Chapter 24

Here we go the last chapter

A few weeks had passed since Regina told Molly what happened to Daniel. Since then the two of them were certainly becoming a lot closer. Now that they had truly opened up to each other, both mother and daughter couldn't be happier. Though, it was still strange for Regina to feel as happy as she did after wondering if she could ever feel this way again.

She did feel happy now, and she had having Henry and Molly in her life to thank for that. After everything they had been through, Regina was very determined to keep her children safe and not let anything happen to them.

As much as Regina hated to admit it maybe Tinkerbell had been right all those years ago, maybe she did need love instead of vengeance. Something else Regina had realized in the last few weeks, was something that came as a huge surprise to her and that was, she didn't mind being around the Charmings so much. Slowly but surely, they were becoming more tolerable, more like family.

Then the sound of hoofs pounding on the ground snapped Regina from her thoughts as she noticed that Molly had taken off with Maximus, down a hill and was heading toward a fallen log. Regina and Molly had decided to spend the morning horseback riding, something they had done a few times since returning to Storybrooke.

Regina had forgotten what it was like just too horseback ride for fun. It was so nice to be back on a horse again for something other than to travel from one place to another.

Regina then pushed her feet against the horse that she had borrowed from the stables to signal to him to move faster. The horse listened and began to canter down the hill after Molly. Regina watched as her daughter and Maximus jumped over the log, before she went over it as well.

Regina and Molly then raced down a dirt path alongside each other, Molly let out a laugh, fully enjoying herself. Regina then passed Molly until they came to a stop and turned the horses around so they could face each other.

"That was a good ride," Molly commented, smiling.

"It was." Regina gave her a smile, then patted the horse "You looked great going over that jump."

"Thanks, I hope one day I can ride like you," Molly said, having seen and admired Regina's riding skill since they started going on these rides together.

"You will, Molly. You have it in you."

"Thanks. So what were you thinking about back there?" Molly asked referring to when Regina looked deep in thought before they had gone down the hill.

"I was just thinking about how nice it's been lately."

Molly smiled in agreement. It had been quite peaceful in Storybrooke since they had been back.

"So, are you going to Emma's birthday party tonight?" Regina asked. "Henry and I will be there."

"Of course, Flynn and I will be there as well," Molly replied. "Speaking of the diner, we should probably start heading back to the stables so I'm not late for work."

"Yes, that would probably be best."

Then Molly and Regina then signaled for the horses to start walking again in the direction of the stables.

"I was thinking one of these days we should bring Henry with us. Not that I don't enjoy the mother-daughter rides but I think it would be nice to have Henry join us sometime."

"I agree. I'm sure he'd love to," Regina said.

After a couple minutes of enjoying the ride, Molly spoke again when she saw the roof of the stables a little ways in the distance.

"Hey, I'll race you back Mom."

Regina paused at hearing that word leave her daughter's lips. It was a little shocking to hear her say it when Regina wasn't sure she ever would.

"Mom?"

Molly just looked over at Regina and smiled before taking off again.

Later that day after the dinner rush, Molly was clearing the last of the dishes off a table at Granny's so they could start setting up for Emma's birthday party.

"Is everyone gone?" Ruby asked, walking out from the backroom.

"Yeah, Snow called a few minutes ago and said they'd be here soon."

"Okay, good." Ruby then started to help Molly straighten up the diner.

Molly then carried the tray with the empty plates to the kitchen and when she got back she saw Snow and David walking in the front door.

"Hi, Snow," Molly greeted.

"Hi, Molly, is anyone here yet?"

"Not yet, you're the first ones," Molly said. "I should probably go change before everyone gets here. If Regina or Flynn comes in would you tell them I'm in the back getting ready?"

"Of course."

Molly then went in the back to change out of her uniform while Snow and David helped Ruby finish setting up as the guests started arriving. Snow looked over at the door when she noticed Regina walking in.

"Regina," Snow greeted

Regina made eye contact then walked over to her. Snow then looked around and noticed that Henry wasn't with her.

"Where's Henry?"

"He went to go get Emma," Regina explained. "Have you seen Molly?"

"Yes, she's in the back getting ready but I'm sure she'll be out soon."

"Okay," Regina nodded then went over to the counter. Soon after she sat down, Granny walked over and she ordered herself a drink.

"Hello again," Regina turned around to see Robin Hood standing next to her.

"Hello. So how are you adjusting to Storybrooke?"

"It's quite an adjustment but so far so good. Roland really likes the park."

"Well, it is a nice park."

"It is. Can I get you a drink?" Robin asked and before Regina could answer Granny had set her drink down in front of her.

"Thank you, but I already have one."

"Maybe another time then," Robin said.

"Yes, maybe," Regina said and Robin gave her a smile before walking away.

Regina sat there for a minute after he left taking in what happened. She wasn't used to having a man show any interest in her, as Robin clearly was. Honestly, she wasn't sure how she felt about it since it was so strange but she had to admit, there was something about him that she couldn't quite put her finger on.

"Regina." Regina turned around and saw Molly walking over to her from her place next to Flynn who she had been talking to moments ago before she spotted her mother. "Was that Robin you were just talking to?"

"Yes. He offered to buy me a drink but I already had one so."

"He seems nice though and I think he likes you," Molly commented.

