped the steering wheel. She pulled out of the parking lot and headed towards the water front where Henry's castle had once stood. It had been their place and she wanted to be able to look Henry in the eye when she was telling him and not focusing on the road.

'Where are we going?' Henry asked, excited for a moment but he frowned as she glanced over to him. 'What's going on?' He added his voice slightly worried.

'I thought we could go down to the beach for a little while. I kind of have something I want to talk to you about.' Emma said gently, glancing over to him and then back at the road.

'Why? Where's my mom? Why didn't she pick me up? Did something happen?' Henry fired off questions.

'You're mom's fine,' Emma stated as she pulled her car into a vacant space. 'You want to sit in the car or go down to the water and skim rocks?' Emma ask turning to him, his face a framed with apprehension as he shrugged. 'Come on then, let's go skim rocks.'

Down by the water front Henry stuffed his hands into his pockets in much the same way Emma did and Emma wondered if he had always done that or if it was her influence.

'Hey Kid, sit down for a minute.' Emma said as she sat down on the stony shore and Henry sat down beside his birth mother, leaning up against her as he looked down at his shoes.

'Just tell me what's going on, please,' Henry asked, his big round eyes turned up to face her own.

Emma let out a breath, gazing towards the horizon. She draped an arm around his shoulders, pulling him close.

'You're mom and I have done a lot of talking this past week,' Emma began, her hand coming up to ruffle his hair.

'You're not leaving are you? She didn't make you want to leave, did she?' Henry butted in slight panic in his tone.

'What? No Kid,' she turned to face him, a frown upon her brow.

She looked down into her son's beautiful face. One of the only things she did right in this world, his mother being the other. They had decided that they would tell Henry about the two of them together along with the curse but now she wondered how she could talk to him about his other mother's childhood without making it clear that she loved Regina. She thought for a moment, cupping his face between her palms before dropping her hands to his shoulders.

'You remember when I told you I gave you up because I wanted to give you your best chance?' He nodded then, still frowning. 'I believe that giving you to your mom was your best chance, Henry'

'But… She's the Evil Queen! She's evil, Emma,' Henry stated with conviction. Emma was ready for this.

'You know, I've met some truly evil people and yes there are people in this world that are evil Henry, but your mom isn't one of them,' She raised a finger to silence him when he opened his mouth to interrupt.

'Did your mom ever tell you anything about her childhood or your grandmother?' Emma asked changing tact. He shook his head,

'No, she doesn't like to talk about that stuff,' He said softly.

'Why do you think that is?' Emma asked taking his hands; he shrugged, breaking eye contact and looking down into his lap. 'Henry, do you know what abuse is?'

'Umm… It's when a grownup hurts you on purpose?' He answered quietly, squirming slightly.

'That's right, abuse can be physical like if someone hits you or when someone says mean and hurtful things to you or makes you feel bad about yourself, that's called emotional abuse. Abuse can also be when a grownup touches you where they're not supposed to which makes you feel bad or uncomfortable and confused. Do you understand?' Henry frowned, uncertainty consuming his face.

'There are good and bad touches…' Emma explained.

'Like a hug or holding hands or snuggling with your mom or me are all good ones but when someone touches you below your waistband or beneath your underwear is bad or any touching that makes you feel uncomfortable or confused for any reason, even if you don't know what that reason is, it's not okay,' Emma looked at her son, his eyes wide as she tried to explain this difficult subject to him.

'Your body is your own and you can tell people when you don't like where or how they're touching you. Even if you don't mind them doing it or are curious, or want to make that person feel happy, sexual touching between adults and kids is not okay,' Emma finished, feeling like she was reeling off some advice guide for parents.

'Abuse can also be when a kid's parent doesn't take care of them properly, doesn't feed them or give them clean clothes or provide basic needs for them. That kind of abuse is called neglect.'

'Okay. Miss Blanchard has talked to us about some of this in school,' Henry replied, 'She said if anything like that happens we should tell someone we trusted.'

Emma nodded eagerly, trying to smile while her heart felt like it was breaking for his mother who was home alone.

'What does this have to do with my mom?' He asked, trying to fit the pieces together in his mind. She knew he was a smart boy.

