A/N: Thank you so much for all the support throughout this story. You guys have been absolutely amazing and I really appreciate that you've taken the time to read (and review) it. I hope that you enjoy this last chapter. I have been waking up at 5.30 in the morning every morning to write before work, so that I could get this to you by this weekend. I'm actually pretty happy with how it turned out, and I hope you are too. There's no smut (sorry, friends), but if you want to read something that could make sense after this and that is nothing but smut... check out "Taken" and feel free to leave any prompts/ideas you have for subsequent chapters! (It's not a continuation of this story, but it could work lol)

Anyway, thank you so very much again and I hope you enjoy the final chapter of this story.

The next morning, Emma was ripped from her sleep for a second time by her mother, who came in grinning from ear to ear. Emma groaned and wished desperately that it was acceptable to yell one's mother because she was not in the mood to chat. Stephanie had barged in around five thirty and Emma had used up every last ounce of her patience with the physiotherapist. She had none left for her mother.

"Hi, honey!"

Emma ignored her, closing her eyes and grunting in response. It was too early for this. She attempted to catch a few more seconds of rest but that was impossible now that her mother was in the room. She heard her mother drag a chair next to her own, but she did not sit down. Instead, she could feel her hovering near the end of the bed. Emma, too paranoid to let someone around Regina unattended, turned her head and looked over at her mother. She was standing at the foot of the bed, a small bundle in her hands as she looked over at Regina.

"What's that?" Emma asked, part of her curious and the other part slightly concerned.

"Uh… it's a gift," her mother responded, thumbing the white tissue paper in her hand.

Snow hesitated for a second before taking a step forward and sitting down next to Emma, who was now sitting up and eyeing her curiously. She had something she wanted to say, Emma could tell, so she sat patiently and waited.

"I… your father and I have spoken about… about you and Regina. I will admit that I had trouble at first, and I'm still struggling. There's a lot of dark history between us and it's not easy to move past it. But, I want you to know that I support you, Emma. No matter what, you are my daughter and I have lost too many opportunities to love you and to be there for you. I have lost too many years of your life. I refuse to do anything now that will compromise our relationship. I love you, Emma, and no matter what you decide, no matter what you choose, I will support you."

Snow reached out and handed the wrapped package to Emma.

"It's not much but… it's my way of showing I'm behind you. I don't always know how to support you, Emma, but I want you to know that I always try."

Emma, now moved beyond words, simply looked down at the bundle in her hands. It was soft and extremely light. She wasn't sure what it was, so she carefully unfolded the tissue paper and revealed two perfectly knitted woolen socks. They were Regina's favourite colour: eggplant.

"I want to make your life easier, Emma, not harder. And if this helps you worry about one less thing-"

Emma had no words. She simply launched herself into her mother's arms, and she cried. She had no way to express the overwhelming feelings of love and support she felt, so she simply held her mother tight as tears streamed down her face. She could feel her mother crying against her as well, so she squeezed her tighter.

"I love you, Emma," Snow managed to choke out.

"I love you too, mom."

They held each other long after the tears dried, only pulling away when their arms were no longer able to maintain the hard grip they had on each other.

"These are amazing," Emma said, unable to come up with anything else to say. "Thank you."

"You're welcome."

Emma got up and made her way to the end of the bed, gently lifting the blanket and carefully slipping on the socks onto Regina's feet. She then flipped the blanket back over her feet and tucked it under them.

"When did you have time to make them?" Emma asked as she sat.

"I did it last night, after you made that comment about Regina's feet always being cold. I wanted to find a way to show you that I'm listening and… I'm trying."

Emma reached out and gripped her hand, giving it a tight squeeze.

"It worked," she whispered. "Thank you, mom."

Snow nodded, biting her bottom lip and glancing away. She didn't want to cry again.

The women sat together, holding hands, until Doctor Whale entered the room nearly an hour later. He was quickly followed by a nurse, who was desperately trying to keep up with him.

"Good morning, ladies."

Emma glared at him. Having him here was never a good thing.

"What do you want, Whale?"

"We need to talk."

Emma immediately tensed. She didn't like the look on his face, nor the way he kept glancing at Regina. She pulled her hand away from her mother's, standing up to make herself look bigger.

"What do you want to talk about?" she asked defensively.

"We need to discuss the likelihood that Regina will never wake up from-"

"What? She will wake up. She just needs more time."

"She's been given plenty of time, Emma, and there's been no change whatsoever in her condition. She hasn't improved."

"But she hasn't gotten worse either. She looks better, stronger."

"From a visual point of view, perhaps you feel she does. But from a medical point of view, there has been no improvement. Her heart is still weak, as is her body. Her brain activity has not improved-"

"It hasn't even been a week!"

"It has, Emma. It's been eight days with no signs of improvement. If she were getting better, we would have seen something by now."

Emma looked desperately at her mother.

"It's been eight days?"

"Yes," Snow admitted reluctantly. "You were asleep for two full days before you woke up. But Regina has been here for eight days."

