Chapter Text

• Chapter One -

Regina was tired.  She was aching.  She was broken.  Shards of her heart lay scattered around her leather Ferragamo heels.  On a ragged breath, she admitted she would have to pick the pieces up herself.  She mentally prepared herself, again, to pick up the pieces before she joined the crowd in the banquet room.

Another wedding, another citizen of Storybrooke was paired off with their true love.  

Left out once more and ending another night on her own.  Her history had been filled with companionless nights.  She didn’t need a man to be happy.  On more than one occasion, she had assured her sister, Zelena, of that very sentiment.  

She wasn’t lacking in friends and family these days.  A wonderful support group, consisting her son, her sister, her friends, the whole town, in fact, made sure she was well looked after.  Knowing she was a part of such a largely extended family was touching, especially given her villainous history with them.  What would they say if they knew how lonely the former Evil Queen really was now still?  The glaring difference from then and now was that murder was not her remedy of choice to relieve such sadness.

She leaned against the balcony railing, as the sun began its slow descent into the horizon.

“Here she is,” a voice said behind her and  Regina did not have to turn to see who had suddenly interrupted her solemn thoughts.  A smile bloomed at the sound of the familiar voice.  Emma.

“You hiding, Regina?”  

“Yes. From your inebriated parents. Your father nearly pulled me out on the dance floor — I’m still not too fond of dancing, to be honest — and your mother is trying to play matchmaker again.  It never works out.”  Her red lips set in a grim line before she could stop it, knowing Emma would pick up on it right away.

“Maybe the next one will.”  Emma stood close, resting her own arms on the balcony railing, turning her face westward. Green eyes flickered in the golden light and Regina was mesmerized by the shimmer before she forced her gaze quickly away.

“I highly doubt that.”  A wistful sigh escaped her and Regina bit the inside of her cheek to keep from further revealing her feelings. Emma always got the truth out of her though.  “Where is the…” a ready insult on the tip of her tongue was almost flung before she bit it back for Emma’s sake, “... hubby.”

Emma scoffed and Regina thought she detected a little frustration behind it.  “At the bar.  Where else?”

Regina squinted suspiciously.  For months, she had watched her blonde friend lose some of the contentment that a young mother and happy wife should have.  The marital spark in Emma’s eyes had been stunted. Several times, she had wanted to ask about it, but Regina also understood when Emma preferred her thoughts to remain private. She recognized that trait in herself too and did not want to pry, like Emma’s mother, Snow White, who felt no shame in butting in constantly. 

Listening to the slightly concealed ire in Emma’s tone today, she was more concerned than ever though and she couldn’t keep from blurting her inquiry. 

“Okay, what’s going on with you two?”

Emma’s jaw dropped and she appeared slow to understand, but when the blonde started to stammer, Regina knew something was definitely wrong.  Both women knew Regina wouldn’t be patient for long.

“Who said anything was going on?”

“Though I may disfavor dancing, I know you have a proclivity for it.  I haven’t seen you dance once this evening.”

“Using all those big words to compliment my dancing, Regina?”

“Trying to detract with humor, Emma.  A clear indication that something, indeed, is going on.” In more layman terms, Regina ducked her head and teased her friend, “Don’t try to bullshit a bullshitter. I’m a pro at side-stepping issues.  Don’t let it fester.”

An impatient look complete with an eyebrow raised for good measure and Emma sighed in defeat.  A move like that might not have worked five years ago but the two women had been through too much together: raising their teenage son, trips to other realms, battling monsters, revealing hardened pasts, and helping each other through the lowest lows.

“Out with it, Swan.”

Emma unloaded on a side dip of her head, “It’s complicated.”

“Uncomplicate it for me.”

“I don’t know if I can.  I… don’t think anyone would understand.”

A guffaw of disbelief came from Regina.  “ I wouldn’t understand a complicated marriage?  Please!”

Of course, Regina might be the only one who might really understand.  She seemed to be the only one who truly understood who Emma really was on the inside anyway.  That had always been part of the problem though.  Emma bit her lip thinking of the times, she had wished Killian could do the same at understanding her better.

“We aren’t talking.   Not like we used to.  And, surprisingly, I’m okay with that,” Emma explained.  The last sentence was somewhat muted, though Regina had heard it still.  When it was apparent that Emma should continue, she revealed, “Do you ever feel like something is careening off path and, at first, you try to stop it from doing so, but when you can’t right it you just shrug and say, ‘Oh well.’?  Not just an I-will-deal-with-it-later ‘oh well’, but an I-don’t-give-a-fuck ‘oh well’?”

Dark sister eyebrows raised high and Regina’s jaw became lax.  She had heard Emma swear before but it had been a long time since she looked so troubled.  Regina had thought the savior, and relative of her once arch nemesis, had found her perfect fairytale ending, married her true love and had jauntily skipped toward their happy ending,  In fact, Emma’s happiness was the one thing that made lonely life bearable for Regina.  As long as Emma was happy, Regina could cope.  She owed it to the woman after all, right?  

This strong protectiveness she had felt for Emma all these years was because she felt indebted to her.  She had told Zelena that when her sister had once tried to inquire why Emma’s happiness was so important to her.

“Really, Regina, why aren’t you more focused on your own happy ending?  Are you sure you have everything you want?”

“What else do I need?  I have a home, a family,” she gestured to her sister with the wild red mane,” my son -- two sons -- a granddaughter, a brand new Mercedes, what more do I need?”

“A shag, or… ten.”

Regina stared at her sister who smiled lasciviously and wiggled her eyebrows in mischief.  Zelena had been seeing a realm jumping scientist for the last three months and since she had been sexually active regularly, she felt it was the right kind of medicine for Regina as well.

“I think I liked it better when you weren’t getting any.”

“Oh, Poppet, don’t be jealous.  Miles has a handsome friend who’s perfect for you.”

Throwing her hands up, Regina immediately protested, “No!  No friends!  Snow has gotten David to try and set me up with one of his bowling buddies.”

“Delicious!  When’s the date?  I’d love to see you in a pair of bowling shoes.”

“Can you imagine,” Regina sneered, pouring hot water into two tea cups in her kitchen.  It was her usual Thursday teatime with her sister.  “I detest the sport.  Bowling alleys are loud and obnoxious.  The fashion is deplorable and I am not interested in having a date over beer and nachos.”

A quiet “I bet you wouldn’t mind if Emma was there” distracted Regina and she nearly scalded her fingers.

“What do you mean?”

Obtusely, Zelena lunged back, attentive to the response, “What do you think it means?”

A pang of discomfort started to burn between Regina’s shoulder blades as something, like a thought, began to form, but like always, she tamped it down before it could invade her consciousness.  She’d always thought that if it was really important it would make itself known.

“You're psychoanalysing me again.  If you think I would be comfortable with anyone in such a place as a bowling alley, you’re the one not shooting with a bag full of marbles.”

In resignation, the redhead leaned back on her seat and shook her head in sympathy.  “Oh Regina.  How can such a smart witch be so stupid?”

Loud laughter near the doorway pulled Regina from her memory and she glanced back at the wide open entrance where music blared and the sounds of a party at its highest point roared.  Her attention swung back to Emma who was looking strangely, almost expectantly, at her before turning quickly to see only the top of the sun halo the landscape in the distance.  The temperature had cooled only slightly but already the tiny hairs at the back of Regina’s neck stood on end among pimpled flesh, but oddly, she wasn’t cold.  She distinctly felt she should be aware of something.  The same something that she had always felt when Emma was near.

The blonde dawned a tight smile and with resolve, the moment lost, shook her head, “You know what?  Forget it.  It’s a party.”

Struggling to get the moment back, not wanting to let go, Regina nearly lunged forward to grab Emma but a movement in the corner of her eye snagged her attention.  Snow White, Emma’s mother, entered the balcony area with Emma’s two year old daughter, Hope, in her arms.

“There’s Mommy, angel.”  To Emma, Snow explained with a smile, “She was looking for you.”

The little toddler’s face lit up when she saw her mother and she pointed with a delightful greeting, “Mommy!”

Emma’s entire disposition changed into a cheerful one and she opened her arms to receive the child Snow had let down to walk.  “Hi, Peanut,” Emma said.

Regina ridiculed with evident sarcasm, “I swear… this beautiful child has a name that no one except myself apparently uses.”

