Here is another. I forgot to put disclaimers before so here are they now : I don't own any of the characters, as they belong to their creators with ABC and all other companies that were involved in ONCE.

Enjoy!


"Mom? Dad?" Emma called softly out as she opened the door to the loft where she had used to live before the annulment of the curse, mindful of the child in the house that was probably sleeping.

"In here," she heard a soft whisper from Mary Margaret's bedroom and she walked slowly toward the closed off space, stepping carefully on the wooden floor avoiding the creaking boards. Peeking in the room she saw her mother sitting on the bed, the newborn in her arms as he slept peacefully in the cradle of her arms. Snow looked up from her son to her grown daughter and smiled in welcome. "Come, sit by me," the brunette spoke gently as she shifted her body toward the side of the bed, leaving plenty of space for the fidgeting woman to sit. Watching Emma take off her boots, Snow took in the dark circles beneath her eyes, the nervous tension radiating of the woman and reluctant moves as the woman settled on the bed beside her. "Would you like to hold him?"

Emma nodded as she smiled tenderly at the boy in her mother's arms, taking him up gently into her own. "Hey, Neal," the blonde murmured softly into his forehead, nuzzling the tender skin there instead of kissing it. "He is beautiful," she then spoke a bit louder, but still quiet as she watched the sleeping child in her hands.

"Yes, he is. So is his sister." Ignoring the tense silence her announcement caused, Snow drew herself closer to the blonde, leaning into her side as she placed her chin onto the strong shoulder, not taking her eyes of the newborn. She knew that it was somewhat irrational fear, now that the threat was gone, but she just couldn't bear to leave him, afraid that she would lose him if she moved away from him. "You wanted to talk?" she inquired gently after a while, as the silence settled over them. She was more than pleased to spend time with the blonde, even in quietude, just watching over the boy, but she knew that Emma had a purpose, and having Henry over since that morning had meant she knew very well what it was about.

"Where are David and Henry?" Emma asked, glancing toward the brunette as she offered the child back to his mother, not willing to expose her brother to her stressed nerves more than necessary. In her surprise, Snow did not move away, just settled more comfortably against her as she placed the slumbering child onto the duvet, her palm resting on his tummy.

"They went out." She knew that she needed to elaborate on that, so she did not wait for the raised eyebrows or tipped head. "David had some business at the station, and I asked him to look after Henry, as I thought that he might not want to be here for this."

"How much did the kid tell you?"

Mary Margaret looked at the tired eyes, so alike her own and smiled sadly. "Not much, just that he was punishing you for messing up – his words." Then she nudged the blonde gently as she continued. "I was there when it happened. And, I saw her." She did not need to say what exactly she had seen, as Snow was very well aware that Emma knew, perhaps better than anyone, what Regina had been thinking in that moment.

"I screwed up." Emma lowered her head, letting it hang as she drew her knees up, throwing her arms around them. "But, I couldn't leave her there, in the dungeons. Not when I knew she would have been killed." Even to her own ears the justification seemed weak, but her sense of right and wrong would never let her turn her back on a person in need. That was what it meant to be the Savior, right?

"Emma, you went back in time, to something that had already happened years before you were even born. I am not saying that what you did was wrong, but there are always consequences in dealing with magic. Always." Snow placed her free hand onto her daughter's knee in support. "You were lucky enough that you didn't change the past." Then she looked at the blonde with a pointed look. "Much - princess Leia." The teasing tone mixed in with the scolding look Snow directed at Emma, her point clear. "But, you did change the present, brought forth some events that perhaps shouldn't have happened."

"I just couldn't let an innocent woman suffer…" Emma murmured softly as she considered her mother's words, frown twisting her face.

"Let's be clear on something, Emma," Snow spoke calmly but all the royalty evident in her poise and voice, the commanding tone making the other woman snap to attention. "She had done a plenty despicable things and murdered many innocents in her rampage against me, but Regina never tolerated lawlessness either. Some of those people in the dungeons very well deserved to be there. And, technically, by the law of our kingdom, she had every right to demand my head, and to kill all those people for treason. It was wrong, from a moral stand, but perfectly legal."

"What?"

"And, if anything she did right it was her persecution of the criminals," Snow continued, ignoring Emma's surprised gasp and look. "She was the only royal who punished rapists in our land. The only one who didn't tolerate the crooked tax collectors. In some ways, Regina was a decent monarch." Snow sighed in consideration, able to see her former nemesis as something more than just an enemy.

"How can you say that? She slaughtered the entire village!" Emma pushed of the bed, struggling to keep her voice down. "She was going to kill you. I watched you burn at the stake!"