Emma shook her head, her heart racing. Regina just needed time. She just needed some time.

"We're working on bringing her back. Ruby-"

"Has told me she's more or less exhausted the books in Belle's library and she has been unable to come up with a solution. At this point, short of a miracle… I'm not sure there's anything more we can do."

Emma turned, refusing to acknowledge him any further. She faced Regina, her heart racing as she took in the sight of the ever-still woman. Regina needed to get up. She needed to wake up before Whale came back and told Emma that Regina died. Emma wouldn't let her die.

"Regina? You really need to wake up now, okay?"

"Emma-"

"Get out!" She snarled, eyes filled with rage. "Get out of here before I send you out myself."

She raised her arm, ready to send them both flying from the room if she needed to. Whale looked like he might protest, but when the nurse left in a hurry, he reluctantly followed her.

"You need to wake up, Regina. This isn't funny anymore. You've had enough time to rest. Now it's time to come back to your family."

Emma grew increasingly desperate when Regina showed absolutely no signs of life. She was just as unresponsive as she had been all week. Emma pleaded with her, eyes filling with tears as fear gripped her heart. She needed Regina. Henry needed her. Why did she have to go and do something so stupid in the Underworld?

"You never gave up on me, never. You never stopped fighting for me. And I'm not giving up on you, but please. I don't know what to do. I don't know how to help you."

"Honey-"

"No! Don't you dare agree with him!" Emma cried out. She recognised that tone. "Don't you dare tell me she might not come back. You don't know her. She will. She'll fight."

Emma leaned forward, her hands cupping Regina's cheeks. She stroked her hair, gently shaking her shoulders. "Please come back to me. Please. You can't leave me. Wake up, Regina. Please. I can't do this without you. I need you. Henry needs you."

Emma sobbed into her shoulder, clinging to Regina's still body. The desperation was suffocating. She needed to do something. She had to wake up. Emma called her magic forth again. Her magic healed. It had healed her. It would heal Regina; she just had to will it. So she squeezed her eyes shut, pouring her magic into Regina's body as she pleaded with it to heal her. Emma's hands trembled as the energy flowed out of her into Regina, sobs wracking her body as she begged her magic to work. She could feel the warmth between them, so she pulled back and watched Regina's face, desperate to see any kind of change.

But there was none, and even as Emma swayed with fatigue, she continued to let her magic flow to Regina. The tears slowed as her energy drained, and she ignored her mother frantically telling her to stop. She shook her head. She would not stop until Regina woke up. She paused only when she thought she saw Regina's eyes move beneath her eyelids, her own eyes widening as she got closer. She wasn't sure if she had imagined it or if it had really happened, and she stared for long moments as hope gripped her heart.

"Regina?" she whispered, but there was no response.

The tears started anew and Emma shook her head, anger filling her at the unfairness of it all. Regina had given everything so they could be safe. She couldn't lose her life because of it. But why wasn't she waking up? Emma bit her bottom lip to fight the sob in her throat. She fought the overwhelming fear that maybe Whale was right, that maybe she would never wake up. She never gave up on you, Emma. You can't give up on her. But how could she help her? Emma's fear morphed into desperation once again, and she pleaded with Regina to wake up.

She searched her eyes, her cheeks, her lips, looking for any kind of new movement. She looked at her hands, but they remained just as motionless as before.

"Please don't leave me," Emma begged, reaching out and smoothing the hair that had been disturbed as she frantically tried to rouse Regina. There was still no change, no matter how much she begged, and her shoulders slumped with devastation. She gave into the sob she had been holding back, letting it consume her as she leaned forward, hovering over Regina.

"You're my everything, Regina," she whispered.

She hovered above Regina's forehead, her body shaking. She had barely pressed her lips to Regina's soft skin when a blinding flash of white burst between the two, sending Emma flying back against the bed. It took a second for her to recover before she darted back up, scrambling back to Regina.

"Regina?" she said, fearful that she had been hurt. But then the most beautiful thing happened, and Emma cried with elation. Regina opened her eyes.

"Emma?" Regina croaked.

Emma immediately threw herself forward, sobbing into Regina's shoulder. She could barely breathe, the cries of happiness shaking her body hard enough to make the bed vibrate. She vaguely heard her mother cry out, but she was so focused on Regina that she couldn't be sure.

"You're awake," Emma gasped, the grin in her voice completely obvious around the tears. "You came back to me."

"I will always come back to you, my dear Emma."

Emma laughed and cried again, her body singing with happiness.

"Mom!" Henry screamed, tearing into the room and throwing himself at his mothers. "I knew it was you! I knew it!"

Emma finally, reluctantly pulled away, but only enough so that Henry could wedge his way into their embrace. She kept her hip firmly against Regina's, leaning on the arm that was tucked against the other side of Regina's waist. She was invading her space, her body protectively draped over the smaller woman, and she had no intention of moving.

"I knew it was you, mom," Henry mumbled into her neck. "I just knew it. I was coming up to your room with Grandpa and there was this big flash of light. We almost fell over when it hit us and I knew it meant you woke up. I could feel it was you."