'Well, when your mom was growing up she didn't have anyone to confide in. Her mom did things to her that today we would call abuse. She hurt your mom very much, Henry and that's not something you can just get over. That much hurt gets buried very deeply inside of you and that's what happened to your mom. She had no one to talk to; no one helped her and no one could stop her mother from doing those things to her. She lived with that her whole life and that's a very long time for someone to keep hurting you,' Emma felt the tears slipping down her cheeks and saw Henry's eyes welling up too. She hugged him close.

'Why didn't her dad help her?' Henry asked as he looked up at her, his eyes big and wide. She reached down, brushing the tears from his cheeks.

'I don't know Henry I think he was too afraid. I think maybe he thought that she would hurt your mom more if he tried to stop it,' Emma said as she kissed the top of his head.

'Why didn't she run away?' He asked again, trying to find a way his mother, the all-powerful mayor and Evil Queen could fight back.

'She was just a little girl Henry. Just like one of your friends at school, what could she do? When your mom was a girl there wasn't anyone she could tell, she was home schooled so she didn't have a lovely teacher like Miss Blanchard. There wasn't anywhere for her to go and she was afraid Henry,' Emma explained, trying to keep her tears in check.

Henry let out a small sob, his little body shaking as tears ran down his cheeks.

'Why didn't she tell me?' He asked through muffled sobs.

'It's very hard for her to talk about honey, I'm sorry,' Emma replied, hugging him close again.

'Why did she tell you and not me?' He wailed, fresh tears renewing in Emma's eyes.

'She didn't, I kind of found out by accident. You know what your mom is like; she doesn't like to talk about her personal issues. And she doesn't want to upset you but she asked me to talk to you because she's been having a hard time with bad dreams and lots of bad memories. She's had a very rough week and she's trying to deal with this the best way she can but you need to be patient with her, okay?' Emma asked, watching Henry's love for Regina spill through his eyes.

He nodded up at her, his arms coming around her waist to hug her tightly.

'That's why she was being weird when I left?' He asked, sniffing and rubbing the tears from his eyes.

'Yes. These kinds of things are so hard to talk about, she's feeling very upset and confused right now and I know you are too. It takes a lot of courage to even bring this up and it sometimes takes a while for someone to feel strong enough to talk about something like this. She's not feeling very brave or very strong right now, that's why she needs us to be strong for her but I know she will want you to talk to her if you are unsure about something. Do you understand?' Emma asked.

He nodded again, burying his face in her chest and hugging her tightly.

'She loves you very much Henry, I know you find that hard to believe but it makes her sad when you say she's evil. She knows what true evil is, honey and she would never, ever hurt you like that. Her mother is evil but just because that was done to her it doesn't mean that she is the same,' Emma tried to explain.

'I know, I know she wouldn't hurt me,' Henry replied, his voice firm for the first time as Emma smiled down at him.

They sat quietly for a while, their arms wrapped around each other until Henry broke the silence first,

'Emma, can we go home now? I want to see my mom,' he asked softly.

'Okay, do you want to ask me anything first?' Emma asked wanting him to be sure of everything first.

'No, I'm okay I just want to see her,' He said as he got up, taking her hand and leading her back to the car.

Regina was a bundle of nerves as she sat at the breakfast bar resisting the urge to down half a bottle of scotch. She busied herself with making dinner when she heard her phone beep signalling that she had a text message:

Maybe we should hold off telling Henry tonight? He was kind of upset after I told him. Maybe we shouldn't overwhelm him? Be home in 10. Don't worry, it'll be ok. Emma

Regina's heart sank as she thought of Henry shedding tears over this. Why couldn't she just man up and tell him herself but as she thought about his numerous questions, a lump rose to her throat and she felt like she was about to panic. She took a deep breath; of course he would have questions. What ten year old boy didn't? She just hoped Emma would stay and have dinner like they had planned. Yesterday's blissful ignorance seemed so far away now. She heard the car pull up, nerves tightening in the pit of her stomach.

'Mom! Mom!' Henry called from the foyer; he kicked his shoes off, putting them away with his coat in the hall closet like Regina always had to remind him to. Regina appeared in the doorway to the kitchen, her eyes meeting Emma's as she came up behind their son.

'I'm here Henry,' Regina called out to him, trying to smile as he looked up at her sad face. He stood for a moment, transfixed; biting his lip before he ran over to his mother and throwing his arms around her waist. She took hold of his shoulders and knelt down, Henry wrapping his arms around her neck and burying his face against her shoulder. She pulled him closed, squeezing gently to let him know it was okay and that she loved him. She could feel his tears soaking the thin material of her blouse.

