Hey guys! A thousand apologies for making you all wait so long for this last chapter! I'm so so sorry, this semester has been absolutely the busiest semester I've had thus far in college haha! Anyway, I won't keep you all waiting any longer, so please, enjoy this final chapter! It's a long one!

The streets of Oak Bluffs are alive. Everybody is out and about, buzzing with excitement and anticipation for the Vineyard's annual fireworks. Blankets are already spread at the bluff's expansive waterfront park, as people enjoy takeout; all waiting patiently for dusk to approach.

The fireworks are shot from a barge in the water, allowing them to travel high in the sky and burst right above the public's heads. It's a spectacular show, one which Regina usually finds herself eagerly looking forward to. However, this time, something's missing. Something is definitely missing. This time, she pictures in her mind a different scenario—same night of fireworks, but with a different person. Every time Regina inevitably thinks of Robin packing up his belongings, getting his boat ready to leave the island behind, her heart painfully constricts more and more…each beat more and more unbearable.

Yet even still, she cannot leave. She's trapped, yearning for a way out, and wishing for a sign—something—that can possibly help her do what she should have done a long time ago.

Beside her, Steve chats away animatedly, his voice once more blending into the swarm of other voices around. Regina looks up into his smile, his eyes alight with the promise of forgetting all that has happened, focused only on the celebration of the future. But nothing can erase the past. Regina knows that much.

So on she walks by his side, swerving through the throngs of people that buzz about the place. It is five in the afternoon, and the hype is only going to get even more intense.

"You sure you are okay?" Steve asks at the end of his rambling.

Regina looks up at him, nodding with a forced smile upon her lips. "I'm fine," she replies with a shake of her head, "It's probably just the food from Sharky's. It's Mexican and it's heavy…just not sitting with me very well at the moment."

Steve nods, tightening his arm around her shoulders and pulling the brunette closer to him. He presses a kiss to the side of her head. "Hopefully it'll pass," he answers.

Regina nods quietly in agreement, keeping her eyes focused once more at the open field before them as they draw closer.

"So how long do you think we have before the girl comes back? The money you gave her for the carousel and the arcade can only last so long," Steve says.

At this, Regina rolls her eyes. "Why do you insist on calling her that?" she groans, "Her name's Reya. And, I don't know, another thirty minutes or so? An hour?"

Steve shrugs, lifting a hand in defense. "Sorry, I guess it's just not a name that sticks." Regina sighs, shaking her head. "So, she's staying with you—with us—now…" he adds, his eyes narrowing as he gazes down at Regina.

Regina nods.

"I thought she was staying with that other guy?"

Regina shakes her head again. "No," she sighs, "Since Robin's leaving, she wanted to stay on the island."

"I don't know if I like that idea," Steve says with a frown, "Especially since you'll be moving in soon. It'll be like both of us taking care of a kid."

Regina smirks dispassionately. "Well, wouldn't you want to get in some practice for the future?" she asks.

Steve raises a brow. "What do you mean?"

"You know, for when we have kids one day?"

At this, the man's eyes open wide like saucers. "Good God no!"

"Why not?" Regina questions, tilting her head, "After all, didn't you say you don't ever want to let me go, that you want a future with me, that I'm yours?"

Steve shakes his head fervently. "Well, yeah, but what's wrong with just having you all to myself. I don't wanna have to share you. I just want it to be me and you. You know, like it used to be." He smiles slightly, hugging her to his side even tighter. "Like it is now. Wouldn't you say?"

Regina shrugs. "I mean, I guess…But strangely enough, I'm kind of liking the whole kid idea. I mean, Reya is very sweet."

"Can we just at least have a little time to ourselves?" Steve sighs. He stops walking, twisting to stand in front of Regina. He places his hands on her shoulders. "I love you. You know I do. And I want to spend every second with you and only you." He slides his hands down her arms, sighing deeply. "Look, I know these past few days have been difficult—" Regina snorts softly, shaking her head. "—I'm really, really trying. I want our life together."

"So what?" Regina asks, looking up at him with large chocolate eyes, "So you can keep sucking up to me so that you can make yourself feel better about what happened?"

"Regina…"

"You realize I've already forgiven you, Steve," Regina says, her brows furrowing. She sighs deeply as she watches the man's lips curve upward into a grateful smile. "But…" she adds with another shake of her head, "That doesn't change what happened."