Hope turned toward the sound of Regina’s voice and her eyes widened, however not as big as her smile, “GINA!”  Before throwing herself into Emma’s arms she quickly detoured and headed straight for the former Evil Queen, who grabbed her up and nuzzled noses with her. 

“Hello, Hope darling.”

Emma shook her head at her mother in surprise, “Okaaaay.  I thought she was looking for me.”

“She sees you every day,” Snow dismissed with a grin, taking in how wonderfully her granddaughter and Regina, her one-time enemy, got along.

“Gina, eeet cayk ?”

“I haven’t had any cake yet.  Did you have cake?”  Regina tapped little Hope on the nose lightly with her index finger.  At the little girl's emphatic nod, Regina eyed her with a secretive smile, “Did you save me some?”  Hope just hung her tongue out and laughed, bringing her forehead and Regina’s together.  Regina adored Hope Jones and it looked like the feeling was mutual.

[--@]

Emma leaned against the back of Mulan’s chair, listening to Ashley and Aurora cackle at a story of the latest mischief that their children had gotten into.  Her mind was distracted, however, as her gaze kept returning to the table her parents sat at with Regina.  The three of them talked amiably and chuckled every so often at one of her Dad’s corny jokes.  Her daughter was cradled in Regina’s arms fast asleep.  The corners of Emma’s lips turned up at the sweetness of it.  She didn’t quite know when it had happened, but Regina had become one of Hope’s favorite people.  It was always, “Where’s Gina” and “Call Gina” and most recently “Want Gina” in a temper when Henry was off to see his other mom and Hope couldn’t go with him.  Killian was the least pleased when Hope threw her food across the room in a tantrum.

“She’s bewitched her, I swear it.”

As if on cue, Emma’s eyes went to the bar, but the spot was empty where her husband was ten minutes ago, where he had spent most of the evening.  She absently wondered whether he had walked home.  It wouldn’t be the first time, as of late. that he would take an intoxicated stroll through the woods to reach their house.  He wouldn’t walk through the center of town anymore, since the very last time he did, he was drunk and very loud.  The gossip that had followed lasted weeks and it nearly tore them apart.  

Her father, David, had wanted to confront Killian about it, but Emma said she would handle it.  Her way of dealing with it, though, had been to distance herself from him even more.  Her past experiences weren't great in dealing with alcohol in the few foster homes she had briefly resided in, one a particularly dangerous situation, but she had luckily escaped that place when she could.  She also had to muscle around the few inebriated or passed out bail-jumpers in her bail bondsperson days.  However, this wasn’t the same thing.  This was her husband, and she wasn’t sure how to deal with this.  

Also, their problem wasn’t so much the drinking.  Yes, it was inconvenient when he drank too much, but he didn’t drink every day.  She knew he was going through something and she had tried to speak with him about it, many times before, but he just continued to shut her out.  After a while, they both grew further apart and the crack in their marriage just widened to seismic proportions.

It was even more confusing to have realized last week that she had become fine with the enormous rift between them.  It was as if all of a sudden, the charm of their union had just worn off.

“He left,” Belle whispered in her ear, and Emma turned around to see the auburn haired beauty standing behind her.  It actually wouldn’t have surprised her if Belle had been standing in a corner observing her.  Belle was quite clever and astute.  She noticed quite a lot of things in this town.  If she hadn’t been Storybrooke’s Head Librarian, Emma was sure Belle would have taken Archie Hopper’s job.  He was the town psychologist.  Now that she thought of him, maybe she should make an appointment with Archie.  Past therapy sessions had helped her break through some of her issues.  Maybe they could help her again.

Emma offered a thin smile and answered as if she had known all along, “Oh, I know.”  Her back teeth clenched, giving her discomfort away which only scored her a sympathetic look from Belle.  The woman placed a quiet, supportive hand on Emma’s shoulder.  “Excuse me.  I’d better take Hope home.”

She dashed past Belle and straight to her parents who gave her a quizzical glance when she got there.  “Is everything ok, honey?”

“Yeah, Mom.  It’s just Hope-”

Regina’s interruption was accompanied with a withering look.  “Hope is fine.”  Her arms tightened around the little girl, who while fast asleep, still readjusted her tiny cheek on Regina’s shoulder.  Hope’s tiny lips moved, and she seemed to impossibly snuggle more into Regina.  

Emma could feel Regina’s gaze trying to read her and she was sure Regine knew more than she was letting on to their company around them.  “Emma, sit.  Your dad was just telling us a joke.”

“I was not.”

“Oh, weren’t you?”  Regina’s eyes mocked him. “That would have been a first.”

Snow giggled at David’s fake affronted expression.  Emma’s chair screeched when she pulled it out and took a seat.  David immediately poured her a glass of water which she gratefully took.

“Hah!  I was going to tell you a story.”

“Ooh, a story,” Snow cooed next to her husband, peering up at him adoringly.

Kissing the tip of his wife’s nose, he said, “Yes.  A good story.”

“No… not another Tale of Prince Charming.  Please.  Spare us,” Regina taunted dryly.

Emma couldn’t help but giggle a little with her mother at more phony offended looks from David.

“It’s the story of a favorite family chicken.  You know I grew up on a farm.”

“Did you?” Snow quipped, took another sip of her wine, and then said the opposite to everyone humorously over her glass rim, “We didn’t know.”

Regina shook her head, hiding her smile and then sharing a look with Emma, a look that disarmed the blonde.  How did Regina do it?  Since she had met the woman all those years ago, there were glances from Regina Mills that seemed to touch the depths of Emma’s very soul.

“Well, I did.”

“Along with the pigs and the cows…” Regina teased.

“And the chickens!  Back to my story.”  David leaned back and proceeded, “Anyway, this one chicken, Lulubelle-”

“A chicken named Lulubelle?”  Regina squinted and bit the side of her cheek dubiously. 

“Yes, Lu for short.”

“Lulubelle is a cow’s name,” Emma said after her swallow of water.  Her mood was improving.

“Says who?”

“Says the cow cartoons I watched growing up.”

David paused and pointed at Emma, wanting to get back on track.  “Anyway… Lu was a very clever chicken!”

Emma and Regina shared a glance and deadpanned at the same time, “How clever was she?

“Extremely clever,” David went on, “She was so clever that she could count all her own eggs.”

Snow’s jaw dropped in disbelief, “What? No way!”

“Yep!”  David scratched a tiny pattern into the table cloth and added behind a boyish grin, “She was a real mathmechicken.”  His eyes mirthfully looked around the table that fell silent for a moment until Snow exploded in laughter, Regina blinked in bafflement before understanding forced her to roll her eyes, and Emma covered her face in comical embarrassment.

“Another joke,” Regina groaned.

“Oh, Dad.  That was so bad.”

“A mathme chicken!  Get it!”

“Yes, David.  We got it,” came from Regina as she hid the start of a slow smile by turning her attention to hope again.  Emma watched as well manicured fingers brushed soothing strokes along her daughter’s cheek.  The movement had a strong visceral impact on Emma.

A slow song came on and Snow stood abruptly and offered her hand to her husband.  “Dance with me, my charming chicken farmer.”

“My lady,” he answered, standing and kissing her offered hand.

“My love,” Snow flirted as he rounded her chair,

“My stomach,” Regina filled in after, as the couple walked toward the dance floor, joining the other guests.

“How do you think I feel?  They’re my parents for goodness sake.  They’re not supposed to act like that in public.”

They watched as Snow and David, swayed with the music, kissed, though no one else seemed to pay attention and then, to their surprise, Snow wiggled her eyebrows and made a deft and daring move.

Regina gasped, “Did she just pinch his bottom?”

“Oh God,” Emma groaned as she covered her face again quickly before peeking through her fingers at the crowd in the room.  No one else seemed to notice.  “Why are they like this?”

“Don’t look at me.  I tried to break it up more than once.  Not even a curse could separate those two.”

Emma contemplated her parents and then Regina, who smiled at her own joke.  

“Do you remember Neverland, Regina?”

“Not fondly, no.”

“When they started making out in front of us?”

“Emma, do you want me to vomit?”

Emma laughed.  She remembered Regina in her deep royal blazer looking so awkward, like she wished she could be anywhere but there.  It’s true that the Evil Queen had tried to come between her parents more than once, but now that they were all friends . Emma knew that there was no one else she would trust her parents’ lives, or marriage, with more than Regina Mills.

