It was late when Ree woke up, the sky was dark as pitch, but she couldn't fall back asleep. After tossing and turning for nearly an hour, she climbed out of bed and headed to the kitchen, hoping that getting a drink would help. Not wanting to wake anyone else up, she moved quietly, flicking on the light above the sink. When she'd pulled out a glass and filled it from the tap, Ree moved to sit on a stool at the island.

Hearing noise from downstairs, Regina got up, pulling on her bathrobe and slippers. She checked both rooms first, Henry was sound asleep, but Ree was missing from her bed. Regina made her way down the stairs, wiping her eyes and running her fingers through her hair. She stood at the entrance to the kitchen, clearing her throat before moving closer. "Ree? What are you doing up, sweetheart?"

The younger woman turned, facing her and watched as the mayor made her way around the island before she answered. "I'm sorry if I woke you. I was having difficulty resting."

"That's all right. Would you like me to warm you some milk?" Regina asked, already moving to take out the milk and pull a pan from the cupboard.

"Sure." Ree watched the other woman for a moment, then said, "I truly appreciate everything you've done for me since I've been here."

Looking at the teen, Regina nodded. "Of course."

"You often seem uncomfortable by my presence. Do I upset you?"

"Oh, no, you don't," Regina answered softly, her eyes focusing on the milk she was stirring slowly in the saucepan. "You remind me of when I was young and happy, when things were very different for me. But you don't upset me."

"Terrible things will happen to me... if I cannot stay?" Ree asked, knowing there was little she could be told.

Nodding slowly, Regina looked at her sadly. "I cannot guarantee exactly what your life will be like, should you get forced back, but the life I lived was a sad and cruel one. But I didn't marry James, either, so I don't really know."

"Did you know James?"

"Not really, no. I'd met him, but only during George's visits to try for an alliance," Regina explained.

Ree looked down, tracing imaginary shapes in the countertop with her fingertips. "It isn't that I have anything against him. I don't know him well enough to feel either way about him as a person. I was fine enough marrying him, I suppose. Until I came here and realized what love is like." Ree's eyes widened and her head snapped up, and she looked at Regina to see if the other woman had caught her words, and sure enough Regina was looking at her intently. "I mean... I-Henry just-"

"Ree, it's okay," she reassured the teen, smiling softly as she added cinnamon and vanilla to the milk, whisking it before pulling it from the burner. "Henry and I spoke. And to be fair, your feelings for him, and his for you, have been obvious since you first spent time together. Teenagers aren't as skilled at discretion as they think."

Blushing, Ree nodded and smiled shyly. "He's lovely. I care very much for him. And now I can't imagine ever leaving him."

Raising her eyebrows, Regina moved to get two mugs out for them, pouring the milk between them. "Well then, we will all hope for the best thing to happen and that you'll be able to stay." She carried the mugs to the island, sliding one across to Ree and holding her own between both hands. "Do you get along with your father?"

"Oh yes," Ree answered, swallowing the sip she'd taken. "Daddy is wonderful. My mother is awful to him, though." Pausing to sip again, Ree waited a moment and said, "I think I will miss them both regardless of how she treats me."

"That's okay. Cora does love you. Perhaps someday I'll be be able to tell you the story." Regina reached across the island with one hand and touched Ree's arm.

The teen looked up with a smile. "Would you? Henry said he'll tell me some stories, but I would love to hear some from you."

Regina nodded her answer, drinking from her mug and smiled. "Are you figuring things out well enough? Technology and such?"

"Yes. Henry's been very helpful." Ree blushed deeply, looking away, then down at her lap. "I was wondering... I should be starting my cycle next week. I-I don't think wool will fit in my underclothes here."

Biting back a smirk, Regina hid her mouth with her mug and cleared her throat. "We use different items here. I'll show you when it's time, all right?"

"Yes. Thank you."

Regina finished her drink, then looked at Ree's, seeing it was just about empty as well. "Finish up and try to get some sleep. I'm going to go to bed."

"Thank you again. For everything," Ree answered.

"Of course, sweetheart." Regina placed her mug in the sink and headed back upstairs. Stopping at Henry's door, she opened it and looked in, checking to make sure they hadn't disturbed him. He was still resting peacefully, so she sighed a little nostalgically and went back to bed.

The bell above the door at Granny's chimed, and Emma looked up, waving at the small group that entered. As they made their way to the booth, she scooted over, making room for Regina to sit.

"Hey, Ma," Henry greeted happily, sliding into the opposite side of the booth after Ree. "I didn't think we'd still have dinner here, since we didn't tell people about Ree?"

"Oh that," Emma waved it off. "I told Mom that it was fine to tell people, and she told Leroy, and between the two of them… Well, you know."

Regina sat down in the space Emma allowed, laughing at her explanation of how word got around about Ree. She reached across the blonde and set her purse between the blonde's hip and the wall.

"I think people are staring at us," Ree whispered, leaning closer to Henry.

"It's okay." Henry smiled at her and squeezed her hand. "It's a little weird to have you here, but weirder things have happened. They'll lose interest pretty quickly."

Emma smiled at Regina and adjusted her purse so the clasp wasn't digging into her hip. "I wasn't sure what the kids would want to drink, but I ordered your iced tea for you."

Ree squeezed Henry's hand back, gently leaning her shoulder against his. "What else do you suggest I try? Everything sounds delicious."

"Thank you," Regina said, giving the blonde a smile. "How was work?"

"Pretty boring, actually," Emma grinned. "I like it when it's quiet. I get to work on my aim at wastepaper basket."

Henry hummed in thought, looking at the menu. "Well, I think I'm going to get the chicken strips, which I think you'd like, but Mom also really likes the summer salad with chicken and avocado."

Ree looked over the menu again and tilted her head. "Is lasagna good?"

"Only if it's mine," Regina cut in, smirking at the younger brunette. Turning to Emma, she shook her head. "Still missing most of your shots? I'm fairly certain I could beat you at wastepaper basket."

"Hey, be nice!" Emma protested, making a face. "It's hard to get a good rhythm going when you're constantly interrupted by crazy people wanting to destroy us all."

Nodding seriously, Henry told Ree, "Granny's lasagna is good, but if you've never had it before, you have to have Mom's first. Hers is amazing. But the fettucini alfredo is really good."

"Is that your explanation for taking so long to get your job right? I'm fairly certain I still haven't gotten this month's budget reports from you yet," Regina tossed back, smirking and shaking her head.

Ree closed her menu and laid it down in front of her. "I'll have to try that, then. You haven't steered me wrong yet."

"You're going to love it," Henry said, grinning. "It's really rich, though, just to warn you. Definitely something Cora wouldn't let you have." He winked.

"Okay, but remember the thing with the Lost Boys?" Emma protested. "I filed the report the day of. I mean, come on, I have to get points for that, right?"

Humming, Regina raised her eyebrows and looked back at the blonde. "Probably more points than you're scoring in your little trash game."

Ree watched Henry's mothers intently, tilting her head at their conversation. He had told her that they were just family through him, but she was curious the more she watched them. They acted like more than friends. They seemed to know each other as lovers would.

"Like I said, I'm getting better at it," Emma pointed out. "So I guess I'm scoring a lot, huh?" She waggled her eyebrows playfully.

Looking at his moms, Henry rolled his eyes and nudged Ree. "Ignore them, they're weird," he advised.

Letting out a little hum, Ree nodded and gave a small smile. "Do you all have dinner here often?"

Regina rolled her eyes at Emma, saying, "You realize you're an idiot, right?"

Grinning in success (at what, she wasn't sure, but she had warm fuzzies, so she considered herself successful), Emma replied, "Yeah, but we're family, and you don't mind it."

"Every Thursday night," Henry answered Ree's question. "Family night. Dinner at Granny's and a movie at home."

"That we are," Regina agreed, her mind running over the conversation with Henry the previous day.

"What kind of movie will we watch for family night?" Ree asked, her thumb rubbing over the back of Henry's hand affectionately. "I liked the one you showed me with the cartoons."

"We all decide on one together." Henry smiled at Ree, leaning toward her slightly before remembering that they were in public and directly across from his mothers - even if they weren't paying attention.

"And you don't mind," Emma repeated, trying to get Regina to admit it.