"I know," Steve sighs, smile dropping, "And I'm sorry. I just lost control. It won't happen again. I don't ever want to hurt you again."

Regina stares up into his eyes, searching for truth. His words hardly hit her deep as she can't help but feel as if they are nothing but that…words. For the first time, that night, she saw how Steve could be. She saw the dark side to his personality. She saw how scary it can be. And with all her heart, Regina wishes she can be strong enough to escape that, that and the fear of what he could do should she leave him. What would have happened had she not fallen on her painting? Would Steve actually have gone through with his violent intent? What will happen if the man's ugly side ever rears its head again? Inwardly Regina sighs deeply, in fact wishing that she was, in this very moment, the strong and formidable queen Reya thinks her to be. She just needs something, something to spark that courage.

The young brunette sits on the bench outside the arcade, swinging her feet gently back and forth as she stares downward into her palm. With a sigh, she watches how the distorted lights of the cars that roll by dance across the smooth circular bits of gold that lie gently on her skin.

Reya had been waiting for the right moment to reveal the wedding rings. No moment leading up to now seemed right enough—so much has happened—and now, it seems as if that moment will never come. The young brunette gazes upward, staring blankly at the cars and people as they pass to and fro. Perhaps she should just give up. Perhaps she should just accept the fact that her parents will never get together again, that her family will never be reunited. Her dad is leaving. Her mother is trapped in a relationship in which she might not even want out—Reya doesn't know. Perhaps Reya should just move on, keeping the rings to herself as remembrance of times past. Maybe this is for the best. Maybe her parents weren't meant to be together.

Shoving the rings back into her pocket, Reya stands and trudges back into the arcade. Her money has been nearly spent at the motorcycle racing game, a game she had easily beaten over and over again. It was almost as if winning and being victorious became boring. Quite ironic when in the curse's game, all that has accumulated for Reya has been nothing but loss after loss. Nevertheless, the young brunette wanders about the arcade, hoping for something to strike her interest and perhaps lift her dismal spirits.

It's just when she passes that darned zombie shoot-out game twice that she sees a teenage boy, perhaps about sixteen or so, getting frustrated at a claw machine whilst trying to obtain one of the cute stuffed animals. With a brow lifted, Reya slowly approaches him, intrigued to say the least. The boy seems to be quite adamant on winning a little fluffy bear.

"Having some trouble?" the young brunette asks, coming to stand beside him. She turns her head, gazing up at his profile.

"Go away, I'm concentrating," the boy snaps in annoyance.

Reya sighs softly, turning to gaze back towards the glass box. She watches as the claw, once again, is maneuvered just over a pink teddy bear that lies amidst the pile. She can't help but hold her breath as the boy presses the button on the control and watches the claw descend upon the stack of toys. It latches onto the bear's arm, pulling it up ever so slightly before the grip slips and the bear falls back atop the pile. The boy groans aloud his frustration once more.

Reya bites the inside of her lip, frowning slightly. "Maybe next time you can try overshooting just a bit," she suggests quietly after a time, "Go for the body instead of the arms."

The boy snorts, shaking his head. "That's not going to matter," he grumbles.

"Sorry, just trying to help," Reya replies with a small shrug. She turns to look back up at the boy once again. This time, he does glance down at her, meeting her gaze for the first time. His light grey eyes pierce hers.

"Don't you have anything better to do?" he asks, eyes narrowed at the young brunette.

Reya shakes her head, lowering her gaze ever so slightly. "Not anymore," she says with a shrug. She chuckles humorlessly at the boy's confused expression before gesturing back towards the arcade game. "So why this game?" she asks curiously, "Well, not to judge, but you don't strike me as the type of guy who would want to keep one of these fluffy teddy bears." She chuckles again.

The young boy smirks slightly, shaking his head slowly. "No, you're right," he replies with a soft sigh, "It's for my girlfriend."

"Your girlfriend?"

"Yup."

"Any special occasion?"

He shakes his head. "No," he huffs, turning back to place another coin into the game, "Why am I even having this conversation with you?"

"Well, I asked," Reya replies, crossing her arms. She tilts her head. "So if it's not any specific occasion, why buy her the bear then?" She smirks softly. "Oh, right, I know. Guy always buys the girl a surprise present and that's supposed to be like all cute and sweet and everything."

At this the boy can't help but chuckle, rolling his eyes. "Well, it's not exactly like that," he answers, relenting into having this conversation.

"Then how is it?"