Hope chose that moment to stir.  Regina adeptly moved her from one shoulder to the other.  Hope’s forehead was tucked under Regina’s chin.  Emma watched the woman accommodate her sleeping daughter, and affectionately brush wayward brown locks from her child’s forehead.  Regina replaced the locks with a tentative kiss before resting her own cheek there and Emma’s heart melted further.  

“I can take her if you want.”

“No.  It’s fine.”

“I have to take her home soon anyway.”

Regina scoffed, her eyes shining in jest.  “I’m keeping her.”

“Then I guess you’ll have to take us both because we’re a package deal.”

Emma only realized what she had said when Regina’s eyes rounded slightly in surprise and her lips parted.  Heat blazed across Emma’s face.  Surely, it should have come off as a joke, right?  The meaning couldn’t have been interpreted differently, though it appeared it had.

“I mean… um… I don’t mean… but she and I…”

A taunting grin spread across Regina’s face.  “Don’t hurt yourself, Swan.  I get it.”

Emma felt spared when Regina directed her attention back to the dance floor and she could feel the heat in her cheeks subsiding.  Grabbing her water off the table, she gulped the last of it down, hoping it would further cool her escalating temperature on the inside.  

Chapter Text

• Chapter Two -

Nearly three weeks had passed and Emma’s marriage further soured.  Late one morning, she passed the spare room that Killian had taken up residence in.  Hope was sitting on his bed eyeing his antique looking telescope as he was throwing clothes into a large black duffle bag.  Though the answer seemed clear, Emma gulped and asked anyway, “What are you doing?”

Blue eyes met her green ones, and after a calming breath Hook’s lips set in a grim, apologetic line,  “I’m moving to the ship.  I think it’s time, Emma.  Don’t you?”

Emma.   He didn’t call her “love” like he had in the past, like he would probably roguishly address any other female in town at the moment, young or old.

A resigned sigh was her reply because what else could she say?  He was right.  She knew this day would come.

“Daddy, tayk it!”  Hope raised the telescope toward her father and then her arms to be picked up.  Killian swooped her up and gave her loud kisses on her neck, making her chortle with glee.  

“Thank you, love.”  He chucked the telescope into the bag and tossed Hope up effortlessly and caught her again.

Emma tried to tamp down the relief she felt seeing him pack.  Guilt reared its head next as she thought of her daughter’s soon to be broken home.  Swiftly, panic replaced guilt and a sudden thought came to mind that was too loathsome to bear.  Even though fear had gripped her, she tested jokingly, “You’re not taking her with you, of course.”

In an instant the air between them darkened and chilled.  As the words left her mouth she knew them immediately to be the wrong ones.  Why did things between them feel so off?  It had been good between them once, but now it was as if they could barely have a moment without contention.

“Jesus.  What kind of bastard do you take me for, Swan?”  Eyes narrowed, he regarded her with resentment, but before he could lose his temper further, Killian eyed his daughter and gained control of his appearance.  Giving the child a winning smile he kissed her again before putting her back down on the bed.  “I love this little one.  But a pirate ship is no place for a child to live, is it?  She’s safer here with you.”

Emma felt the apology on her lips, but her pride would not let her release it.  They’ve offended each other too much as of late with words and actions. It was too late for apologies.

“Plus, you know.  A girl needs her mother.  All that.”

A blink and a nod, Emma interpreted his words.  He had often relied on her to do most of the parental work.  He helped but he was happy being the fun, playful parent.

She leaned against the door jamb and shrugged, “What about the Midsummer Ball?”

Every year for the past 3 years, Storybrooke had an elegant ball to celebrate the longest day of the year.  It had been the brainchild of her parents.

“The ball…”  Killian tossed his head back tiredly.  “I didn’t even think of it.”  He turned to her, his eyes filled with apprehension.  “I won’t be here.”

“No duh.  You’ll be on the ship.”

“No, Emma.  I’m casting off in a few days.  I have a crew and we’ll be sailing with the tide.”  

“Okay.”  Emma’s eyes flicked pensively under heavy brows.  “You’re really leaving.”

“I will be back.  It’s just a sort of… a much needed vacation.  I’ll be gone for about a month or so.  I was going to tell you.”

“By what?  Pigeon?  After you’d gone?”

“I know how cell phones work now, Swan.”

“And Hope?”

They both looked at their daughter, who was now playing with her father’s compass.  She spared a smile for them and they smiled back in spite of the rather serious conversation they were having.  

“Hope will be fine.”  Killian laid on the bed and stroked Hope’s cheek.  He continued in a higher, happier tone for her benefit, “Because she will be with her mummy,  Isn’t that right, starfish?”

The little girl chortled.  “I not staawfish , Daddy. I’n a gurl .”

“That you are, dove.  You most certainly are.”  While Hope continued to play with odd trinkets he was taking with him, Killian’s gaze swung to Emma.  “I’ve started divorce proceedings, Emma.  

I’m sorry, but word will circulate fairly soon.”

The floorboards under Emma’s feet might as well have disappeared because she felt the overwhelming fright suddenly.  He spoke to a lawyer already behind her back.  Why didn’t he just talk to her?  Why couldn’t they have discussed what was going to happen?  It seemed so calculating to just spring this on her.

Emma expressed the first thought that came to her mind with a sinking feeling, “We could have done this together, Killian.”

“We haven’t done much together in a long time, Emma.”

“We could have at least talked about it first.”

“I didn’t want to draw it out any longer.  If I’m not mistaken it’s been over between us now for a while.”  He bowed his head in raised only his eyes to her.  “There’s someone else,” Killian admitted, keen on her reaction, 

Emma sighed.  “I know about you and her.  The bartender at The Rabbit Hole.”

“Cammie.”

“Yes, Hook, Cammie.”

“Were you jealous?”

His question caught Emma off guard and she searched his face wondering whether he wanted a yes or no.  Eventually she just shrugged and went with the truth.  “No.”

He looked relieved.  “I had a feeling you wouldn’t be.” Killian tossed a few more items into the bag.  

After a beat, Emma just gave a half suppressed laugh and asked, “What happened to us?”

He stared at the floor for too long.  There was something in his eyes when he looked up at her, something that looked like regret.  His lips parted, as if to say something and then his expression cleared and he shrugged, “I don’t know.”  He slung a full duffle over each shoulder.  “But I am not abandoning you and Hope even though it might look like it.  I just need some time at sea.  Reconnect with who I really am.”

“Well, alright then.”  Emma reached out for Hope who immediately crawled off the bed and held Emma’s hand.

“Where Daddy go?”

“Daddy’s going to his ship.  He needs to take care of some things,” Killian explained in the simplest of terms.  “I will call you, lovely.  You take care of mummy now and be a brave girl, yeah?”

“Daddy, no go!”

Killian gave Hope a big kiss and hurried out the bedroom door.  Out in the hall, he turned to them.  “I’ll be back.”

“Yeah.  Okay.”  She didn’t sound convinced but she also didn’t like his guilty expression.  She didn’t need his pity.  She would be fine.  She was sad and a little confused at how they had deteriorated but she really was fine with his leaving.  She just wasn’t sure how this was all going to affect Hope.  That is what terrified Emma.  She knew the pain of rejection.  Hope deserved better than that.

“You’re gonna be fine, Swan.”  That look of regret crossed his features and he added, “Maybe sooner, rather than later.”

That was an odd thing to say, “What does that mean?”

With a roguish smile, all he said before leaving was, “I think once you’re truly honest with yourselves, you’ll both find out.”

[--@]

“Mom.  MOM!”

“No, no!  I’m telling her!”

“But she is my mother.”

“My sister!”

Regina heard the commotion and the very loud footsteps thumping toward her office.  As the two figures barreled in, she placed the file she was reviewing down and glared at her 19 year old son Henry and her sister Zelena.

“Please be as loud and raucous as you want while entering my office.  This is only a place of business after all.”

“Regina, you will never guess what has happened.”

“Mom, he’s gone.”

“Shut it, Wish Boy.  I was here first.”

“You flew on a broom .  That’s no fair!”

“Dear nephew, life is not fair.”

Holding up both hands to try and quiet them, Regina pleaded, “Please! I know it is the end of the work day and my staff have all probably gone home, but I still have a headache, and you two are not helping.  Now.  Who’s gone?”

“Hook,” Henry answered at the same time Zelena shouted, “Fish Face!”

