Is It Too Late? - Swan Queen AU

Chapter 4

Warning: Leo gets physical. 

Author's Note: 

Also, this is a really short chapter so I plan to post another. 

"Who was that, Regina?"

"Just a Girl Scout, dear. I sent her on her way, don't worry," Regina spoke, straightening herself before taking a few steps, reestablishing her footing.

The sound of the man's voice sent chills down her spine as she approached where they had been standing before Emma Swan had arrived. A broken vase lay at her husband's feet, small droplets of blood staining the porcelain. "Pick up your mess, and be sure your accident' doesn't happen again."

Minutes ago, the man had Regina pinned against the wall by her throat, demanding her attention as he badgered her with questions. "Did you not think to warn me about Gold being at the meeting? You incompetent woman, you assured me you had everything covered! He was asking me questions no one was prepared for. I. Hate. Looking. Weak." His hand dropped her as he walked towards the living room.

Her hands shook at her sides as she pleaded them not to move to her burning neck. Air filled her lungs as she stared at the man she was married to. "I'm sorry, I didn't know. Your secretary, she wa-"

A loud crash echoed into the large mansion, shattered glass lay next to the woman's feet, the vase had been thrown against the wall. She immediately dropped to pick up the mess, submitting to him. Her hand grasped a few small shards of the vase when a black dress shoe pressed down in the back of that hand, crushing it into the wooden floors and inevitably pressing the shards deep into Regina's skin. "You will not," he pressed his foot harder into her hand, drawing a cry from his wife on the floor. "Pass the blame to anyone but yourself. You, Regina, made a mistake, you will face the consequences." He whispered, crouching down in her face. "You're lucky you're married to such a forgiving man, Regina, any other man would not tolerate eleven years of this idiocy."

End of Leo's rage

—-

Regina sat in the study, a hot mug of tea in hand as she went over the notes from Leo's Secretary once more, writing her own notes in the margins. Her thoughts were constantly drifting to a certain blonde who spoke of a misunderstanding, but were easily pulled back to her husband's agenda by fear.

After going over all of the notes from the meeting, Regina made plans and wrote solutions to each of the issues the council had brought up. She quickly decided on a few different ideas to pitch to the council about establishing a tennis court, sand volleyball court, and new basketball court down near the park.

Regina placed the papers in the leather file folder, finally finishing her tasks for the day. The kitchen needed swept and the fireplace needed dusting, but Regina decided to go sit on the back porch in the white wooden swing that she'd rarely had the chance to relax in. Leopold had left for the office a few hours prior, so his wife had the house to herself while Henry was at school. With mug in hand, the mayor's wife found herself sitting on the swing, taking in the beauty of their backyard.

What misunderstanding could the two women have had? Regina had reached out to Emma for over a year after the woman up and left, and Emma had chosen to ignore her and move to New York instead. It seemed clear as day to the brunette. She was surprised to see the woman at the reunion, assuming she was too busy leading the police force or something, but here she was... back in Regina's life even if it was for a couple weeks.

New Text Message:

Ruby: Are you busy?

Regina: Nope, I'm at home, Leo shouldn't be back

for a few hours, let yourself in the

back gate. I'm on the back porch. ;)

Ruby: be there in a few.

—-

"Hey, Regina. It's me." Ruby walked through the back gate, closing it behind her. The long legged brunette made her way up the steps and tentatively took her seat on the opposite end of the swing.

"Hello, Ruby. To what do I owe the visit?" Regina raised an eyebrow as she pulled her light grey cardigan up around her neck. The two women had grown a little closer in the past twelve years, neither having Emma to keep them on their toes.

The action wasn't missed by the woman, but she decided against commenting on the small motion. "I haven't been completely honest with you."

"Well, dear, not many people have been in my life. I don't see why you should need to come over to explain yourself." She spoke openly, watching Ruby's nervous body language.

"You know how I told you I would send the letters to Emma, while she was away..." the darker haired of the two nodded, urging her on. "Well, I didn't. I kept them sorted in a box, and Emma... never knew... that you sent anything." Her eyes were fixed on the ground.

Regina laughed, truly erupted in laughter, and she couldn't stop. It was so stupid, all of this. Everything in her life had been a joke.

"Regina, what..? Why are you laughing?"

"Don't you see? This world, it's playing a goddamned game! It always has. This ongoing game between Emma and I. Well, I don't think the letters would have changed a thing, Ruby. I have Henry, and I love him. I'm married to the mayor of Storybrooke, I can have anything I want, I have more than I'll ever need, and I never go without. I don't think you did any harm holding back those letters. They were childish, and full of teenage dreams." Regina said in a cold, almost dark manner. "A damn game is all it's ever been."

"Regina, I think she's been reading them... it's not too late, I know what you guys had..."

"No, Ruby, it is too late. Maybe ten years ago it would have made a difference, but now, now I'm married. I have a son, and responsibilities. It was silly to think we ever would have made it in the real world. We were wrapped up in teenage love, but that all came to an end. There's no need to stir up old feelings. We have lives, and I don't plan on changing a thing."

"Regina, do you even hear yourself? You're scared shitless of your own husband, who you were forced to marry, those bruises you try so hard to hide? I've seen them, Regina. Including the fresh ones on your neck. Don't sit here and try to tell me it wouldn't make a difference because you know damn well it would have and it will." The girl stood up, shaking her head. "Neither if you were the same after the break up. Don't tell me you're happy like this because I know you, Regina. I knew you before." With that, Ruby stormed down the steps and out the back gate.

A breath that Regina was unaware she was holding was released, Ruby's words sinking in. She was wrong, Regina was happy. She was completely content and had everything she could ever want. She loved Leopold, and he loved her. They had a happy family. 

Author's Note: 

Thanks for reading! Sorry for the short chapter. Stay tuned, I'm posting another one soon. Tell me what you think! My twitter is hedatheundying if anyone wants to message me about the story or has any ideas on what they think will happen! 

Thanks again, 

lyn