"Whatever helps you sleep at night, Emma." Regina reached in front of Emma and grabbed two sugar packets as she waited for her iced tea, a nasty habit she had picked up for sweet drinks from her child or his other mother, she couldn't recall which.

Ree found herself slightly flustered at Henry's nearness without the ability to curl under his arm or really be affectionate at all. Actions she'd become so used to with all their time alone.

Smiling sheepishly, Henry straightened, squeezing Ree's fingers.

"I sleep just fine, thank you," Emma retorted.

"Hey, sorry, guys," Ruby stepped up to the table, placing Regina's iced tea and Emma's Coke in front of them. After taking their orders, she promised to put a rush on them and disappeared again.

"She's very pretty," Ree said softly, turning her face to Henry. "Would I know her in the Enchanted Forest? Or does everyone here only know each other from living here?"

Adding the sugar to her tea, Regina bit back a smirk at Ree's comment, but turned her attention to Emma. "I'm sure you do sleep just fine. All that Charming self-righteousness probably puts you out like a baby."

"Oh hey, come on now, that's just not fair," Emma pouted. "I may have the genetics, but I think nurture overtakes nature on the self-righteous scale."

"Actually, I don't know if Mom ever met her in the Enchanted Forest," Henry admitted, frowning slightly at the gap in his knowledge. "A lot of people knew each other before, and a lot met here. It's pretty jumbled up."

Clearing her throat, Regina looked between Ree and Henry. "I knew everybody, or at least knew of everybody. I wasn't particularly fond of her back home, though."

"I see," Ree answered, eyes flitting to Ruby. "I don't see why not. She's lovely."

"Am I gonna have to be jealous?" Henry asked, raising a playful eyebrow at Ree. "Because I'll totally take on a werewolf if I have to. I'll lose, but I'll do it."

Emma snickered, shaking her head. "Come on, kid, you know Ruby wouldn't rob the cradle with little Ree."

Blushing, Ree shook her head and looked pointedly at Henry. "No. Of course not." She turned her attention to Emma, brow furrowing. "What do you mean 'rob the cradle'?"

Regina elbowed Emma in the ribs, smiling at Ree and chuckling softly. "Don't worry about it, it's just a crude figure of speech. You'll find Emma has many of those to offer."

Emma made a face at Regina before turning to Ree. "It just means you're too young for her," she explained.

"Plus, she's dating my sort-of grandma," Henry added.

Ruby returned with Ree's tea and Henry's root beer, smirking as she set them down. "And were I not so happy with her," she input into the conversation, "I'd totally consider robbing the cradle." Winking at Ree, and then Regina, she headed to the next table.

Ree's blush deepened, so she bent her neck and stared down at her lap, willing her face to cool.

Reaching around the edge of the table, Regina patted Ree's free hand and grinned. "Don't worry sweetheart, it's nothing to be ashamed of."

"I think Mom likes it when Ruby flirts with her," Henry sighed, rubbing the back of Ree's hand. "Even though this time she was flirting with you."

"That much is clear," Emma muttered, rolling her eyes and crossing her arms over her chest.

Regina shrugged. "There's nothing wrong with enjoying the flirtatious behavior of an attractive woman."

"Mother doesn't approve of women being interested in women," Ree told Henry, squeezing his fingers and turning their hands so the back of hers rested on his thigh.

Ignoring Regina's comment, Emma made a sympathetic face to Ree. "Cora didn't seem to approve of anything," she pointed out. "I mean, she didn't let you eat bread, and look at all the good food you've had the past few days."

Henry nodded in agreement. "Ma's right. Here it's totally fine for women to be interested in women, or men to be interested in men. They can even get married if they want to."

Ree contemplated a moment on what to say, settling on, "I very much enjoy this world," and giving a beaming smile to her three dinner companions.

"And Emma's right," Regina started, pulling a face, "as much as it pains me to say so. Cora didn't approve of much, but that will likely no longer be a concern, so feel free to feel as you would like and, for the most part, do as you would like."

"And who you'd like," Henry added slyly.

"Kid," Emma groaned, pained.

"Henry!" Ree and Regina both exclaimed, the latter in exasperation and the former in embarrassment.

"I count that as flaunting it, Henry. You've just cost yourself a night at home." Regina looked at Emma with a playful grin and continued. "What you do think, Monday night, Henry stays with you? And I think I'll take Ree shopping out of town Tuesday. She'll need far more clothes than she has if she's to stay."

"Hey, no!" Henry protested. "That's not fair! You just said no kissing!"

Chuckling, Emma shook her head slightly. "As much as it would serve him right, maybe not Monday night. I really don't want Henry breaking his neck trying to climb up the lattice outside his window."

"Pfft," Henry blew out a breath. "I'd use the front door, obviously."

"Maybe I'll pull a Princess Bride move and keep her safe from you," Regina teased.

"I don't know what you mean," Ree stated, obviously confused. "But I know I'm safe with Henry."

With a shake of her head, Regina chuckled. "Don't worry, I was merely joking. Your choices are your own."

"Pop culture training," Henry looked at Emma and gave a serious nod.

"Agreed," Emma nodded back. "Starting as soon as we know she's here to stay."

"Why the hell do you ignore me as though I have no clue what pop culture is? I'll remind you both, I started my pop culture training when you were in diapers," Regina said, pointedly glaring at Emma, then switching her gaze to Henry, "and eighteen years before your existence."

Ree frowned, tilting her head. "You don't look that much older than Emma or Henry. How is that possible?"

"Sorry, I didn't mean to confuse you. We'll explain it all next week," Regina recovered.

"And it'll take another week to explain it," Emma added.

"And one more to explain my family tree."

Chuckling, Regina nodded her agreement. "You should probably just start on making a chart now, Henry, that way Ree can study it after you explain it."

Ree shifted, uncomfortable with feeling so much confusion about everything around her.

Henry squeezed Ree's hand reassuringly. "It's okay. You'll get the hang of it, I promise. I mean, it took Aurora over a year to stop calling the TV the 'devil box' so you're already ahead there."

"Well, I did wonder how they got tiny people in there," Ree muttered, but she accepted his encouragement.

Grinning widely, Henry looked at his mothers, warning, "I'm gonna kiss my girlfriend, rules be damned," before turning back to Ree and pressing his lips to hers.

Momentarily hesitant, Ree recovered and leaned into him, but broke the kiss before she desired to deepen it. After pulling away, she bit her lip and looked down shyly.

Regina leaned slightly toward Emma and grumbled softly, "I really hate how cute they are."

"I know, right?" Emma whispered back. "I'm half weirded out because it looks like he's kissing you, and half melting because of how freaking adorable they are."

Smiling at Ree, Henry slipped his hand from hers and wrapped his arm around her shoulders.

Ree leaned into his touch, watching the women across the table once more, how easily they communicated for such a weird situation.

"Yeah. I mean... she's me, it's weird. But they're so happy and at ease with each other," Regina muttered.

Emma shrugged slightly. "Kid's got good taste, can't fault him for that."

Regina bit back a smirk at Emma's words. Raising her eyebrows, she nodded. "Indeed he does."

Ree sipped her tea, then reached for two of the packets she'd seen Regina use. Tearing them open, she dumped them into her drink and stirred it, following with a sip. "That's so much better," she murmured with pleasure.

"I think someone has a bit of a sweet tooth," Henry teased lightly. "Wanna try mine?" He nudged his glass of soda toward her.

Ree took a sip, wincing at the sweetness initially, but on her second sip she hummed appreciatively. "That's delicious. And probably worthy of an ill stomach."

"And yet, he and his mother insist on drinking it daily." Regina raised an eyebrow in Emma's direction. "Something he didn't do until a certain mother decided to stay in town."

"Someone had to rescue him from all that healthy crap," Emma said, mock-offended. "He was gonna turn into a rabbit before too long. Besides. I got you into root beer and fries, too, and you can't deny it."

Shaking his head at his mothers' antics, Henry responded to Ree's comment. "Well if you've never had it before, yeah, it would probably make you feel sick if you drank too much. You'll just have to start slow, we'll work you up to it."

"That healthy crap is the reason you have to work out twice as hard as I do, just to look half as good," Regina teased Emma, rolling her eyes.