“What?”  Regina balked, thinking she may not have heard right.  Zelena sank into the guest chair on the other side of her desk and Henry rounded the corner and leaned down close to Regina.

“It’s true!  He sailed off about an hour ago.”

“Clod,” Zelena scoffed.  “ He took off with a handful of scalliwags and that bartender he was shagging,” Her comment was met by mortified looks so she added, “Oh come on.  You didn’t know?”

Uncomfortably, Regina’s eyes met Henry’s shock-rounded ones as his face took on an angry shade of red.

“He was cheating on my mother?!”

“Zelena!”  Regina chastised her sister and reached out to try and calm her son.  

“You knew?”  Henry backed away but Regina took his hand before he could completely withdraw from her grasp.  

“I wasn’t quite sure.  I had my suspicions…” Regina admonished Zelena with a stare, “...and I was actually going to confront him, but, oh I don’t know.  I thought maybe it was best to talk to Emma, but how do you have a conversation like that with someone?”

“You say, ‘Hey, we knew your husband was a tosser and a philanderer before you married.  Is he groping for trout in a peculiar river ?’.”

Open mouthed and ready to say something, Regina instantly became distracted and joined Henry in a confused look toward her sister with the wild mane of red hair.

“Groping for what?”  Henry shook his head.

“You know… taking his gear shift to another mechanic to be serviced.”

Henry scowled.  “Ew.”

“You and your outlandish euphemisms, Z.”

“Don’t roll your eyes at me, sister.  The good news is he’s gone and you’re not.”

Snagging Henry’s attention he asked, “Wait.  What does that mean?”

“Zeeeee…”  Head falling in her hands, Regina covered her face, hoping she could rewind time to just 15 minutes ago.  She would lock her office door and pretend she wasn’t there.

She had heard it once or twice before,  This ridiculous idea before from her sister that Emma had feelings for her.

“My word, Henry.  Can you not see anything past the end of your nose?  Your mothers are ridiculously stupid for each other.”

He looked at Regina now with analyzing eyes.  In them, there was a glimmer of recognition.  “Ah, yes.  I see now.  You and her, and she and you… I thought when I came here from the Wish Realm that maybe… but I wasn’t sure.

Regina blinked at him, “First of all, there is no she and I.  We’re friends.”

Henry looked skeptical and wanted clarity from his aunt.  She shrugged and reiterated, “Silly stupid for each other.  Stupid being the key word.”

“You and mom would make a much more suitable match, Mom.”  Henry considered this a moment before saying, “I often wondered what she saw in him.”

Feet hitting the floor, Zelena leaned forward, hands spread out in eagerness.  “Regina!  You now have a winning endorsement from the Sweet Prince!  Woo the woman and get your Swan!” 

Henry showed his support by catching Regina’s eye and smiling in encouragement.  “Yes, mom.  No more trout groping rivers for you!  This is your turn to be happy.”  He stood up full of uncertainty.  “Wait.  I think I might’ve called my other mother a fish.”

“Not how I would have put it,” Zelena reassured but clapped her hands in approval, “but you get an A+ for effort!”  

“You two are crazy!”  A long pause ensued as Regina’s gaze moved from one person to the other.  Shaking her head in bewilderment, she tried to suppress what felt like a kindling hope in her belly.  This notion that Emma would have any romantic feelings for her was preposterous.  What were Henry and Zelena driving at.  The longer she faced off with them, however, the more the idea would not leave her head.  

Emma had always been a special person in her life.  From the very beginning, even, try as hard as she might to get the blonde to go away, she just would not leave.  At first she had convinced herself it was most likely for Henry that Emma stuck around, but after a while, little things the woman did made her question that.  She always tried to seek the goodness that she insisted was inside Regina, before Regina would let herself see it.  The woman was always encouraging, always supporting.  Emma Swan believed in her when no one else did.  Once upon a time, a part of her had hoped that maybe that meant something more than friendship, but Regina would never let herself dwell on it for long.  A beacon of warmth swept through her and hope was suddenly infectious.

“Suppose… what you are saying might be true,  I mean… how do I even know… what do I say… how will I be sure that she will want-”

“Only one way to find out, poppet. Only one way.”

Chapter Text

• Chapter Three -

“Melon.”

Emma squinted at the sloppily written word again and looked at her mother who scanned the fruit in the grocery store section.  “What kind?”

“It just says ‘melon’.”

Snow’s shoulders slumped in defeat.  “Well there’s different kinds.  There’s cantaloupe, honey dew, watermelon, musk melon-”

“Musk melon?”  Her mother raised an eyebrow at her scrunched up face.  “Well all Henry has here is melon.”  

“ Dat one, Mommy.  Henry likes dat one,” Hope chirped and pointed from her shopping cart seat.

Emma shrugged, “Cantelopes, it is then.  Thanks, Peanut.”

“Henry like cannalope and I like waterlemon ,” Hope replied absently while trying to fix the t-shirt on her stuffed bear.

Emma smiled warmly and bent her head toward her daughter.  “Then maybe we should get some watermelon for Hope.”  Attention snagged, the 2 year old brightened and held up her furry toy.

“And for Ashton.”

They cruised around the fruit and produce aisle adding more items to the cart when Snow asked, “So are you ready for the ball coming up?”

“The ball,” Emma began hesitantly.  She pushed the cart slowly around a corner and chewed on her bottom lip.  “I don’t think I’ll go this year.”

That stopped Snow in her tracks,  “What?  Why?”

“Well, who is going to look after Hope?”

“I thought Saskia from down the street would babysit, like she usually does for you.”

“She… uh, can’t.” Emma became very interested in the ingredients on a box of rice.  No matter how heavily she could feel her mother’s stare, she would not look her way.  To further attempt to ignore Snow, she hummed the REO Speedwagon song that played softly on the overhead speakers.

“You mean she can’t because she’s busy, or she can’t because you haven’t even asked her?”

Putting the box down with a huff she turned to find Snow crossed-armed and fixing her with a pointed look.  That look was never good.  It was odd that physically, due to a curse, her mother didn’t seem to look any older than she was, but Snow still made Emma feel so much younger the longer she knew her.

“I don’t have a date this year.”

Snow stepped closer and matter of factly argued with respect in her voice.  “That never stopped Regina from going.”

Regina.  A fluttering sensation kindled in Emma’s middle and then wandered upward and toward the left.  This always happened when she heard Regina’s name said, but somehow of late, the feeling had become stronger.  Suddenly, she wished she had the time to sit and think about these feelings.

“Call Gina!  Call Gina!”  Hope cheered her very normal call whenever she heard Regina’s name.  “Mommy, call Gina now!”

Ignoring her daughter’s cries, Emma dumped a few cans of Alphabet Chicken Soup in the cart.  “Regina’s different mom.  No one is going to be talking about her cheating husband and how he sailed away on a ship to get away from her.”

“Sweet coffee cakes, Emma.  Who are you?  When I first met you, you were a loner bounty hunter, who didn’t give two figs what anyone thought of her.  Now you’re scared to go to a little dance because of whispers behind your back?”

Hackles raised, Emma straightened.  “I’m not afraid .”  Snow knew better though.  Placing a hand on her daughter’s back she soothed her.

“Then come to the dance,” Snow encouraged and she gave Emma’s waist a squeeze.  “It will be fun.  Granny’s already told me the menu and it is going to be amazing this year.”

A thoughtful moment passed and Snow gave an experimental lip twist, took the cart from Emma and pushed Hope, who was talking to Ashton, down the aisle.  “Maybe you and Regina can go together.”

Hope launched into a loud chorus of, “See Gina, Mommy!  I wanna see Gina!,” at the same time that Emma asked Snow, “What do you mean?”

“What a commotion over here,” said a voice just around the corner.  “I knew I heard one of my sister’s adoring fans from the aisle over.”  Zelena swooped in and pinched Hope’s cheeks.  “Hello, Swanling.”

“Zeena!  Magic!  Magic!”’

“Oh, alright.”  Zelena held out her hand and after a puff of green smoke dissipated, there appeared a whole green apple in its place.  “Enjoy, little one.  A wholly nutritious snack.”

“My apple, Mommy. Look!”

“I see that, Peanut.  What do we say?”

“Thank-oo!”

Zelena ruffled Hope’s hair with her index finger and turned toward the adults.  “So what’s shaking in Charming land, ladies?”

