Wow. It's been three years since I've updated. Sorry isn't enough but I hope you enjoy this final chapter from this story. I've had such a blast writing this, no matter how long it may have taken to finish and i'm glad to have shared this with you all. There's been a sudden muse for our favorite pairing and I found some highly detailed notes for a story I wanted to write years ago. So be on the lookout for that soon. Anyway, thanks so much for reading. And I hoped you've enjoyed Story of a Caged Bird.

I don't own OUAT.

Chapter 26

Epilogue

Regina's hand moved gracefully across the blank canvas. Smooth graphite left lines of both blurred and confident nature in its wake. Concentration was evident, the way her body was bent forward. Studying her drawing to be sure that each accented line or curve was exactly where it needed to be. It was different now, her work. Of course she was able to do as she pleased but now there were guidelines. And those guidelines made sure that anything she created, while at work, were up to the Disney brand standards. And to be completely honest, it was something she looked forward too. It was a test of her creativity every day. It gave her the motivation to tear herself away from her wife and get out of bed every morning. There was no such thing as a snooze button anymore. Regina had an opportunity to do something she loved every day and damn did it feel good.

During their time in Virginia, with Emma's grandma Georgia, the couple really had time to think about what they wanted; past their mutual decision to start over. To breathe again. And with every change of scenery came new opportunities. She thought back to when she and Emma were deciding on a new place to dwell. A place both new and familiar. Where they can have peace with each sunrise and gratitude with each sunset. After living with Georgia for just over a year, the southern air was something everyone, even Henry wanted to keep in their lungs. Of course they couldn't stay with the elderly woman forever -though it was hard to believe that she'd object to it-. So somewhere along the choosing of southern states, Florida came to mind and it was a decision that Regina has yet to regret almost six years later. Of course it was mainly due to Henry. The then 10 year old wanted to be as close to Disney world as possible. And as joke, Emma suggested Regina could start a new career with her art as a creator of animated imagination.

However, it didn't remain a joke.

No. That suggestion remained in the brunette's head, being nursed with every second, growing into a visualization that was bursting at the seams until Regina had no choice but to take action. It was scary, to put herself on the line. To submit her work and be open to rejection. To spread her vulnerability out on an unsteady table of hope, waiting for someone to play a card from the deck of opportunity. Simply for the sake of her happiness. But with Emma by her side and an excited Henry who constantly wished upon a star, the brunette began to grow her own faith. And with that came a bright powder blue letter closed with a Mickey Mouse head wax seal, containing the letter of Regina's acceptance on to the prestigious crew of animators. A job that the former mentioned had keep for the past three years.

A tanned hand placed the graphite pencil down on to the bottom tray of the stand. She'd been drawing for the better of a few hours and tired joints called for a rest. She rang her hands together briefly as she pushed up her new glasses with an index finger to look around the room. Needless to say, the glasses were something new; but also necessary. The constant straining of her eyes from looking at different patterns, canvases and occasionally a computer screen for hours on end eventually led mocha colored orbs to grow tired.

Perfection has its costs.

In coming home for first time with her, 'creativity lenses' -she called them-, she was nearly expecting to hear jest remarks about her getting old or something along the lines of being a nerd. Yet she got just the opposite. Especially from her wife. So much so that Emma often requested her leaving them on during sex. Chuckling at the memory her eyes focused easily on the busy white walls. Pictures of old films and new ones alike scattered about. Serving both for inspiration and a peaceful setting if she were ever feeling overwhelmed. The comical pictures of Donald, Goofy, Mickey and Minnie, were probably some of her favorite features of her draw space. It was nice to have peace here and at home.

Home.

Regina's eyes fell to the ring on her left ring finger; the square shaped diamond surrounded by blue jewels brought a bright happy smile to olive toned features. Less than a few months ago, the duo had renewed their vows. Celebrating their new found freedom. The hills, trials and tribulations they've conquered. Celebrating themselves and for a marriage well fought for and a heart that's been doused in new love. For the unity of their partnership. To be both lovers and friends once again. Even the small ceremony spoke of their new life, down to the extravagant cake Emma secretly constructed with the baker. Containing a replica of every single feather Regina had given her during their time of redemption. It meant more to her than anything else and tearful kisses said all that was needed to be said.

Even now the two were like newlyweds again. That cheesy smile that only the thought of her wife could create sailed across her features. In fact she'd been doing that a lot lately. The smiling. Day dreaming. As if she had just met Emma Swan for the first time again. And perhaps, in a way, she did. Changes for the better.