"Perhaps I'll stick with desserts for now," Ree answered, looking at the soda. "Besides, I prefer hot drinks, so unless you have a hot drink that tastes like dessert, I may stay safe from the stomachaches."

"Hot chocolate! Mmmm, topped with whipped cream and cinnamon. So good." A thought occurred to Henry, and he asked, "Do they have chocolate in the Enchanted Forest?"

"Yeah, you say that, but we all know who's got the guns," Emma flexed her arms dramatically.

Ree nodded. "We have chocolate, yes. Though, it's usually only brought out for special occasions."

"Ah, yes, another thing you got from your father aside from the blonde hair. Brawn and looks with so few working brain cells to speak of." Regina playfully tugged a strand of Emma's hair that was laying over her shoulder. "Besides, just because I don't show off my muscles, rather choosing to wear professional clothing, does not mean you're stronger than me."

"I'm totally stronger than you," Emma protested. "Unless you use magic to cheat. I'm way more butch than you are."

"We can have chocolate every day," Henry told her. "Actually, I usually do. They sell chocolate bars at the corner store and the pharmacy and the grocery store. All different kinds, too. Ones with nuts, ones with caramel, ones with cookie… All the chocolate you could ever want."

Regina nearly snorted at Emma's comment, choosing instead to bite her tongue, instead muttering, "I'm sure you are. Doesn't matter, I'm sure you're a bottom either way."

Henry's head whipped around to stare at Regina in horror. "Oh my god, Mom!"

"What?" Regina asked exasperatedly. "You kiss a younger me in front of me and I can't make a joke about your mother?"

"What does it mean?" Ree asked, eyes on Henry's face.

"Not that kind of joke!" Henry exclaimed, cringing.

Emma cackled at her son's disgust, pointing out, "Turnabout is fair play, kid."

"Nope," Henry shook his head. "Nope nope nope. There's a huge difference between me kissing my girlfriend and my mom speculating on my other mom's… preferences." He shuddered.

Regina grinned darkly. "Who said it was just speculation, Henry?" she taunted.

"Hm, now there's a thought," Emma teased, shrugging.

Whining, Henry turned to Ree and hid his face in her shoulder. "Make them stop," he pleaded.

"I'm not sure what you're talking about, other than it is obviously something sexual," Ree said, looking between his mothers as though she was scolding them. "But unless you'd like details on what I've learned since being here, I'll kindly ask you to stop making my Henry miserable."

Henry lifted his head, grinning. "Your Henry?" he asked, pleased.

Emma eyed the teenager. "You wouldn't," she said, mostly sure of her assessment. "You'd be too embarrassed to give details."

"Yes. My Henry," Ree answered softly, smiling at him, before switching her gaze back to Emma. "Are you sure about that? I'm under the impression that Regina doesn't mind joking about it, why should I mind telling the truth, when I've been told there's nothing to be ashamed of?"

Regina raised her eyebrows, smirking at Ree's protectiveness of Henry. She also recalled that she herself had had quite a bit of bite when she had been pulled out of her shell. "So... who's ready to eat?"

"Yes!" Henry exclaimed a little too loudly. "Eat. Food. Yes."

On cue, literally, Ruby approached the table again with their meals. "I'm sorry, I couldn't resist listening to where the conversation was going. It was too interesting to interrupt."

"No tip," Emma grumbled, pouting at being bested by a teenager.

The rest of the dinner passed by without another mention of anyone's sex life, for which Ree was pleased. The movie they picked out was a family film, but not a cartoon, and she'd watched Emma and Regina the rest of the night.

When it was time to sleep, Henry kissed her goodnight and left her to her dreams, one of which woke her rather unpleasantly in the middle of the night. Getting out of bed, Ree walked to Henry's room, raising her hand to knock on his door, but dropping it before making contact. She hesitated outside of his door, finally sighing and turning, trying to force herself to walk back to her own bed.

A light sleeper, Henry woke to the soft creak of the floorboards in the hallway outside his room, and he listened closely. After a moment, footsteps quietly padded away from his door, and he pulled himself out of bed, opening it and looking out into the hallway. "What's wrong?" he whispered, not quite sure in the darkness which brunette was there, a fact that made him slightly uncomfortable.

Turning, Ree bit her lip, "I didn't mean to wake you, Henry, I'm sorry. I'll just go back to bed now."

Smiling at the softer, higher-pitched voice, Henry shook his head. "Don't be silly, Ree. C'mere." He reached out, taking her hand and pulling her to him. "Why are you awake so late?"

"I had a nightmare. It's not very important," she murmured. "I came here by instinct, since you're so good at comforting me."

"Well then it's a good thing I'm awake," he teased lightly. "Come on, let me hold you." Drawing her into the room, he laid back down on his bed, pulling her with him and wrapping her in his arms. "What was your nightmare about?" he asked gently.

Nuzzling against him, her face against his warm, and bare, chest, Ree sighed softly, already feeling immensely better. "Just my mother. One of our arguments."

Henry turned his neck, resting his cheek against the top of her head. "Cora can't hurt you anymore, Ree. And my moms and I, we're gonna keep you safe from anyone else who might try and hurt you."

"I know. I believe you." Ree tilted her head up, brushing a light kiss to his lips. "You're wonderful, Henry. Thank you."

Smiling, Henry kissed her back gently. "I'm not trying to be," he whispered. "I just… I love you."

Blushing, she bit her lip in an attempt to hide her smile, but it came anyway, bright and happy. "I love you too, Henry. I really do."

"I asked my mom how you knew you loved someone, and told her that I thought that I love you. She said it sounded like I do. So I've been thinking about it a lot, and now I don't just think I love you, I know I love you. Even if it's crazy because we've only known each other a few days."

"I don't think love has to follow any rules," Ree answered, moving one of her hands to rest against his chest. "Speaking of which... will you explain your mothers' relationship to me again?"

"Huh?" Henry blinked at the, in his eyes, non sequitur. "They're friends," he said simply. "And family, because they're both my moms. Why?"

Ree shook her head. "I think you're wrong. I think... perhaps they like each other."

"My moms?" Henry's brow furrowed in confusion. "I don't think so. Besides, Mom likes someone. I think. She said there was someone she could maybe see herself being happy with, anyway."

"Well... did she tell you who? How do you not see it? They act like they're married, Henry," Ree explained, amused by his lack of observational skills.

Henry shook his head. "Of course she didn't tell me who, she's my mom, she doesn't talk about stuff like that with me. And they don't act like they're married," he added in protest. "They're friends, and they act like friends, that's all."

Chuckling, Ree shook her head and moved to sit up next to him. "Emma knew and ordered your mom's drink. They move around each other like it's the easiest and most comfortable thing in the world. And they flirt!"

"Mom always orders iced tea at family dinner," Henry sat up as well, crossing his arms over his chest and pouting. "And they were just messing with me. Plus, they've had six years of working with each other as my parents, so of course they're comfortable around each other."

"Calling Emma brawny and good looking? Tugging on her hair? Henry... I have less experience with relationships than you do and I see it, how do you not?" Ree exclaimed, laughing lightly.

"They're my moms," Henry whined.

"So?" She brought one hand up, cupping his cheek and stroking it with her thumb. "I believe I'm right, and if I am, would that bother you? I mean... do you not think they're compatible? They're both beautiful and kind. You said their magic works better together and they're both very powerful. They sound compatible to me."

Henry hesitated, conflicted on the subject. "Well… I mean, yeah, but… Wouldn't they have gotten together by now or something?"

Shrugging, Ree tilted her head in thought. "I don't know. Maybe neither wanted to risk their friendship if they were worried the other didn't like her the same way. Or maybe they think you wouldn't approve."

"Why on earth wouldn't I approve? I mean… it's weird, sure, but so's everything else in this town. I just want them to be happy."

"Sure, but do they know that?"

"Well I was okay with Ma dating a skeezy one-handed pirate who wore eyeliner and only had one set of clothes," Henry retorted. "Can't get much worse than that."

"Again, how would they know that? It seems to me that everything they do revolves around you. Not in a bad way, just in the way that you're the most important person to them and it seems as though they would avoid doing anything you might not like."

Sighing loudly, Henry pulled Ree into his lap. "Why are you so smart?"

Grinning, Ree kissed his nose and said, "Because girls are smarter than boys."