"Hmm." Regina then looked away for a minute.

"Are you okay?"

"I don't know; it's just ever since your father died, I didn't think about…"

"I understand but it's okay for you to give it a try, only if you want to, though. My father would want you to be happy, right."

Regina gave her daughter a smile then replied. "Yes, he would."

Then Henry, who had walked in with Emma while Regina was talking to Molly, came over to them.

"Hey, Mom, Molly."

"Hi, Henry."

"Are you ready to give Emma the thing?" Henry asked Molly.

"What thing?" Regina inquired.

"Remember when we told you that we were making a surprise for you guys while we were staying at Aurora and Phillip's castle?" Henry asked and Regina gave him a nod. "Well, this is it."

Henry then held up something that was wrapped in wrapping paper before he walked over to Emma, who was sitting in a booth with her parents.

"Hey, kid, what's up?" Emma asked as Regina and Molly came up behind Henry.

"I have something for you. For all of you really," Henry said, looking around at the group of family and friends that had gathered around the table

Henry then handed the present to Emma, who opened it and saw that it was a book with drawings of events that had happened since she met Henry.

"It's like your story book."

"Exactly!"

"You did all this?" Emma asked.

"Well I wrote the story, Molly did the drawings," Henry said looking at his sister and Regina then put her arm around Molly.

"You guys did a great job." Emma then gave Henry a hug. "Thank you."

"A really great job," Snow agreed.

"Oh Flynn, we made you a family tree so you won't get confused anymore," Henry said looking back at Flynn who was standing near Molly.

"Thanks Henry."

After the party was over a couple hours later Regina walked out of the diner after her children and Flynn while Snow, David and Emma were busy helping Granny clean up.

"Mom, can I get some ice cream?" Henry asked.

"You're still hungry after that piece of cake?"

"Yes," Henry said and Regina gave a little chuckle.

"Flynn and I can take him, if you'd like," Molly offered.

Regina then glanced inside Granny's and saw that Snow was making her way to the exit.

"That would be great Molly, thank you."

"You don't want to come too, Mom?" Henry asked with slight puzzlement in his voice.

"I'll be along in a few minutes. You go ahead."

"Okay."

"Let's go, guys," Flynn said and Molly took his hand and then they started down the street to the ice cream shop with Henry.

Regina watched them until they were out of sight then she heard the bell on the door chime and she turned around to see Snow, who looked surprised to see that Regina was still there.

"Regina. Is everything okay? I thought you went home."

"I am or will be once Henry gets back. He went to go get ice cream with Molly." Snow nodded then there was a pause before Regina spoke again. "Actually, there was something I wanted to talk to you about."

Snow looked up at Regina and was a little shocked that Regina wanted to talk to her about something. However, she shook it off quickly and gave Regina her full attention.

"Oh, okay, sure Regina. What is it?" Regina looked away for a minute collecting her thoughts.

"Well, I wanted to say that I've thought a lot about what happened, our history and least to say it's very complicated."

"Yes, it is," Snow agreed.

"I know we can't change what happened. You told me once you felt guilty for telling my mother about Daniel, murdering her." Regina watched as Snow looked down, signaling that she still felt guilty about it. "Then you helped me find my daughter and I'm not sure I could have found her without your help. So, thank you for bringing my daughter back to me."

Snow stood there listening and almost couldn't believe Regina was saying all this to her.

"You're welcome Regina. I thought it was the right thing to do. You deserve to be happy."

"Well, I think after everything we've been through these last few months, we should put the past to rest," Regina said.

"…And move on," Snow continued.

"Yes."

"Thank you, Regina."

Snow then gave her a smile, grateful that she and Regina were at least in agreement. She was then taken back again when Regina gave her a genuine smile back. She hadn't seen this smile in a long time, not since the day Regina had saved her life. Snow then took Regina's hand for a minute, giving it a friendly and reassuring squeeze.

Then the two women heard footsteps and looked up to see that Molly, Flynn and Henry had returned with ice cream cones in hand.

"We're back," Henry announced then asked. "What's going on here?"

Regina looked over at Snow then back at her children and said. "We were just talking."

Snow nodded then Henry gave a smile, getting the feeling that it was a good talk. They then heard the door open and David and Emma walked outside.

"Hey, what are you guys still doing here?" Emma asked, and then went to stand next to her mother.

"We were just talking," Snow said. "Ready to go home?"

David and Emma nodded, then they wished everyone goodnight before heading down the street to their apartment with Snow.

"Come on Henry, we should get home room too. It's time you went to bed," Regina said.

"Okay, Mom," Henry answered, though he wished he didn't have to since it had been a really great night.

"Goodnight, Molly," Regina said and gave Molly a tight hug.

"Goodnight, I'll see you tomorrow."

Regina then broke the hug and started walking down the street with Henry. She looked back briefly to see Molly and Flynn walking in the other direction, looking very happy. Regina then put her arm around her son and he smiled up at her as they continued to walk along. At this moment, Regina realized she had everything she always wanted.

The End

I hope you guys enjoyed the story. It has been so much fun to write and I'm going to miss working on it. Thank you for all your comments and following this story, I greatly appreciate it.

I will be starting another Once Upon a Time fic involving Regina very soon. So if anyone's interested check back in the next two weeks.