'I love you Henry.' She affirmed, squeezing again.

He looked at her then, her eyes filling with tears as she gazed back at him. He saw a new venerability reflecting in her dark eyes knew it was the truth.

'I love you too mom,' He echoed simply meaning every word.

She smiled at him then, a completely sincere smile as she pulled him back into a hug and kissed his cheek. She held him for a moment until he pulled away, glancing back at Emma who was sat on the bottom stair.

'Go wash up for dinner, okay? It'll be ready soon,' Regina asked quietly squeezing his hand.

'Is Emma staying for dinner?' Henry asked as he looked between the two women.

'Sure am Kid,' Emma replied, easily ruffling his hair as she handed him his backpack.

He glanced back at his adopted mother before bounding up the stairs.

Emma followed Regina into the kitchen, taking her hand and pulling her close when she stopped by the island. Emma wrapped her arms around the brunette, sliding her hand up Regina's back to her shoulders, one hand playing with her short tufts of hair. Regina relaxed immediately, falling against the blonde, fighting her emotions. She sighed pulling Emma closer as her arms circled the blonde's waist, her head buried in Emma's neck.

'You okay?' Emma asked gently stroking Regina's hair as the brunette shook her head.

'I don't know how to do this,' she said, 'how upset was he? Did he understand?' Regina asked, looking up into Emma's face. Emma wiped an errant tear away.

'He was understandably upset. I made sure he understood, he asked a few questions. He was sad you didn't tell him but I explained that you find it difficult to talk about. He understood that, I think. Are we going to tell him the rest tomorrow?' Emma finished, taking Regina's face between her palms as the brunette began to nod.

Regina pulled her into a kiss then, salty tears swirling across Emma's tongue as she slipped it between Regina's parted lips. Regina pulled away first, desire rising up inside her.

'You'll stay tonight?' Regina asked uncertain and Emma nodded, pulling back as she heard Henry's heavy tread coming down the stairs.

The next morning Emma was up early. She let Regina sleep in, wanting to make breakfast before both she and Henry woke up. Dinner had gone pleasantly well and Henry was excited to talk about everything that had happened at camp. He even asked Regina to put him to bed and read him a story. Emma could tell Regina was taken aback by his sudden need for her but she could also tell how happy it made her.

Emma rubbed her eyes, she was tired and could've done with another couple of hours in bed but this was important and she knew Regina hadn't exactly had an easy night. She would need all the rest she could get with what they had to tell Henry tonight.

Once the information about his mother had sunk in, he seemed to take it all in his stride. Both Emma and Regina had asked him if he needed to talk about anything and she knew Regina had had a quiet word with him before he went to sleep, a newfound trust forming between them.

Henry had also noticed a tremendous change between Emma and Regina's relationship. He noticed the gentle teasing between them and the careless touches which Regina didn't flinch away from and looked on curiously but didn't comment, happy they were getting on.

Emma busied herself making waffles, the kitchen door bumping as Henry came through it. He glanced over her, taking note of the red check pyjama bottoms and black tank top, her hair pulled up into a loose ponytail before sliding into a seat at the breakfast bar.

'What're you making?' He asked eagerly, Emma handing him a glass of pressed apple juice.

'Waffles…' Emma replied smiling back at him.

'With bacon?' He asked taking a sip of apple juice.

'If you want?' Emma smiled again as she poured batter onto the waffle iron, delicious smells filling the kitchen. Emma closed the lid and pulled the bacon and eggs from the refrigerator and hunting for a fry pan.

'Henry why don't you go and set the table, I'm sure your mom will be up soon,' Emma called to him over her shoulder. He slid out of his seat, headed for the cutlery drawer but he paused, standing next to her and looking up with doe eyes.

'Emma,' He took her hand as she glanced down at him smiling. 'I'm glad you're here. My mom seems different with you around.'

Emma pulled him into an easy hug. 'Good different right?' she asked as his arms encircled her waist, squeezing gently.

'Yea, good different,' He said smiling before breaking away.

Regina came down the stairs, the smell of breakfast making her stomach growl. Emma was certainly making herself at home and for a moment irritation itched beneath Regina's skin but she forgot it, opening the kitchen door and seeing Emma wiggling her hips to the music on the radio and humming along to the familiar song. Regina smiled for a moment as she walked over to Emma, sliding her hands over the blonde's hips from behind and pulling her close.

