***So I will again post a new chapter ahead of schedule. I truly appreciate all the feedback, favorites, and follows that I have received. Enjoy the new chapter. SwanQueen forever!***

Emma spent the whole day working, well sort of. She spent the day shuffling papers and thinking about her son. Their son. Her and Regina were a team now. There was no going back, there was no denying it and Emma wasn't sure what to do next. She had never stuck around anywhere too long. She'd never had anyone to stick around for but that had changed now.

All of the sudden Emma's breathing became shallow and she had to sit down. She had never had a panic attack before but she was pretty sure this is what it felt like. She put her head between her legs to slow her breathing. The attack passed but Emma realized for the first time since she'd started this new life that included Regina and Henry that there was not only one but two people now that depended on her. That thought scared the shit out of Emma and she put her head back between her legs.

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Emma didn't come home for dinner. Regina called her at 5:30, at 6:30, and half a dozen other times. By 7:30 she was finding it difficult not to alert Henry that she was upset. But what could she do? Who could she call without alerting everyone else that there was something between them? Regina had to simply hope Emma wasn't hurt or in trouble. But if she wasn't dead, Regina was going to kill her. She fed Henry dinner and they watched T.V. like they always did on Monday nights. Then she tucked him into his bed as she'd done for the past 10 years. She rubbed his back waiting for him to doze off. Once Henry was asleep, Regina went downstairs and sat in the living room, in the dark and waited. At 11:30 she heard the front door open and soft footfalls in the entryway. Regina got up off the couch and headed towards the front door. A figure was slowly beginning to climb the stairs. She flipped on the light to see Emma looking sneaky and a little guilty.

"Where the hell were you? You said you'd be home 6 hours ago! I called you and left you messages! And don't you dare tell me you left your phone in the car!" demanded Regina looking hurt and confused.

"Shhh, Regina. You're gonna wake up Henry. It's been a long day for me can't we just go upstairs and go to sleep?"

"No Emma! You could have called or sent a text anything, so I know something is going on. You need to be honest with me. Just tell me if you don't want to do this, while I still have some chance at recovery. Before you hurt me and more importantly Henry," Regina was sobbing and practically yelling through her tears. She composed herself somewhat and asked the question that had haunted her as she'd sat waiting for Emma to come home, "Do you really want to be with me or is this solely about not wanting to lose Henry?"

Emma stepped off the stairs and walked over trying to embrace Regina to ease her pain. Regina backed away before Emma could pull her in.

"I need you to answer my question Emma. My heart, I fear, could not bear you staying just to leave me or us later on. Are you ready to fight through the good and the bad Emma cause if you're not you should leave now," Regina started to cry again. She feared this was it. Any moment Emma would walk out that door and Regina would have to pick up the pieces of her heart and carry on.

Emma didn't know what to say though. She opened her mouth but nothing came out so she tried once more.

"I DO want to do this. This isn't just about Henry. But I've never had anyone depending on me and it's a lot of pressure. I sat in the office all night. I couldn't move. I saw you calling and every time I saw your name on the screen I wanted to answer but I couldn't. I just sat staring and thinking about being with you. Forever and then I had another panic attack. I couldn't come home and let you and Henry see me so damaged. I've never had anyone depend on me Regina and this has happened very quickly. I've never had anyone care if I didn't come home for dinner. I just needed some time to process this relationship."

She wasn't leaving. She was simply scared of the future. Emma Swan actually did need her. Regina sighed in relief and hugged Emma comforting her now.

"You know, relationships are about give and take Emma," Regina looked into Emma's eyes. They were glistening with tears that refused to fall. Emma pulled back just then, wiping away her unfallen tears and putting on her brave face.

"What if I can't do it Regina?" Emma had raised her voice but lowered it once more, "I have always been alone, no one to depend on and no one depending on me. I'm better alone Regina. That's how I operate."

"It's a learning curve sure but you can depend on us Emma. You don't have to be the strong one. It's okay to be weak. I was for a very long time but now I can be the strong one for us if you need me to. I would do anything for you Emma. Let's just take this one step at a time." Regina pressed her lips to Emma's and Emma actually felt some of the weight lift off her shoulders so she wrapped her arms around Regina's waist.

"Is there something I should know?" The voice came from the top of the stairs and they both realized they had woken Henry.

Regina had her head buried in Emma's neck laughter racking her body through her almost dried tears so Emma composed herself enough from their kiss and wiped the tears from her face to answer, "Kid, I think from what you just saw and most likely heard, you already know."

They both looked up at Henry now smiling. Emma held Regina's hand in hers and Henry grinned, "Sweet," He ran down the stairs to embrace them both.

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Cora watched through the window as the boy she assumed to be Henry ran down the stairs to hug both Emma and Regina. She watched as they tucked him back into his bed and headed off to Regina's bedroom.

She smiled wickedly and spoke to herself, "And now my daughter, it is time that you paid the price for your disobedient and ungrateful ways. Let the games begin."

