Chapter 1
'Emma? Is that you?'
'Yes it is'
Regina answered the incoming call immediately:
'I have big news and I wanted to tell you first, didn't even tell my mum or Henry-'
'Emma, is everything alright with you?'
'No.. yes... Regina, I don't know.'
'Okay just tell me. You know you can talk to me about anything.’
Regina noticed how Emma tried to find the right words, knowing it was something she wouldn't appreciate but would have to accept.
She had long since known that it was only a matter of time for this to happen, but it still hurt when Emma said it out loud:
'Kilian asked me to marry him and I said yes!'
It wasn't a surprise at all.. Although Regina had had time to think about what to say in this situation for a few months, she couldn’t think of anything appropriate to say.
Regina was in kind of a trance until Emma talked again:
'Regina, are you still there?'
She shook her head, told herself not to be weak and to pretend to be happy for Emma. She didn't want to ruin Emma’s wedding just because her feelings. Regina would never forgive herself, having done too much damage already to many people in her past.
'Yes, I'm still here. Congratulations, you- will be a beautiful bride!'
Regina didn't plan to say that but the words came out of her mouth before she could stop them.
Emma might have heard the sarcastic undertone in Regina's voice.
'Oh my gosh, I am so sorry! I am such a mess.. That was not appropriate. I am deeply sorry. I know you must think about.. him'
Unfortunately, Regina was surprised Emma had mentioned Robin because she herself hadn't thought about him for a while. Since his death Regina had felt something weird and new. It had taken her a while until she realized what the feeling was: relief.
Of course Robin's death had been a tragedy but ever since, Regina was feeling free. She had grieved but hadn't had lots of time for it because Storybrooke had needed her.
After time has passed, Regina realized the problem: She had been bound to this man and while always being someone who liked to make her own decisions, being in a relationship with Robin had hindered her from being herself.
Deep inside her heart, Regina felt terrible for being relieved. She had already thought about ending the relationship with him. Regina had realized he hadn't been the man of her life, that he hadn't been able to give her the freedom she needed.
Regina had never really loved him and that was what made her feel so terrible. The lie she had lived for so long, her true feelings which were still unrevealed to the person she really did love.
Regina decided that if her true love could have a happy ending, maybe she could try to be happy as well.
'No problem, Emma! It doesn't matter, I'm over his death. I like to see you happy and if marrying that one-handed ex-pirate fulfils your dreams.. '
'Regina- there is something else I wanted to tell you.'
Regina didn't know, if she could pretend for much longer, but whatever news she had expected, it was not what Emma said next:
'I want you to be my bridesmaid.'