'Morning,' Regina murmured against Emma's shoulder, the blonde running her fingers lightly over Regina arms and pulling them tightly around her middle.

'Mhmm. Morning,' Emma said turning around to face Regina, pulling the brunette into a soft kiss. Regina's arms came up around Emma's neck before she pulled away, her face serious as she looked up at Emma, apprehension settling over her.

'Where's Henry?' She asked in a worried tone, checking over her shoulder.

'He's watching television. He set the table for breakfast so I told him it was okay, why?' Emma replied, taking the scrambled eggs off the stove and shovelling them into a serving dish.

'Are we going to tell him now?' Regina inquired in hushed tones. She lifted the coffee pot off the tray Emma had set out and poured out two mugfuls. She fiddled with the edge of the tray, purposely not looking at Emma.

'Um yea, I guess. He seems okay this morning,' Emma replied walking over to where Regina stood and pulling her closer by her hips.

Regina looked up at Emma with uncertainty, every fibre of her being screaming at her not to let this happen but her heart tugged persistently as she looked up at Emma with tear filled eyes. She shrugged the words eluding her.

'We have to at some point,' Emma pointed out, 'He's a smart kid he knows something is going on already. He can see the changes in you,' Emma explained, feeling Regina stiffen in her arms before she pulled away and walked around the kitchen island, folding her arms defensively across her chest.

'What changes exactly?' Regina blinked rapidly for a moment, her tone sharp and her eyes hard when she finally looked up at Emma.

Emma pursed her lips, her hands on her hips,

'C'mon don't be like that. Good changes! After last night and me staying the night, he's not stupid. He can see how happy you are when we're together, he likes that we're not fighting all the time. That we're all here together,' Emma said as she moved around the island to stand next to Regina who was playing with the waistband cord on her satin pyjama bottoms.

'Hey,' Emma said sliding her hand up Regina's arm observing a scowl on the brunette's face. 'You want this, right?' Emma asked, taking Regina's hand in her own.

Emma took hold of her chin, forcing her to make eye contact and as she looked into Emma's green eyes all traces of her scowl fell away.

'Of course,' Regina murmured, touches of anxiety dancing over her beautiful face.

'Then we have to tell him and sooner rather than later,' the blonde replied, her hand stroking down Regina's dark silken hair.

Suddenly the door banged open and Regina jumped slightly. Henry stood in the doorway noting their body language and Emma's hand on Regina's waist. He was used to them standing close to each other and staring intently but the touching was new. Regina pulled away almost at once, stepping back and picking up one of the mugs off the tray and taking a sip.

'Is breakfast nearly ready? I'm starving,' Henry asked his tone taking on a distinct whine.

Regina scowled at his tone and Emma had to admit it was kind of grating.

'Why don't you try asking in a different tone?' Emma asked, surprising both Regina and Henry, who both looked at her with an almost identical expression. She smirked back at them for a moment before she handed Henry the serving bowl full of eggs.

'Here, take that to the table. We're coming through now,' She said glancing over to Regina who was still trying to hide a smirk of her own.

'When did you become the strict parent?' Regina asked grinning back at Emma who shot her a scowl of her own.

As the door swung closed Emma placed the bacon and plate of waffles on another tray.

'C'mon, let's go eat. We'll tell him after breakfast,' she said grinning as the smile fell away from Regina's lips.

Breakfast was pleasant enough and it was nice for both Emma and Henry to see Regina smiling. Plans were made to go to the movies after lunch and Henry was clearly reveling in this new familial security.

'May I be excused?' Henry asked as he placed his knife and fork down onto his plate. He looked directly at Regina clearly asking her permission and his eyebrows shot up when Emma answered.

'Actually, there's something we need to talk to you about Henry,' Emma said as her hand reached under the table to squeeze Regina's thigh in moral support. Regina shifted uncomfortably in her seat at the head of the table. Henry looked up at his adopted mother, uncertainty crossing his face. She tried to smile back but he could see something was wrong.

'What is it? Am I in trouble?' He asked, nerves churning inside him.

'No, no honey. It's just your mom and I have a couple of things to tell you,' Emma replied as Regina sat mute, fear edging her features. Her hand moved from the table to her lap and she found Emma's hand squeezing it tightly.

'Okay, is this something to do with you staying over?' Henry asked glancing up at his mother; he frowned at her for a moment before looking across to Emma. It was obvious who would be doing the talking. Emma smiled at him; their kid was too smart for his own good.

