"This is Zelena. She's my foster daughter."

The words rang through Regina's head. Since the curse broke there'd been a baby frenzy. Peasants bred like rabbits. It'd led to needing a group home and several caregivers for them. She didn't remember ever seeing this toddler there though. Regina certainly would have remembered seeing hair like the girl's. It rivaled the sheriff's own in wildness.

The brunette stared at the toddler, making the little one squirm in uncomfortableness. Zelena hid her face between her blankets and Emma's neck.

"Uh, maybe we could go somewhere and talk? I know you hate me, but perhaps we could put aside our personal feelings about one another and talk about what this means for our weird little mish mashed family?"

"This changes nothing about me letting Henry around you. Children are not a bribing tool. You of all people should know better."

Emma bristled. Kat put her hand on Emma's forearm. "Regina, that was really low. Emma has tried and tried to make it clear to you both that she wants to be in Henry's life as much as you'll both allow, but she knows he is your son! Henry will be around Zelena though. Emma is trying to talk this through with you like the adults you both are, to put your children first."

"Emmama!"

"Shh, sweet one. We're okay. It's been a long day. Let's go see if Granny will feed us. Kathryn, did you want to come?"

"Figures you would start off feeding her junk. You're not ready to be a mother. You can barely look after yourself." Regina sneered, upset that Kathryn seemed to have become instant friends with her enemy.

"Regina, I'm not fighting with you. You've absolutely no knowledge on me besides what you want to see. I'm trying to be the bigger person and come together to make compromises for the good of Henry, and now Zelena. If you don't want to do that, fine, but you're only hurting Henry and yourself. I'd invite you to the diner, but apparently it's suddenly not good enough for her highness."

The blondes walked off together towards the diner. "Miss Swan!"

Both Kat and Emma turned around to regard her, looking more than a bit disappointed and annoyed. Regina thought they looked almost familial in that moment.

"Nine o'clock tonight, your house. I assume that's plenty of time to put her to bed. I'll bring some cider."

Emma just nodded before going to Granny's with Zelena and Kathryn. Both women were prepared for Ruby's squeals and fussing. Emma was prepared for the stares and whispering. Granny quickly took care of them before fawning over Zelena. The old woman had always had a soft spot for Emma.

EZEZEZEZEZEZEZEZEZ

Emma had slightly panicked when seven rolled around and she was ready to put Zelena to bed. It took her a few minutes to remember that she'd been getting young kids bathed and put to bed since she was six. Zelena was hers though. It felt a bit different to her. Zelena had been awed at the bubbles. Combing through the mop top of curls was a little harder than expected, but the toddler hadn't protested, even at some tough tangles.

Zelena looked so tiny in her king sized bed. The sky blue pajamas with teddybear faces all over them had been a really cute choice! She picked up Oh, The Places You'll Go by Dr. Seuss. Emma thought it perfect about choosing your own fate, making your own path, since that's exactly what she'd decided to do. She'd make sure the little one knew she forged her own path instead of others deciding it for her.

The blonde hadn't wanted to move from the bed as the book came to an end. Zelena had fallen asleep curled into her side, sucking her thumb as their blankets covered them both. Emma spent an hour just holding the little one, marveling at her before slowing extracting herself and moving to the living room to wait for Regina.

The soft knock came on the front door exactly at nine. Zelena had been sleeping surrounded by mounds of pillows to keep her from falling off for two hours. Kathryn had promised to come over tomorrow and help set up the furniture Emma had bought for the little redhead.

Regina seemed surprised that Emma opened the door almost immediately. Her eyes raked over the savior's form. "Yoga pants are definitely a step up from underwear."

Emma rolled her eyes and walked back towards the living room couch. She completely missed the way chocolate eyes clung to her ass. Regina definitely had a new appreciation for yoga pants and black tank tops. She'd chosen to stay in her pencil skirt, heels, and blouse. Regina didn't want Emma to think this was a free for all or to expect her to allow Henry over whenever he pleased.

"Please, have a seat. I'd bring out the nicer glassware for you, but I'm fresh out."

Regina struggled hard not to roll her eyes at the coffee mugs on the table. She pulled the decanter of cider from her purse and poured them each a glass before sitting down on the far end of the couch. She took a moment to look around the house. It was honestly different than she expected. Instead of the filthy bachelor pad she imagined, the house seemed modern and well put together. Maybe when they were on better terms she'd ask for her designer.