He tucked his face into her neck, burying himself in his mothers' embrace. They held him tight, and he was more than happy to feel both of their bodies against him. He had been terrified his mom wouldn't come back, but he knew his Ma would figure it out. She always solved his mom's problems. She took care of her, and he knew she would be the one to wake her.

He finally pulled back enough to look at them both. He needed to hear it.

"It was ma, wasn't it? She woke you?"

Regina smiled.

"It was," she responded, and there was no mistaking the emotion in her eyes as she looked over to his birth mother.

"So our patient has woken up."

Five heads whipped towards the door, Regina absently noticing that David was now wrapped around his wife, not unlike the way Emma was wrapped around her.

"I told you it wasn't too late," Emma said, her voice full of bitterness.

Regina, taking the distraction as an opportunity to sit up, did so with the help of her son and her… his other mother.

"Well, I'm glad to see you were right," Doctor Whale responded.

He approached the bed, Henry sliding down and out of his way. Emma, however, downright refused to move out of his way. Regina stroked her back in assurance that she was fine.

"I'm okay, Emma. You don't need to protect me."

"But-"

"I'm awake now. I know you protected me when I was unconscious, but I'm able to speak for myself and I give my consent for Doctor Whale to look me over, however much I wish he would not."

Emma looked at her for a long moment.

"You heard us."

"I did."

She held Emma's gaze, the two communicating without saying a word. There was so much to be said, but now was not the time, not with so many people around and certainly not while Whale was present. She could tell Regina was insisting she was okay, so Emma finally acquiesced, moving out of the way but standing at the head of Regina's bed. She happily reached out when Regina held out her hand, their fingers lacing together as Whale looked her over.

Really, Regina felt fine. A little sore from lying down for so long, but she could feel Emma's magic coursing through her veins and the healing properties inside of it astounded her. Her muscles should be weak, she should be tired, and yet she only felt the smallest bit of discomfort.

Whale left soon after looking her over, to everyone's relief. He requested she do some blood tests and an MRI just to be sure, but he said she seemed to be fine. Any other doctor would have been flabbergasted, but when one practised medicine in a town full of magic, one really couldn't be surprised that a patient who had been in a coma for eight days should wake up good as new.

Henry made his way back to his mother's bed, curling into her side. Regina wrapped her arm around him, holding him close to her body.

"So you heard everything I said?" he asked, a sheepish grin on his face.

"I did."

"How bad is my punishment?"

She gave him a small smile.

"We'll discuss it later. For now, I just want to enjoy having you both in my arms," she finished, looking over at Emma who hadn't taken her eyes off of her. When their eyes met, Emma grinned at her, and Regina instantly returned the smile.

"I think we're going to head home," David interrupted. He felt uncomfortable infringing on what was clearly a private moment. "Henry, why don't you call us when your mom is discharged and we'll bring you all home?"

"Okay."

"Thank you both," Regina said politely.

They nodded at her and left, closing the door behind them. As soon as they were alone, Regina grinned at her small family, a real, genuine smile that they eagerly returned.

"I am so happy to see you both."

"I think it's safe to say we're happier to see you," Emma responded, a hint of shyness in her eyes.

"Definitely happier!" Henry said eagerly, wrapping his arms around her again. She returned the embrace, her eyes still locked with Emma's. She desperately wanted to go home so they could talk. There was so much that needed to be said. But they would have to wait. Regina didn't want to have this talk around Henry either.

A nurse entered the room only moments later. She took a sample of Regina's blood, labelling the vials and then leaving again, only to return pushing a wheelchair. She insisted that Regina sit down while she wheeled her to the MRI.

"I am perfectly capable of walking."

"That may be, Madam Mayor, but it is hospital policy that you be wheeled to the MRI."

Regina sighed dramatically, clutching her gown to her body. She accepted the thin housecoat the nurse offered, tying it tightly around her body before she sat in the chair. Henry insisted on wheeling her and she did not protest, especially since it left Emma's hand free to rest on her shoulder while they walked. Regina subconsciously leaned towards her body, her shoulder brushing against Emma's thigh as they followed the nurse.

"This will take about an hour," the nurse started, "so if you wanted to take a walk-"

"We'll be waiting," Emma responded without hesitation. She then turned to Regina. "If you need anything…"

Regina smiled softly.

"I'll be fine."

Both Henry and Emma waved as she went into the room, and then they took the two seats closest to the door as they eagerly awaited for her to be finished. Emma unknowingly fell asleep, her head resting against Henry's shoulder as she snored softly. She was tired from trying to heal Regina with her magic, and she definitely felt better when Henry rose her nearly an hour later. She gave a sheepish smile, blushing slightly when two pairs of amused eyes watched her yawn and stretch. She hid the blush behind her hand, standing and shaking off her sleepy limbs.

"Everything go okay?" Emma asked.

"We'll know the results in a few minutes after Whale reviews the scans," Regina replied.