'Yes,' Emma paused for a moment unsure how to tell her son that she was in love with his other mother. 'You know your mom and I have spent quite a lot of time together while you were away this past week?' Emma squeezed Regina's hand under the table and glanced over at her. She looked down at Henry nodding and then back at Emma, her eyes shiny with impending tears.

'Well, we realised that…' Emma faltered for a moment as their son frowned back at them.

'We realised that we have feelings for each other, Henry,' Regina finished gruffly, speaking for the first time.

'What, like you love each other?' Henry asked, bluntly studying Regina intently as she tried to smile at him.

'Yes,' Regina whispered her voice hoarse as she tried desperately not to allow the tears to slip down her face. Henry's eyes narrowed for a moment then he looked at Emma.

'You love her?' He asked incredulously.

Regina visibly flinched at the way he said her and swallowed, closing her eyes tightly as a wave of nausea washing over her. It was too much to ask that he would understand. It was too much to ask that he thought she was capable of love, capable of being loved and it was too much to ask that his attitude towards her had really changed. He still believed she was evil and she was; so how could Emma possible love someone like her?

'Very much so Henry,' Emma said with conviction, lifting her and Regina's linked hands out from under the table. 'Your mom and I want to be together, we want us to be a family. How would you feel about that?' Emma finished, glancing at Regina whose head was bowed; her eyes still tightly closed as if she were praying to the Gods for strength.

Henry shrugged.

'But you hate each other?' He asked simply, noting Regina's stance as she lost control and a tear slipped down her cheek.

His brow furrowed as he watched it slide down her face. Her silence confused him.

'I don't think we ever really hated each other, right Regina?' Emma prompted, squeezing the brunette's hand again.

Her head snapped up as she wiped away a tear with her thumb gathering her strength and trying to don her mask and rebuild her walls. But that was the thing about walls, once they had been knocked down, it was difficult to resurrect them. What had Emma done to her that she couldn't slip into her mask so easily any more.

'Yes, yes I hated Emma but it was because I thought she was here to take you away. But when I realised she wouldn't, things changed,' Regina paused for a moment, reaching for Henry's hand. 'Emma has changed a lot of things around here including me. I know you can see the changes Henry,' She took a breath, looking down at her lap for a moment then looked back at her son, his face inquisitive as he stared back at her. What she was saying made sense to him and it was true, his mom did seem happier with Emma around.

'I've been alone for a long time Henry and I never thought that I would find love again. Someone who really knows me but loves me anyway,' Regina paused glancing at Emma. 'Emma knows me Henry, really knows me,' He frowned then not liking the way she said really. He opened his mouth to speak but Regina reached over and took his face between her palms silencing him.

'I was lost for a long time Henry but then Emma came along, she made me see, she made me face up to a lot of things that were wrong in my life, in our life and I didn't really realise how I felt until this past week. I didn't want to see but she made me and now I don't know how to go back, I don't want us to go back,' she admitted, another tear slipped down her cheek. She swallowed again before continuing.

'But I do love Emma just as much as I love you and I want her to be a part of our family because she completes our family Henry. Is that okay with you?' Regina asked, conviction shining in her dark eyes.

Henry glanced at Emma who was grinning as tears slipped down her own cheeks. He got up, reaching up to Regina and hugging her fiercely.

'It's okay mom. I understand Alfie in my class has two dads,' He stated casually as he squeezed tightly. Regina laughed into his shoulder and Emma echoed her laughter. 'Can I go now?'

'Not yet, there's something else,' Emma said reaching over and squeezing Henry's arm and then running a hand down Regina's back.

Emma turned slightly, reaching in to the pocket of her jacket that was hung on the back of the chair next to her. She placed the book on the table, Henry's eyes lighting up immediately as he sat back down in his seat. He frowned then, the familiar feeling that they should hide this book from his adopted mother creeping up his spine.

Nerves danced in the pit of Regina's stomach, tightening their grip as Emma placed the book down. She looked over at Henry as he frowned. She didn't know how to say this, all of her secrets were coming out when everything she knew screamed at her to cover it up. Emma reached for her hand, really this was the most important part but she wasn't ready for this conversation. She wasn't ready for Henry to hate her again. She swallowed hard thinking of what to say, how to begin when Emma spoke first.

'Henry, I,' Emma faltered searching for words of her own. The knot in Regina's stomach tightened.

'Emma believes in the curse Henry. She read this book,' Regina said simply and quietly.

