The Sword of Truth (Book II)

Chapter VIII | The Sword of Truth

  "Regina?"

   "Ben!" she said with a smile before his confused look disappeared. 

   He took her by her shoulders and slammed her into the tree.  Betrayal was evident in his eyes as tears poured from them.  Just like when she met him, instead she was the one who was pinned against the tree.  She could clearly see the hurt and pain in his amber eyes she fell in love with.

   "Ben..." She whispered.

   "This is a lie!  You're not Regina!  She's dead!  I bloody saw her walk into heaven!" He screamed in her face.

   "It's me...I swear," looking directly into his eyes.  "Please."

"Prove it," he growled in her face, easily pinning her against the bark with a strong arm.

"You like to bathe with my Summer's Eve body wash because it smells like me, like apples," she said with a hopeful smile.

He stood there horrified as he realized he had just slammed her into a tree. He released her and backed away, his eyes as big as saucers. "Regina..."

"It's me, Ben. It's me, your little queen."

"I...I...how is this...how is this possible," he asked as she strolled closer to him until her lips were nearly grazing his.

"Because I love you," she said and pressed her lips against his, which he immediately returned.

They had met again in the same spot they originally met, that tree. All beginnings lead to an ending, and all endings lead to a new beginning. They kissed intensely, their hands roaming each other's bodies because they were back in each other's arms.  It felt so right. 

   Eventually they parted, out of breath, and their foreheads pressed together.  "God, I've missed you so," he cried out, pulling Regina into his arms. 

   Once the pair pulled apart again, he held her cheeks and caressed them with his thumbs.  A large smile appeared on his face.  "Henry, your sister, and the Charmings are at our house.  Let's go home, my love," he said, his smile still intact as he slipped his hand into hers. 

|The Mansion|

Right as they arrived at the front door, Ben pulled his lover into a passionate kiss, his arms around her waist. She giggled as he slipped his tongue into her mouth, but she pushed him away. "Although I love kissing you, I'd really like to see my family, Ben," she said with a small smile.

"Sorry, love. You should probably wait out here, however. I want to tell them what they're going to see because it might shock them like it did me," he reminded with his forever-heart stopping smile before kissing her cheek.

Regina stood there awkwardly as Ben opened the door, making sure not to reveal her. The whole family gathered as he walked into his mansion, and all gave him a sympathetic smile. "Ben, are you okay? Do you want us to leave?" Snow asked.

"No. You...you all consider me family, right?" He asked, hoping for a 'yes.'

"Of course we do, Ben. You're a big part of our crazy family," David said with a reassuring smile, which the former bandit returned.