"Was it scary, mom?"

"No. But it was very long. I'm looking forward to heading home."

Emma smiled encouragingly, assuring her that they'd head home as soon as they got the all clear. Whale dropped by twenty minutes later, letting her know that everything looked normal. That was all Emma waited to hear before getting up with her phone, calling her mother and asking if they could pick them up now. Her mother readily agreed, telling her she was on her way.

"Can you bring a change of clothes for Regina too? Just grab whatever's clean in my drawers."

She thanked her mother when she said that she would, hanging up the phone and then shoving it in her pocket.

"So you're free to go?" Emma asked when Whale finally left them alone.

"Yes," Regina said, the relief evident in her voice.

It was Emma who wheeled her back to her room, holding out her hand as she helped Regina stand.

"I don't want to lie down."

Emma nodded, instead leading her to a chair.

"I think I'm going to stand for a little while. All I've been doing is resting. I'd like to stand."

"Okay. But if you start to feel dizzy, let me know, alright?"

Regina agreed, and the three stood in the room chatting until Snow finally arrived. Regina gratefully took the clothing, heading to the en suite bathroom and changing quickly. The fact that she didn't even make a snide comment about being subjected to wearing Emma's clothes was a testament to just how relieved she was to be going home.

Regina sat in the back of Snow's SUV with Emma, Henry happily taking the front seat as it was a rare treat that he was allowed to do so. Snow watched from her rear view mirror as Regina settled against her daughter. She was unable to hide her smile as she put the car in drive, occasionally glancing back as she chatted with Emma and Henry. Regina stayed unusually quiet, eyes closed as she rested her head against Emma's shoulder. She caught Emma's eye at a stop sign, and the two shared a smile. It felt nice, sharing this with her daughter. Part of her was actually looking forward to when they made the announcement that they were finally a couple. She knew that wouldn't happen until they talked though, so she gladly drove them to Mifflin street.

Snow walked with them up to the door when they arrived, stopping at the entrance.

"Did you want to come in?" Regina asked.

"No, thank you. I should head home to Neal. I haven't seen him as much as I'd have liked this past week."

"You didn't have to stay away from him, Snow. You were already apart for so long. You should have stayed with him when we got back."

"My daughter needed me," she said, giving Emma a loving smile before turning back to Regina. "And how could I not do everything I could to support you both after what you did for us? I was where I needed to be, and now that you're both okay, I'm going to go where I'm needed now."

Regina contemplated her for a moment before turning to Emma and Henry.

"Will you both please give us a minute?"

Emma hesitated, but Regina reached out and held her wrist.

"Please?"

Emma nodded, leading Henry into the house and closing the door to give them some privacy.

"I heard everything that was said to me while I was unconscious. I heard… I heard the things you said to me."

Snow looked down and nodded, unsure of what to say.

"I never sought your approval in regards to Emma, nor would I have. I do not need it."

The younger woman opened her mouth to respond, but Regina continued.

"However, I will admit… I will admit that I am glad to have it. Emma has finally found her family. You've finally started to form a mother-daughter relationship and I would never would have stood between it. While I would never have sought your approval, if you had disapproved and wished that we remain apart, I would have heeded your wish."

Snow gave a small smile.

"I don't want that. I want… I want you two to be happy."

"I know I have done many reprehensible things to you in the past, Snow. And I don't deserve someone as good as Emma. But I want you to know that I do care greatly for her, and I will do everything in my power to make her happy and to keep her safe."

"I know you will. Your intensity… it's the one thing we can count on. You don't do anything halfway. You are capable of such hate, but your ability to love is unlike anything I've ever known. You love with your entire being, Regina, and that's exactly what Emma needs. She needs someone to love her completely."

Regina didn't respond. There was no need to.

"Well, I guess I'll-"

Snow made a move to go as she spoke, but Regina's hand shot out and stopped her. Regina quickly pulled away, embarrassed at having acted so impulsively.

"Wait. That wasn't the only thing you said to me while I was in the hospital." She took a deep breath, encouraging herself to speak. After all this time, she should be honest with Snow. "I don't hate you, not anymore. I'm not the person who loved you all those years ago though. That girl… she no longer exists. She was destroyed by the people around her, and I can never be that girl again, not after everything I have lived. But… the hatred I felt for you, it no longer exists. I cannot pretend that I feel the affection I once did for you because I don't. I would be lying if I pretended that I do. However, I-" her face screwed up, almost like it pained her to speak. "I would feel a certain emotion, perhaps something akin to sadness, if you were no longer in my life."

Snow paused, smiling as realisation hit.

"You would miss me."

"I said no such thing. I said something akin to sadness. Minutely. It would perhaps even be in passing."

Snow grinned, her eyes lighting up. Regina would miss her if she left. She did care. Snow said nothing else, but her grin said it all. This was a tentative step towards mending their relationship, an olive branch if you will, and she was not about to say anything to upset this change. So, instead, Snow turned and made her way down the steps, only stopping when Regina called her name.