He shrugs, refusing to gaze at the young brunette once more and instead keep his eyes on the game's claw. "Just…something nice, I guess, to remind her…"

"Remind her of what?"

The boy sighs after missing once more, turning to face Reya with a pitiful look upon his face. Reya can't help but feel bad for him.

"She's been—I don't know—distant, lately. I just don't know what page she's on anymore. I feel like…"

"You're losing her?" Reya finishes gently.

The young man breaks her gaze, staring down at his shoes. "Yeah…I just want to get this for her before—you know—it gets too late."

At this, Reya frowns, tilting her head. "You mean, she'll leave."

The boy rolls his eyes. "Yeah, that's what losing her means."

"You love her?"

"Of course I do. That's why I'm not giving up. I guess, sometimes, even when it's too late, it's never really too late…you know?"

Reya sighs softly. Though still young for his age, the boy is right. If someone truly means that much, it can never be too late. The young brunette thinks back to how adamant she used to be in breaking the curse, just how much it meant to her to have her parents reunite and fall back in love with one another. It wasn't just because they were her parents. It was because she also believed that they were—are—right for one another. They are soulmates. If Reya had spent all of her energy trying to get her parents to realize just that, why should she give up hope now? If her parents' love truly mean that much to her, it is never too late.

The young brunette nods quietly, feeling her heart jolt back to life, her body reinvigorated with the prospect of trying one last time.

"Don't I know it," Reya replies, a small smile spreading across her lips as she looks up at the young man. She then nods towards the arcade game's claw. "Try one more time, then," she encourages with a wink, "I think you'll get it this time."

The boy lets out a soft laugh, rolling his eyes before placing yet another quarter into the slot. The claw jerks to life once more as he then sets upon maneuvering it where he wishes it to go. Taking Reya's advice, he positions it slightly off center. Both children watch with their hearts in their throats as the claw descends, moving to pick up the prized stuffed teddy bear. And to their delight, the grip holds and the bear is successfully deposited into the delivery slot.

The young boy grins at Reya, bending to retrieve the bear. "Thanks a lot," he says, beaming.

Reya laughs softly, shaking her head. "I didn't do anything," she replies before nodding, "Now go! Give that bear to your girl."

Flashing one last smile, the boy is taking off, weaving through the throng of people and rushing out towards where his girlfriend awaits. He leaves Reya with a new sense of purpose and confidence that, like the boy's final try, this last chance at getting her parents together will work. It has to. After all, reuniting her parents in full is something that Reya will do, if it is the last thing she'll do.

Heart heavy, Robin heaves his luggage over the side of his boat, letting it drop unceremoniously onto the deck. He sighs deeply, turning one last time to gaze back towards Menemsha's quaint little docks and the beach houses that sit up further in the distance. Not even their beauty can lighten his heavy mood. Robin can't even appreciate the view one last time because the only thing occupying his mind are thoughts of the one woman he loathes to leave behind.

With another heavy sigh, the fisherman is drawn back into his own memory, lost in the memories of his time with Regina. The good and the bad, he cherished them all. Why? Because he was with her. The beautiful, enigmatic painter colored his world like no one else had before. She brought light back into his eyes. But someone so incredible, so surreal, had to have come with a price. If only the game was simple. And Robin knew enough that some people who come into his life are meant to make a mark, but not so much as to allow them to stay. Perhaps, Regina was just another one of those people, one of those who flitted in and out of Robin's world way back when he distanced himself from everything and everyone. It pains him now to think this way, especially since it was the stunning brunette who had pulled him from the depths and allowed him to feel something he hadn't for such a long, long time. But alas, things were far too complicated than he could ever have imagined—not to mention the pressure of Reya's stories that may or may not be true. Robin was right. He needs to get away from it all.

So it is with a lump in his throat that the fisherman turns on The Lioness's engine and undoes the ropes, casting off into the approaching sunset and rounding the island for one last stop at his favorite tackle shop before he heads off to the mainland.

Reya rushes through the crowd of people that move like a river towards the waterfront park. It's as if she is moving upstream, having to dodge bodies right and left. She has no idea where Regina and Steve are now. It has been at least an hour since she last saw them, not that the two of them really would have kept track. As a last resort, the young brunette stops, lost in a sea of people, and takes a risk, pulling out her feather pendant that had been hidden underneath her shirt. Closing her eyes, she wills it to glow. As it begins to work, Reya starts off once more, walking this time, weaving through the crowd of people. The light begins to shine brighter as she turns down a small side street, causing her to frown slightly.