"Meanie," he pouted, then grinned and flopped back down on his back, pulling her with him. After a moment, he asked, "Do you feel better?"

"I do," she answered with a nod. "I felt better the moment you pulled me in your arms."

"Good." Rearranging them so they were on their sides with Ree facing away from him, Henry murmured, "Now stop making me think about my moms and let me cuddle you."

"Depends." Ree pulled his arm tighter, hugging it tightly. "I'll stop if you promise you'll kiss me as much as I want tomorrow."

"I'll kiss you as much as you want whenever you want," Henry promised, nuzzling his face into the back of her neck.

"Mm, you're so warm," she whispered affectionately, wiggling deeper into his hold.

Humming, Henry held her tighter, murmuring back sleepily, "And you're comfy."

Ree closed her eyes, letting herself relax beside him, realizing that it wasn't far out of her imagination to hope it could be like this every night, sooner than later.

Regina woke up early for work the next day, earlier than necessary, and after getting ready she decided to cook Henry and Ree breakfast before she left. Once their meals were cooked, she went back upstairs to wake them, going to Ree's room first. She opened the door, ready to offer a hushed greeting, only to find that the bed was empty. Color draining from her face, Regina headed to Henry's room.

She pushed open the door, finding Ree curled in Henry's arms. As cute as the pair looked, Regina was upset that Henry had broken her trust; he knew she didn't want them sleeping in the same bed in her house. Making her way to the far side of the bed, she nudged Henry's shoulder, looking down at them with a frown.

"Nnnngh?" Henry groaned, forcing heavy eyelids to open. Blinking a few times to clear his vision, he looked up at Regina. "Mom?"

"Henry," she answered, her tone stiff. "I see you're obeying my rules."

"Huh?" It took blinking a few more times and an attempt to sit up, hindered by the girl entwined with him, for Henry to realize what she was talking about. "It's not what it looks like," he said, cringing at the cliche nature of his claim.

Giving him a light scoff, Regina shook her head. "Regardless of whether or not it is, you're not supposed to be sharing a bed in my house."

Carefully untangling himself, and trying to not wake Ree in the process, Henry slid out of bed. "It wasn't on purpose. Ree had a nightmare, and we were talking and fell asleep."

"Henry... you should have gone downstairs or something. I ask one simple thing in return for being as accepting as possible of you two, and you can't even try harder to keep it. I'm very disappointed in you, Henry."

Henry glanced at Ree, still sleeping peacefully, and pulled Regina out of the room, closing the door behind him. "I'm sorry. I wasn't thinking, and I honestly didn't think we'd fall asleep," he sighed. "But she was upset and I just wanted to make her feel better as quickly as possible. She said… she said she had a nightmare about an argument with her mother, and that I make her feel safe. I promise, Mom, we didn't do anything, and I didn't intend to break the rules."

Looking into his eyes, Regina sighed and shook her head. "I give in to you too easily, Henry. You won't learn from your mistakes by getting away with everything."

Curling his toes against the floor, Henry looked down, nodding. "'Kay," he said quietly. "I'll pack a bag and stay at Grandma and Grandpa's place again."

Regina felt her stomach clench, upset with herself for making him sad. Taking a step forward, she reached for his hand. "No. That's not necessary, Henry."

"It is," Henry protested, looking back up at her. "You made the rules, and I broke them."

"Sweetheart," she countered, squeezing his fingers. "I don't want you out of my house. I hate the thought of ever sending you away or making you stay somewhere else." Regina paused, looking away for a moment, then back up at him. "I apologize for the way I spoke to you, I shouldn't have done that. I just... even if you're not sleeping with her, she's there, she's here and she's... nevermind. But you can stay at home."

"Mom, if you can't tell me why the rules are there, how can I understand them?" Henry asked. "I need to know why it's so important."

Letting out a shaky breath, Regina shook her head. "You can't sleep with her before we know if she can stay, because if she goes home without proof that she's a virgin when she marries she will... it's possible they will hang her." She waited a moment, looking up at him, her baby boy, and finally said, "I can't handle it, Henry. I'm trying to be comfortable with the two of you, but she's me, and you're my son. And she hasn't even been here a week and already she's... just, not in my house, Henry. Not when I'm here."

Ree shifted in her sleep, wiggling and noticing it was cooler beside her than it had been. She turned, sad to find Henry gone and she was alone in his bed. "Henry?" she called hesitantly.

At the soft voice from his bedroom, Henry opened the door, poking his head in and smiling reassuringly. "Hey, I'll be right back, okay? You just stay comfy."

"Okay," Ree answered softly, nodding and laying back down how she had been, shifting to pull the covers up her body.

Closing the door again, Henry turned back to Regina, quietly asking, "Already she's… what?"

Clenching her jaw, Regina jerked her head once, side to side. "It doesn't matter, Henry."

"Of course it matters, Mom," Henry protested, reaching for her hand again and squeezing it. "Please talk to me?"

"She gets to be happy. Ree gets to keep her first love, because I will destroy anyone or anything that tries to harm you. And I... I still don't get to have that." Regina closed her eyes, looking away from him sadly. "And she gets to have that love with you. You're not supposed to be growing up so fast. You're not supposed to fall in love so young. I'm not ready to lose you to that! And especially not to a version of me that is better than I ever got to be."

"Mom…" Henry trailed off helplessly, unsure of what to say, so he pulled her into a hug. "You're not gonna lose me. Not ever. And no matter what, you're still the best person I know, and you always have been - even when I didn't see it. You're so strong, and you love so hard." Thinking of Ree's words the night before, he added, "And I just know that you're going to get your love soon, too."

Regina held onto him tightly. "Thank you for thinking that, but I doubt it," she muttered, sighing softly. "You know... I just thought I'd have years more before you fell in love. You've never shown much interest in anyone, so I thought maybe it would be when you went away for college and it would be easier because you'd already be partially on your own. And I don't want to be Cora. I don't want to tell you how to love or who or any of that. Please, Henry, just... not down the hall from me. Not when I'm here."

Henry held back a sigh. "Mom, we haven't. I know last night and this morning made you think that, but we didn't. It wasn't about any of that. And we'll be extra careful in the future. But… to be honest, it's not really any different than when you found us napping on the couch the first day she was here."

"Yes it is," she countered, shaking her head against his chest. "Because you love her now. Or you think you do, right? That first day was an infatuation. This is much more involved."

"Okay," Henry agreed, nodding. "That's a fair point." Releasing his sigh this time, he hugged her tighter. "Oh, and Mom?"

"Yes, sweetheart?" Regina asked softly.

Hesitating for a moment, Henry murmured, "Ree pointed out something to me last night. That I never really let you and Ma know that… that I just want you to be happy. No matter who it's with."

"Okay." She pulled back just slightly, looking up and him with a sad and proud look. "I love you, Henry. No matter what, whether I get my love or not, you will always be, as you always have been, my truest love."

"I love you, too, Mom," Henry smiled, then slightly awkwardly looked at the wall over her head. "Um, also, Ree says that Emma likes you, too, and after thinking about it, I think she's right, and I think you should go for it 'cuz Ma's kinda dense and blind and still sometimes terrified of you, so I don't think she'd make the first move."

Eyes widening, Regina bit her lip and looked away. "I have no idea what you're talking about."

"Yeah, okay," Henry agreed, wanting to be out of the conversation as quickly as possible. "Just, y'know, keep it in mind. Just in case. Or something."

"Thank you, Henry. For wanting me to be happy, and for being such a good young man. I may be terrified of you aging, but I'm pleased I can know that you're one of the few good people left."

Henry blushed, shrugging slightly. "Thanks, Mom." Finally letting go of her and stepping back, he asked, "By the way, why'd you come into my room in the first place?"

Smiling softly, Regina focused her eyes on his face, not wanting to acknowledge the fact that her son was hardly dressed in her hallway. "I made you two breakfast."

"Cool," Henry grinned. "I'll get Ree. And, uh… a shirt," he added, looking down at himself and coloring again.

"Thank you. I don't need further reminding that you're more of a man than my little boy," Regina answered.

Chuckling, Henry nodded, heading back into his room and smiling at Ree once he'd closed the door behind himself again. "Morning, beautiful," he greeted softly.

Ree blushed lightly, smiling up at him. "Good morning. Is everything okay?"