"Yes?" she asked, turning towards her former stepmother.

"I…" her face screwed up again, just as it had before. "I don't hate that dress. Green is a lovely colour."

Snow beamed again, grinning as she entered the car. Regina turned and ran her tongue along the roof of her mouth, almost as though there were a bitter taste in her mouth.

"Mom!" Henry greeted enthusiastically when she walked in the door. "I'm so happy we're home."

"Me too, my little prince."

She smiled over at Emma, who stood awkwardly off to the side. Now that they were at the mansion, Emma really didn't know what to do with herself. She didn't know if she should stay or if she should let them have some alone time. Luckily, she was saved from any more awkward silences when Henry announced that he'd like to order a pizza for supper. Regina surprised them both by agreeing, and an hour later the three of them were curled up on the couch together, eating pizza and watching a movie. Henry fell asleep not even halfway through, the week of worrying and lack of sleep finally hitting him hard. When the credits rolled, Emma sat up and shook him awake.

"Come on, kid. Let's get to bed."

"I don't want to leave you guys."

"I promise we will both be here when you wake up," Regina responded, looking over at her son rather than acknowledging the look of surprise on his other mother's face. "Come on. It's time for bed."

He grumbled but followed them both up the stairs after they cleaned up, reluctantly brushing his teeth and crawling into bed. He yawned his protest at having to go to sleep, both of his mothers smiling at him as they kissed him goodnight. He might be a teenager, but he had spent two weeks in Hell (literally), and then a week of figurative Hell while his mother lay unconscious in a bed. So, when his mothers tucked him in and kissed him goodnight, he definitely did not complain this time that he was getting too old to be tucked in. The women quietly closed his door, hearing his snoring even before they exited the room. Emma snorted, muttering a "not tired my ass" when she heard him. Regina hit her lightly in response, telling her to be quiet. She had a smile on her face though, and Emma chuckled at her attempt to reprimand her.

They stood in the hallway, Emma once again unsure of what to do with herself. She knew they needed to talk, but it was getting late. She wasn't sure if Regina wanted to talk tonight or not.

"Would you like a drink?"

"Um, not really actually. You were offering something with alcohol, right?"

"I was," Regina responded, doing her best to hide her disappointment.

"Then no, I'm okay."

"Did you want to head home? I don't want to keep you."

"I…" Emma hesitated before finally just blurting out what she thought. "I want to talk, but I don't know what you want and I don't know if you're too tired to talk or if you even want to and I feel really awkward standing here and I don't want to drink because I think it'll mess up my thoughts. But I do want to talk. Or possibly drink something non-alcoholic. If you're not too tired. If you are that's okay-"

"I'm not tired, Emma," she said, smiling at Emma's nearly non-sensical rambling. "Come on, I'll make some cocoa."

Emma breathed a sigh of relief, following Regina back to the kitchen. They worked in silence, and when their cocoas were ready, they headed back to the living room. Regina curled up against Emma's side, feeling a great sense of satisfaction when she noticed Emma's pleased smile. She warmed when the woman wrapped an arm around her waist, holding her close as they sipped their drinks in silence.

"So you really heard everything?" Emma finally asked.

"I did, including your attempt at making voices while you read to me. Don't quit your day job, dear."

Emma chuckled into her drink.

"My voices are just as good as my celebrity impressions, are they?"

"Better," Regina said sarcastically.

"What did you think of my book?"

"I…didn't hate it. But it would not be my first choice of book to read."

"I love that book."

"I am glad you shared it with me as I know how much it means to you," Regina admitted. "I'd like to finish it."

"Okay. I'll lend it to you."

"Thank you."

They fell into a soft silence, both women sipping at their cocoa.

"I…" Regina attempted, after several moments of silence. "Thank you, Emma, for speaking to me. And thank you for not allowing anyone to approach me while I was unable to defend myself."

"I would never let anyone hurt you, Regina. Especially not when you're not able to protect yourself."

"I know. You've proven that time and again, haven't you? I appreciated your protection while I was defenseless. I felt… I felt safe when you were there with me."

Emma gave her a squeeze in response.

"You will always be safe when I'm around."

"I know," Regina said softly. And she did.

"What was it like?" Emma finally asked. "You know, being unconscious."

Regina hesitated, thinking back.

"It was… dark. And I will admit that it was frightening. I knew I existed, but I was not sure where I was, and I could not feel my body. I knew I had one, but I didn't know where it was and I felt a disconnect of sorts. It was like I was separated from it, but I could sense when someone touched me or held my hand. I also had great difficulty thinking. It was nearly impossible for me to formulate a thought. It was like I was sedated and trying to think through the haze of that sedation was very difficult. But I could understand perfectly, and when you spoke to me, I understood everything. I simply found it was hopeless to try and think, so I spent all of my time listening to you.

