Disclaimer: Not mine, obviously.

"James, do you know where Emma is? The party's going to start in just a couple hours."

The pixie-cut brunette stretched to reach a bit of garnish for the dish of food she was working on.

Setting down the casserole dish he had grabbed from the fridge, the prince that was looked up to his wife.

"Hm? Oh, when she dropped off Henry, she told me she was going to go make tacos somewhere else out of the way." About to turn back to grab the bag of soda, his brow furrowed slightly as his wife looked on confused.

"Now that I think about it, it was a bit strange. As soon as they walked through the door she'd gotten this strange look on her face when she checked a message on her phone. Took her groceries, and mumbled something to Henry."

"What did she say to him?"

He shrugged, glancing at the boy who was sneaking a cookie from one of the dishes. "Don't know, when I asked, he just said 'mom' and then went upstairs."

"Huh." Snow turned to put the finishing touches on the casserole before she froze. "Charming, you don't think she meant..."

Confusion was apparent on his face as he looked at his beloved. Realization overcame him and his eyes widened slowly. "Regina? No, why would she be with her?"

"Emma has been fairly constant in defending her. Considering everything I can't see why..." A look of slight horror was slowly making its way over Snow's face.

Charming shook his head, "Let's just get all this set up and if she's not here by the time the party starts, we'll try to get in contact with her." Turning on his calming grin, he was glad when his wife visibly relaxed at his suggestion.

"Alright. Not too long of a wait then." Her eyes darted to the wall clock and she turned to finish her task.

"So she said she would meet us here?" Snow asked as she clutched the dish to her.

"That's what the text said." Hefting the plastic bag of two liter sodas, Charming opened the door for her and Henry.

Happy cries for the couple went up as they entered and a warm smile overtook the former Queen's face. Ruby bounded over, reminiscent of a puppy, and tightly hugged the woman she considered a sister.

"Where's Em?" Ruby quizzically looked around Snow when she didn't see the blonde Sheriff.

"She should be here any moment now." The chime on the door went off as it began to open.

"See? There she is-" She was cut off as her eyes widened when Emma walked through the door, followed closely by none other than Regina.

"Sorry we're late."

"We made tacos." The small grin that the two women shared had Snow feeling a little queasy.