“We were talking about the ball.”  Snow revealed good naturedly and titled her head at the red-haired witch, “You are going, aren’t you Zelena?”

“Of course!  Do you think I’d let you all celebrate without me?  I am the party after all, dears.”

Emma watched Zelena’s and Snow’s friendly interaction with an amazed smile.  Everyone got along in Storybrooke these days.  There was no contention.  Adversaries who had once tried to kill each other were now on good terms, and in this case, oddly, even treated each other like family.  Regina was family, and therefore Zelena by extension.

“I am sure you and Miles will be a striking couple as usual,” Snow complimented, “Do I need to even ask the color of your gown?”  

Everyone said, “Green,” at the same time.

“And you two?  Have you picked out your gowns already?”

Before Emma could say anything, Snow piped in, “Emma isn’t going.”

“What?  You must!”

“She says she doesn’t have a date.”

Zelena’s eyes shifted from one to the other and she said under her breath, “This won’t do.”  And then with a wave of her hands, a green puff of smoke swirled beside her and Regina was conjured up in seconds, holding a bag of dried black beans.

When the brunette realized what happened and saw her sister standing beside her she strongly admonished, “Zelena!  I told you never to do that.  Our cart is on the other side of the store now.”

“GINA!  GINA!”  Ashton forgotten, Hope reached out for her and then turned to her mother and grandmother.  “Down!  I want down!”

Shoving the beans at Zelena, Regina’s face broke into an engaging smile so bright that Emma couldn’t help but stare.  She placed her hands underneath Hope’s arms and effortlessly lifted her from the cart.  “Hope, darling!  Come here.”

“Gina!  Wanna shop wiv us?”

“Of course, I do.  What have you got in here?”  After inspecting the cart’s contents, Regina threw an impressed look Emma’s way, which sent that butterfly sensation from her chest all the way down to her toes.  “No Cheetos or cheap chocolate baked goods?  I’m proud of you.”

“We haven’t hit those aisles yet.”  Emma said and ignored that her tone sounded a little flirty.  She pointed to her daughter who was perched on Regina’s arms.  “And this one wants chocolate chip cookies.”

“Cookies!  Cookies!  Cookies!”

“Oh no.  No store bought cookies for my Hope,” Regina stated brushing the little girl’s cheek. “I will bake you any cookie that you desire.”

Zelena snickered and uttered under her breath, “I know what Regina desires.”  Out of nowhere, a box of powdered soup mix flew from the shelf, hitting Zelena on the back of the head.  Everyone, except Regina who was listening attentively to Hope, looked around Zelena at the box lying on the floor.

“Ow!”

“Serves you right.”

“Hold your own bloody beans then.”  Zelena thrust the bag into Hope’s arms who laughed and hugged the beans to herself.

All this time, Emma was just observing what a happy pair Hope and Regina made.  Her friend was also so good to her daughter and the idea of her making Hope fresh baked cookies melted her heart again and made her a little excited at maybe stealing a few cookies for herself.

“So when will you bake these cookies?”  Emma could already taste them.  “Hope and I are great cookie taste testers.”  Emma winked at her daughter.

“How about right now?”  This came from Snow, who was watching their whole interaction with interest.  The innuendo of Zelena’s comment was not lost on her.  

“Yes,” Zelena agreed mischievously, “Right now.  Go on.  Shoo!”

Emma was confused at the turn of events.  “But… the groceries?”

“I’ll finish up for you,” Snow proposed.  Taking the list from Emma’s fingers.  She turned to see Regina and Zelena lock eyes with one another as if they were communicating without words.  She couldn’t tell about what but it was evident that Zelena was delivering a powerful message to her younger sister.

“Yes… and I will finish for you, Regina.”

“You don’t even know what I want, Z.”

“Pfft.  Kale, kale and more vegetables.  You are so boring.  I’m going to sneak in a box of Ho-Ho’s and a bag of Doritos just to spruce up your kitchen.

“Don’t you dare!”

“Bake cookies?”  Hope looked hopefully at Regina and her mother.  

“Sounds good to me.  I mean… cookies are a game changer.”  Emma grabbed Hope from Regina and the older brunette snickered.

“You still eat like a child.”

“Poof!  Let’s poof!”  Hope made the arm gestures that the two women did to magically transport themselves from one place to another.

Regina grabbed Ashton from the cart seat and held it like a baby that made Hope grin from ear to ear,  “Are we ready, my cookie tasters?”

Emma hadn’t realized that Regina had put her arm around them protectively and she held Hope tighter as they disappeared in a mix of Regina’s purple and her white smoke.

Left to watch, Snow leaned on the cart and fixed Zelena with a serious look.  “We need to talk.”

“Hmmm… yes.  I think over enchiladas and margaritas.  The groceries can wait.”

“Okay.  I could use a strawberry margarita, a little heavy on the tequila right now.”

Zelena gave an astonished look at the shorter woman with the pixie cut.  “You have become a little more interesting in your old age.”

“There are some things I think we need to set out on the table about our family and how we can help set things right for them.”

[--@]

Hours later, Emma and Regina were sitting on the couch in front of a coffee table with a half eaten plate of cookies, two cups of coffee and a half drunk child’s cup of milk.  A napping Hope lay between the two women with her feet on Emma’s lap and her head in Regina’s.  Regina was  lightly stroking her hair.

“I could do this all day?”

“Eat cookies,” Emma quipped with a chuckle, “Us too.”

“Silly.”  

“These cookies are amazing.  How do you do it?”

“What?”

“Like literally make and bake everything so well.  It’s so delicious, it’s not of this Earth!”

“Emma…”

“It’s true though!  I’m good but I have a very limited menu.  I can make pancakes, most breakfast foods are easy as long as it’s simple.  Scrambled eggs, toast… ”  Emma let Regina chuckle at that, delighting in the sound of the woman’s laugh.  “Spahetti.  Luckily all Hope’s favorite foods.”

“Grilled Cheese?”

“Especially grilled cheese!  It was the very first thing I learned how to make on a stove top.  I make it with pride.”

“Yet, you have never made one for me.”

Emma let out a guffaw, “Hah, I think we know who does the cooking in this relationship.”

Regina’s lips broke into a slight smirk.  “Relationship?”

Emma’s head swiveled and the word she used had sunk in.  “Oh…” She chewed on her bottom lip nervously.  “You know…”

“No, no.  Relationship is good.  I like the word.”

“You do?”  Warmth spread through Emma, even into her cheeks turning them a shade of pink.

“Um… don’t you?”

“I… well, yeah.  I think we have a good relationship now.  I mean, compared to how it started.”

“Well to be fair, you came in and started turning my world upside down.”

Emma snorted and shook her head.  “It’s not like I planned it.  It was supposed to be a ‘return and drop off’ kind of thing.  Then I couldn’t leave town.  I was thrown in jail.  The kid kept talking about how you were evil…”

Regina gave a nostalgic smile, “I was evil.”

“But you’re not anymore.”

“Because of you.”  They gazed at one another a little too long before Regina dragged her eyes away.  “And Henry.  You two believed in me when no one else did.”

Emma watched her own thumb stroke the top of daughter’s sock clad foot.  “Except with that whole Archie thing.”

“Emma,” Regina started, “That was all my mother’s doing.  Cora fooled everyone,” a dark look moved over her face, “She framed her own daughter.  Who does that?”

“Still.  I never apologized for accusing you like that.  And what I said about Henry being my son.”

“I probably would have said the same thing in your shoes.”  Thinking back on her past deeds, Regina donned a look of regret.  “I have said and done many stupid things in my life.  If we are to compare histories, we’ll be here all night with not one productive thing achieved between us.  Let it go.”

“I’m still sorry though.  If it means anything, I am thankful every day that you are Henry’s mother.”  She added with a laugh, “ Both of them.”

Regina thought of her son from the Wish Realm who was spending the night with his grandparents tonight.  

They sat in companionable silence, listening to the sounds of Ella Fitzgerald playing in the background.  The atmosphere was relaxed and calm.  It was a moment that neither woman  wanted to end.

“Would you like more coffee?”

“No.  I’m fine.  I am totally and completely fine.”

Blinking, Regina beamed and replied, “I am so glad.  I know things have been… hard for you lately.”

“Hmm… well, not as hard as everyone might think.  I mean, yeah, I’m adjusting to the difference.  Growing up an orphan, you’d think I’d be used to the murmurs and stares of pity.  It’s always bugged me though.  Now it’s just about something different.  Hook cheating and leaving doesn't bother me as much as everyone talking about it.”