It was very comforting when you spoke to me, Emma. I didn't feel so alone. It was dark and I couldn't see anything, but I heard your voice. I knew you were there with me and that I was not alone. I imagine what I experienced would be akin to when you're lying in bed late at night, unable to see your friend, but you can still hear her voice as she speaks to you. When you spoke, I was much less frightened because I knew you were there, somewhere, with me. I tried responding, I tried reaching out to you, but I found that I couldn't. All I could do was lay there and hope you wouldn't leave."

Emma put her mug down and turned to face Regina, the other woman doing the same.

"I was afraid of leaving you alone because I was scared that that's what it was like: that you were in this dark place and that you were all alone in your head. I didn't know if you could hear me, but I thought I'd talk just in case you could."

"I'm so very glad you did, Emma. It was frightening when all I heard was silence. There were times when I couldn't hear you, but I felt your hand in mine. I imagined it was in those moments that you were asleep."

Emma blushed slightly.

"Uh, yeah. I held your hand when I was sleeping because I wanted you to know I was still there."

Regina reached out and laced their fingers together.

"Thank you, Emma, for taking care of me."

There was a small silence before she ventured on.

"Henry told me about all the things you've done around the house."

"Yeah, he told me he talked to you. Listen, I'm really sorry we lied to you, Regina. I should never have asked Henry to keep secrets from you."

"I wish you hadn't asked my son to lie to me either. I don't appreciate that you encouraged him to deceive me, Emma."

Emma nodded solemnly, looking down at their joined hands.

"I'm sorry. Are you upset that we lied?"

"I'm not happy. However, I would be considerably more upset learning that you both had been lying to me if I hadn't already known the truth."

Emma's eyes snapped up in surprise.

"What?"

"Oh please, Emma. Do you really think I don't know when my son is lying to me? And you, you're not much better. You may have an inner lie detector, Emma, but I know you. I may not be able to deter when others are not being truthful, but you, Emma, I can always tell when you're lying to me. And even if I couldn't, I would have known it was you from the evidence you left behind when you were in my home. Or in my vehicle."

"But how? I was so careful to put everything back in the right place."

"Yes, I could tell you attempted to return the items you moved back to their original place, but I wasn't referring to that. I could tell it was you who mounted my medicine cabinet in the bathroom, Emma, because no one else would mistake my decorative towels for hand towels. In over thirty years of living in Storybrooke, you are the only resident to dry her hands on what are clearly decorative towels."

"I don't see why you have towels you can't use," Emma muttered.

Regina, surprisingly, laughed. She ignored the comment though and continued on.

"And you are the only one who drinks a disgusting mixture of Granny's coffee and Coca-Cola. I knew it was you in my home doing repairs to my kitchen when I repeatedly discovered both items in my recycling bin. Henry does not drink pop, nor does he drink coffee. Perhaps I could have been fooled into thinking that Leroy was responsible for the coffee cups, but that idea was quickly quelled when I realised there were also several cans of Coca-Cola in there as well."

"And the car? You knew about the car? I even moved the seat back to the right place!"

"Yes, but you have the irritating habit of touching the glass on the rear-view mirror rather than the surrounding plastic. Everyone else touches the plastic when they need to adjust the mirror, but not you. You place your dirty, greasy thumb right on the glass and leave a thumbprint for all to see."

Emma smiled sheepishly. She did have a bad habit of placing her thumb right on the glass whenever she adjusted her rear-view mirror.

"You are the only adult I know who makes snow angels on top of the pile of snow freshly shovelled from the driveway. Really Emma, no one spends an hour shovelling snow only to then throw themselves on top of the evidence of their labour and create something as juvenile as a snow angel."

Emma might have been hurt by her words if it weren't for the smile she could see Regina was trying desperately to fight. It was adorable really, watching the way the mayor bit her lip and attempted to look annoyed. Well, adorable and devastatingly sexy.

Regina cleared her throat, dismissing the memory of coming home and feeling her chest clench with affection upon discovering the snow angels in her yard. It had been a great shock to see the driveway cleared (it was like prying teeth to get Henry to do it), and she had been momentarily confused as to why her son had suddenly decided to take such initiative. The veil of confusion was quickly lifted upon discovering the crudely made snow angels, which were all found in the fresh pile of snow in her yard. It was Emma's signature move. She made them after every snowfall and every time she shoveled a driveway, her reward for having worked so hard. Regina had refused to acknowledge the heat in her chest that day as anything other than heartburn.

"What did you think of my answers to our quiz by the way? I did pretty good, right?"

"You did well, yes. You answered nearly every question correctly, although I believe I would have chosen the baby sloths rather than the kittens. I seem to have a certain fondness for things with big eyes and that are quite slow."

"Excuse me?" Emma replied, feigning offense. "Are you calling me slow?"

"Ah, and she catches on."

"Jerk," Emma mumbled, a small smile on her face.

Regina affectionately squeezed her fingers before reaching out with her free hand and tucking a loose strand behind Emma's ear.

"Thank you for telling me about Lily. I suspected about your relationship, but I wasn't completely sure. When you told me, I will admit that I wasn't surprised, but I was very glad that you trusted me enough to tell me about what she meant to you."