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The next morning, Emma awoke to something warm pressed against her body. She smiled realizing that Regina was spooning her, arm wrapped around Emma's middle and pelvis pressed firmly against Emma's rear. She felt safe and loved for the first time in her life. She rolled over causing Regina to shift slightly in her sleep. Emma took the hand that Regina had draped over her body and kissed the pad of each slender finger, then Regina's palm and the inside of her wrist. When Regina began to stir she kept moving kissing the inside of her elbow, her shoulder, finally moving to her face. Regina opened her eyes slightly and rolled over to stretch.

"What are you doing?" she asked in a sleepy but still extremely sexy voice.

"I'm admiring you how much you and Henry have changed me. And I am so thankful that you care about me."

"Sweetie I should be thanking you," Regina rolled over to look in Emma's eyes now, "You two know everything about the things I've done, horrible things, and you're still with me." Regina kissed Emma passionately, "Thank you for that."

Regina moved down Emma's body to lay her head on Emma's stomach, "And thank you for Henry." The intimacy and romance behind the gesture made Emma's heart beat faster. "You are a true romantic Regina Mills." She pulled Regina up to her mouth again rolling over on top of her and straddling her hips. Emma was about to say the three words that were aching at her when there was a knock on the door.

"Are you two up yet? I'm hungry." Henry's voice sounded muffled coming through the door.

"Did you hear that? YOUR son is hungry." Regina smirked.

"So when he's hungry he's my son?" Emma smiled back at Regina, "If that's the case when he's a pain in the ass he must be your son." Regina just chuckled at that. Emma gave Regina one last peck on the lips and jumped off the bed and trotted to the door opening it. Henry came into the room and went to sit on the edge of their bed.

"Good morning Moms!"

"Morning Henry," Regina's eyes lit up to see their son so comfortable in this new situation.

"Hey kid." Emma was always so informal with Henry and it warmed Regina's heart to think of Emma as a perfect complement to her own ceremonial demeanor.

"Hey I was thinking. Who's going to tell Grandma and Gramps about you two?"

"Your mom is going to go over there tonight and break the news…"

Before Regina could finish Emma interjected, "We're all going." And as Regina tried to object Emma ushered Henry from their room and headed downstairs.

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"I'm not going. Emma they hate me. I've done nothing but cause them pain and I think they have a right to voice their true opinions. You guys need family time to fight it out and you should be prepared for a fight."

"YOU are my family. You and Henry."

They had fed Henry a balanced breakfast and walked him to the bus stop by the house. Then they had argued the whole way home but Emma was being insistent and Regina knew she'd have to give in eventually. She wasn't going down without a fight though. That wasn't the Evil Queen's style.

"Yes but I just think you need to brace them a little for future family dinners."

"Regina this discussion is over. You are going. Henry is going. We will tell them and they will find a way to be okay with it." She pulled Regina by the front of her shirt and kissed her goodbye. "I'm going to the office. Mary Margaret and David may go there looking for me. They think I've been sleeping there, you know?" Emma walked out the front door.

Regina didn't know if the truth would be such a relief to them.

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Emma had told Regina to meet them at Mary Margaret's at 6. When she came strolling up the sidewalk she saw Emma and Henry sitting in Emma's bug. They got out of the car when they saw her. Emma was wearing one of Regina's dress silk dress shirts and it fit her perfectly. Regina admired the way the shirt brushed against Emma's breasts as she approached Regina meeting her in the middle, Henry right beside her the whole way.

"You ready?" Emma asked looking like she was about to be sick.

"In a minute," Regina stepped forward grabbing the front of Emma's dress shirt until their bodies were almost flush against each other. She kissed her tenderly catching Emma by surprise. Not only were they out in the open but Henry was right there staring at them. Emma had never been much of a fan of PDA but with Regina, every touch was a comfort. "For good luck," Regina explained pulling back and looking at Emma and then winking at Henry. Henry looked positively stupid with glee. Regina beamed back and motioned to Mary Margaret's apartment building, "Shall we?"

When they reached the apartment door, Emma looked down at Henry giving him a reassuring smile, and giving the same one to Regina next. She took a deep breath before she knocked. Mary Margaret opened the door, smile partially slipping when she noticed Regina.

"Regina what are you doing here? Emma what is she doing here?" Regina reached around Henry to awkwardly shove something into Mary Margaret's arms. She had brought a bottle of wine in a pathetic attempt at a piece offering. They'd probably think it was poisoned.

"Is this a trick? Is it poisoned?" Regina flushed at that. David stood hands on his hips in the kitchen glaring at the unwanted guest.

"I invited her." Emma waltzed into the apartment taking Regina's hand and dragging her with, "We have something important to tell you."

"Well it's more Emma's revelation than anything else." Regina injected, becoming even more anxious than ever.

