Finding You

Chapter Seven

"Mommy, please wake up." Riley cries as she shakes her mother. Regina groans as her eyes open slowly.

"Riley, are you okay?" Regina says as she looks up at her daughter.

"I want daddy!" Riley cries and Regina sighs as she looks around the dungeon.

"Honey, I think daddy's in a better place." Regina says as tears fall down her cheeks. "He'll be happy with the angels in heaven." Regina says and Riley cries.

"But I want my daddy!" Riley screams and Regina sighs.

"Look who's awake." Snow says as she approaches the dungeon. Regina stays quiet as she holds her daughter closer. "I thought you'd never wake up Evil Queen."

"Why are you doing this, Snow? Why won't you let us go?" Regina pleads as she looks down at Riley.

"I need the kingdom back." Snow says in a monotone voice.

"Take it! You can have it all! I just want..." Regina says but lets her sentence trail off.

"You want your thief don't you?" Snow asks and Regina nods.

"I just need to see him one last time." Regina says as she combs Riley's hair with her fingers.

"No." Snow says and Regina jumps up and pulls Snow close to the bars.

"You let me see him! Let me say goodbye!" Regina screams in her face.

Snow pushes Regina away and holds up a hand. Regina finds it difficult to breathe as her hands scratch at her neck. She looks at Snow's eyes and sees the coldness. This wasn't Snow. This isn't her stepdaughter. Even though Regina hates her very existence this isn't Snow. Snow's hand releases and drops Regina to the ground.

"I'll bring him." Snow says with a feeling of guilt in her words. In seconds guards bring in a lifeless Robin and Regina rushes over to him.

"Robin, are you alive?" She asks as she feels for a pulse and finds a faint one. "Robin, I just need you to know I love you." Regina says as she kisses him. She feels him kiss her back and smiles.

"Regina." Robin groans as he opens his eyes. "Will...you...me?" He asks and looks puzzled.

"Robin, I can't understand you." Regina says as she holds his hand tighter.

"...you...me?" He repeats with a groan.

"Robin, what are you saying?" Regina says and Robin let's out a frustrated sigh.

"Will you marry me?" Robin says before his eyes close again.