“I see.”

“Mom thinks I should go to the ball.”

“What do you want to do?”

Regina gave Emma the once over as she looked deep in thought.  She could hear the wheels in the woman’s head turning, see her lip being worried between her teeth,  Regina wondered whether those lips would still taste like chocolate chips but then shook the thought from her head.

Emma took a deep breath and smiled to herself, then shook her head in denial it seemed.

“What are you thinking,” Regina prodded.  “Tell me.”

A pink tongue peeked out and glided across Emma’s bottom lip and Regina was transfixed by its movement.

“I’m kind of afraid to.  I don’t…” Emma’s train of thought was ambushed by doubt.  “I don’t know.”  Emma blinked and Regina suddenly wanted to push more but she didn’t want to ruin this moment of closeness they were having.  She enjoyed Emma Swan’s company far too much. Lovingly she brushed Hope’s forehead and the little girl stirred.  Regina reached out and her finger was immediately enclosed in Hope’s hand.  Her heart burst with love for the little girl napping in her lap.

Watching the display seemed to goad Emma into revealing her thoughts for Regina was surprised when Emma turned a little more toward her and blurted, “I want to go to the ball.  With you.”  Regina’s jaw dropped a little and her eyes rounded, but then her brow crinkled trying to decipher the meaning behind Emma’s words.

“With me.”

“Yes.”

“As in…?”

“That we’re there together, side by side, with each other.”

Regina slowly nodded.  “Okay.”

Emma became excited, “Okay?”

“Yes, okay.”

“Great!”

Great.   Regina wasn’t sure what that actually meant.

Chapter Text

• Chapter Four -

Emma looked at herself in the full length mirror of her bedroom.  She hadn’t worn this dress in so long, conjuring it up from memory.  She wondered if Regina would even recognize it.

The last few days, the anticipation of accompanying Regina to the ball grew, and the more time she had to think about it, the more she felt that the rightness of this deep down into her core.  She and Regina were just meant to be in the same space with each other.  They were destined to be in each other’s lives, she was sure of it.  In what capacity was becoming clearer too and it scared the bejeezus out of her.

Snow appeared in the doorway, dressed in a beautiful beige gown and brought her joined hands to her lips in awe at the beautiful sight of her daughter in front of her.  “Oh Emma, you look stunning in red.”

“It’s my color,” Emma said weakly as she anxiously fisted her hands together to her chest.

“Why do you look like you’re going to faint?”  Snow moved quickly to her, dragging a chair and making Emma sit when she reached her.  “What’s going on?”

“Oh mom.”  Emma took deep breaths to calm herself.  “I’ve just realized something.”

“What?”  Snow bent to her in concern.

Emma closed her eyes and bowed her head.  This thought was not entirely new.  

“I have feelings for Regina.”

Snow stood up, smiled and nodded.  “Of course you do.”

“You don’t sound surprised by this.”

“Well, I’m not.  I lived with you that first year, remember?  I saw the way you looked at her.”

“Why didn’t you ever say anything?”

Snow went to sit on the bed and folded her hands in her lap.  “I thought maybe I was mistaken, but there were moments that I was indeed suspicious.”

Emma scanned her nervous image in the full length mirror and then glanced at Snow again.  “What do I do?”

“What do you want to do?”

“I want to be with her.  But in order to do that, I have to tell her and risk ruining our friendship.”

Snow shook her head.  “I don’t think that will happen.”  A look of disbelief from Emma had Snow continuing carefully.  “I think there is a lot that you two need to talk about.”

Attempting to piece her thoughts together, Emma’s eyes traveled the crown molding along one wall.  “So I just walk up to her and say, ‘Hey Regina, I like you-like you.  Let’s go steady’?”

“Well maybe in a less highschool/teenage approach but that sentiment is a good start,” laughed Snow and she walked over to Emma.  “You may be surprised with the answer you receive.”

“What makes you say that?”  Emma immediately rose and followed her mom out into the hall.

“I don’t want to overstep or get involved.”

Emma snorted, “Since when?”  Snow gave her a fleeting reproachable glance that switched to an encouraging look before descending the stairs.

“I just believe honesty leads to life’s greatest rewards.  I also think you don’t have to worry.”

“Worry about what?”  David appeared dressed in his princely fair, looking handsome.  “Wow!  Look at my beautiful girls!”

“We all bootiful girls, grandpa!”  Hope was on the couch with a 15 year old Saskia.  On TV, they were watching Lilo & Stitch.

“That you are, Princess.”  He turned toward Snow and Emma.  “Worried about what?”

Before anyone could answer the doorbell rang, and David announced, “Oh hey!  That must be Regina.”

Hope erupted, jumping on the couch, “Gina!  Gina!  Gina’s here!”

Before Emma could escape up the stairs, Snow grabbed her skirt keeping her in place.  “Oh no you don’t.  You’re ready, remember?”

“Well,” Regina exclaimed as she entered the open living room and kitchen, “Everyone looks so lovely.”

“Gina!  Gina!  Wow!  You look bootiful !”

Regina was dressed in a baby blue off the shoulder dress that nearly took Emma’s breath away.  How could Emma have not given this feeling a name before now.  It was an attraction.  Insane, crazy, attraction.   She was attracted to Regina Mills, and had always been attracted to Regina Mills.  She just never let herself admit it because she was always afraid of rejection, scared that she would disappoint someone or that it wasn’t supposed to be who she was.

“Thank you, Hope Dearest.”  Regina leaned down and offered her cheek to Hope who gave her a sloppy kiss.

“Now that is the stickiest kiss I have ever gotten.”  Regina walked over to the dining room table, snatching a napkin from the holder in the center of the table.  After wiping and inspecting it she asked Hope, showing the red stain on the paper’s surface.  “Is that strawberry or raspberry?  I can’t tell.”

“ Stawberry !”

“It was well worth it.”  Saskia passed and took the napkin from Regina.  “Thank you, dear.”  Regina’s gaze zeroed in on Emma and the delight in her eyes transformed into keen interest and then darkened in a quick passing of… desire?  Had Emma read that look right?  But as sure as it was there, it was gone again and replaced with admiration.  “Emma, you are absolutely enchanting.”

“Thank you.  You… you look… you... “

David leaned down and quietly whispered in his wife’s ear, “What’s happening?”

She whispered back quickly, “Tell you later,” then louder for everyone, saving her daughter from her own stuttering.  “We had better get a move on.”

Each said their goodbye to Hope.  Emma was the last so she could make sure Saskia had everything well in hand.  They stepped out onto the stoop where a beautiful covered carriage awaited them.

“A carriage?  Dad?”

“What happened to the limo?”

At Regina’s question, David scoffed.  “We are going to a ball, are we not, your Majesty?  We gotta ride in style.”

One by one they were helped into the carriage by David and Emma and Regina smiled as they took their seats next to one another.  Emma prayed that this evening would not end in disaster.

[--@]

Storybrooke’s Midsummer Eve’s Ball was in full swing as the venue was basked in its most ornate and shiny decorations.  Waiters walked around with trays of champagne flutes and canapés.

Regina had just finished speaking with Leroy before he took off to ask Astrid to dance.   She spotted Emma dancing with her father and laughing probably at one of his ridiculous jokes.  She threw her head back, Regina took the opportunity to admire the curve of her neck and the way she glowed.  There was no denying Emma Swan was stunning.

This crush she had on Emma Swan was intensifying by the day and she was not sure what to do about it.  She was so drawn to the woman that she kept her up most nights.

“There she is!  My sister from another mister.”  Zelena sidled up to her and searched the crowd.  “What are we looking at then?”  Catching Emma being twirled by her father, Zelena quirked a perfectly shaped red eyebrow.  “Oh, I see… lusting after our date, are we?”

Regina backed her ear away and gave her sister a scalding look.  Then leaned in and whispered.  “You always choose the most aggravating words to use.”

“Where is the lie, poppet?  Come on.  Get with the programme and catch your Swan.”

As the song neared the end, the two sisters were joined by Snow and ultimately her husband.  Everyone spoke about how Granny outdid herself with the food and how lovely everyone looked.

Regina became aware of the knowing glances from Zelena and she tried to ignore them but Zelena kept seeking her gaze out.  It would be obvious that something strange was going on.