And there, to answer her confusion, coming out of a small tackle shop carrying a small plastic bag, is Robin. The young brunette's eyes widen, lips parting as she realizes her non specificity of asking her pendant which parent it should lead her to works out nonetheless.

"Dad!" Reya cries, her walk breaking into a run.

Robin looks down the road to see the approaching young brunette, his eyes widening in surprise. "Reya," he breathes, shaking his head. "What on earth are you doing here?"

"I'm here for the fireworks," Reya replies breathlessly as she reaches him. "Mom and Steve are here too. You have to come with me." She reaches out and grabs his wrist, tugging it firmly.

At this, Robin is immediately shaking his head and wrenching his hand away. "Reya, no. I'm not doing this anymore."

"But you have to! Just look—" Reya reaches into her pocket to retrieve the rings.

"Reya, I said no," Robin replies sternly, "It's finished."

"No!" Reya shouts, "I'm not giving up." It's then that she grasps the rings and pulls them from her pocket, forcing them towards Robin to gaze at them upon her palm. "It's all true. This is my last proof. Everything I said is true—about you, about Regina, about the both of you. It's all true. If this isn't hard proof, I don't know what is."

Reya watches with wide eyes as her cursed father stares down at the rings, his brows pulled together. "Where did you get these?" Robin demands.

"Long story. But mom, Regina, transported them here with magic before the curse so that you two would find one another."

Robin narrows his eyes.

"It's true!"

The fisherman shakes his head, desperately wanting to believe her, but not wanting to fall back into that mess he is trying to escape. Reya looks up at him, her eyes wide as she notes that his blues have become clouded over with sadness.

"When do you leave?" Reya sighs, lowering her hand and placing the rings back into her pocket.

"Once I get back to my boat at the Bluff's docks, which is in twenty minutes," Robin answers with a sigh of his own. He shakes his head, bending down to Reya's level. "I'm sorry, Reya. I really, really am." It's then that he presses a soft kiss to her forehead before standing once more.

Reya bites her lip, trying to keep her emotions at bay as the fisherman walks from her. No. She still mustn't give up. Reya steels herself, pulling out her pendant once more, this time asking specifically that it lead her to her mother.

The sunset has now past its peak, already beginning to fade slightly on the ocean's horizon. All of the hustle and bustle on the streets of Oak Bluffs has now accumulated primarily on the park's green, as islanders and tourists alike gather with ever increasing excitement for the fireworks that lie just in about an hour's time.

Regina and Steve have chosen their small section, having squeezed themselves in amongst the horde of blankets and chairs and open pizza boxes. Regina sits on the blanket, attempting to talk with Steve much about nothing of real importance. It's just noise, enough to keep herself from retreating back into her own melancholic thoughts. Though, in truth, she cannot wait until the fireworks start so that they can be the ones drowning out the gloom.

Regina sits beside Steve, her legs pressed up against her chest, arms hugging around them as she sips lightly at a beer. Steve blabbers on about how much of a "bitch" the guy at the shop, who repaired his motorbike, was. She's oblivious to the man's advances as he prattles on. He scoots over, wraps his burley arm around her, and draws her closer. Regina leans away, not wanting to be cuddled.

"God, you're freezing," Steve exclaims, tightening his hold on her.

Regina shakes her head. "I'm fine."

"No, you're not. Here." He wraps a spare blanket around her shoulders, rubbing her arms. "Lean into me."

"Steve…" Regina protests, squirming in his arms.

"Regina," Steve laughs, shaking his head, "It's not that bad."

"Steve, no," Regina says, pushing at his chest, "I'm fine. Just leave me be."

At this, the man's eyes widen as he roughly takes Regina's chin and turns her head towards his darkening gaze. "Regina, I don't know what the fuck is wrong with you today. But you have to stop—"

"Mom!" A sudden cry sounds above the chatter of those around. Regina jerks her head from Steve's grasp and looks towards the sound.

"Reya," Regina breathes, pulling herself from the man's arms before quickly coming to a stand; letting the blanket drop from her shoulders. "Where have you been?" she asks, brows furrowed as she gazes upon the young brunette's flustered state. "I've been worried about you."

"See, I told you she'd come," Steve grumbles, coming to a stand beside her.

"You need to listen to me," Reya says, ignoring him. She gazes up into Regina's wide, concerned eyes. "Robin is here."