'What?' Henry asked pulling his hand away from Regina's tight grasp, his eyes darting between his mothers as he stared at them dubiously.

'I am the Evil Queen, Henry and I cursed this town, I cursed everyone but Henry, you have to understand that I...' Regina said looking into her son's eyes, the eyes that were now cold as he scowled back at her.

'Your mom was confused Henry, about a lot of things but that's not who your mom is now. She's changed. I am sorry I didn't believe you Kid,' Emma apologised with sincerity.

'No. She's tricked you Emma. Don't you see? You're not supposed to be in love with the Evil Queen! You're the White Knight, you have to save everybody not join her side!' Henry shouted, jumping to his feet as his chair tipped backwards, tears in his eyes.

'Henry, sit down.' Emma warned as she looked over at Regina who was sinking further and further into herself with every word their son spoke.

'No! You don't get to tell me what to do!' He spat his eyes wild as he stormed out of the room, stamping up the stairs, the door to his bedroom slamming closed and echoing around the empty foyer.

Regina crumbled then tears flowing freely, a sob escaping her lips.

'He'll come round,' Emma whispered, pulling her chair closer and putting an arm around Regina's shoulders.

'No. No he won't. Why should he? I've done nothing but lie to him his whole life. He has every right to hate me,' Regina sobbed into her hands. 'I don't deserve his forgiveness, hell I don't deserve yours! You should just take him, take him and leave town.'

'Did you not see how happy our son was last night and this morning, seeing us together? Seeing us getting on, seeing how things could be if we were to be a family? I'm not going anywhere, so quit trying to make me leave. He will come round, he will have to because I love you and I love him and we will make this work,' Emma stated, pulling her into an awkward hug as Regina clung on tightly sobbing into Emma's neck.

A little while later Regina was calm and cleaning up the kitchen to her standard of cleanliness while Emma knocked on Henry's door. He was sprawled on top of his bed, face down with his arms covering his head.

'Hey Kid,' Emma said as she closed the door behind her. 'We need to talk.'

'I don't want to talk to you,' Henry replied in muffled tones.

'Well that's too bad. You can just listen then,' she said as she sat on the edge of the bed, the book in her hand.

'Someone sent this book to me, to make me understand something. They wanted me to believe like you do but without this book I wouldn't have understood the whole story because your book only tells one side. I would've been blind to your mom's pain,' Emma began, placing a hand on her son's back.

Henry sat up suddenly, fire in his eyes and for a moment Emma could clearly see Regina glaring back at her.

'I don't care about that!' Henry shouted at her.

She looked at him for a moment raising an eyebrow.

'Oh you don't care? Then why are you so upset?' she asked.

'Because she lied! She made me go and see Dr Hopper and told everyone that I was crazy. She lied to everyone; she made them all sad and took away their happy endings! I don't understand how you can love her when you know how evil she is!' Henry declared with frustration.

'Henry, she's not evil, not anymore. You are right about two things though: She did lie but she is sorry for it, truly sorry and I do love her, I love her very much. So much has happened this week and I am not sure I can explain it all but it comes down to this book. Just listen to me please,' she begged.

'No! I don't want to. How can you love her when she hates your mom! She took you away from your mom and dad!' He shouted again, slipping off the bed and walking towards the window where he turned to glare at her.

'Yes she did but you know what? If she hadn't have done that then you wouldn't have been born and it was you that changed everything Henry, you changed me and then you changed your mom's life for the better,' Emma pronounced.

He continued to scowl, his chest heaving and his eyes flashing back at her.

'You remember what I told you yesterday about what your grandmother did to your mom?' Emma asked softly.

Recognition flashed in his eyes but he kept quiet.

'What do you think that was like to grow up with? To be afraid of your mom, to be so afraid of what she would do to the people you love. Her mom killed the people she loved; her mom beat her, using magic to punish her. She lied to her too and told her that she was never good enough. What kind of life do you think she had?' Emma asked tears welling in her own eyes as she saw her son's eyes glistening back at her.

'Her mother taught her how to lie, she taught her not to trust people but you know what else? Her mother taught her how to use magic and that was the one thing that her mother told her she was good at,' Emma explained.

Tears slipped down Henry's cheeks and Emma reached out for him, beckoning him to her. He came without speaking and climbed into her lap as she leant back against the headboard, her arms closing tightly around him.