"Yeah, more or less," Henry answered, grabbing a t-shirt from his drawer and pulling it on. "Mom was pretty unhappy about the fact that we fell asleep in the same bed. But we talked and it's fine now."

"Oh! I'm so sorry, Henry. I didn't mean to get you into trouble." Ree stood from the bed, moving to stand in front of him.

"Hey, it's okay," Henry assured her, smiling and pulling her against him. He had a moment of disorientation, having just been in the same position with his mother. "I'm not in trouble. We just have to be a little more careful, that's all. Can't fall asleep together again."

Sliding her arms around his waist, Ree slid her hands beneath the bottom of his shirt, her palms flat against his back. "That's too bad," she whispered, her cheek against his chest. "It was very nice being held all night."

"Mmhmm," Henry hummed in agreement. After a moment, he added, "Mom made us breakfast."

"That was nice of her." Ree pulled away, looking up at him with an eager grin. "Will she be terribly upset if I hold you to your promise from last night for a moment, first?"

Chuckling, Henry dipped his head, brushing his lips over hers and murmuring, "Only if we take long enough for her to get suspicious."

"Then we'll have to be fairly quick," she whispered, pressing her lips to his harder than he had, mouth opening for him.

Henry hummed, sliding his tongue over her bottom lip and into her mouth, flicking against the tip of hers.

Ree let out a soft moan, meeting his tongue with hers and moving her hands to grip his waist, tugging him tighter to her.

Turning them slightly, Henry backed Ree up against the wall, leaning his body against hers to pin her in place while he kissed her.

She scratched the skin she was holding, trying to calm the heat flooding her body. Pulling back from the kiss, Ree nipped his bottom lip playfully, then a little harder before sucking it between her own lips.

Henry groaned, pressing tight against her for a moment before backing away and breaking the kiss. "I think we'd better go downstairs," he said, taking a deep breath and willing his growing erection to go away.

"I suppose you're probably right." She leaned up to him, pressing a soft, and much more innocent, kiss to his mouth before moving to pull open the door. "I'm going to get dressed. I'll see you downstairs."

"'Kay," Henry nodded, watching her leave before leaning back against the wall with a loud exhale. Four more days, and then however long it would be before Ree was ready and comfortable, and all he wanted to do was take her to bed and bury himself inside her. Thoughts of which were not helping the situation in his pajama pants, so he forced his mind off the subject, changing into a pair of boxers and jeans before going downstairs.

Regina was finishing packing her lunch when Henry came in the kitchen. "I'll see you at quarter after five," she told him, picking up her purse. "Have a good day, Henry."

Henry nodded, kissing her on the cheek as they passed each other. "You too, Mom."

Moments after Regina left, Ree walked down the stairs and into the kitchen. "I'm sorry... I was avoiding her. She has to forgive you... she's your mom," she said, explaining why it had taken her longer than necessary to change.

Henry's expression turned sympathetic, and he reached for Ree's hand. "She's not mad at you. She's just kind of uncomfortable."

"How can you be certain?" Squeezing his hand, she wrapped her free arm around him, resting her cheek against his chest. "I feel as though I've unsettled the balance of your home."

"I can be certain because I know my mom," Henry replied, wrapping his free arm around her as well. "And maybe you have, but is that a bad thing? I know that I like it that you're here, and god only knows how long it would take anyone to do anything about Mom and Ma."

Ree chuckled, looking up at him with a smile. "Does that mean you're going to try to get them together?"

Shrugging sheepishly, Henry muttered, "Maybe."

"That's wonderful, Henry! Besides, maybe if they're focused on each other they won't be so focused on us."

"There's that, too," he nodded, grinning a little.

Ree grinned back, then asked, "Is that what we're going to do today, or do you have something else in mind?"

"Whatever you wanna do," Henry replied, squeezing her closer. "We can do that, or go back to the stables, watch movies, play games, surf the net, anything."

"We could work on getting your mothers together. I mean, you know them better than anyone, right? How could we do it?" she asked, excited to be a part of helping his mothers be happy.

Henry guided Ree to the island, where two plates of eggs, bacon, and toast were laid out. Pulling out the stools and sitting, he considered her question. "Well, I already talked to Mom about it. I told her that I was okay with her being with whoever she wants, if it means she's happy, even if it's Ma. I mean, she said she didn't know what I was talking about, but it was pretty obvious that she did."

Ree nodded her understanding. "Do you think she'll do anything about it? What about Emma? Do you want to go discuss it with her?" She picked up her toast, picking it apart and eating a small bite as she looked at him.

Chewing and swallowing his large mouthful of eggs, Henry shrugged. "I think she'll make a move… in like two years or something. Ma won't make a move. She's too intimidated by Mom, too worried about screwing things up. I think someone should talk to her, but I really don't think it should be me. She'd pretty much just shut me down, say I was seeing things, or maybe suggest that I just want them together because what kid doesn't want his parents together?"

"Are you suggesting I talk to her? I've spent perhaps five minutes total with her, what makes you think she would listen to me?" Ree ignored the rest of her food, still picking at her toast. Taking another bite, she raised her eyebrows at Henry in curiosity.

"Because you don't have a reason to see something that's not there," Henry said logically. "You're a totally neutral, outside observer. You don't know their history, and you don't have any preconceived ideas about them."

Ree let out a nervous laugh, then looked at him with disbelief in her eyes. "And what am I supposed to say? 'I think you should date adult me, because I know you like her with the limited time I've spent here?' What reason would she have to not laugh me off?"

"Just tell her what you told me," Henry said, nudging her with his shoulder and smiling. "Or ask if she and Mom are secretly together or something. I mean, you did ask me if they were together."

Giving a little hum, Ree nodded. "And where will you be?"

Thinking about that as he ate, Henry finally suggested, "We could go to the park. Grandpa works today, so we could ask Ma to meet us at the park with Neal. He and I will go play on the jungle gym or something, and you can talk to Emma. Then after, come play, too." He grinned widely, liking the idea.

"All right. I suppose I can at least give it a try," she answered, picking up her plate and scraping her eggs and bacon onto his plate. "But if she is unhappy about it, I'm placing full blame on you."

"That's fine," Henry agreed distractedly, frowning at his plate. "Aren't you hungry?"

Shaking her head, Ree bit her lip shyly. "Not really. I've already eaten so much more than I'm used to since being here. This is too much for breakfast."

"Are you sure?" Henry asked, concerned. "Or is that the Cora-voice in your head?"

"I'm sure," she answered, leaning in and kissing his cheek. "But thank you for checking. I will have an apple though." Reaching to the center of the island, she picked up one of the shiny red apples from the bowl that rested there.

"Okay," Henry agreed, although he picked up a slice of bacon and tore it in half, holding one to her mouth. "But at least have some bacon."

"If you insist," Ree complied, taking the piece from his fingers and taking a bite. Once she had chewed and swallowed, she asked, "When shall we go?"

Wiping his fingers off and taking out his phone, Henry said, "I'll text Ma and see what works best for her."

Leaning closer to him, she furrowed her brow in confusion. "What is a text?"

Henry turned the phone so she could see the screen. "It's like sending a bird," he explained. "But it's faster and doesn't poop on you."

Ree gave him an unamused look, the corner of her mouth quirking up slightly. "I'll have you know, I have never been... pooped on by anything, especially not a bird."

"Yeah, well, that makes one of us," Henry muttered, the tips of his ears turning red as he typed out the message to Emma.

"If you have use of phones to text people, what reason would you have to be close enough to a bird to have it do such a thing?" she asked, laughing affectionately at his blush.

"Mom sent me a bird once," Henry admitted, shrugging a little and setting his phone down once the message was sent, turning back to his extra breakfast.

Ree leaned against him, resting her head lightly against his shoulder as he ate. "I like when you blush."

"I like it better when you blush."

"Of course you do. I think that's why you found my mishap with your computer so entertaining."

Chuckling at the memory, Henry turned to look at her directly, asking, "How on earth did that happen, anyway? I mean… pornadoes don't just open by themselves."

Ree looked down, watching her hands as she pulled at her fingers. "I... was looking something up. I wanted to know about something."

"What?" he asked curiously, rather interested in what had Ree suddenly so shy.

"You said we could... that we could kiss each other, um, between our legs... and I wanted to know what to do," she answered softly, her neck and cheeks flushing.