Emma seemed content to just study the brunette as she took a slow sip of cider. The outfit screamed 'respect me, I'm better than you.' Emma knew it was a power play. She hoped her outfit put Regina a bit at ease. It'd been a long day and she just wanted to be comfortable in her own home. Her hair had finally stopped dripping from her shower just before the mayor had shown up.

Since neither woman was staring the other in the eye or looking at each other's face, both missed the fact they were checking each other out, lost in thought about the other.

Regina's feelings for the blonde were now at war with her feelings about Emma being Henry's birth mom. If Emma weren't related to Henry she would have already taken the blonde as her own. She was related to Henry though so everything was different, more complicated. She couldn't have a simple tryst and be done with it. She wasn't even sure if something so meaningless was what she wanted from Emma anyways.

"I know you don't want me to see Henry. I'm really sorry about falling asleep yesterday. I don't know what's going on with Henry, but he seems to think he's entitled to act like a shit. It's only gotten worse as the year has gone on."

Regina went to interrupt, to protest, but Emma held up her hand.

"I'm not saying this as a knock on your parenting skills. You've done a hell of a job with him. He doesn't appreciate you though. He gets mad if something doesn't go his way and he is off to someone else who he thinks will give him whatever he wants. He thinks he can hurt you and it's okay. That's not okay with me. I grew up with nothing. I had no parents. I worked damn hard to get where I am. Henry doesn't realize how lucky he is. I don't want to replace you, Regina. I don't want to take him away. I merely want to let him know me, to know him and you. I want to try and get him to see how blessed he is to have you. I want to help you get your son back."

"Why? What do you get out of this? More shining status as hero extraordinaire?"

Emma shook her head no. "I never wanted to be savior, Regina. It's written in fate apparently, but I don't want it. I just want to be Emma. I want to get back to being Emma. I want Henry to stop being a punk. I want you to have your son back. That's it."

"And your new little plaything? How does the girl fit into seeing Henry? Get him attached and make him want to be here more?"

"Regina, there's no ulterior motive with Zelena. I'm fairly certain she's from the Enchanted Forest. I found her in the woods trying to climb out of the lake. She's an orphan. Her parents aren't here. All she had was a basket and a blanket. I remember those days well. We bonded. I've had my foster license for years. I even had another foster child for a while in Tallahassee before I came to Boston. This isn't about Henry. This isn't about you. This is about me and Zelena. It just happens to affect you and Henry."

A dark eyebrow raised in question. "How so?"

"Your spoiled little prince wants me to be his mother. He doesn't understand that I'm not. He has hope that one day I'll whisk him away and his fantasy family comes to life. I just want to be here for him, answer any questions about his genetics and where he comes from that I can. You are his mother though. Me taking on Zelena is going to make his behaviour worse."

Emma paused, realizing Regina wasn't catching on. "I'm taking on a child, Regina. One that isn't Henry. I'm keeping Zelena. Henry's going to expect that I take him too, or I should have taken him instead. We need to come up with a plan for him seeing me that we can both live with so that when we talk to him he understands we're on a united front."

"He's going to wind up hating you as much as he hates me."

"I know, and I bet you he runs to Snow. Mary Margaret gave him the attention he wanted when no one else would. She let him get away with anything. Snow does the same, as does Charming. We need to be a united front so that Henry can't play us against each other, so that he can't play us against them. It's time he falls in line again."

Regina nodded. She did miss her respectful, well mannered boy who loved her more than anything. She was surprised Emma wanted to help her. The girl was smarter and perhaps more adult than she realized, even if she went about it in a brash manner.

They talked for hours, getting lost in time. The discussion started out about Henry and quickly switched to Zelena and Emma's plans with her. It moved on to their jobs and a bit of their interests. The clock chiming finally broke up their talk, Regina almost fleeing in her haste to return home, to get away from the woman she thought was the enemy. She'd been attracted to Emma since she'd stormed into town, but had tried to stomp it down in order to keep Henry. Now she was just confused. Both ladies went to bed dreaming of the other.

EZEZEZEZEZEZEZ

Kathryn came over in the morning like promised. She brought Frederick for extra muscle. The trio helped Emma set up the furniture. Zelena's little bed had Winnie the Pooh themed sheets and comforter. It had little mesh guards on either side to prevent her from rolling off. Frederick set up the glider and ottoman. Kat and Emma worked on setting up the dressers and putting all the clothes away. Zelena affixed herself onto Emma as they worked, watching curiously. She refused to leave Emma's lap for anything. They'd taken care to explain everything they were doing and what everything was for.