"Emma, you forget, this was the way of our world. I killed people too. Many of them were just the soldiers following orders of their superiors, people with families, children… Ruby killed an entire village, as well. Graham was a killer by trade. You were willing to kill in Neverland." Snow then sighed and leaned against the headboard, watching her daughter pace before the bed, giving her a moment to absorb her words. But as minutes passed, the brunette saw that her daughter seemed to grow even more agitated than before.

"She has changed so much in the last two years. Undoing the curse and letting go of Henry, and you, took a lot out of her. Robin had come to me, worried about her right after we had claimed her castle from Zelena. He said that he knew why she had been so adamant on going alone to lower the shields of the castle, so she would be undeterred from her plan." Snow raised her hand to stop Emma from spewing out the first nonsense out of her mouth in accusation, as she moved along with her story. "As it turned out, she had been so heartbroken and devastated by the loss of her son that she concocted the sleeping curse, the same one she made for David to communicate with us. She had explained her thinking to Robin, having chained him to the floor first so he couldn't interfere, telling him that she would rather suffer the eternal sleep than be without Henry. If not for Zelena's challenge, she would've gone with it, Emma. She would've put herself under the sleeping curse, and as we thought that there was no way for you and Henry to find us, it would've been forever." The brunette watched the emotions play on her daughter's face, sorrow and guilt heavily featured among them. "I should've known she would try something like that, but after our little talk in the forest, I thought…" she murmured almost to herself, loud enough for Emma to hear, but only because she came to sit beside her. At the inquiring look, Mary Margaret leaned onto the blonde's shoulder, smiling when Emma instinctively threw her arm around her, pulling her close, as she had done once or twice when they had been still just friends and roommates.

"When I came here, after the meeting at the Town Hall, she thanked me for believing her," Emma spoke after a while. "She knew that the town would be too quick to turn on her and she spoke of how it could have been some elaborate plan of hers to get Henry back. I don't know if she was joking, teasing me or testing me, but I could see that she was innocent, and I told her as such. Then she said something that had stayed with me and that is why I tried so hard to get Henry to spend time with her. Even though you know I can't live without him, she said, and I could see that it was the absolute truth." Snow noticed the soft traces of affection the blonde held for the adopted mother of her son and she did nothing to stop the gentle smile appearing on her face.

The two women had decided to put their bitter past behind them, and the agreement had been sealed with Regina saving her almost sacrificed son from Zelena and Charming from the death in the Enchanted Forest. However, what no one knew was that the older brunette was a tremendous help with Neal, as she was the only one in the family to have an actual experience in rearing a child. Snow might have been well prepared for a child in the Enchanted Forest, but Regina knew how to do it in the modern world, as well as the tried methods that worked on Henry. Her advice on feeding schedule and soothing techniques were immense help. Once, the sorceress appeared in the loft, after a frantic call from the new mother who hadn't known how to stop Neal from crying, to help Snow deal with the crisis. In those moments, Regina was kind and gentle, but always distant. And with silent agreement they avoided talking about anything except the newborn, lest the Mayor stopped coming altogether. And, one, the most important condition of all was that no one was to know about her assistance, not even Charming.

"What happened in the forest?" the blonde asked, wanting to know more about Mary Margaret's remark from earlier.

"Oh," Snow turned uncomfortably, startled from her thoughts. "She tried to bury her own heart in the ground, in order to escape the pain." At the horrified gasp from her daughter, Snow smiled in comfort. "I convinced her to return it to its proper place, but the sorrow and agony she displayed should have given me a warning that she would try to find another way." She then looked at Emma, her eyes demanding attention, as she needed to make her daughter understand. "Regina feels things deeply, she always has. All of her heart is involved with the passion that is equal to a burning Sun. I know it seems strange to you and David, but she once had the same passion for life as she did for revenge, and that girl was someone I loved."

"Do you think I pushed her over that line?" Emma asked with worry creasing her eyebrows as she looked into the sad eyes of her mother.

"I honestly don't know…" Snow replied, knowing that Emma's concern was valid given their turbulent relationship. "But, she has Henry now and Rumplestiltskin isn't trying to twist her grief for his nefarious purpose." The brunette smiled softly as she took her awakening boy into her arms, her finger tracing his cheek. "And, I think that the absence of a loveless marriage is a plus." Snow wrinkled her nose at the offensive odor of the filled diaper, quickly rising from the bed to change it, going to a changing table in the corner of the separating wall. She also moved to prevent herself from blurting out another secret.