Henry was quiet for a moment, absorbing that. Swallowing hard, he asked, "Um, were you… looking at videos?"

Ree's blush deepened and she nodded. "I searched at first, and... read some things and one page called it a 'blow job' so I looked that up, and... well, some videos came up."

"And you watched them?" Henry clarified, his pants getting tighter with each passing second.

"I couldn't possibly have watched all of them. There were thousands! But I... yes, I watched some. Is that bad? I'm sorry if I shouldn't have," she rushed, watching him intently for his response, trying to gauge if he was upset.

"No no no," Henry said quickly, breathily, shaking his head. He turned on his stool to face her, looking down at the hard bulge in his jeans. "That's really, really… fucking hot."

Ree followed his gaze, swallowing thickly. "Oh. Well, then I guess I feel less embarrassed. I was thinking about it when I was alone and thought maybe... I could try it. It would be a way for you to... be inside me without... you know."

Henry nodded, biting his lip hard. "Does that mean I could do that to you, too?"

Letting out a shaky breath, Ree slid off her stool and moved to stand between his legs. She wrapped her arms around his neck and nodded. "If you want to, yes."

"I so want to," Henry groaned. His phone buzzed as he was about to lean up to kiss her, and he cursed under his breath. "Sometimes I hate Emma," he sighed, pulling away enough to check the text message.

She dropped her head to his shoulder, sighing heavily. "Another time, then?"

"Maybe not," Henry murmured, reading the text with a slow grin. "Ma's busy until this afternoon, so she can't take Neal to the park until around two."

"So..." Ree started, matching his grin with her own, "we have all morning to do anything else we want?"

"Uh-huh." Henry sent a quick 'okay, see you at 2' text and tossed his phone back on the counter, turning back to Ree. "Anything you have in mind?" he teased.

Moving closer to him until the stool seat he was on pressed against her legs, Ree licked her lips, then rolled them together. "I believe I've now mentioned two things I'm interested in trying with you. The choice is yours."

Henry brought his hands to her hips, squeezing lightly. "Maybe we should go back up to my room?"

"That would be a good place to start." She moved backwards, slowly pulling away from him. "I think it's time we at least got to properly kiss in your bed without interruption."

"Definitely," Henry agreed, standing and following her closely. "Plus, I want to see you. I want to know what you look like, naked on my bed."

Ree felt a rush of heat flood her body and go straight between her legs. "And do I get the same? Will you be completely naked for me, too, Henry?"

Henry nodded, "If you want me to. I would love to feel all of your soft skin against me." Taking her hand, he led her upstairs, eager to explore her without limits on space or time.

When they got to his bedroom, Ree stood shyly by the bed after the door was shut. "I... You've always been the one to start undressing me. Should we... or do we..." She didn't know why she was being awkward, they were very good at being intimate.

Sitting down, Henry pulled her down onto the bed with him, smiling warmly and kissing her. "Don't overthink it," he whispered. "Just do what feels good, okay?"

Nodding, she whispered back, "Everything with you feels good." Ree kissed him, moving her arms to wrap around his shoulders again and pull him tighter to her.

Henry smiled and deepened the kiss, running his fingertips up her bare arm to her shoulder and cupping the back of her neck.

She slid her tongue against his, moving her arms from around his neck so she could grip his shirt at his waist.

Humming, Henry sucked on her tongue, nipping at the tip before kissing her again, his other hand sliding down her side and leg, pulling up the hem of her dress so he could touch skin.

Ree moved her hands beneath his t-shirt, her fingers roaming the skin over his slender muscles. Breaking the kiss, she moved her mouth down his jaw, before nipping at the edge of it. "I want you to touch me more, Henry," she breathed, her voice low.

"Where do you want me to touch you?" Henry whispered back, taking one of her hands in his. "Show me."

Leading his hand back to her thigh, Ree looped her fingers around his wrist and pulled his hand up until his fingertips were on the band of her underwear. She let go of his wrist, leaning in to kiss him again. "Everywhere. Please, Henry."

With his other hand, Henry reached for the zipper at the back of her dress, pulling it down and taking a moment - and both hands - to unclasp her bra. "Lay back," he whispered, using his body to press her down onto the bed.

When she was on her back, Ree bent one knee automatically, bringing her foot to rest flat against the bed. She tugged his shirt up, trying to pull it off before asking for his help, telling him to lift his arms.

Balancing on his knees, Henry did as he was asked, letting her pull the shirt off. He pulled back a little, meeting her gaze and asking, "Can I take your dress off?"

"Yes." Ree sat up, shifting so she wasn't sitting on any part of the purple fabric. She wanted him to undress her, she badly wanted to be naked beside him, to touch him and have him do the same to her.

Henry licked his lips as he pulled the dress down, taking her bra with it and leaving her in just a pair of dark blue cotton panties. "You're so beautiful, Ree."

Blushing, she thanked him, whispering the words softly enough she wasn't certain he could hear. But she pulled him down against her, letting out a pleased sigh when she felt his warm skin against her breasts.

Sighing happily at the feeling of skin-on-skin, Henry shifted over her and bent his head to kiss her, sliding his tongue into her mouth to seek out hers.

Ree met his tongue with hers and sprawled her hands over his back, wanting to touch as much of him as she could. She scratched lightly where her fingers laid against his skin, moaning into his mouth, her hips moving automatically in desire to feel him against her.

Henry moved one hand down between them, lifting his hips from her enough to tug at the button and zipper of his jeans, wriggling out of them and kicking them away before settling against her again, two thin layers of cotton the only thing keeping them apart.

Moaning, she tilted her head, kissing his neck softly. Ree looked into his eyes and smiled. "I love you, Henry," she whispered, then returned her mouth to his neck.

"I love you, too," Henry whispered back, sliding one hand between her thighs and parting them so he could shift between them, pressing his hardness against her heat.

Ree rolled her hips up against him, groaning at how little was between them. "You feel so good, Henry." She brought one hand up to hold the back of his neck, pulling him down to kiss her again.

Grinding against her, Henry groaned into her mouth, murmuring, "You're so wet," as he felt dampness seeping through his boxers.

"I... You do that to me, Henry. I feel like that sometimes just thinking about you, even when you're not near," she admitted, body flushing with warmth.

"I get hard thinking about you, too," Henry whispered, trailing his mouth over her jaw and shifting backward to continue down her neck and chest, generously laving her nipples with his tongue.

Ree arched her back, pressing her chest closer to him. "I really like that," she moaned, biting her lip and looking down at him. Moving her hand into his hair, she held him there, wanting more.

Humming, Henry grinned around her nipple and sucked it lightly, flicking his tongue against the tip.

"Oh, yes," Ree breathed, her head pressing hard against the bed. "More, oh please, Henry?"

Murmuring an agreement, Henry switched to the other side, his fingers taking over, rolling her saliva-slick nipple between his fingers.

She whimpered, fingers tangling in his hair and holding him tight. Bringing her free hand up, Ree covered the hand he had on her breast, squeezing encouragingly.

Taking the hint, Henry massaged her breast. Moving so he was resting his weight on his elbows, he brought both hands to her breasts, switching his mouth back and forth between them.

Ree smirked as she looked down at him. "Do you like doing that? I can't imagine it would bring as much pleasure for you as it seems to for me."

"Your skin is delicious," he answered, grinning up at her with glinting eyes. "And I think you underestimate how much pleasure I get from giving you pleasure."

Blushing, she shook her head and said, "But I want you to feel actual pleasure." Ree moved her hand between their bodies, sliding down his stomach to reach for him.

Henry groaned, shaking his head slightly. "I want to taste you first."

She hesitated a moment. The idea was thrilling. His mouth on her breasts did wonders, she couldn't imagine how amazing it would be there. But, "You always please me first. Are you sure that doesn't bother you?" she asked.

"If you did me first, I'd just have to come again after," Henry said, blushing a little. "That's how much it turns me on to do this to you."

Sighing softly, she nodded and blushed. "I just wish we knew. I-I know it hasn't been long, but I just really want to be with you."

Leaning up to brush their lips together, Henry whispered, "Me too. Three more days. We can make it."

Ree nodded, grinning at him. "All right, you win. You can have your naughty way with me first."