'When your mom was about eighteen, she was in love with a man who worked in the stables. He looked after the horses and taught her how to ride. She loved him very much but he was just a servant and your mom knew that her mother would never allow them to be together,' Emma told him.

Henry's arms hugged tighter.

'They planned on running away but Snow White caught them together. Your mom made her promise not to tell but your grandmother made Snow confess by pretending that she cared about your mom. So Snow told your grandmother and your grandmother killed the man your mom loved right in front of her. She took his heart from his chest,' Emma said softly, desperately trying to control her own emotions and be strong for Henry.

'Your grandmother had promised Snow's father, the King, that your mom would marry him and that's why she killed the man she loved for her own selfish reasons. But your mom was also pregnant,' Emma said, taking a breath.

She didn't know if this was helping because Henry was so quiet and she didn't know if she should really say all of this but she wanted him to understand why.

'Your grandmother made her drink some poison that killed the baby inside your mom and made her marry the King anyway,' Emma related.

Henry looked up at her then, tears on his face.

'That's why she hated Snow? Because Snow told on her?' Henry asked as Emma wiped a tear away.

'Yes but Snow was just a little girl and your mom didn't know that her mother had made Snow confess. She made her hate Snow; she made her believe things that weren't true,' Emma said trying to justify Regina's hate.

'Why did she believe her mom when she'd lied to her so many times?' Henry asked.

'Because sometimes it's hard to see what's right in front of you and it's hard when grown-ups tell you things that aren't true. When you're a kid, you're supposed to trust adults, you're supposed to believe them and when you don't have anyone else to tell you it's not true, it's hard not to believe,' Emma explained.

Henry nodded remembering the times when his mother had told him the curse wasn't true.

'Your mom is supposed to teach you about life, to teach you right from wrong. She is supposed to be the person you trust most in the world but all your grandmother did was to teach her daughter how to hate, how to lie and how to protect herself so that she wouldn't get hurt anymore. She made her believe things that weren't true; she taught her how to be an Evil Queen,' Emma took a breath.

'Your mom had a lot of people in her life that told her things and made her do things that she really didn't want to do but she is sorry Henry. I know she is,' Emma said, her voice cracking with emotion. She needed Henry to understand how hard all of this was for Regina.

'How do you really know? How do you know this isn't just another lie?' He asked a tinge of bitterness to his words.

'I feel it Henry and that's a part of love, believing in that person,' Emma began, 'but I've also been having some weird dreams. Mostly since I started reading this book but I think they're to do with the curse too because your mom and I had the same dream, at the same time. It was a dream about the Evil Queen and your mom was in it as she is now and the Evil Queen was a separate person. This is how I know your mom is sorry, truly sorry and this is how I know that she really does love the both of us,' Emma clarified.

He frowned for a moment, moving slightly away from her and sitting up a little bit more to face her.

'What happened in the dream?' He asked, curiosity overruling the anger.

'I felt your mom's love for me. It was so strong, I'd never felt anything like it before. The Evil Queen had captured me and your mom came to save me. I could see how afraid of the Queen she was but she faced that fear and she rescued me,' Emma said, shaking a bit at the memory.

Henry's face lit up then.

'Do you know how to break the curse?' He asked almost excitedly.

'Not exactly but I think it's beginning to weaken. I think the curse was meant to teach your mom something and show her that she can be loved, that she deserves to be loved by both of us,' Emma explained, 'Doesn't she deserve her happy ending too Henry?'

Henry was silent for a moment, thinking over all she had said before he nodded slowly.

Henry crept silently into Regina's room. The tears were still wet on her cheeks as he climbed onto the bed and snuggled up next to her. She put her arm around him and pulled him close, a sob escaping her lips as both arms came around him, her face against the top of his head.

'I'm sorry Henry, I am so sorry. I know you have every right to hate me but I'm sorry,' she sobbed against him.

'I don't hate you mom. I'm sorry I was so mean to you,' He whispered turning his face up to look at her.

'Why?' Regina asked simply. Henry reached up and wiped a tear away, his hand against her cheek for a brief moment.

'Because you're my mom, you took care of me and gave me my best chance and because I love you,' He replied his eyes shining. Regina pulled him closer as she sobbed.

Emma listened to them from the doorway, giving them a moment before she climbed on the bed, her arm wrapping around Regina as she snuggled closer to Henry who was in the middle.

As the comfort of her family washed over her, Regina dared to believe that this was truly her happy ending.