Her eyes wandered to the unfinished sketch on her canvas. Still just blurred double lines and preformed accents of dimension. Every now and then it still seemed surreal to be here, sitting in the animation studio and having the opportunity to work on a promising new movie. To have her own personal creations sitting for sale in the Art of Animation shop in the Epcot Park. A dream she didn't know she dreamt. A dream attained.

"Knock, Knock." Came a familiar voice, shaking Regina out of her thoughts. Yet it did nothing to the smile that was still settled in place. Emma's own lips curved into a grin at the view of her wife siting in a blue denim button up, the first few buttons were undone, exposing white tank top underneath. A pair of black jeans and white sneakers completed her outfit. She stood in the threshold of the small office, if one could even call it that. It was more of an imagination getaway. To say she was proud of Regina would be an understatement. They've both worked so hard to be get here, to be happy. And now that horrid time between them six years ago was a distant memory. A glitch that wasn't worth remembering. "Sorry," she begins once she notices Regina's attention come back from where ever her mind was. "I hope I'm not interrupting any creative juice flow or whatever it is you artists say." Her teasing tone is met with a playful glare from her wife, as the smaller woman began to grab her things. This should be a quick process, but the brunette had a specific way of lining up her equipment. An arrangement of sizes and widths and other minute details that Emma just couldn't quite get the gist of. But it wasn't for her to get. It was her wife's own way of doing things. Her artistic quirk.

"No, I was actually just taking a break. So you're right on time." Regina spoke as her eyes were still down casted on her station. Even though she was no longer in the field of clerical work; she still appreciated a clean work place. At least that was what she told herself. But both her and Emma new better.

"Would you hurry up your ritual miss animator," The nickname was one that gained her a roll of brown eyes. "We have to pick up the twins and get to Henry's game."

"Alright, I'm coming." Though she didn't actually move from her spot for a few moments. Her hands still fussing with the colored pencils she was trying to put back in color order. Again it was a system…

"Regina," Emma waned. A soft verbal nudge to maintain their already late schedule.

"Okay!" She said with a chuckle and walked towards Emma, stopping short to turn around with a finger in the air as if she forgot something; adjusting one more brush before turning back and heading towards her wife once again, grabbing her bag on the way. "I'm ready." Her words were accented by the push of black rimmed glasses further on to her nose. A habit that the blonde found insanely cute. "And hello to you too." Regina finishes with a kiss to soft pink lips.

The daycare was bustling with loud and fast moving toddlers. Most of them tiny blurs as they ran around the large space. There were tiny desks accompanied with equally small chairs, individual names taped to the back of them on colorful construction paper. Imaginative drawings accented each brightly colored wall. Toys littered along the floor on a pink and yellow ABC mat and tiny cubbies were filled with coats, lunch boxes and extra clothes. Amongst other necessities you'd find in a daycare. Yet still in the sea of moving little ones, Emma and Regina were always able to pick out the two that belonged to them.

"James! Caroline!" The brunette called out once she caught sight of her twins, naming them after her wife's parents. Little James ran towards her first, landing against the jean clad legs with a huge smile. He looked so much like Henry, the brown hair, hazel eyes, even down to the half grin he often wore. It made her choice in using the same donor as they did the first time worth it whenever she looked at him. A tanned hand reached down to brush back the soft brunet hair, smiling gently at her son.

"Mommy! Mama! You hewe already?" The little one asked with great enthusiasm, switching his gaze from one mother to the other.

"Yeah, bud." Emma spoke up then, crouching down to meet little hazel eyes. She held out her fist to bump hands with the tiny one across from her. Somewhere along the lines, it became the signature Hello between her and the three year old. "Where's your sister? We have to get to your brother's game before it starts."

The little boy's face displayed that of confusion as she looked around for his twin sister. The little girl was just behind him. Though neither parent nor sibling had to look too far, as the little girl popped up behind Emma and hugged the still crouched form from behind. "Hewe I am Mama!"