"It's just weird how history keeps repeating itself." Emma remained on the bed, watching her mother deal with the kid's business quickly and in practiced manner. For a moment she felt jealousy toward her brother but it was quickly gone under the pressure of much more important issues.

"Tell me about it…" Snow murmured as she buttoned up the one-piece, taking the already slumbering infant in her arms once again.

With that Emma directed the conversation to other things feeling that she had reached her limit for heavy topic talk, enjoying the general stories Mary Margaret had to tell. It had been a very long time since Emma could just sit down and talk with her mother about non important things. Later in the evening, Henry and David joined them and she stayed for dinner, helping Snow to make it, her new memories providing her with a variety of recipes.

"So, are you staying here, kid, or you're coming with me?" Emma asked as she put on her jacket, ready to leave. She had already prepared herself to go to her rented room alone, as Henry was obviously still angry with her, his speech of 'you don't mess with the time-line' and referencing each argument with a superhero or a movie character to prove his point were the proof enough for her. Not that she could blame the kid for it, as it was her fault.

"No, you know what?" Henry reached for his jacket and red-gray scarf, even though it was not that cold outside. He took out his phone and sent a quick text before he looked up at his blonde mother. "I am going to be at Mom's for a while." His tone was clear that he would not be swayed, so Emma only nodded, opening the door of the loft. With the last glance toward her tired parents and a wave of goodbye she departed, having let Henry get out first.

As Emma had walked to Mary Margaret's place, they took a stroll toward the mansion directly, as it was still early in the evening and Henry suggested the walk.

"You let your mom know you're coming?" the blonde asked, her hands stuffed in her trademark red jacket as she glanced to her boy walking beside her.

"Yeah, she said that I was always welcome to come home," he said, shrugging his shoulders, kicking his feet on the ground. "Did you talk to her?"

"I went by this morning." At the hopeful glance she only shook her head. "She wasn't in the mood to listen and I didn't want to press the issue."

"Yeah…" he agreed, knowing his brunette mother quite well. And that was a somewhat strange thought. He still remembered the false life his mom had given him to make the separation easier, but he also remembered his old life, the life he had shared with Regina. In the days after the curse was broken, he realized that most of his memories with Emma were quite similar to those with Regina. Once he had asked his mother about that, expecting her to give a generalized answer as she would do when he would ask about magic. But, this time she had surprised him.

"Memory magic is very difficult, Henry," Regina said as she placed the hot chocolate before him and a tea cup in front of her as they sat in the study, enjoying a quiet rainy day together. "You see, it is easy to invent pictures and events, the whole stories, but what makes it tricky is the emotion behind it. Every memory our mind creates carries a specific emotional component that makes it important for us. For example, you remember your first day of school because it was so exciting for you, new experiences and so, but you were also afraid to be that long away from me. Do you understand what I am trying to say?" She sipped her tea as she watched him think it over and nod.

He noticed her pleased smile that would appear often when they talked, making their conversations precious to him. For a long time he had avoided being in the same room with her, and the passing year had been definitely hard on her, so he tried to do whatever he could to ease that pain. "So, memory magic cannot create proper emotions behind the pictures?" he asked as a prompt for her to go on, holding his chocolate in his hands, careful not to spill.

"Yes, that is right. It can create some emotion but it is never properly attuned to the event. It's like watching a movie without a soundtrack, or with a completely wrong music. So, when someone uses memory magic, it is always better to use a real memory and just change some of the details. That is why many of memories you had with me are similar to those you have with Emma. I changed the places and faces, but the underlying emotion is the same, making the memories more believable, more authentic."

"You taught Emma how to cook," he spoke with a smile. "And how to help me when I am sick." But, then he left the cup on the table, using the coaster she provided, turning his body closer to her, almost nuzzling into her side. "But you never shared your nickname for me with her," he said gently, looking into her dark eyes, seeing a flash of possessive attachment in them, as well as the fierce love she had for him.

"Some things are just between you and me. It was hard enough for me to send you away, Henry." She spoke, her soft voice shaking with the emotion in it, accepting his comforting hug. "Giving her absolutely everything would erase any hope I would hold that you would come for me some day." She leaned her chin onto his head, closing her eyes, as she pulled him tightly into embrace, not caring that he was kneeling on the expensive sofa with his sneakers still on. "I needed something to be just mine and my own, my little prince." She placed her hand, still warm from the tea cup, on his cheek as she lifted his head up, looking into his hazel eyes, her own alight with unyielding love she held for him.

