Characters aren't mine.


Regina leaned against the counter in front of the sink and cradled the big mug of coffee between her hands. She took a deep breath and let the aroma of it wash over her then she took a drink from it before letting out a content sigh as a smile came to her face. She was happy. It had taken her long time to get here but she was finally happy and there was no feeling of dread with it. Just fulfilment and happiness. She looked down at the ring that was now on her hand and the smile on her face grew wider.

Emma had proposed to her, well they had proposed to each other, but that didn't make what had happened between them any less special. Regina had been planning to propose for quite some time now but last night seemed like the appropriate time. She just had no idea that Emma had felt the same way. Before Henry went off to school Emma would joke about how they should just get married for convince sake so that their family was more legitimate but Regina would brush it off or say some smart ass remark that would have Emma regretting her decision to joke about the matter which would end their conversation.

However Emma being ready to propose to Regina had been a complete surprise considering the way she had responded to the joke Henry had made about them when he found out about their relationship. Regina wasn't certain what caused the woman to change her mind but she was happy that she did and even if they had decided to never get married she would have been fine with it. All she wanted to do was be with Emma. Regina had been honest when she had told Emma that all she cared about was them and their future together.

Regina took a deep breath to get out of her deep reverie. Emma's family was going to be over at eleven for breakfast and to open presents then she and Mary Margret would prepare dinner for the family. It was a pleasant holiday tradition that developed because Emma wanted to spend the holidays with Henry and her family so Regina offered to host Christmas one year and it never changed after that. There were adjustments made because Mary Margret wanted to be helpful but that was only on her end. She adored having the younger members of the Charming family over for the holiday though. Watching Kayleigh and James open presents made her get more into the Christmas spirit.

Regina began to get everything ready for breakfast when she let out a quick yawn which was followed by a sly smirk. Spending the night celebrating her and Emma's engagement wasn't doing her any favours this morning but all she needed was a little more coffee and a quick nap later then she would be fine. She began to cook bacon when Henry stumbled into the kitchen and he let out a groan then said, "Oh my god coffee. Mom you are the best."

Regain smiled at him and said, "Remember that the next time I don't send you money when you're at school." This was a fine time for her to bring up his spending habits. "Speaking of...what are you spending your money on? Because with what Emma and I send you for the month, on top of whatever you sucker from Emma." She glanced at him and saw the deer in headlights look on his face. She chuckled a little and told him, "Emma can't keep anything from me Henry. And she definitely can't keep anything from me when it comes to you. So, my darling son, tell me what you have been spending your money on?"

Henry glanced down into his coffee mug and shrugged. "It's New York mom. Stuff's expensive there."

Regina stared at her son and she actually looked at him. She noticed the way he was avoiding eye contact and that mixed in with the slight colour that was coming to his cheeks told her that something was up. As Henry chewed his bottom lip Regina pointed a finger at him and narrowed her eyes. "You are a worse liar than your mother." She dropped her hand and commented, "You're part Charming so it never works for you." Regina went back to focusing on the bacon. "So are you going to tell me about her or no?"

Henry took a long drink from his coffee mug then looked in the pan that the bacon was cooking it. He scratched the back of his head then dropped his hand. Regina started to think Henry's extravagant spending wasn't about a girl. She began to wonder if the college life was providing him with some unsavoury experiences that she would not tolerate. If that was the case then he would be transferring schools as soon as possible. Regina had read good things about the University of Maine when she had been trying to talk Henry into going there. There was another moment of silence between them then Henry gasped. Regina jerked her head up to look at him. "What?"

Henry got a big smile on his face and pointed to her hand that was holding the tongs that she was using to cook bacon with. Regina looked down and realised that he had seen the ring. She chuckled and said, "Don't act so surprised considering you've known about it for the last couple of weeks."

He moved to give her a one armed hug then he kissed the side of her head. Regina wondered when he had gotten so tall but before she could slip into melancholy state about her little boy growing up Henry asked, "When did she do it? I know it was after I had gone to bed."

Regina nodded and focused on the bacon sizzling in the pan. "She did. We were in the living room enjoying some wine and I proposed to her then she-"

"Oh my god mom!" Henry exclaimed. "You proposed to Emma? What?"

Regina couldn't fight the laugh that bubbled up in her chest because of the wide-eyed response Henry had on his face. She let it out and when she calmed down Regina told him, "I surprised your mother too." She took a deep breath as she turned over the bacon. "I love her so much Henry. I've loved her since we got you out of Neverland and possibly longer if I actually thought about it."

Regina paused for a moment and bit the inside of her bottom lip as she thought about her relationship with Emma over the years. It had started out convoluted but had evened out over the last few years which paved the way for them to have a relationship. Regina took a deep breath then said, "But one day she was being well...Emma." She shared a smile with Henry. "And the amount of love I felt, feel for her is astounding. And..." Regina trailed off before a wide smile came to her face. "I want to spend the rest of my life with her."

