Once on Instagram II

Wish You Were Here (Part Two)

A/N: Wattpad is dumb and doesn't ask confirmation before you delete a part, so I accidentally deleted the original chapter. And Wattpad doesn't allow you to recover deleted parts, which is dumb as heck. So the original Regina speech in the chapter was literally perfect and now it's gone forever. Thanks, Wattpad🙃

~
January 19, 2017
10:30 pm
~

"Are we sure we're doing the right thing?" Regina looked up at Robin, "That we're making the right choice?"

"I think it's the choice we're supposed to make. Whether that makes it 'right' or not, I don't know."

"I just..." Regina sighed, "I don't know if I can be a Queen, Robin. Last time I tried that, I let myself be corrupted by darkness. And now I'm supposed to try again?"

"But this time, you have people who will help you," Robin pointed out. "I will be with you the entire time, I promise. Now, are you ready for tomorrow?"

"I don't think I'll ever be ready," Regina whispered. "Storybrooke has been my home for the past thirty-some years. And maybe... Robin, maybe this realm needs us. This realm needs people who will stand for what they believe in--" Regina gasped and her face lit up. "I know what to say in my speech tomorrow!"

"How--? Never mind. What do you need me to do?"

"I need you to make me some lemonade and then I need you to sit still and look pretty. Actually, no. That will distract me. Just make the lemonade. I have a farewell address to write."

~
January 20, 2017
10:00 am
~

"Regina, you need to stop worrying so much," Robin said as he watched Regina pace back and forth. "You're going to be fine. Your speech is wonderful."

"But what if no one else thinks that? What if--?"

Robin cut Regina off with a kiss. "You are going to be fine. And remember, if you get too nervous, you can always just look for your girlfriend in the audience."

Regina frowned. "We need to have a talk about you calling Emma my girlfriend."

"Maybe later, because you're supposed to be giving a farewell address right about now."

Regina rolled her eyes. "You coming with, Thief?"

"Always." Robin entwined his hand with Regina's and the two walked onto the stage. Robin stayed near the back while Regina stepped up to the podium.

"Good morning, citizens of Storybrooke. I know today is not a good day for a lot of us here," Regina glanced at Lily before she could stop herself, "but this day does not mark the end of everything we know. It marks the beginning of a new chapter."

Regina glanced back at Robin who gave her a reassuring smile. "I couldn't just step down as mayor of Storybrooke and leave without explaining the reasons why, because you all deserve at least that much. Last month, when we ventured to the Land of Untold Stories so we could stop the un-revolt, Robin and I met someone most of you know as the newest Disney princess; Moana. She is currently acting as Queen of the Land of Untold Stories, but the land had its rulers picked out long ago." Regina pulled page twenty-three from her pocket and held it up so the audience could see. "This is the Original Untold Story, and the Land of Untold Stories wants Robin and I to be its leaders because of that. Because this never happened, we're living the lives we have today. And because this never happened, the Land of Untold Stories came into existence. Because this story was never told." Regina set the storybook page down on the podium.

"And because I fear if we don't leave, the Land of Untold Stories will have us as its rulers one way or another, I think it's best we leave now. But this isn't the end. If we're able to introduce the idea of a presidency to the Land of Untold Stories," Regina looked at Dorothy, "I will be back. Until then, Ashley will be taking my place as mayor of Storybrooke. I am not leaving because I'm running; I'm leaving because I'm needed elsewhere. And hopefully, I'll be back here someday. Not necessarily to take back my job as mayor, but because I love this town.

"This realm - this country specifically- is going through a dark time. I used to think the best way to deal with that was to live in denial in another realm. I was wrong. The best way is to fight back and stand up for what you believe in. Hatred based on gender, race, religion, or sexuality is not okay. Running away from hate isn't going to get rid of it. Fighting it will. But fighting it with love is the best way. You can't fight fire with fire because all you'll have in the end is the burnt remains. You can't fight hatred with hatred because how does that make you any better than the other person?

"Many of you survived the Evil Queen, and I know you're not going to stand for someone like that again. Granted, my hatred was towards Snow and anyone on her side, but the concept is still there. Don't let someone like me take charge of you because not everyone would have as good a family as I do." Regina smiled at Henry. "And please, don't let darkness corrupt anyone. They don't want to be corrupted anymore than you want them to be corrupted. I promise.

"I end with this; I know each and every one of you has the ability to fight for what is right, and to do it without hatred. Not just the people in this room, but those reading this in January 2017 and those reading it in the future. Goodbye for now, Storybrooke. Remember, this isn't the end of the story. This is the start of a new chapter. And even if it feels like the end of the story...well, there's a reason sequels exist, right?"

Regina stepped back next to Robin as the audience erupted into applause. Emma stood to her feet, still clapping her hands together, and the rest of the people in the crowd did the same.

Regina's hand made it's way to Robin's as she used telepathy to speak to Robin, "I'm going to miss this town."

"I know. You have every right to; It's your home--"

"No. Storybrooke is where my house is. My home is wherever you are."

~

Regina stayed at the town hall answering questions for a while after Robin left to take Roland and Riley to the house. Once most of the crowds had cleared, Emma walked with Regina. When they were almost back to the Locksley Manor, Emma stopped.

"What is it?"

The blonde stepped off the sidewalk and picked a silver disc up off of the ground.

"Is that...?"

Emma nodded. "I think so."

"So does that mean...?"

"Probably. Let's get you home so you can post a farewell to Storybrooke Instagram post and we can find out for sure."

~

A/N: Do TV shows have three part season finales? Well, this one does (this isn't even a TV show, what am I doing?"