Clearing her throat, Regina touched Emma’s shoulder.  “Would you like to step out on the balcony?”

“Absolutely.”

Wonderful.  Emma seemed just as eager as she was to have a little time away from everyone.  Now what was she going to say?

Being the longest day of the year, the sun had not set completely yet and there was a gorgeous halo over the horizon.  The Golden Hour cast the world in warm rich tones and the way it highlighted Emma’s crown had Regina’s mouth going a little dry.

“I love Midsummer.  I’d never much thought about it before but I like being out at this time of the evening and having it still be bright out. Though I can tell you, it’s harder to get Hope to sleep early.”  Emma  followed with an imitation of her little girl, “It’s not night, Mommy.  No sleep yet.”

Hope Jones was the most adorable little girl Regina had ever known.  When she first held the baby in her arms and the little girl’s tiny fingers curled around her pinkie, Regina knew she was in love.  She could clearly see Emma in Hope.  The same mannerisms, the same way of eating ice cream and biting into sandwiches.  It was clear that Hope had Emma’s appetite and was ready to eat pretty much everything on the diner menu.  She’s already watched Emma feed Hope little tiny bits of onion rings, against Regina’s own protesting.  “I’m preparing her for the Fantastic World of Fried Junk Food.”

Though Emma had been joking and she knew the blonde gave her daughter healthy foods too, Regina considered Hope lucky to have her in her life as well.

“Hope is so very precious.”

Emma turned toward Regina with a smile.  “She adores you, you know that, right?”

Regina’s heart melted but she recovered well, “Of course she does.  What’s not to love?”

“Nothing.”  Emma’s answer was soft and Regina searched her face.  The woman’s green eyes. were warm and inviting.  

“That is a lovely dress.  I feel as if I have seen it before.”

“You have!”  Emma gave a little twirl, then a curtsy.  “Princess Leia, at your service.”

“Ah, yes.  Right, right.”  Regina shook her head nostalgically.  “You look better in it as you rather than in glamor. ”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

The waning sun was slowly descending but it reminded Regina of minutes that ticked by and the unanswered questions wandering her mind.

“Emma, why did you want to come here with me tonight?”

Perhaps there was a better way to ask, but Regina really wanted to know if this was a date.  She badly hoped it was one.

Emma looked out toward the horizon.  Her mouth worked, seeming to find the right words.

“I wanted to be in the same space with you.”  When Regina said nothing, Emma sighed and fretted, “Why is this so hard?”

“Maybe you’re making it harder than it needs to be.  I only asked you a simple question.”

“If only there was a simple answer.”  A look of defiance flitted over Emma’s features.  “Okay…Was it okay that I asked you?  I mean, how do you feel about spending time with me?  Is it okay?”

Taken aback at the tables turning, Regina answered, “Of course, it was okay for you to ask.  I like spending time with you.”

“Okay so we like spending time together.”

“Yes.”

“Okay.”

Behind the balcony doors, opened slightly, were two figures eavesdropping.  Snow hid her face behind her palm and Zelena shook her head slowly and said, “They are bloody stupid. This is fucking painful to watch.”

A beat passed and Regina deflated slightly, “Maybe we should go inside.”

Fear flooded Emma’s face and she threw a hand out, resting it on Regina’s forearm.

“Wait.”

Her skin heated where Emma touched her and it sent tingles down her spine.  She wondered what an actual embrace from Emma now would do to her.  

“Look Regina, I wanted to really just be here with you.  I like spending time with you.  Even while trudging through the forest in the middle of the night looking for evil creatures.”

“Thank goodness we don’t do that anymore.  My monster hunting days are over.”  

“Right?  But, I’d do it all over again with you.”

That brought a genuine smile to Regina’s face but it slowly disappeared as she wondered what this all meant.  Regina was afraid to ask.  Afraid that what she was feeling would not be reciprocated.  She was never good at love.  She didn’t trust love.  Her mother taught her that well.  She threw her hands up and complained, “You can be so exasperating sometimes!”

“What?  What did I say?”

“It’s what you didn’t say, Emma.”  And she turned and headed back inside.

[--@]

Emma sat on the small couch in the Ladies Lounge, this one a little farther off than the one being used by the party guests.  She had to get her thoughts in check.  Regina’s small tantrum confused her.  She knew she wasn’t being direct enough, but she was working her way up to it, right?  

She was technically still a married woman too, though she was only a signature away from divorce.  The papers were in the mail on their way to her and they were apparently signed by her soon to be ex-husband.

A toilet flushed.  Minutes later she heard the sound of running water followed by the hand blow dryer.  If that was Regina, she knew she wasn’t quite ready to see her.  Luckily, just as she was about to bolt, a familiar face came into view.

“Hey there, pal.  Lady in red.”

“Hey, Lily.”  She tried a smile but even that couldn’t fool the one person she shared her very first short-lived connection with.

“Who spit on your tater tots?”  Lily raised a brow and Emma rolled her eyes.  “Cheer up!  You’re free from that douche-canoe, you’ve got that cute munchkin at home, you’re looking sexy and you apparently came with Mayor Hottie McHot Pants.  Everyone’s talking about it.”

Emma leaned into her hands, covering her face.  “They’re talking about us?”

Lily only blinked down at her.  “To be fair, they’ve always been talking about you two.”

“Great.  What are they saying?”

Shrugging, Lily took a seat beside Emma on the couch.  “That it’s about fucking time.”

That caught Emma’s attention.  “What?”

“Oh come on.  When you two found me in that coffee shop, I thought you were together at first.”  Emma’s shoulders slumped a little and Lily leaned back to take her all in.  “Truth hurts doesn’t it?  But you’re together now and it took you two long enough.”

“Except we’re not together.”

Lily shook her head as if to clear some confusion.  “Why the hell not?  What are you waiting for?”

What was she waiting for?  

“I’m nearly , newly divorced, for one thing.  I’ve got a kid to think about for another.  I don’t want to rush, push, or pressure anyone or anything.”

“Oh my fucking God, Swan. That’s always been your problem.  You think too much.”  Lily started counting off on her fingers.  “One, you let that cheating prick of a pirate loose, he was never good enough for you…”

“Regina said the same thing a long time ago,” Emma muttered.

“Well, she’s right.  Though don’t go telling her she’s right because that one will always hold it against you.  Probably good that you know that one before getting involved with her.

Chuckling, Emma admitted, “I know.”

“Two, you got the best of him anyway in that little rugrat of yours.  And from all that I’ve seen, she and Regina get along really well.”

“They do get along.  You should see them together.”

“I just said that I have.  Duh.”

Emma tilted her head giving Lily a pointed look.  It was always surprising that when they had these little candid talks, Emma felt like they were teenagers all over again.  How strange was that?

“And three, a very big three… who says you need to rush things?  You both take things as slow or fast as you want.  Just as long as you decide to take the ride together, that’s all.”

Lily was right.  Emma was overthinking this.  “When did you get so smart?”

“Pfft, I’m Oprah-Fucking-Winfrey!  Bow down to me.”

Determined, Emma stood with a fire in her eyes.  “I’m going to do this.”

“Hell yeah you are.”

“Life is short.”

Lily shrugged, “We could all fucking die tomorrow.  Go get your woman.”

“Alright.”

Emma left the bathroom and went in search of Regina.

[--@]

Regina was at the bar, nursing her sorrow in a dirty martini with two olives.  She chastised herself, again, for not being forthcoming with her own feelings and blaming Emma for not doing the same.  

What would happen if she told Emma how she really felt?  When she left Emma earlier, Zelena had caught up with her and told her she was being stupid.  She also said to stop beating around the bush and just be honest with Emma.  Could she really do it?

“Hey.”

Regina looked up and saw Snow and David, like bookends on either side of her.

“Where’s Emma,” David asked, scanning the area around them.

“Hiding from me, probably.  Who could blame her?”

“Oh stop, Regina.”  Snow nudged her shoulder.  “This is just your little thing that you two do.”

“Excuse me?”

David rested his arm on the bar and turned toward her.  “Yeah, it’s kind of like a dance, and you hate dancing.  But you and Emma, you’ve been dancing around each other for years.”

“What are you two inferring,” Regina asked as she sipped her drink.  

Snow took a deep breath, but David beat her to it.  “If you want to date our daughter you’ve got our blessing.  There.  It’s all out in the open.”