Emma gave her a warm smile.

"I would trust you with anything, Regina. I trust you completely."

It was a strange feeling to wholly trust someone when her life had been filled with nothing but untrustworthy people, but Emma found that she more than welcomed it. It was nice to know there was someone with whom she felt so safe, so comfortable. She spent most of her time being on guard, but with Regina, she could relax for once.

"And I you, Emma."

Emma leaned forward and kissed Regina's forehead, resting her lips there for a moment before shifting and pulling the woman into her lap. Regina curled into her, resting her head on the younger woman's shoulder. They had had to break their interlaced fingers to readjust, but as soon as Regina was properly positioned, they went back to holding hands.

"So you knew it was me the whole time doing all those things?"

"I did," Regina replied.

"If you knew it was me, then why did you give me such a hard time when I fell asleep on the job or you know, calling me careless when I had to get stitches because I sliced my hand installing your bathroom tiles."

"My son frowns upon my affinity for murder. I must now find other ways in which to entertain myself. You just happen to be an easy target."

If it had been anyone else, they would have missed the teasing in Regina's tone. Emma, however, knew better and found the response hysterical, so she tilted her head back and laughed. She loved Regina's dark humour. It was one of her favourite things about the woman. Regina smirked at her, squeezing Emma's fingers with her own before continuing.

"You didn't notice that on the days you were coming to my home to do repairs, I made your favourite desserts? Carrot cinnamon muffins the first time, with the butter left right next to the plate despite the fact that neither Henry nor I like butter on our muffins. I also purchased apple sauce, because you have atrocious taste and believe it is acceptable to eat it with your grilled cheeses."

"I keep telling you, it's freaking delicious. Just try it!"

"I would prefer to lick the handle on the door at Granny's, thank you. And did you not find it strange that this year you and your Deputy received a Christmas gift, despite the fact that you have been sheriff for four years and have never once received one in the past?"

Emma's eyes widened in realisation.

"My favourite gloves…That was you?"

"Yes. I researched the best pair of winter work gloves to find the perfect combination of warmth, versatility, and flexibility. I also ensured the fingers were lined with rubber so that you would be able to grip securely, as well as verifying for waterproof and breathable material."

"Seriously. That was you?"

"Yes, well. You may be perfectly content to allow your fingers to suffer from frostbite, but I certainly am not. You had no excuse after that to work without gloves, now did you?"

Emma shook her head, unable to say anything else.

"You and Henry may think yourselves clever, dear, but I am always watching you. I will always find out if you are deceiving me, Emma, and you will find in the future I will not be so forgiving."

Emma nodded her head, looking well scolded.

"It won't happen again."

"I should hope not."

"When did you figure it out?"

"Not right away, I will admit. After the incident with the garden, Belle and I became close. I was suspicious, and I did not believe her when she stated that she acted alone. She had no reason to be so kind, despite her insistence that she just wanted to be nice. So, I prodded her and ultimately she let it slip that you had helped. She attempted to minimise your involvement, but it was too late. Eventually she cracked, and she told me the whole story. It was then that I began to realise just how committed you were to my… to honouring your vow to bring me happiness."

Emma thought back. The garden… that was well over a year ago. It was the first grand gesture she had made for Regina, and it had come from a place of friendship. She liked Regina, and she saw herself in the other woman. They had both lived incredibly solitary, difficult lives, with only themselves to depend on. The people around them had used them, abused them, cast them aside, and rejected them. They had both desperately longed for love, only to be kicked down when they reached out. It had turned Regina into a creature of anger, prone to lashing out. For Emma, it had made her silent and withdrawn. Within that place of silence though, she had learned to observe people, and she had spent countless hours observing her son's adoptive mother. She had learnt to read her, and she witnessed just how devastated Regina was after the incident with the garden (though the woman hid it well, Emma would admit). She couldn't just sit back and do nothing. Regina needed to know someone cared because she had been trying, putting forth incredible effort to change her ways. Yet at every turn, it seemed someone tried to push her down and discourage her. Regina was incredibly tenacious and pushed back against those who tried to bring her down, because she did not want to disappoint her son. Emma had always silently cheered her on, proud of the woman for not giving up. But after the garden she had worked so hard on was absolutely massacred, Emma saw defeat in Regina's eyes.

Regina had been fighting all alone, with no one in her corner. She kept her head high despite the throng of people working against her. She had fought valiantly, and Emma refused to let Regina give up. So she decided to let Regina know that she was not alone, even if she did so silently. She was done sitting back and quietly observing her, silently supporting the woman in her fight. So she had started actively helping Regina, and as people slowly started to accept the Mayor, Emma felt encouraged. Regina became brighter, more hopeful, and the change in her was breathtaking. Emma often found herself thinking of the other woman, wondering what more she could do for her to make her happy. It was in those moments that she realised she was in trouble.

"Emma?"

"I'm sorry. I was just thinking."

"I see that. You rarely pay attention to me, Miss Swan."

