A Stolen Future: Chapter 2
Flashback to the wedding day:
Regina paced back and forth, the maids struggling to keep up with her. “Your majesty...if you would just stay still long enough for us to help you finish getting ready.”
“I can't do this.” Regina sighed, staring at herself in the mirror. After all these years, she was moments away from being someone's wife again. But this time, it was her choice. She loved the groom with ever fiber of her being. This wasn't about power or a throne. But the news she received yesterday had thrown her world into a tailspin. Sure, it had been building for almost a year, but this was too much too soon. Her heart was pounding in her chest like a race horse's hooves on the ground.
“Wow. I never thought the Evil Queen would admit to there being something that she couldn't do.”
Regina spun on her jewel encrusted white heels to face her step daughter. “Well no one ever thought we'd get along again either, but here we are. Never say never.”
The maids looked at Snow with pleading eyes. They'd been trying to get the Queen ready for awhile now, but she hadn't been making thing easy. A nod from the princess sent them out of the room, much to their relief.
“Regina...what is going on? Why are you so...agitated?” She made her way across the room slowly, as if she were walking towards a frightened animal.
“I can't do this, Snow. You have to talk to him for me...”
“To who? Robin? Oh no. I'm not telling him that the woman he adores is too chicken to walk simply take a little walk down an aisle.”
“It is a lot more than just a walk! This is happening to fast. I'm not...I can't...” Regina stammered, unable to articulate the fears that had been plaguing her all night.
“Regina...is this about Daniel? You told me yourself that he told you to love again. You're not cheating on him by moving on.” Snow's hand took the Queen's gently. “He'd want you to be happy again.”
“I know he would. It isn't about Daniel..its...about Henry.” Regina stared down at their hands. Could she really entrust a secret with this woman again?
Confusion filled Snow's eyes. “Henry? Regina...Henry wanted you to find love. You're not replacing him by..OH...you think this is like you replacing him with Roland...”
She swallowed hard. “No...not with Roland...I...I'm...”
Snow's eyes widened in glee. “Oh...my...God...you're pregnant!? Oh Regina!” She hugged her tightly. “This is amazing. I'm sure Robin is over the moon.”
“He..well he doesn't exactly know.” Regina replied sheepishly.
“You're carrying his child and you haven't told him? Why? Regina he's going to be so happy...he loves you. He is going to adore this child. And you've seen him with Roland, he's an amazing father. I don't see what the problem is.” Her grin grew. “OH MY! Our kids are going to get to grow up together!”
Regina grimaced at her perky tone. “You really are too optimistic about everything. Snow, at any moment, we're going to have to go back..to not remember any of this year. I won't remember marrying him...and I'll be carrying his child too? How is that good news...to be a single mother without any idea of how I got that way?”
Giggles erupted from the younger woman. “Oh Regina, I'm pretty sure you'll know how you got that way even without memories. But in all seriousness...it doesn't matter if you don't remember each other. It's only temporary..you will always...”
“NO! Do not say it...my stomach is queasy enough from morning sickness.”
“Very well. But he's your soul mate, Regina. You two will fall in love again. But in the meantime, you can't worry about what will happen. You need to take this moment...here and now...enjoy every single second you have with him....with your family.”
“My family isn't complete without Henry. And now that we're going back...what will he think if we meet again...and I've not only gotten married without him there but I now have a stepson and a baby on the way?”
“Regina...even if we find Henry when we go back...you said it yourself...he will have no memories. You replaced them with ones of Emma. And if he does remember, I know that boy. He has a huge heart just like you. He will be ecstatic that you made such progress this year...that you've opened up to love again. You've grown so much and he's going to be overjoyed. Because you will be happy...and you'll be an even better mother to him because of it.”
“I know so. Regina you have to follow your heart. You have to take the chance this time. Don't run from him again. You may not get another chance if you do. You deserve to be loved and cherished. Robin will do that. You love him don't you?”
“More than I ever thought possible.”
“Then stop over-thinking this.” Snow picked up the diamond encrusted tiara and placed it on Regina's head. “You look perfect...now if you want to run somewhere...run down the aisle to him.”