Regina’s head swam with their words and she looked quickly from one to the other.  The denial was on her tongue but it would be a lie.  Instead she peered into her drink and bit her lip in uncertainty.  She couldn’t believe she was infinitesimally close to having a heart-to-heart with the two idiots who had once made her life a living hell.  The striking truth was that now she had everything to actually thank them for.  The ridiculous hope they’d always offered her, their friendship, and their daughter.

Before she could utter another word, however, she saw Emma walking toward them with sure quick steps. There was an urgency to them and a sickening feeling started to form.  Was Hope alright?

“Emma?  Is everything…”

“Dance with me?”

Gulping, Regina looked to the Charmings who smiled encouragingly.  It was as if there were butterflies fluttering in her stomach. She gazed at Emma’s offered hand.  She hated dancing, but if Emma wanted to dance, she would dance.

She placed her hand in Emma’s and internally sighed at how nice their hands felt wrapped in each other’s.  As soon as they reached the middle of the dance floor, Emma held her close and together they swayed to the music.

“We’ve never danced together before,” Emma spoke a little shyly.

“No, we have not.”

“It feels good though.  It feels right.”  

Regina could feel eyes staring at them from every corner of the room but she ignored them because this moment felt urgent.

“Yes, it does.”

“Regina.  You asked me outside why I wanted to come here tonight with you.  And the truth is, you are the only one I wanted to be here with.”  They were dancing almost cheek to cheek and though Regina couldn’t see Emma’s face, she could hear the sincerity in the younger woman’s voice.  “I’m interested in you… in more than just a friend kind of way.”

A woosh of breath was expelled from her lips and Regina hadn’t realized she was holding it in.

“Did I mess anything up?”  Their steps slowed, which seemed impossible because the song they were dancing to was already a slow one.  Emma gently leaned back to catch one lone tear falling down Regina’s cheek.  “Oh no.  I did mess up.  I just… I wanted…  I… I’m… ”

“Emma Swan, if you apologize, I will punch you.”  Emma blinked and Regina chuckled and wiped the tear away.  “What took you so long?”

A few seconds passed before understanding dawned and Emma smiled widely. “Sorry, I’m late.”

Regina threw her head back with a bark of laughter.  “I do believe that is my line,”

They began to sway a little faster and held onto each other a little tighter.  “Telling me you’re going to punch me is a hell of a way to tell me you like me too, you know.”

“I’m not one who easily expresses my feelings.”

“You don’t say.”  Emma hugged her closer.  “So what happens now?  I mean, my divorce isn’t final yet.  And I don’t want to rush but I don’t necessarily want to take things too slow either because, well, I think that maybe this has been a long time coming for us.”

“We’ll handle it together.  For now, why don’t we start with you and Hope coming to my place for dinner tomorrow.  I don’t know what Henry has planned but hopefully he can join us too.”

“I think I like the dinner date idea.  Especially since you’ll be doing the cooking and I’ll be doing the eating.”

‘You are so easy.”

“I am.  I really am.”

As the song began to wind down and the end of it was nearing, Emma said, “For someone who doesn’t like dancing, you are surprisingly very pleasant to dance with.  It must be the close proximity.”

“I believe it is.”  Regina chuckled.  Happiness bubbling up inside her, glueing all her broken pieces back together.

“But the song is ending, Regina.”

“Not for us, Emma.”

She felt Emma’s soft breath near her ear as their cheeks kissed. “Then hold on tight to me.”

Regina smiled and held on tighter, “I’m never letting go of you again.”

Chapter Text

• Epilogue -

Four Months Later...

The Fall season brought with it the changing of the leaves and the crisp cool air.  Emma wore her fur lined black leather jacket with her beige and red plaid scarf.  Hope, who was dressed in her pink rain coat, jeans and boots, climbed up on a hay bale and inspected the surrounding area.

“We got to find da perfect pumpkin, mommy!”  She pointed and hopped in excitement.  “Dat one!  Over there!”

“Are you kidding?  That one’s bigger than you are!”

Hands on hips indignantly, her nearly 3 year old glared at her.  “Nuh-uh!”

“Uh-huh.”

“What are we missing?”  Regina walked over with Henry, both of them carrying a to-go cup in each hand, one was smaller than the rest.

“Hot apple ciders for the moms,” Henry said as Regina delivered one of her cups to Emma and kept the other for herself.  “Peppermint Mocha for me and a Warm Chocolate with extra whip cream for Hopey Dopey.”

“Poopy Henry,” Hope shot back and giggled at Henry’s faux affronted face.  He picked her up though and walked with her hand in hand along the aisle.  “Gina, look!  This is our pumpkin.”

“It’s enormous, Hope.”  Emma protested again.

“It’s perfect,” Regina winked at Hope.

“How are we going to get that in the Bug?”

They all looked at Emma.

“We have magic, mommy,” Hope explained and cutely held up a hand palm up for emphasis while the other held her drink.

Regina’s shoulders shook delightfully with silent laughter and Emma put an arm around her waist.  “Oh right, yeah.  How could I have forgotten that?”

The two women shared a loving smile and stole a kiss and then a second longer one.

Henry’s voice interrupted them from taking a third as he joked with a giggling Hope.  “Okay, they’re doing that in public now.”  Hope giggled even louder.

Snow’s voice was heard next as she and David approached, each holding smaller pumpkins.  “Oh, that’s not their first public display of affection.”

Henry was shocked, “It’s not?”

“Nope, isn’t that right, David?” Throwing a sinister smile at her husband, and remembering how David had stumbled upon them making out in a parked car two weeks prior.

“No.  Now let’s change the subject.”

“Here, here,” Regina quickly agreed while Emma laughed at her father blushing from ear to ear.

“I know,” David grinned, “How about a joke?”

“Joke!” Hope said, to everyone’s “No!”

David hugged his pumpkin enthusiastically and did a little dance because he thought the joke he had was a good one.  “Okay… here goes.  What do you call an exploding monkey?”

“Dead,” Regina deadpanned.

“No… that’s not funny.”  David waved her off.

“I think it’s,” Regina replied, opening her eyes wide for emphasis at Hope, “...hilarious.”  The little girl chortled, making Regina chuckle with her.

“What do you call an exploding monkey?  A ‘ba-BOOM’!  Get it?”

“BABOOOM!” Hope mimicked.

“Oh geez.” Emma’s smile grew wider and her cheeks dimpled.

Snow, trying to hold her laugh in, asked, “So have you found a pumpkin yet?”

“Grandma, dis one!”  Hope ran to the large pumpkin and leaned against it.  Emma had been exaggerating. It wasn’t bigger than Hope but it was rather large.

Snow’s eyes bulged over an o-shaped mouth.  “My, that’s a big-”

“Perfect,” Regina corrected.

“...perfect pumpkin.”

“We’re gonna have pumpkin guts all over the place,” Henry shook his head while sipping his coffee.

“Well, let’s get it loaded in the truck,” David said.  He grabbed Henry’s coffee and handed it to Snow.  “Let’s go Grandson.”

“What?  But they were going to use magic.”

“Where is the fun in that?  This is all part of the experience.”

“Come on, angel,” Snow said and Hope took her hand eagerly and watched Henry and David start to roll the pumpkin off.

When they were left a fair distance behind, Emma stated, “Henry was right, you know.  You will have pumpkin guts all over.  That is a crazy fat pumpkin.  I don’t think I have ever carved one that big before.”

“It’ll be fine.”  Regina started to walk faster.  “Besides, it’s the one Hope picked out.  And she will have so much fun.  And she can roast marshmallows.  And I can roast the pumpkin seeds...”

“I love you.”

“... and bake banana bread, and…”  Regina stopped and turned around quickly.  “What did you say?”

“I love you, Regina.  This is the first time I’ve said it, but it’s not the first time I’ve felt it.”  Emma strolled up to her and took both her hands, “I have spent so many years not saying it.  I don’t want to not say it anymore.  From now on, I want you to know everything I’m feeling.”  Emma took a deep breath and released Regina’s hands, “Now, I didn’t say it so you could say it back.  You don’t have to say anything.  I just wanted you to…”

“I love you too, Emma.  I don’t want to hold back feelings either.  Not anymore.”

Their breaths fogged in the cold but the promise of their tomorrow together warmed them from the inside.  Stepping closer, they glanced around and when satisfied that no one was paying any attention to them, they chuckled, put their foreheads together and gently shared that third kiss.

The End