Chuckling, Henry kissed her again before sliding off the bed, his fingers hooking in the waistband of her panties. He glanced up quickly and, seeing no protest in her face, he pulled the cotton down, his gaze greedy as he took in her nude form. "Wow…"

"Wow?" she whispered back, wondering what he meant by that. Ree pushed herself up on her elbows, leaning up to look at him.

"I never thought anyone could be this beautiful."

Blushing, she shook her head, reaching for a pillow and bringing it to cover her face. She was too easily flattered by him.

Kneeling between her thighs again, Henry tugged at the pillow, shaking his head and murmuring, "I want to see your face, my pretty princess."

"I'm sure you do, my handsome prince," she answered, tossing the pillow aside, "but you insist on making me blush, and such a thing makes it hard to look at you. Especially when you're so close to such a sensitive area."

Henry smirked. "You mean… this area?" he asked innocently, dragging his fingertips up the length of her sex.

Gasping, Ree raised her hips at his touch. "Now look who's trouble," she whispered, wetting her lips with her tongue.

Watching her tongue, Henry's eyebrows rose mischievously. "There's a thought," he murmured, shifting back and down, his upper body cradled between her legs, and he repeated his earlier move with his tongue.

"Oh gods," Ree whimpered, a fresh wave of heat thrumming through her body to her core. "That feels incredible, Henry."

Groaning, Henry responded, "You taste incredible." Hooking his arms around her thighs, he held her in place, using his tongue to part her folds and dip into her core, then drag up, circling her clit.

She tried to control her hips, but it was like they were acting on their own, rolling up against him and trembling against his mouth.

Henry hummed appreciatively against her and closed his lips around her clit, sucking it like he had her nipples.

"Feels so good," Ree whispered. Focusing her gaze where he was between her thighs, she watched his lips as he sucked on her, clearing her thoughts of everything except blissfulness and him.

Opening his eyes, Henry looked up at her, meeting her gaze intently as he flicked his tongue over the tip of her clit.

Ree rocked her hips up, wanting more. "Gods, Henry... Oh, that's amazing," she muttered.

Letting out another groan, Henry replaced his mouth with his thumb, rubbing in circles as he moved back down to her entrance, licking at her with the flat of his tongue.

Moving one hand down, Ree brushed the hand on her leg with her fingertips. She let out a soft moan in response to him, while still trying to keep her body in control.

The need to be inside, to feel the heat and wetness around him, was driving Henry crazy, and he moved his hand back to her other thigh, using only his mouth on her to try and lessen the temptation.

"Please, Henry? I want to-" Ree whimpered, the need to allow herself to be consumed cutting off her sentence. She rocked her hips up again, biting her lip and muttering an apology.

Henry shifted his head slightly, resting his forehead against her thigh and panting for breath, trying to get himself under control. "Ree… it's been almost a week, but if… I don't want to make things worse for you. But I want you so bad."

Ree shook her head, pushing herself to sit up. Taking his face in her hands, she pulled his face up to look at her. "I love you. I want you to be my first, Henry. Please?"

"Are you sure?" he whispered hoarsely. "I don't want to pressure you…"

"I am completely certain. I just didn't want to ask. Your-your mothers seemed so insistent and I didn't want to upset them," she answered honestly.

Henry cupped her cheek with one hand, drawing her into a slow kiss. "I can handle them," he whispered, then pulled away to reach into his nightstand, pulling out a square foil packet.

Frowning in wonder as to why he wasn't taking her yet, Ree looked at what Henry had. "What is that?" she asked, tugging on his arm gently.

"Oh, uh…" Henry looked down as he pushed his boxers off and then opened the packet. "It's called a condom. It, um, keeps me from getting you pregnant." Carefully, he pinched the tip and rolled it onto his erection, taking a slow breath.

Smiling softly, she nodded in understanding. "That's convenient." Ree moved her hands to his arms, smoothing her palms over his skin and squeezing him. "I want you, Henry."

"I want you, too," he whispered back, guiding her down onto the bed again and kneeling between her thighs. Taking himself in hand, he brought the tip to her entrance, then glanced up again, apologetically saying, "It might hurt, sorry." And then he was pressing into her.

Breath catching, Ree winced a little, noticing that it was less painful and more a slight burning sensation. But the feeling of Henry being in her most private area, the feeling of his body merging with hers was so much more intense that it didn't even bother her, not really. "Oh, Henry," she breathed, looking up at him.

"Ree," his voice was choked as he met her gaze, and even with the condom on, dulling the sensation, it felt incredible to be inside her. Finally, their hips met, and he paused, leaning down to kiss her.

She tilted her chin up, meeting his lips with her own, then wrapping her arms around his shoulders. "You feel wonderful," Ree whispered, cheeks flushing.

"So do you…" A little hesitant in his inexperience, Henry drew back, then pushed forward again, rocking into her in a slightly unsteady rhythm.

Using the little bit of knowledge she'd gained from what they had done together, Ree moved her hips to match his, remembering how good it had felt when they moved together with their clothes. She let out a heavy moan, squeezing the muscles beneath her hands.

As the sensations became more familiar, Henry became more confident, gentle but steady as he stroked into her. Kissing her again, he parted her lips with his tongue and mimicked the movement of his hips.

She kissed him back as they moved together, little sounds escaping her throat and being muffled by his mouth. Ree raised her legs more, squeezing his sides with her knees, then moved one hand into his hair, holding his mouth close to hers.

Lowering himself to rest on his forearms so their bodies pressed together, Henry cupped the back of her head and her shoulder in his hands, his own sounds of pleasure echoing hers.

Breaking the kiss, Ree moved her lips down over his jaw, kissing the soft skin between his jaw and neck and burying her face into him. She couldn't believe how incredible it felt to finally be with him, how connected she felt to him.

"Ree," Henry whispered shakily, reaching between them with one hand to find her clit again. "You feel too good, I'm too close…"

Ree nodded, kissing his neck. "Keep doing that and I think I'll be able to hurry," she murmured.

Pressing his face into her neck, Henry nodded as well, rolling his thumb over her clit as he thrust into her.

She didn't know if it was because of the extra stimulation from him being inside of her while he touched her, or just the excitement of the moment, but Ree felt her body filling with that warm feeling, starting from her belly and moving through the rest of her body. Moaning, she moved her head back, nudging Henry with her nose and whispering, "I'm close, too. I want to see you."

Henry nearly whimpered and lifted his head, looking down at Ree with hazy eyes, moving hips and thumb faster against her. "I'm gonna come," he breathed out. "Come with me, Ree, please…"

"Okay," she agreed, chocolate eyes trained on darkened green. A short moment later, she told him she was ready, she was going to come, and she did. Her entire body tensed and spasmed and she reveled in how much better it felt to do so surrounding something rather than feeling nothing inside. "Henry! Oh gods, Henry!"

Henry let out a pained groan, his hips jerking against her as the feeling of her tightening around him sent him over the edge, his arm trembling to continue holding him up.

When Ree came down, she moved her arms back around his shoulders, leaning up and kissing his jaw, chin, then lips, her mouth parting under every bit of skin her lips brushed against.

Once he got his strength back a bit, Henry carefully pulled away and disposed of the condom, then drew Ree into his side. "I don't… That was…" Looking down at her, he brushed her hair back and whispered, "I love you."

She looked up at him, biting her lip and blushing. "It was the best thing I've ever felt," Ree murmured, moving one arm to rest across his stomach. "I love you, too, Henry. So much more than I ever thought possible."

"Me too." Henry smiled warmly, kissing her temple and inhaling the scent of her hair. "I want to be with you always."

"I want that, too. I want to always be yours. I cannot imagine ever feeling for another the way I feel for you." Ree squeezed his waist tightly, somehow feeling as though she couldn't get close enough to him.

Wrapping both arms around her, Henry nodded. "Me too. I want… I know we're only seventeen, but… I-I want to marry you, Ree."

Her eyes widened and she looked up at him. "I... well, I was always meant to be married at a young age. Why not with the person I truly love?" she reasoned softly.

Henry bit his lip around a slow grin. "Really? You'd… you want to marry me?"

"I love you, and I know you love me. Why wouldn't I want to?"

"I don't know… I thought… maybe it would freak you out."