At this, Regina's eyes widen and she takes in a soft breath. "What?" she whispers. She shakes her head. "Why?"

Reya shakes her head. "That doesn't matter," she says, "What matters is that he's leaving here, leaving the island, in less than twenty minutes. You need to stop him!"

Regina sighs, shaking her head again. "You know I can't…"

"Yes you can!" Reya insists, "You have to! You two are meant to be together. You knew it from the start." Reya grabs Regina's hand, holding it tightly. "Look at yourself now. I can see it, and I know you can too. I know you aren't happy. I know you need a way out. I've been trying and trying so hard to get you to realize, to get both of you to realize, what you two mean to one another—"

Steve growls. "Regina…" he warns lowly.

"—And I'm sorry it got to this point. But if you don't do something now, Robin will be lost forever. His heart is broken and so is yours. I know that you have been afraid for so long to admit your feelings for him. I know that you were—are—afraid to leave him." Reya glances at Steve. "Let this give you strength."

It is then that Reya is drawing her other hand from her pocket. She keeps her fingers closed, concealing the rings as she presses them into Regina's palm.

Regina, with her heart in her throat, slowly opening her fingers to reveal the rings resting in her palm. She gasps softly the moment she takes in the shining metal, tears coming to her eyes. "Are these…"

"Wedding rings?" Reya asks, "Yes." She smiles softly. "They're yours."

Regina shakes her head, slowly moving to pick one of the rings up. She gasps for the second time as she catches a small engraving on the inside of the band. You are my future. The engravings are identical on each ring. And as Regina reads over the words, tears form in her eyes, threatening to spill out over her cheeks. Her heart races as she closes her eyes, a flash of light bursting forth from the darkness.

I give to you my heart, my soul, my life. With every breath I shall proclaim my love for you until my dying day. Everything that I am is because of you. I am yours just as you are mine. And I swear on my heart, and by my code of honor, to protect, to be truthful to, and to cherish you no matter what happens. I love you, my Regina. You are my light, my hope. You are my future.

Regina gasps softly, her eyes flying open as the memory recedes. The noise of the crowd around grows louder, a brutal indication of reality.

"Regina…" Steve repeats lowly. Regina looks to him as she folds her fingers tightly around the rings. "You can't seriously believe this."

Regina gazes up into the man's harsh dark eyes, unable to find anymore light within them. She then turns back to gaze at Reya, the young girl's eyes desperate, so desperate for her to finally believe…believe in herself, believe in her love for Robin, believe in her strength to leave Steve behind. Regina thinks back to what feels like ages ago. "You're the Evil Queen." A queen. Slowly, Regina feels her confidence build bit by bit, spurred on by the strength the rings had given her and the memory that came with. Why hadn't Reya given them to her earlier? But Regina knows why. Regina wouldn't have listened. It pained her to know that she had to reach the lowest of the low in order for to listen to what the young brunette was telling her and realize that the person she has become is not the strong, independent woman Reya knows her to be.

"I can't…" Regina whispers.

"What?" Steve barks, dark eyes flashing.

Regina shakes her head. "I need to go." She turns from him.

However, a hand quickly shoots out to grasp at her wrist. "Regina no," Steve growls, "You can't."

The brunette gazes down at Steve's hand, curled so tightly around her wrist. She then looks back up into his eyes, her own eyes flashing with renewed energy. "Yes, I can," she hisses, yanking her arm away.

"You can't leave me," Steve bellows, "I'm your tie to reality. I keep you sane. Don't you realize what these people are trying to do to you?!"

"Yes!" Regina cries, "I know exactly what they're doing to me. They're showing me the truth, just what a cruel and manipulative man you are. They're showing me what love truly is—not what you think it to be, keeping me trapped in your arms, forcing me to think that you're the answer to all of my problems." Regina shakes her head. "I was afraid of leaving you, after what had happened, after seeing who you really are. But not anymore. I need to go. I'm leaving you."

It's then that the brunette is turning from a stunned Steve to Reya. "Take me to him," she says.

At this, Reya is grinning. "You have to hurry!" she exclaims, "He leaves now in ten minutes!"

"Where?" Regina demands, "From where?"

"The docks!"

The older brunette stretches her neck, craning to get a glimpse of the docks down by the water, just diagonally placed from the park. "Shit," she curses, shoving the rings in her back pocket before taking off towards the street.