The blonde audibly gasped at the attack, earning a laugh from both Regina and James. "You always surprised us, Caroline." The blonde spoke, yet her words were heavier than they actually sounded. The blonde remembered back to when she and Regina broached the subject of a second child. Another part of their new reformed life. They did the same as before, using one of Emma's eggs for Regina to carry. But this time, something else happened and it made their decision even more special. Caroline had come as a surprise to both parents. Somewhere along the in vitro process, the already fertilized egg that been sitting in utero had somehow clung to one of Regina's during the brunette's ovulation. They had remembered from previous tries that it was the most ideal time to conceive. That much they knew. But the outcome wasn't one either parent could have predicted. Emma thought of the doctor explaining how much of a rare occurrence it was. Practically impossible. One in every four million. Yet somehow they were chosen and the egg had given life to one of the others that had once been otherwise deemed 'unable to fruity'.

The little girl looked so much like Regina, between those beautiful brown eyes and dainty fingers. Her nose, however, resembled that of her blonde mother. And her hair attained more of a sandy brown color than that of dark locks like she, Henry or James had. Of course these things made them question the possibility of Emma's DNA somehow slipping into the other egg. And after brief testing they received an answer that made both women shed tears of joy. A strange yet extraordinary phenomenon that cleared any doubt that may have been lingering about their marriage or future together. A message, from the births of James Andrew and Caroline Miracle Swan Mills; that they were going to be just fine.

Emma stared at her watch as she quickly navigated through the halls of the high school. Pushing up her red and blue plaid colored sleeve every few seconds. The game would be starting any minute and the traffic on the way to the day care had thrown them more than just a few minutes behind. "Dammit," The blonde muttered to herself. This was a big deal for both her and her now 16 year old son.

Green lockers lined the hallways as sneakered feet moved across linoleum floors, leaving Regina to hold on to both children who were doing somewhat of a jog to keep up.

"Emma, slow down." Regina demanded, a bit of annoyance in her tone as she tried to hurry both kids who honestly, were just too small to go at the same speed. Their tiny legs were almost a blur as they held tightly to their mother's tanned hands for balance.

The former mentioned only stopped briefly to give her wife and kids a chance to catch up. "I'm the director of sports here and i'm late for my own son's basketball game. This is the-"

"Championships." Regina finishes the sentence with an exaggerated huff, "I know. It's all you two have been talking about." And it was true. Over the past few months there's been nothing but basketball talk in their home. Midnight practice sessions and randomized 'pop drills'. Regina was proud, of course, but truth be told she was really growing tired of Emma's constant fretting. No matter how adorable it was.

"Yes, but" She begins to explain but a glance at her wife and huffing kids made her mumble a small apology. "I'm sorry, i'm just so excited." The admission earns her a chaste kiss from her wife, causing Emma to forget they were in a rush for a just a second. A really, short, second. And then her eyes went to her watch once more. "Okay, we really need to go." And with that, the blonde hoisted both kids up, one under her arm and the other over her shoulder like a sack of potatoes.

If it wasn't for the squealing laughter resounding down the hall from James and Caroline, Regina would be wearing a worried smile for the way her kids were being handled. But she trusted Emma and that disquiet melted away within seconds. Without the added weight of her twins the brunette was able to pick up pace and soon she was side by side with her determined wife. She knew how important this was to Emma. It'd been a big deal when Henry made the team, back in his freshman year. The blonde had spent hours practicing with her son to build up his skill. Especially since she saw how…challenged he was when she first witnessed one of his games.

It was hard at first watching them. Regina even reprimanding her wife about pushing him too hard or trying to make him like her. But eventually the brunette learned to step back and let her wife bond with their son. Holding back her tongue when Emma would make the fourteen year old, at the time, dribble with a tennis ball. Or when she would purposely tie small hand brooms to his wrists as he practiced bouncing the ball between strategically placed orange cones. All of it had seemed so silly. But now, two years later here he was, playing on a high school varsity team as a point guard; just as his blonde mother did. And the bond between the two was stronger than ever.

Finally entering the gymnasium, Emma led her family to the second row of the bleachers. Being the director of sports gave one such a privilege. In fact, most times the blonde felt privileged just to have this job. One she was able to attain thanks to her best friend, KJ. In fact after the incident so many years ago, he was the one who turned in all the evidence of Tamara's plans. The files containing photos, copies of browser history, proof of bribery…all of it. The new found information earned the blonde a record that had been cleaned and a generous lump sum from the town as in apology. A lump sum that cushioned the financial blow of such a big move. Needless to say, Emma was eternally grateful. For that and for this new opportunity. It completed the last void she had in her. A spot she never really paid much attention to. Not knowing it was something she needed until it fell across her lap. It was a joy to go to work each day, same as her wife. There were better times these days and for once, she sincerely felt with every fiber in her being that it was here to stay.