"Okay Emma you are scaring us what is going on?" Mary Margaret's eyebrows drew together in confusion.

"Maybe we should have a drink first." Regina suggested.

"Great idea!" Emma practically ran into the kitchen to get glasses. She rushed to grab the wine away from Mary Margaret who had wondered toward the kitchen. Emma poured the wine into her glass and drained it immediately refilling it and repeating. Regina guessed she was driving home.

"EMMA! Slow down. What is wrong?" Mary Margaret grabbed the bottle.

"I…" Emma looked to Regina for help, "love you."

"I love you too Emma but what did you need to tell us?" Mary Margaret grabbed Emma's hand and smiled.

"Not you… I mean I do but I wasn't talking to you." Emma stammered and her eyes went back to Regina and didn't waver. Regina was tearing up so Emma walked over to wipe away her tears, of joy she hoped. "Did you hear me?" Emma was looking into Regina's face now one hand on her face the other she used to pulled her closer so Emma could just feel Regina breathe. It was the most at home she had ever felt. Emma kissed Regina. David and Mary Margaret, who had simply gawked in shocked disbelief before erupted into shouts of panic and rage.

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Regina and Henry snuck out of Mary Margaret's apartment unscathed but Emma was getting it good. Emma had missed having parents as a child or so she had thought but after tonight she may reconsider. Regina knew they would all be alright but they were Emma's parents and Regina wanted to give them space. She took Henry to Granny's for dinner and then they walked home together.

"Mom?"

"Yes Henry?"

"When did you know you loved Emma?" Regina was taken aback by the question but he was Emma's son, blunt and curious. Henry must have sensed she had known for quite some time that she loved Emma.

"Since the day she took the chainsaw to the apple tree." Regina stared off into the night as they walked remembering that day, "And every time she went head to head with me I only loved her more. She's brave, you know? The bravest person I've ever met. She knew I was powerful, maybe not in the magically sense, but dangerous none-the-less and she kept coming at me, for you, Henry. She'd sacrifice everything and anything in this world for you and so would I." She placed her hand atop Henry's head and looked into his eyes as she reassured him of both his mothers' affections. They had reached the house now and Regina unlocked the door for Henry to go inside.

"She'd sacrifice everything for you too." Henry turned to run inside the house but stopped suddenly, "So you better tell her you love her back." He sprinted up the stairs.

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Regina pulled back the covers getting into bed. She didn't know if or when Emma would be home but she knew that that was just fine. She had a lot of issues to work out with her parents and it was going to take time. When Regina heard a noise downstairs she was secretly thrilled though. She jumped out of bed, grabbing her robe off the peg by the door and tied it closed. She pranced down the stairs. The only light from downstairs came from the crack in the door to Regina's study. What was Emma doing in there?

When Regina swung open the door the figure in her study stood with their back to the door. The cloak hid the identity of the person and Regina went immediately into defense mode. "Who are you and what are you doing in my house?"

"Is that anyway to greet your mother after all these years?" The figure swung around to reveal that it was indeed Cora standing in Regina's study holding the picture of Regina with Henry that Regina loved most.

Regina's heart was pounding but she managed to respond, "Hello mother. Why are you here? I think I've made it clear multiple times that you are no longer welcome in my life. All you've ever done is take from me and manipulate me. We are finished mother and I want nothing more to do with you."

"I think we both know that isn't true Regina. Remember I wasn't really dead when you made that beautiful speech over my body. Besides you are not the only one I am here to see, what about my grandson? I'd like to see him."

"Mother it is 11 at night. Moreover he's not even here at the moment."

"Regina, you always were a terrible liar. I saw the two of you come home alone earlier that is why I'm here now. Lately I can't seem to catch you without that pesky Savior in tow. Aren't you almost done playing with her, Regina? You have Henry back. Unless…" Regina stiffened at the pause, "you like her don't you. Oh this is just too delicious for words! The Evil Queen is in love with the daughter of Snow White and Prince Charming." Cora was trembling with the force of her laughter and Regina scowled.

"I simply find her to be an amusing plaything Mother. Nothing more. You notice it got Henry back here with me, didn't it?"

"If that is the case, when does it end Regina? When are you going to stop playing house with your 'plaything'?"

"Whenever I see fit mother, now please, get out!"

"I'm going to get you back Daughter. Soon you will realize that any hope you have of keeping Henry depends on me but for now… enjoy this game you are playing with the Savior because you won't find anything but pain when eventually she rips your son from you. Oh yes, soon you will need me darling and I will be waiting for that day." With that Cora disappeared in a swirl of black smoke.

"I wouldn't count on it."

***So that is chapter four. Please review and tell me what you think about the story so far. The conflict is coming along but I am working on a few twists right now that will hopefully really set my story apart. I also want to tell all you hopefuls out there that sexytimes are about to arrive for Emma and Regina. Just hang in there for the next chapter. Thanks again. You guys are the best. SwanQueen forever!***