He smiled at her and watched as her lips mimicked the motion. "I am glad you kept it for yourself," he said, pulling her back into his hug, squeezing with all his might, trying to impress his emotions, his love and his acceptance as much as he could in that embrace, as he held on to the woman who was his mother.

"Henry," Emma broke his reverie, opening the gate on the Mifflin Street. "We're here." He looked up and nodded as he noticed that she remained by the hedge, still holding the gate open, not daring to lay one foot on Regina's property. "Good night, Henry," she spoke as he stepped on the path toward the house.

"Mom?" he spoke, turning back. Whenever they were alone, she was Mom again, Emma noticed. But, whenever others were around, especially Regina, she was Emma, like before the first curse breaking. The blonde knew it had nothing to do with Emma, but with Henry's need for town to accept Regina as his mother, as well. And, it was a statement to Regina that he would always need her as a parent, even though his birth mother was around. So, she didn't mind the separation, but she did cherish moments like these. "I'll stay here for a few days," he said, seeing Emma swallow in defeat but nod in acceptance nonetheless. He reached for her hand, still in her pocket and intertwined their fingers, something he had done in New York with her. "It's just… I am worried."

"No, no, I… I understand." She squeezed gently at his fingers before removing his palm away from hers, turning to go. "Call me, whenever… Whenever."

"Mom, what about our place in New York?" he asked suddenly, grabbing her elbow, an idea springing into his mind. "What are you going to do with it?"

Emma looked at him strangely before she huffed in consideration. It had been their home for a year, and she had bought it with the money she suddenly had had on her accounts, so she did not have a lease to renew or break. They could keep it, for a while at least, but she would have to travel back, one of these days, to set a forwarding address for her mail and to get everything prepared for long term absence. "I need to think about it, but what do you want to do with it?"

"Can we keep it? It will be like a vacation house for us…" He then leaned into his mother, knowing well what needed to be done very soon. "Can you… Can you take me with you when you go there?" At her surprised look he hurriedly explained. "I need to pack my things, and I want to say goodbye to my friends."

"Sure. But, we'll need to ask Regina about it."

"Can she come with us? I want to show her the city. Our favorite places…" The apple tree he had loved for some reason.

"Kid, I don't know… " Emma started, uncomfortable with the idea, but she knew that he only needed to look at her with his sad eyes and add an imploring edge to them she would cave to his whim. "You can ask her, but don't be surprised if she declines just because I will be with you as well." She felt, though, like her warning had been for naught, as the boy smiled at her, the satisfied glint in his eyes.

"Sure thing!" he murmured happily, before turning to the house. "I love you, good night," he said rushing toward his home. As he stood beneath the porch light, he knocked on the door, glancing back at his blonde mother that waited for him to get inside. He waved at her, having heard the telltale clack of his mother's shoes and the click of the lock. Greeting his other mother happily, he noticed Emma closing the gate and walking away. "Hey, Mom!"

Hearing her son greet the brunette rather cheerfully brought a tight bittersweet smile to Emma's lips as she walked away from the Mayor's house. She directed herself toward the shore, where Henry's castle once had used to stand. In her days in Storybrooke, that place had grown onto her, becoming one of her favorite thinking spots. So, with her hands in the pockets, the leather jacket zipped up, she walked, letting the muscle memory guide her to the place, as she surrendered to her thoughts swirling in her head. Henry wanted her to keep the place in New York, as a sanctuary of sorts for them. She could not but agree with him. She was the Savior and as such she would always be in the thick of events, and she needed some alternative for the boy, a place away from all the madness. Now that the curse was broken, again, they could leave. Well, Henry and Emma could as they had not been part of the curse, but Emma did not think Regina would have a problem making the potion Rumple had used the time he had led them on expedition to find his precious Bae, if the town line was the issue again.

Henry would love to have the brunette there, to show her everything that she had missed in the past year. And, honestly, it might do them good to get her out of Storybrooke at least for a little while, away from all the looks and talks, and away from the newly rejoined couple. And, perhaps, the distance from the fairy tales might give Emma a chance to make up to Regina for costing her so much with her righteousness. But, it all depended on the Mayor's acceptance to leave with them. She had no doubt that Henry would try his hardest to convince her, but Regina's hatred and disappointment toward Emma might be too strong at the moment to willingly subscribe herself to the prolonged presence of her rival and nemesis, even if it was for her son.

However, in the meantime, Emma Swan had a lot of work to do. She needed to find a place for herself, then she needed to inform her family of taking a few days, perhaps weeks off to take care of things in New York, all the while she would continue to search for a way to apologize to the woman she had wronged.