Henry gave her another squeeze. "I'm so happy for you and Ma. Especially you though. You've fought so damn hard to get here." Regina gave him a pointed look and Henry shook his head, grinning. "No mom. You don't get to get on me about my swearing. Not when I'm so excited that the two of you have finally gotten over your stuff."

Regina scoffed. "I didn't have stuff. Emma had stuff."

Henry rolled his eyes and commented, "You had stuff. But it doesn't matter. You two are going to get married then I can get a little brother or sister so I can teach them how to make you and Ma suckers. Oh and I-" He gasped then said, "You two were having sex in the living room last night."

Regina gawked at Henry and before she could say anything Emma walked into the kitchen. "Oh I smell bacon and coffee. This must be heaven."

Regina looked at the other woman then back at Henry who ran over and gave Emma a tight hug. She grunted when he embraced her then remarked, "Caffeine. I….need….caffeine."

Henry let go of her and said, "I hear congratulations are in order."

Regina moved to the cabinet and got a coffee mug then poured Emma some coffee. Emma walked over to her and before she took her cup of coffee she gave Regina a kiss then murmured, "Morning."

Regina smiled and said in a quiet voice, "Morning." They looked into each other's eyes and the smiles that were on their faces didn't disappear. Regina and Emma were beyond happy with each other and had found something that either of them didn't think they would find again.

"Impressionable teenager in the room," Henry said after clearing his throat loud enough so that it disturbed them.

Regina rolled her eyes and remarked, "He's your son."

Emma grinned and said, "Oh no. He gets his smartass ways from you."

Regina shook her head and went back to the stove so she could let Emma make her coffee. The three of them were talking when Henry asked, "So ma when are you and mom going to have kids?"

Emma's eyes grew wide and Regina shook her head. Henry liked to mess with Emma because of her over the top reactions and it seemed to be getting worse the older he got. Regina turned around then looked at him and asked, "Are you going to tell us about your girlfriend?"

Henry clamped his mouth shut as his cheeks began to turn red. Emma looked at him then at Regina before she exclaimed, "Girlfriend? When did you get a girlfriend?" She looked at Regina. "When did you allow him to get a girlfriend? What happened to, 'no girl will ever be good enough to date Henry'?"

"Mom!"

Regina rolled her eyes in exasperation. The Charming genes were also responsible for over the top reactions. She smiled at Emma. "I only found out today and I still stand beside that but Henry will have to make his own mistakes."

Henry scoffed and commented, "Well I won't be able to if you plan to throw a fireball at any girl I date."

A devious grin came to Regina's face. "I hadn't thought about that but thank you Henry."

Henry covered his face and groaned while Emma chuckled. Regina turned back to the stove. "You two go make sure everything is all set for opening presents later."

A kiss was placed on Regina's cheek then Emma whispered, "I hope you were only kidding." Regina just turned her head and smiled at her. Emma kissed her then muttered, "Your evil queen is showing."

Regina chuckled and remarked, "I'm certain you wouldn't mind seeing her."

Emma's eyes darkened with desire and before either of them could say anything Henry said, raising his voice, "Impressionable teenager still in the room."

Emma scowled and Regina smiled. The other woman moved away from her and stated, "You are not impressionable if you have a girlfriend. And you need to tell me about her while we get the living room ready."

"Oh so we're going to be opening presents in the room the two of you defiled-"

"Henry Daniel Mills." Regina stated in a tone that she hoped still instilled fear in her son.

He was quiet a moment then she heard, "Sorry mom. I didn't mean it. I was only joking."

Regina turned around and narrowed her eyes at him, "I don't care if you were joking. Enough is enough. Now can you please go do what I asked you to do?"

He nodded then walked out of the kitchen. Emma was watching him leave the room then she looked at Regina and asked, "Was that necessary?"

Regina turned back to the stove and said, "He was getting out of hand."

She heard Emma move closer to her and she said, "He's a teenager. They get out of hand." There was split second of silence between them then Emma wondered, "Are you going to be like this when we have another kid?" Regina turned her head and gawked at Emma. The other woman quickly added, "I mean I wouldn't mind more kids. If you don't."

Regina stood there stunned. She hadn't thought about more kids. There had been fleeting moments where she thought about more kids but she always thought that Emma wouldn't want more. "Ma can you come help me move the couch?"

Emma leaned in and gave Regina a quick kiss before she walked away and shouted, "Yeah. Make sure there's enough room for your aunt and uncle to run around."

Regina was still staring at the spot that Emma had been standing in. Emma wanted more kids. That was something they had never talked about. Regina shook her head and finished making breakfast. They'll talk about it later. When it wasn't Christmas and they had family coming over.


Henry was piling food on his plate, like his Ma and grandfather, and Kayleigh was asking him all sorts of questions that he had no idea how to answer. He kept a low profile after he and Emma had prepared the living room for the madness that was his younger aunt and uncle opening presents and playing with their new toys.