As they found their desired spot, Emma deposited the twins gently down on the seat between her and Regina. They managed to sit down just as the buzzer went off and the tip off began. Sneakered feet screeched across the waxed gym floors as the opposite team got the ball first. A tense Emma sat forward with her elbows on her knees, head resting on folded hands. Same as she always did at Henry's games; watching with rapt attention.

Though there was a moment of pride when she saw the now much taller brunet, her son, swipe the ball and run off to the other side. Emma sat up a bit more then, her hands separating, fists clenched as she watched her son, quickly making it to the other side of the court; pausing for the jump shot and then-

"YES! AND ONE!" The blonde yells as she comes to her feet, clapping probably louder than anyone else as the ball makes it into the basket just as Henry is fouled. "That's my son!" She beamed rather proudly, pointing an index finger out at the uniform clad teenager who was currently being helped back on to his feet. That satisfied grin never left her face as she continued to stand.

"Our son," Regina corrected.

"Can I have my moment please?" Emma teases with both palms tuned up in question, though her smile betrays her mock offense.

Shaking her head the brunette doesn't say anything else. She probably won't admit it, but she did love when her wife was like this.

"Yeah One!" James yells beside his golden haired mother, just as enthused about the game. Of course he didn't understand much. But he clapped whenever Emma did and groaned just the same if something went wrong. Already being groomed for the sport without even knowing it. It'll be a great day if Emma could get all three of her kids into basketball.

The former mention stood quietly, hands clasped against her chest while green eyes looked on to the court. Watching captivatedly as he readied himself for the two shots, "Easy Henry." Emma mumbled under her breath. They've gone over this time and time again. He could do this shot in his sleep, but the former basketball star new all about championship game pressure and it was easy to slip. However, Henry is able to push past the pressure sinking both shots into the basket and earning a loud cheer from his flaxen haired mother. The teenage brunet makes his way back to the other side, sure to give his parents and siblings a wave before returning his focus to the game.

"Honey, sit down. You'll embarrass him." Regina whispers with a tug to her wife's plaid shirt. It was funny, how very familiar this all was and she thought back to when she attended her wife's games back in college. The screaming, yelling and victory sex. Of course, that part was her favorite. But even with Emma no longer playing, she'd always be on her team. Cheering for her whenever she needed it. Now and always

"You know how worked up I get." Emma admits as she finally sits down again.

"I know." Regina responds looking at her wife with a love that felt stronger than ever and in turn she leaned in for kiss, to which her wife granted easily. The buzzer signaling halftime echoes through the gymnasium and the brunette it as a sign that she can have a conversation with her wife for a couple more minutes before her attention is taken away. "You've taught him well."

"He's got the gene." She says playfully before poking the twins stomachs, earning a laugh from both James and Caroline "And one of you better get it too!"

"And if they don't," Regina interjects with a knowing glance towards her wife. "It'll be just fine."

"Well," Emma grins rather cockily, a look that really started to come forth again in full force once they moved. One that still made Regina simultaneously roll her eyes and melt on the inside. "My skill did bring me to you."

"It did." There was no denying it now, not after being married for nearly twenty years. "But I'll be sure to tell him not to hit her with the basketball first." A laugh erupts as the memory of their first meeting comes to the forefront of her mind.

"That was a total accident." Emma can't help but laugh, it was so strange to think of how a simple act could lead to this. Their love. For all voids to be filled. Complete.

"I nearly lost an eye." The brunette teased.

"But now look at you, in love with me."

A smile, "Completely and I always will be."

Emma's own smile lights up, there will never come a day when she'd grow tired of hearing those words, in whichever form they come in. "Let's hope so. I still have that basketball, should you need reminding."

Regina laughs at that, "If you ever think I forgot, just ask me and I'll always answer you."

Those words meant more to Emma than Regina would ever know. That time in her life, that seemed so long ago now, was finally over and had been for some time. Yet those four words 'I'll always answer you', spoke to her soul. Smiling that old smile, the one she used time and time again when her ego was lifted; joined by the tilt of her head as she looked over at her wife. "Do you love me?"

Their gazes meet and for a second everyone else disappears. "I do. Always and forever."

And with that, the buzzer sounds to resume the rest of the game. Their hands collided, intertwining them in a unity reborn. A love that was renewed fully and intentionally. Mountains have been climbed, demons have been slayed and closets have been cleaned. Untethered.

Finally, the once caged bird was free.