Regina runs fast, pushing through traffic to get to the water's edge. The dock juts out from the beach, and as she approaches, she can just barely make out the lining of Robin's boat. She runs even faster, forcing Reya to struggle even harder to catch up. Her footsteps pound in her ears, chest heaving as adrenaline courses through her veins. Regina sees Robin as he steps into his boat, moving towards the wheel.

"No! Robin!" Regina cries, but she still is too far away. Her shouting lands on deaf ears.

Her heart sinks as she sees the man pull away just as she rushes down the steps towards the beach and flies over towards the docks. "No…"

Reya gasps, finally catching up to Regina as the older brunette stands helplessly at the edge of the dock; Robin's boat slowly making its way further and further away.

"He's gone," Reya breathes, tears forming in her eyes. "It's too late…"

Regina frowns, gazing intently at The Lioness. "No," she says, "No, it's not." It's then that she's swiftly turning towards Reya and yanking the young brunette's feather pendant from her neck, breaking the chain.

"Hey!" Reya cries but soon is quieted as she sees the feather pendant shine like it has never done before. The light is almost blinding as Regina holds it up high above her head.

"Robin!" Regina cries with all her might, hoping to God he'd hear her and turn around. "Robin, please!"

"Dad!" Reya joins in with a shout of her own, as she quickly catches on to her mother's scheme.

They call and call and scream and scream until suddenly, the trail behind Robin's boat ceases. And to their delight, they see the man's small figure move towards the stern, towards their direction. Regina slowly lowers the light, her heart thumping as silence befalls. It's a few painful moments before suddenly, he's calling out to her.

"Regina!" Robin cries. And both Regina and Reya let out a joyous breath.

A soft victorious laugh bubbles up from Regina's chest. "Robin!" she calls back. Before she is even comprehending her actions, the brunette is handing Reya the pendant before shrugging off her jacket and kicking off her boots.

"Wait…" Reya says, "Are you—"

With the rings tightly clutched in her fist, Regina dives into the water, resurfacing a little ways away with a gasp. She turns her gaze towards Robin's figure that stands frozen at the stern. She can't help but chuckle at the face she is sure he is making. Without another moment to lose, the brunette begins to swim, pushing her body as fast as she can through the water. The sound of the boat's motor starts up again and Regina stops for a moment to see Robin steering towards her. And just as she continues to approach even closer, the engine is cut once again, and Regina sees the man rush towards the back of the boat. With her muscles burning, and with a final push, she swims around and grabs at the metal ladder at the stern with her free hand, chest heaving.

"Regina," Robin breathes, taking no time to reach down and help pull her from the water. Regina takes the bewildered man in with wide eyes, watching as he surveys her dripping wet form; her sleeveless shirt turning slightly transparent as it clings to her body, her hair sticking to her neck and forehead, as she continues to stand, panting before him.

"Regina," Robin repeats, shaking his head in disbelief, "What…what are you doing here?"

The brunette can practically see his heart beat through his chest. She looks up into stunning blue eyes that hold the twinkling lights of the island coast. "What do you think I'm doing here?" Regina breathes, a small smirk playing on her lips.

"Why…" Robin murmurs, unable to help himself as he lifts his hand to caress lightly at her wet cheek.

"Because I love you," Regina whispers softly, her eyes shining, "And…I'm sorry." She shakes her head. "I just…I was so afraid…"

Robin shakes his head, frowning softly as he gazes into sincere, dark chocolate eyes. They break his gaze as she confesses. "What made you change your mind?" he asks softly.

"This," Regina says, offering her hand to him. Slowly, she uncurls her fist, and there lie the rings, shining under the light of the newly risen moon.

"The rings," Robin gasps, a hand coming to cup beneath hers.

"You know them?" Regina asks, her eyes searching his features as she watches the man gaze intently upon them.

Robin nods. "I do," he confesses, "Reya showed them to me earlier…but I didn't listen to her." He closes his eyes. "I—didn't want to…"

"Be pulled back?" Regina finishes softly.

The man nods once more before opening his eyes again to look into Regina's. "I was too heartbroken. I was afraid…"

"It's all my fault," Regina whispers softly with a shake of her head. She curls her fingers back over the rings and lowers her hand. "I'm so sorry, Robin. I'm sorry I caused you so much pain. I just…"

Robin shakes his head, reaching down to take her clenched fist once more. "It's okay, Regina," he says gently, "I just wanted you to be happy."