Regina took a deep breath and nodded, following her out to where David was waiting for them. He offered her his arm as she approached. “I know you always hoped it would be Henry that gave you away...but I hope I'm not too shabby of a second choice.”
She smiled lightly. “He'd be happy that we've come this far.”
Charming smiled back. “That he would. Now...Robin has been up there pacing for awhile..he's a little anxious to see his beautiful bride.” As the music started, he led her down the aisle.
Regina's heart swelled with happiness as she met Robin's eyes. The adoration she saw reflecting back at her brought a grin to her face and caused a wave of calmness and serenity to flow over her. She could never walk away from him. This was her chance. It all happened in a haze. She was briefly aware of David flipping her veil back to kiss her cheek as he put her hands into Robin's . The only thing she was focused on was the man in front of her. His eyes...his grin as he looked down at her. She felt like the only woman in the world when he looked at her. It felt like nothing in any realm could come between them. Her happy ending was standing right in front of her. And no green bitch was going to-....
The doors flew open, revealing her smirking sister. “Sorry I'm late. I guess my
invitation got lost in the mail.”
Robin pushed Regina gently to stand behind him. “You weren't invited. And you need to leave now.”
Zelena sneered and magically threw Robin across the room before closing the distance between herself and her sister. “I couldn't miss my little sis's big day. Besides...I have a wedding gift for you.”
Regina held her breath until she saw Robin try to sit up, unharmed. “You're not welcome here, Zelena. And I don't want anything from you.”
“Well, that's a shame, Dear. My gift to you is this happy happy day...enjoy it while it lasts, Sis. Because I will destroy your happiness if it is the last thing I do. Your time with your little outlaw is running out...” She strolled over to Snow and touched her growing stomach. “Its only a matter of time by the looks of it. So enjoy your married life while it lasts...you will never get your happy ending, Regina. I will make sure of that.”
Regina swallowed hard and lunged at Zelena. “Stay away from her. You will NEVER get your hands on that child. I will make sure of that.”
“Oh you will?” Zelena laughed. “And how will you keep this child...and your new son safe at the same time.” She took a few steps towards Roland until a fireball flew in front of her face. “Mark my words Regina, there will come a day that you'll lose trying to keep them safe. You will fail and out of your failure will come my happiness. Though don't worry, Regina. I won't waste the life like you did.” Green smoke began to swirl around her, disappearing just as Robin shot an arrow at her.
He cursed under his breath when it passed right through the disappearing smoke. He made his way quickly to Regina's side. “Are you ok?” His hands trailed over her arms, his eyes studying her from head to toe for even the smallest of scratches.
Regina nodded slightly. “I'm fine. She didn't hurt me. But, what are we going to do, Robin?”
“We'll find a way...together. You trust me don't you?”
“Then we will win. She can't defeat true love, Regina. You out of all people should know that.” He nods to Snow & Charming. “We'll find a way...believe in that...believe in us.”
She got lost in his eyes, thinking about what their future could be...her...Robin..Roland..the baby on the way...and maybe one day, Henry... “We have to win, Robin. We have too much to lose not to...even more than you know.”
He eyed her curiously, about to ask her why when he felt little hands pull on his pant leg. Scooping up the frightened little boy, he held him close. “Don't worry, Roland. We won't let anything happen to you, my boy.”
Regina nodded. “Promise me, Robin...that no matter what happens...no matter what else is on the line...you will put Roland's safety first if it comes down to it.” She raised her hand to cut him off as she saw him about to argue. “Promise me that you'll keep our little boy safe...even if it means not protecting me. The only way you could ever fail me is if you put me before him.”
Robin swallowed hard. The thought of anything happening to the angel standing in front of him tore at his heart. But he knew she was right. He'd do anything to keep them both safe, but if Zelena had her way, she'd make him choose. And the little boy in his arms couldn't protect himself, Regina at least could stand on her own if needed. “I...I promise, Regina.”
Regina smiled faintly. “Good..now...I'm not about to let Zelena take today away from us...Oof..” She laughed softly as Roland all but threw myself into her arms. With him balanced on her hip, she took her space beside Robin at the altar. “Now...where were we..?”
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/10299074/2/A-Stolen-Future
