Not alone anymore

Chapter 35

I hold Regina in my arms as she cries. "I'm so sorry that she has ruined our wedding day baby. I'm so sorry".  She sits up a little but I still have my arms around her. "I really shouldn't be surprised that my mother picked this day to tell me this. I'm just surprised she didn't say it in front of everyone there. I'm calling my lawyer in the morning and she will get what she deserves Emma I promise you that".  She kisses me and then there is another knock on the door. "Oh for fucks sake. What now?  Come in". I call to whoever is standing there. The door opens and it's Zelena and Ruby.  "Well look at that Ruby. They've been married a whole 20 minutes and they still have their clothes on".  They both laugh as Regina and I just smile".   "Oh come on you two it was just a joke. Lighten up it's your wedding day".  "We're fine Zelena. What do you need?"   "Regina my sister, what is going on. I can tell you've been crying and I have a feeling that it's not because your happy right now. What is it".  Regina looks at me so I tell Zelena what just happened.  "No. You can't be serious. She seemed somewhat happy when she spoke up during the ceremony".   "Of course she was happy. As soon as we said I Do, I would be getting money from daddy's estate".    "I still don't understand what you are talking about".   Regina stands and walks to her sister.  "Zelena, mother found out that as soon as I get married that I was to inherit a large amount of money from daddy's estate. Mother wants the money or she will tell every educational institution just about everywhere that I'm a pedophile and that I've had affairs with underage students especially Emma".  "Regina come on you can't believe that mother has the power to do that".   "Zelena of course mother can pull this off. Think about it. All she wants is money. You never had to deal with her like I did. You grew up and became very successful. I became a high school teacher. I was always a disappointment to her Zelena".  I see her start crying again so I quickly go to her side and take her in my arms.  "At first I was about to give mother what she wanted then I said NO to myself. I will not let her win. If she wants to fight then a fight she will get".   I love it Regina sounds so sure of herself and I'm so proud of her right now as I always am. I hold hold her a little tighter as Zelena says. "Ok sister. I'm in this with you too".  "Me too babe".   "Oh I'm totally in. Let's get this bitch".   We all share a little laugh and have a group hug when Granny comes walking in.  "Ok girls what's going on in here?"   Ruby walks over to Granny and says that she will tell her everything later. Granny gives us all a strange look but agrees with what Ruby said.  Hector, the wedding planner comes in and says the photographer is ready for the wedding photos now. So we all gather ourselves. Zelena checks Regina's makeup and we all make our way back into where the ceremony was. We all stand at the alter as the pictures are taken. He got a few of Granny and I. Then me Regina and Granny. Regina and her sister and a whole bunch of Regina and I in different poses. Finally it was time for all of us to be introduced and get the reception started. I was actually very hungry. Well I always am. Granny was walked into the reception by an usher and introduced as my mother Eugenia Lucas. When she heard that she turned around and I saw her eyes were welling up with tears. I smiled at her and she walks into the room. Next was Ruby and Zelena, and then it was finally time for Regina and I to be announced.  "Ok ladies and gentlemen it's time for the main event. I am so happy to introduce for the first time anywhere. Please stand and give a big round of applause to the new Mrs. & Mrs. Swan-Mills. As we walk into the room everyone is standing and clapping for us. For someone like me it's really a wonderful feeling. I hope it is for Regina as well. We walk over to the end of the dance floor where the head table is and smile and wave at all our friends. It was just a small gathering just like we wanted. We invited about 65 people and I think most of them showed up. I don't really have many friends, it's mostly more of close acquaintances. Like the workers from the diner and some customers that I like to hang out with every now and then. For Regina it was the same. She had a few cousins that she said she'd introduce me to later, as well as a few former coworkers.  Regina and I along with Granny, Zelena, and Ruby take a seat at the table. The DJ played some nice music while we all had dinner. Of course the head table was served first. The food was delicious. I loved the Mexican rice and beans. I made some tacos with the with meat and cheese and the salsa. I loved everything. When I was served a second plate I told them I wanted more of the the Mexican stuff they where going to save for us. Our waiter smiled and said no problem.  It was really nice to not have to do the buffet and to be served. Heck we were paying enough for it. There was only about 12 tables all around the dance floor. We wanted everyone to sit comfortably. As everyone ate we kept hearing people clinking their glasses with the silverware as an indication for us to kiss so we did and everyone clapped. When the dinner was done and everything was cleaned away. It was time for our first dance as a married couple. We decided to go with The Promise by Tracy Chapman. The song starts and we begin to dance as we hold each other close. We even sang the song to each other.

If you wait for me
Then I'll come for you
Although I've traveled far
I always hold a place for you in my heart
If you think of me
If you miss me once in a while
Then I'll return to you
I'll return and fill that space in your heart
Remembering
Your touch
Your kiss
Your warm embrace
I'll find my way back to you
If you'll be waiting
If you dream of me
Like I dream of you
In a place that's warm and dark
In a place where I can feel the beating of your heart
Remembering
Your touch
Your kiss
Your warm embrace
I'll find my way back to you
If you'll be waiting
Oh, I've longed for you
And I have desired
To see your face, your smile
To be with you wherever you are
Remembering
Your touch
Your kiss
Your warm embrace
I'll find my way back to you
Please say you'll be waiting
Together again
It would feel so good to be
In your arms
Where all my journeys end
If you can make a promise
If it's one that you can keep
I vow to come for you
If you wait for me
And say you'll hold
A place for me
In your heart
A place for me in your heart
A place for me in your heart
A place for me in your heart.

The song comes to an end and everyone claps. We look around and see a lot of smiles.  They clink their glasses again so Regina and I can kiss. We had to do this a lot because they keep clinking their glasses.  I walk Regina back to our table and I go see the DJ. I tell him I'm ready to do that special thing for Granny whenever he's ready. He says 5 minutes and he will announce me to start. The moment arrives and I walk over and take the microphone.  "Hi everyone. Thank you all for being here today to share this wonderful day with us and if it's ok, I'd like to take some time to recognize a person who is a very special part of my life. It's no secret to some of you here that I grew up in the foster system. One woman has treated me like a child of her own since the day we met. I and many people know her call her Granny. So Granny could you please come up here for a moment?"   She shakes her head no and I can tell she may be a little embarrassed. Ruby stands up and takes hold of her hands and basically pulls Granny up to where I am. "Thanks Ruby and thank you Granny. You mean so much to me and I have something I'd like to give you. Regina helped me pick this out and I had it engraved just for you. I hope you like it".  I take the box out of my pocket and hand it to her. She opens it and she's surprised at what she sees. "Emma it's a beautiful locket".  "There is something special on the inside also".   She opens it and I hear a gasp.  "Oh Emma. It's the baby".   I have told her that Regina was pregnant but never showed her the ultrasound pictures. She's actually crying. "Thank you for always being there for me and I can't wait for you to be a Granny to mine and Regina's baby".  She hugged me tightly and then we separate. "Ok everyone that's it. Thank you. Now let's start this party".  I hand the microphone back and the DJ started the music again as we walk back to the table.  Ruby and Zelena were the first ones on the dance floor and it wasn't long before others joined in. Granny hugged Regina and I again and asked for some help putting it on. I helped her and it looked great on her.  All night long she kept tell us how much she loved it. After everything that happened with Regina's mother we were actually able to go on and enjoy our reception. We danced and laughed and really had a lot of fun with everyone. At the end of the night we went home and celebrated like a normal married couple should.