"But never at the cost of your happiness…" Regina frowns. "I was so selfish."

"No, Regina," Robin insists, "You were only human. We all are. We make mistakes, that's just what we do. But we'll come back together, stronger…like the Evil Queen and Robin Hood in Reya's book."

At this, Regina can't help a small smile twitch across her lips as she lowers her gaze towards her hand in Robin's. "That's probably why we are meant to be together," she says, "…why we are soulmates."

"You believe it now? Those stories?"

Regina shrugs before gazing back into his beautiful, emotion-filled eyes. Her smile spreads. "I believe in you."

At this, Robin lets out a soft laugh, lowering his gaze to conceal the slight blush in his cheeks. Turning his attention back towards Regina's fist, he gently pries her fingers open once more before lifting up one of the rings and holding it in the light of the moon, gazing at it curiously.

"You are my future," he reads before shaking his head, feeling a lump form in his throat. Oh how he longed for Regina to become a part of his future. Perhaps, now she can.

Before he is even thinking Robin takes Regina's free hand, her left hand, and presses the ring onto her finger. Regina watches, her heart finally sighing with happiness as she finds herself to mirror his actions with the second ring. They fit perfectly.

"Is this some kind of weird proposal?" Regina asks, looking to Robin with a brow raised.

At this, Robin laughs again, shaking his head fondly. "Only if you want it to be," he teases.

Regina chuckles softly, shaking her head before reaching up with both hands and taking Robin's face into her loving grasp. "I love you," she whispers again, eyes glistening.

"And I love you," Robin answers back, his eyes shining with light as he smiles down upon her.

Their lips meet, all passion poured into this one kiss like never before. Two bodies melt into one another's embrace, light and love rushing into their hearts, awakening their souls once more. A flash of light, and Regina and Robin are pulling back with a simultaneous gasp escaping from their lips.

Regina lets out a breath, her gaze lowered as she blinks once, twice, as memories flood back into her mind. She lifts her head to meet the man she loves, her soulmate, as he gazes longingly at her, a look of hope written across his features.

"Robin," Regina breathes, lifting her hands once more to cup his face. Her eyes fill with tears, some spilling down her cheeks as she blinks them away. "I remember…"

A smile spreads across Robin's lips as all recognition has returned. He mirrors her actions, grasping her face with his hands and pressing his forehead to hers. "So do I," he breathes. Regina can feel him shake softly before her, his breath unsteady. "…I'm so sorry," he murmurs, lifting his head to gaze painfully into her eyes. "I betrayed you…"

Regina shakes her head, a tender smile stretching across her lips as she caresses his cheeks with her thumb. "That is of no matter anymore, my love," she whispers, "We both committed our sins, both inside the curse and out. But that's done. We're together now." She leans up and presses another soft kiss to his lips. "I love you. I always will."

"And I you," Robin murmurs gently, "Forever and always." He pulls back from her, though keeping their hands tightly clasped. The thief chuckles softly as he runs his thumb over Regina's wedding band; both of their bands now back where they belong. "Let's go get our daughter," Robin says happily, gazing back towards the docks where Reya stands.

Regina grins, her heart soaring with delight at finally being reunited, at finally being together. "Yes," she whispers excitedly, "Let's."

And so, Robin makes his way towards the wheel, starting up the engine as Regina comes to stand proudly at his side. The Lioness roars with life and continues towards the docks, carrying man and wife back towards their daughter who awaits patiently with high hopes of her parents' return, under the light of the first firework shot into the starry night sky.

That's all folks! Please feel free to leave your comments, as I'm so interested to see what you all think about this ending! I hope it's what you've hoped for and envisioned it to be. It was certainly really enjoyable to write for me ;)

I just want to take the time now to thank you all so much for sticking with me on this journey. Your unending support has truly touched me so much, and I cannot thank you enough for the beautiful comments you have written for each update. I'm both in awe and humbled. You all are my inspiration to keep writing and keep putting out work that I love and enjoy. And it makes me so happy to see that you enjoy it as well. Shoutout to my best friend thequeenregina, who has been at my side through thick and thin. I love you so much, B!

Side note, I did mention I was going to pilot a new fic idea with this last update. Unfortunately, I'm sad to say I will not be able to. Due to my busy schedule, I haven't had time to finish it properly. But I can assure you that I do have some interesting ideas floating around, so please be on the lookout!

Thank you so much for stopping by, and I shall see you all next time!