He also didn't want to get grilled about a girlfriend which he didn't have. Though he was now wary of bringing home anyone he dated. One of his moms was a magic wielding sheriff who could shoot a gun well while his other mother threw fireballs and could probably do other unspeakable acts if challenged. "Henry when do we get to open presents?" James asked from his seat which was next to Kayleigh's.

Henry smiled at the little boy. "You have to finish your toast and juice. If you don't Santa will take your toys back."

Both James and Kayleigh looked at him then Kayleigh exclaimed, "Mommy is Santa going to take back my presents? Henry said he is because I didn't eat my toast."

Mary Margret got an exasperated look on her face and said, "No sweetie he's not going to take back you presents but he will remember this for next year so eat your toast." Then she glared at Henry and he ducked his head though he had a smirk on his face.

"Kid, you better stop causing trouble or Santa will take one of your presents. I hear one of them is pretty nice and I might take it for myself." Emma warned before she dove into the stack of pancakes on her plate.

Henry rolled his eyes because neither she nor his mom would take one of his presents, but they could make his life a nightmare. "Emma pass me the biscuits." David asked from across the table. Emma handed him the baskets that the biscuits were in and as she pulled her hand back he exclaimed, "Whoa, whoa, whoa." He grabbed his hand. "What is this?"

Henry looked at Emma and he almost laughed at the lethal look that was on her face. You didn't get between her and her food. Especially if it's his mom's cooking. She looked at her hand then smiled. "Oh yeah." Emma pulled her hand back and looked at Regina. "Is now a good time."

Henry watched as his mom wiped her mouth as she nodded her head. He had to bit his bottom lip to suppress the smile that wanted to break out on his face. "Is now a good time for what?" Mary Margret asked from her seat next to David.

Emma's smile grew as she said, "Mom, dad….Regina and I are getting married."

Henry covered his mouth as he watched his grandparents' reactions. His grandma looked confused and at a loss for words while his grandpa looked stunned for a moment then he stood up from his seat and walked over to his mom and Emma. He hugged Emma first then Regina before he said, "Well it's about time and congratulations."

"I honestly thought you two were going to live in denial for the remainder of your lives," Mary Marget commented before she also went over to give them both hugs.

Henry let out a breath of relief. Everyone was happy about his mothers' engagement. "Daddy what's going on?" Kayleigh asked before chewing on a piece of bacon.

David smiled at the little girl and said, "Your sister and Regina are going to get married."

"Ohhhhh." Kayleigh's eyebrows scrunched together then she asked, "Can I be the flower girl?"

Emma stood up from her seat and walked over to her little sister's chair. She picked her up out of her seat and after blowing a raspberry on her cheek, which caused Kayleigh to giggle, she said, "Of course you're going to be the flower girl. And James is going to be the ring bearer."

"Sounds boring," James commented as he played with the food on his plate.

Henry shook his head then told him, "But there will be cake. " The little boy looked at Henry. "Oh yeah there will be this big cake and lots of music and guess what?"

"What?" James asked wide eyed as the prospect of a wedding started to sound more interesting.

Henry smiled at him and said, "I get to make a speech and it's going to be funny too."

"That's so cool."

"Excuse me," David said holding up his hand. "Does anyone else think that him making a speech at you two's wedding might be a bad idea?"

Henry scoffed then said, "Oh it's no worse than Blue making a speech."

All the adults nodded and agreed. The head fairy was a bit brusque in the delivery of her speeches and also condescending. His mom gave him a pointed look and said, "Henry will make sure his speech is child appropriate and doesn't derail the festivities."

Henry stood up then raised his right hand and said, "I, Henry Mills-Swan, promise to keep my best man speech to five minutes long and to two inappropriate jokes."

"One," Emma said.

Henry raised his eyebrow as he challenged, "One and a half?"

Emma chuckled. "How do you tell half a joke?"

He shrugged then said, "I dunno but I'll make it work."

Emma looked at him then said, "Okay. One and a half. Oh and you're changing your name?"

He looked at his mom then back to Emma and said, "Well that's going to be the family name now right? Mills-Swan? Or Swan-Mills?"

Regina got up and said, "That's something your mother and I will need to discuss. But we have a while before that so until then we shall continue to enjoy Christmas." She looked at the two little kids at the table and asked, "Who wants to open presents?"

James jumped out of his seat and Kayleigh all but leaped out of Emma's arms as they both yelled, "Me! Me! Me!"

After Emma put Kayleigh down, both Mary Margret and Regina ran after them while Emma, Henry, and David followed after them. David asked, "Why does Henry get to be your best man?"

"Because Gramps I'm her son."

"But I'm her father."

Emma groaned and she walked away from the two of them as she mumbled, "So begins the wedding headache."

Henry laughed at her and walked into the living room. There was no way he was going to let his grandfather usurp him of his best man title. Henry sat down next to the Christmas tree and leaned back against the wall as he opened his first present. His mom had been right. The wedding planning could wait. Right now was about enjoying the holiday with their family. Henry looked around at the happiness that surrounded him. He was glad that his family was happy and was even more excited for the joyous event that would take place in the new year.


There's one more installment to this one.