"Oh, that's not true at all. I always pay attention to you. I'm always listening to you, Regina, even when you think I'm not. I'm constantly in tune with how you're feeling because if I tune out even for a second, I lose you. You hide behind your words and behind your walls, Regina, and your ability to twist your words to hide what you really want to say is unlike anything I've ever seen before. You rarely lie, but you make me work to figure out the truth. Nothing can ever be easy with you, but I think… I know that's why I like you. You challenge me. And you're funny and smart and you're strong as hell. I'm talking emotionally mind you, not so much physically."

Regina pulled back and raised an eyebrow, but Emma simply grinned cheekily.

"You're crazy independent, and you don't need anyone in your life. Not anyone but Henry, I should say. You shut people out and you make them work their asses off to try and get close to you. Most people can't see beyond the harsh words and your guarded disposition, but I do. I've seen you, the real you. You hide that part of yourself, the part of you that is kind, and sweet, and funny, and who is incredibly mischievous. Nobody knows the way you throw you head back and laugh when you play a prank. Hell, nobody knows you even like to play pranks. But you do. And they're pretty much always at my expense, but do you know why I laugh every time, Regina? Do you know why I fall into those traps even when I see them coming from a mile away?" Emma continued on, not letting Regina respond. "It's because I love that you. I love the you who gets this … this twinkle in her eyes every time she sees an opportunity to play a trick on me, who drops her guard and just laughs. And for just one second, you're so happy and you forget that you have all this hurt in your heart and this weight on your shoulders and you can just be carefree for a while. And if I can help you feel that for even just one second, then it is worth all the wet shirts and spilled drinks and dropped forks and all the humiliation in the world. I will fall into every single trap if it means making you happy for just one moment."

Emma paused for a second, searching Regina's eyes before continuing.

"I know what a gift it is to be allowed to see that part of you, Regina. I want you to know that I have never taken it for granted. I have always tried to bring it out of you, to let that you come out and feel safe around me. I want you to know that you are safe around me and that I am never going to intentionally hurt you."

She was not going to cry. She was not going to- God damn it. She couldn't help it. The way Emma looked at her, the things she was saying, they warmed her and as much as she tried not to, as much as she tried to fight the overwhelming urge to cry, she lost horribly. Regina was overwhelmed. It had been such an agonisingly long time since anyone had put forth such effort into simply making her smile. She was so used to everyone rejecting her, fearing her, loathing her. It had been decades since anyone had felt anything positive towards her. She forgot what it was like, how good it felt, to have someone want to make her happy. Not only that, but to have someone who actively tried to do so.

"I just want you to be happy, Regina, and if I can contribute in the smallest way, I will. Without hesitation, I will."

"I am happy, Emma," Regina finally said, her voice cracking as tears filled her eyes. "You make me very, very happy."

The lump in her throat prevented her from speaking further, so she reached out and cupped Emma's cheek instead. She drew her near, pausing at the last second to meet Emma's eyes. When she was met with a soft smile of encouragement, Regina closed her eyes and pressed their lips together. Tears fell down her cheeks when she closed her eyes, but she hardly noticed them once their lips met. A sob of happiness reverberated in her chest, and immediately after their gentle kiss, she was quickly pulled into a warm embrace. Emma held her so delicately. Regina hadn't been handled with such tenderness in such a long time. She nearly forgot what it was like to be touched so gently.

"I love you, Regina," Emma finally whispered against her temple.

Regina pulled back, looking her in the eyes when she spoke.

"I know you do. Do you know why I felt so comforted when I was alone in that darkness, my dear Emma? It was because of you. Because I could feel your presence beside me. I felt you there with me, like a warm blanket. Have you any idea of the feeling of safety you offer me? Have you any idea, my darling Emma, how comforting you are to me? I do not need to worry around you, I do not feel the urge to guard myself when you are with me. Do you know how long it has been since I have felt truly safe around another human being? The only regret I felt during my unconscious state was that I could not return the warmth you offered me, and I could not tell you just how much I love you too."

Emma heart swelled in her chest.

"Say it again," she urged. "I want to hear you say it again."

"I love you, Emma Swan. I love your patience, your kindness, your integrity. I love your protective nature. I love that you are always full of good intentions and I love the way you love our son. I love the woman that you are. I love that you know me so well, and I love that you push back when I push you away. I love that you don't let me run away from you. But most of all Emma Swan? I love the way you love me."

Emma was breathless. Is this was love truly felt like? Because she had never in her life felt so weightless, so devastatingly happy. She grinned widely when Regina leaned forward and placed soft kisses to her cheeks and neck.

"I love you, Emma. I love you very, very much."

"I love you too, Regina, for now and always."

Their lips met once again, and this kiss was a vow, a promise.

Forever.

Thank you again to everyone for reading. I mentioned before that I always listen to comments.. originally, Regina didn't know it was Emma who did all those things. And then as more and more readers made the comment that she knew, I thought... they're right. She obviously totally knew, because Regina is just too observant, so I changed the story. Thank you so much for all your wonderful feedback and insight!