hunnyfresh - Letters from War

Her trembling fingers shook in anticipation, but Emma reminded herself yet again that soon, she would be able to see her bride. The instrumental music waving in the bridal party shifted to a different tune. Inhaling deeply, Emma squared her shoulders and stepped out of the room. She had half a mind to look for Regina's dressing room, if just to shoot the woman a reassuring wink, but Emma moved forward, turning onto the middle of the stairs and carefully lifting the hem of her dress to step up. Breaching the halfway point, Emma ascended up into the main banquet hall that was lit up by paper lanterns in pale colours matching their theme. The guests stood, grinning her arrival, some already teary-eyed while others, Graham specifically, throwing her a thumbs up.

Emma giggled at that but kept her composure as she walked through the short aisle of guests. Over the years, it still felt surreal for the wanderer to have made so many close friends, but as she grinned at the men in their army blues sitting by the front, Emma wondered why she ever doubted the fact.

Henry, tall and lanky now at thirteen and wearing a suit that matched his Uncle August, stood on the right with Tina and Kathryn, smirking at her with a grin that was all teeth and dimples. Emma nodded to Archie, the host of the celebration, because both Regina and Emma deemed the man perfect for the role as he helped them heal on their still continuing journey. She stopped and stood beside August, Neal, and Ruby on the left before turning back toward the crowd.

"Ready, Ma?" Henry sidled up and whispered into her ear.

She winked playfully at him then turned forward at the change in music, her grin faltering in wonder.

Regina ascended up the steps, and it just about stole Emma's breath away. She always knew the older woman was beautiful, even during that day she had nearly collided into her at the diner, but as Regina's head popped through the opening of the stairs, her eyes dead set on Emma's and a grin so wide it made the blonde's look like a wince, the only coherent thought running through Emma's mind was— wow .

Regina's hair was pinned up in a classic chignon bun as her bangs swooped to the right, framing her face and baring her shoulders, showing off the dog tag hanging from a silver chain around her neck. Emma, after receiving the pendant necklace Regina had kept safe for her all those years, saw her bare neck and sought to rectify it. Regina never took it off since.

Emma had always been a sucker whenever Regina painted her lips red and was basically goo when those lips smiled at her. Now was no different as Emma fought to remain standing by the window, counting down every step it took Regina to get to her. Her dress was every bit as elegant as Regina sought to be. The champagne-coloured sweetheart mermaid-style dress looked painted on the tanned woman before it ruffled at the side of her waist and glided outwards in pleats. Months ago Emma had asked Regina what her dress looked like, but the brunette shook her head, reminding her that it was tradition not to see it before the wedding. The blonde had teased that if they showed up to their ceremony in the same outfit it would be her fault, but even as Regina looked absolutely stunning in her dress, all Emma could focus on was the woman inside it, approaching her, reaching out her hand to meet Emma's.

"Hi," Emma whispered planting their foreheads together for a second as she breathed in the other woman.

"Hi," Regina grinned meeting her for a quick kiss.

Archie cleared his throat and reminded them of the audience they had before them. When the guests were seated once more, he adjusted his spotted bow tie and spoke. "Good evening, friends and family of Regina and Emma Swan-Mills. I've been asked today to preside over their reaffirmation of love ceremony as they share with you their most beloved union. I was so thrilled when they asked me to host such a special event, and I couldn't have been more honoured to accept. I've been privileged enough to witness firsthand the trials and tribulations this young couple have gone through over the last few years, but along with the struggles, what I've seen is them bloom."

He took a moment to smile down at the lovers with a fondness of that of a father waving goodbye to their child as they head off for college. "Emma, Regina, you two have moved mountains, not only for each other, but within your own lives. Your love is strong, deep, and true, and I, along with everyone gathered here today, wish you all the best in your lives together."

Emma grinned and inched closer when she felt Regina squeeze her bicep before waiting for August to finish up. "The couple has prepared their own vows today, so—" At Emma's motioned head, Archie turned to Regina and signaled for her to speak. "Regina."

Regina handed her bouquet to Kathryn, motioning for Emma to do the same with August, before taking both her palms in her hands and squeezing tightly. The minuscule space between them allowed their hands to swing slightly, but all Emma could do was stare into the chocolate brown eyes that glittered so brightly it was as if flecks of gold spotted her irises.

"Emma," Regina began before cutting herself off with a contagious smile. Emma mimicked her expression and squeezed her right hand encouragingly. "Emma, just thinking back to how we first met, I remember saying that your family must be so proud of you. We are. You are a fighter, through and through. I cannot even begin to fathom why we made it here today. I certainly know how though. We are not conventional and our relationship has rarely been by the books, but it's worked for us. Not to say that it's been easy—" Regina rushed to clarify earning a laugh from the congregation and a half-hearted shrug from Emma. "God knows it hasn't been easy. But I know for certain that being with you—coming home to our family—it's all been worth it.

"I love you," Regina breathed confidently, her eyes watering just as Emma's glistened. "I love you so much. I love you when we're fighting. I love you when you're sad. I love you when you're gone." She sniffled as a few tears escaped streaking down her cheek before Emma brushed them away with an understanding smile. Regina captured her hand once more and brought both up to her chest and over her heart. "You will always have a home here. There will always be love, and acceptance, and support. There will be good days and bad days, but our days will be spent together. I am so proud to stand next to you, and I am so lucky to have a wonderful mother for our son all wrapped up in my best friend and wife. Whatever life throws our way, I know we can make it through."

Emma hadn't realized tears were streaming down her face until Regina cupped her cheek and soothed them away with a thumb. She caught her wrist and brought a delicate hand up to her lips and pressed kisses along her palm. Her body shook as tiny murmurs of excitement and astonishment coursed through her. Thirteen years later, and Emma still couldn't get over that Regina wanted her. But she knew it. She knew she did. Regina staying up late with her just because Emma couldn't sleep; Regina calling her throughout the day just to check in; Regina curling up beside her even on the nights when they argued about something petty like the dishes. Emma knew.

"I'm not usually this quick to cry," Emma defended meekly as she wiped a pinky under her eyes, careful of her make-up. A muttered 'yeah right' from August had the blonde playfully rolling her eyes, but she kept her gaze on Regina, bringing their joined hands down as she regained her composure.

"A wise man once told me," Emma began side glancing at August with a knowing smirk, "that there is no right or wrong time. Time is going to pass me whether I want it to or not, so make it the right time. That's why we married each other the second we could make it legal."