Shaking her head, Ree leaned up and gave him a chaste kiss. "No. Marrying you by choice would make me very happy. I know you would never take my choice away."

"Never," Henry agreed, kissing her back.

When it was time to get ready for them to meet Emma, Ree reluctantly left Henry's arms in favor of a shower and fresh clothing. She had purposefully slid into jeans and a royal blue v-neck t-shirt, knowing he very much liked her in jeans.

He tugged her along, leading her to the park they were meeting his mother and uncle at, and Ree couldn't keep the smile from her face every time she looked at him and thought about their morning. She was slightly sore in the aftermath, but it was most definitely worth it.

"Henry!" Neal called happily, running over and grinning up at the older boy.

"Hey, squirt," Henry said cheerfully, letting go of Ree to scoop Neal up and sling him upside-down over his shoulder. "Hey, Ma," he waved to Emma, before trotting off to the playground equipment, purposely jostling Neal to make him giggle and shriek.

Chuckling, Emma shook her head and turned to Ree. "I see how it is. The boys go off to have their adventures and leave us here," she joked.

"Well, perhaps they have seriously manly business to discuss," Ree laughed, shifting awkwardly in the other woman's presence. "How was your day?"

"Not bad," Emma answered easily, smiling and tilting her head toward one of the benches that lined the park. After they sat down, she asked, "What about you? How's your day been going so far?"

"Oh... just fine," she answered, willing herself not to blush and chastising herself for thinking the question wouldn't come back to her. "I like what I've learned of this world, there are many things much easier here than back home."

Emma nodded vigorously. "I hear ya. Indoor plumbing and tampons are way up there."

"What are tampons?" Ree asked, nose scrunching in confusion.

"... Oh." Emma shifted a little uncomfortably, then shrugged. "They're these like, tube things for when you have your period," she explained. "You put 'em in and they soak up the blood. No mess."

Ree twisted her lips in thought, then nodded. "That sounds terribly unsanitary."

"Wha?" Emma stared at Ree for a second, then shook her head. "No, no. It's like, it's cotton. So it absorbs. It's like a cotton torpedo - wait, you won't know that reference - um…"

"Um... very well." Lost on when to best bring up Regina, Ree decided to jump right in. "Can you explain something to me? Henry couldn't quite manage it, at least not in a manner that was clear to me."

"Sure, as long as it's not about tampons, 'cuz apparently I'm failing at that, too," Emma chuckled.

Ree laughed lightly, shaking her head. "No... I'll leave that to Regina when I need to use such things. You all said it's perfectly normal here for two women to be together, or two men... I was wondering then... Are you and Regina a couple?"

Emma did a double-take at that, her brow furrowing. "What? No, of course not. Why… why would you even think that?" Palms growing a little sweaty, she wiped them down her thighs, drying them with her jeans.

"Oh. Well, you seem like it. You spend a lot of time together and you speak to each other as though you are courting." Ree turned slightly, giving herself a better view of the blonde's reactions. "I think Regina likes you. Is it that you don't find her attractive?"

"Of course not, everyone knows Regina's the most gorgeous woman in town," Emma immediately dismissed the question. "And Regina doesn't like me, trust me. I mean, we're friends, but that's it."

"I disagree." Leaving the thought for a moment, she decided to push on Emma's feelings more. "So you think she's pretty, but she's just not your type?"

Pushing out a breath, Emma shrugged. "I don't really have a type. I mean, I dated a thief, a pirate… okay, maybe I do have a type," she chuckled. "I seem to like the bad ones. So yeah, I guess Regina's my type."

Nodding, and furrowing her brows at the woman's questionable tastes, Ree pursed her lips. "Is there a different reason you're not interested in her? I mean, your arguments are lacking."

Glancing at Ree out of the corner of her eye, Emma asked, "Why do you even care whether I'm interested in Regina or not?"

Ree shrugged. "I don't know. At dinner the other night you two seemed very cozy and you seem to get along very well. It seemed like there was something there, and you're both single, beautiful, smart women."

"Mm." Emma sat quietly for a minute, thinking about that. Finally she blew out a gusty sigh and said, "Okay, so here's the thing. You're right, I do like Regina. But half the time it seems like she barely tolerates me, and I don't want to screw up the friendship we have, you know?" She shrugged and leaned further into the bench. "So that's it. Obviously I'd appreciate it if Regina never found out about it."

"Oh, Emma, I truly do believe you're wrong," Ree protested. "I mean... well, she was definitely flirting with you at the diner. She played with your hair! And mentioned your strength and looks. It was most certainly more than just friendly."

It was Emma's turn to shrug then and she pointed out, "You haven't been around when I've screwed something up. Look, I appreciate what you're trying to do, Ree, but trust me, it's better for everyone if you just forget about this conversation."

Ree sighed, but said, "If you say so, I will drop it. But you should consider what I said, just think about it."

"Trust me, kid, I think about it more than I should," Emma muttered. "You should go join Henry and Neal," she nodded toward the swings. "Let loose a little."

"Right. I suppose so," she muttered, getting up from the bench. Ree turned before walking away, looking down at the blonde. "For what it's worth, whatever part you played in raising Henry... he's a wonderful and good person, nothing like the wretched and lecherous men I met back home. And at the very least, you and Regina did something right together for the last several years."

"Thanks." Emma's lips tilted up in a small smile. Then, a thought occurring to her, she asked, "Hey, have you ever met King Leopold and Queen Eva?"

"I've never met them, but I've heard many stories about Queen Eva's beauty and kindness. King Leopold is told to be a kind man and a good King, but my mother isn't very fond of him," Ree answered, tilting her head. "Why do you ask?"

"Damn," Emma sighed. "It's just… they were my grandparents, and I was hoping to get a non-biased opinion of them."

"I'm sorry I couldn't offer more, but if it means anything, they are spoken of very lovingly by the people in the kingdom."

Emma nodded. "Yeah, I know. Thanks anyway, Ree."

"Anytime." Turning, she headed over to where Henry was with Neal, stopping just a few feet away from them so she didn't interrupt.

Neal noticed her first, as Henry had his back to her, and the little boy grinned widely. "Auntie… no, not Auntie. Ree!"

Henry looked over his shoulder and grinned as well. "Hey, princess. How'd it go?"

Ree shook her head. "You'll have to work your other mom harder. Emma wants me to forget about the conversation entirely," she answered, moving to kneel on the ground. "Hello Neal, are you having fun?"

Nodding happily, Neal explained, "I was on the swings and Henry was pushin' me real high and I was gonna touch the cloud," he looked up and pointed, "that one right there! But then I got kinda dizzy so Henry said we hadta take a break, so now we're makin' a sand castle!" He looked proudly down at the lopsided structure.

"I told Neal the sand was too dry to make a sand castle," Henry added with a chuckle. "So the little monkey magicked up some water and just started building." Turning his attention to Neal, he said, "You know I'm gonna have to tell your mom that you were using magic."

Neal whined. "Do you haaaaafta? It was just a liiiiiiittle bit of magic!"

"Rules are rules, squirt." Henry reached out, mussing up Neal's hair affectionately.

Watching their interaction with bright eyes, Ree chuckled and grabbed some sand in her fist. "I think it looks lovely so far, Neal. Can I help? I've never built a sandcastle before!"

Neal's eyes went wide at Ree's admission. "You've never builded a sand castle before? I'll show you how!" He abruptly flattened what he'd built so far and patted the sand down smooth. Then, to the side, he gathered a large pile of dry sand and stared at it intently, his brow furrowed. After a moment, the sand darkened, becoming wet.

Henry shook his head slightly at the second magical infraction, knowing that the boy was just showing off now.

"Okay!" Neal explained, grinning at Ree and taking a fistful of sand. "So you gotta make a tower," he directed, and planted the sand down in the middle of the flat area. "Put your sand on top."

Ree did as instructed, laughing with the boy's excitement. Reaching her other hand up, she grabbed Henry's hand and tugged him to his knees.

Henry laughed and pitched in to help build the castle, and once it was finished, he took a picture of it upon Neal's demand, taking one of just the castle, and another with the three of them squished together behind it.

After a bit more playing on the swings and slide, Emma finally called over that it was time to head home, and the four of them walked back to Mifflin street together, parting ways only when they got to the mansion, Henry and Ree going inside only a few minutes before Regina pulled up.