Wide blue eyes drank everything in like each new thing was the most precious thing she'd ever seen. Emma understood completely. The awe and wonder that things were actually for her, let alone new things. Emma beamed, feeling she was doing things right. She'd channeled her inner orphan and done her best to get everything that she dreamed of and more.

The room was truly was everything Emma had ever wished for as a child. The toy box was overflowing. There was more than enough clothes that Zelena wouldn't have to wear anything twice if she didn't want to. She'd made sure to get a mattress protector for the bed, and more than enough sheet sets to ensure any accident didn't prevent the bed from use. Emma wasn't going to punish her child for accidents like she had been. There was an entire case full of books to read together. It was hard to determine who was more excited about the room, Emma or the toddler.

Emma made them lunch in thanks for their help. She promised Kathryn they could get together later in the week. She was surprised at how well she got on with the couple. They were both really nice people. Emma could see them being great friends down the road. It was odd to think about, but being friends with your dad's ex-wife who used to be a princess that your dad cheated on with his real wife didn't even make the top ten weirdest things to happen in Storybrooke.

Zelena was down for a nap when the expected knock came at the door. She'd fought sleep a bit, crying whenever Emma went to put her down. It took her almost an hour and three books to get her down. Henry barged right in, not waiting for Emma to answer the door.

"Henry! That's rude! You can't just barge into someone's home!" Regina followed behind him, scolding the entire way to the living room.

"Yes I can. Emma is my mom, and this is her house. I can come whenever I want."

Emma eyed him disappointingly as he helped himself to a juice box in her fridge. "Kid, this isn't your house. I am glad you're here, but you really need to wait until I open the door. It'd be nice if you asked for things instead of just taking them."

Henry's jaw dropped open before spinning to Regina. "You! You did something to Emma. She's never been like this before."

"I have, Henry. You've just chosen not to listen. Your mother and I have some things we want to tell you."

Regina and Emma explained the rules they'd set up last night, the compromises they'd agreed on. They also explained about Zelena, and what it meant to have her here. Regina was going to have Henry Sunday night through Friday morning, but if he wanted, he was more than welcome to spend the weekend with Emma. He would start having similar chores and a proper schedule at both houses. There'd be no playing one woman against the other. He would be limited in time spent on videogames, and no more junk food. Emma was done letting him slide in doing whatever he wanted. Together they were a team, a united front determined to do what was best for him. Henry stormed out, clearly not happy he wasn't getting his way.

Sighing, Regina buried her face in her hands. Emma put an arm around the mayor, hugging her a bit awkwardly. "It'll be okay, Regina. We knew he'd be upset. Give it some time. Stay strong in what we agreed upon. If we go back on it now he's just going to keep walking all over us. If you need help just let me know."

"It might do well for him to see us united, and to meet Zelena outside our homes. Granny's diner in a few days once you're settled?"

"Why Madame Mayor, are you asking me on a date?" Emma teased, loving the blush that flooded the brunette's cheeks.

"I- I- Miss Swan, this isn't funny!" Regina's voice rose as Emma started laughing.

"I'd love to. Just let me know when and where. We'll be there."

Muffled sniffling brought Emma's attention to the darkened hallway. Sure enough, the little toddler stood there with tears streaming down her face, trying to have Emma not notice. Emma walked over, stopping when she registered panic in wide, blue eyes. Zelena flinched as she stepped closer so Emma held up her hands.

"Hey, it's okay Princess. I'm never going to hurt you, not ever!"

"He'ry mad me?"

"Oh, honey, no. Henry is mad at me and his mommy. He's being a bit of a naughty boy so we're trying to talk to him. What's wrong?"

"No want me? Me good."

Emma's heart broke at the words. They were similar to the ones she'd pleaded from her social worker's arms to her first foster family as she made a last ditch attempt to get them to keep her. Without thought she dropped to eye level with Zelena, taking little hands in hers.

"Zelena, I want you to listen to me. I love you. You're family now. I'm never ever sending you away. You're stuck with me, kid. Nothing is going to change that. Henry can be mad all he wants. My parents can be mean all they want. You and me are a team now. You got that? It's you and me always."

"Me stay?"

"You stay!"

Little arms wrapped themselves around Emma's neck as the girl flung herself at her.

"Love Emmama," a tiny voice whispered in her ear.

Emma wrapped her arms around Zelena and stroked her hair, letting her tears fall a bit. This was all she'd ever wanted in life, to love and be loved in return unconditionally.

"Love Zelena."