A/N: I'm so happy to finally have an update for this. I really am sorry it took so you to everyone who continues to read and a huge thank you to those who review! I was originally going to write one very long update that ended with Regina's final surprise of the night, but the characters started writing themselves, so I decided to split the treasure hunt up into two chapters. Enjoy!

Chapter 9

Emma caught up to Regina and Henry just as her girlfriend reached David, Gold and Belle waiting by the main door to the building. A brief, but heavy awkwardness settled between them as the three by the door looked to the others walking down the stairs. Emma was reminded of her childhood and the looks other students would give her whenever she was called down to the principal's office: somewhat sympathetic and pitying, while also curious and relieved they weren't the ones in trouble. Unknown to her father and the other two adults, however, sympathy and pity were far from what Emma and Regina needed after talking to Mary Margaret.

"Henry, put your coat on sweetheart," Regina ordered lightly. The hand she had settled on his back pushed him gently toward David, who Emma noticed had her son's small pea coat draped over his arm.

Surprisingly to Emma, there was no objection when Henry stared up at his other mother and nodded with a smile, before heading over to his grandfather, who slowly followed Regina's cue to hold the coat open for the boy. It made the blonde wonder if her son was being obedient because it was his mom's birthday or because of his earlier talk with Regina, since Emma knew their son well enough to know there should have been some argument about how his mothers were only wearing hoodies and he was being forced to wear a coat.

"Everyone ready?" Emma came to stand beside Regina and watched Henry shrug into his coat with David's help, before her eyes met Mr. Gold's, and then, Belle's in question.

"Whenever you are, dearie," Gold said more to Regina than Emma with an almost challenging tone to his voice. Unlike before the three of them had defeated Cora together though, Emma could hear a slight hint at genuine playfulness in the, otherwise, daring words. And although she could still sense some uneasiness in Regina around Gold that the other woman wouldn't allow herself to show, after a moment it was gone.

Something had changed between the two of them. Maybe it was their new individual chances at finding happiness and a certain silent understanding that seemed to have caused, which Emma had come to sense between them. It was like they knew they had come to where they needed to be, and even if it meant they had hurt and used each other to get there, they wouldn't have reached this particular chance at love and family otherwise.

"Shall we then?" Regina gestured toward the door and Gold stepped forward to open the building's exit, escorting Belle outside into the cool night. Henry was quick to follow them, only pausing to make sure Regina had a hold on the door and would be keeping it open for Emma and herself, once he let go.

Regina waited for Emma, who found herself hesitating as she walked by her father, giving him a half smile, unsure of how to ease or erase the awkward tension she'd felt from the moment she'd noticed his blue eyes moving from herself to Regina and back again. She hadn't been sure if he was trying to make sense of them as a couple and was coming to terms with all he had witnessed between them that night, or if he was still too shocked to even reach that point.

"We'll be outside," Regina gave Emma a small understanding smile, her brown eyes caring and offering silent support, after she had apparently picked up on the odd exchange between father and daughter. Regina's hand briefly settled on Emma's arm encouragingly, before she turned and pulled the door closed behind her.

It took Emma a moment to bring her eyes from the window she could still see the back of Regina's head through, to her father's face that had more emotions written on it than Emma knew him well enough to define. A part of her wished Mary Margaret had followed them downstairs.

"Look," She began and turned fully toward him, her hands finding their way into the pockets of her jeans. "I don't know much about being a daughter…you know that. And I'd hate for this to be that one thing that disappoints you, or makes you so uncomfortable and upsets you so much, you never speak to me again. For the first time, I'm really happy with my life, and I don't want to lose any of the people who help make me happy. I just found you. And yeah, it's weird a lot of the time, but I finally have my dad and so far you've been all of the things I always wanted in one. I really don't want to ruin any of the progress we've made so far, especially because of a choice I'm making that I know makes my life better."

Emma watched her father taking in what she'd just said. He stared at her conflicted, but with a bit more understanding than a few moments before. He sighed, "You know, your mother warned me this was happening. I guess I tried not to see it at first. I wanted to keep thinking you and Regina were just friends. Even that was a lot to accept. But you're both Henry's moms, so it made some kind of sense."

"I know," Emma exhaled in exasperation and joined David in leaning against the wall. "I never meant to…I never would've thought I'd end up having feelings for her. Now that I do have them though, it just feels right. All of it."

"Honestly, you caring about Regina caught me off guard, but I'm having a harder time wrapping my mind around her caring about you."

Emma became defensive and her stare pierced his as their eyes met. "She's not evil. She has a heart. That's what caused all of the problems in the first place. You know she's changed. You wouldn't have helped a ton with this party if you didn't see it."

"Accepting she's changed and seeing her romantically involved with my daughter are two different things," David retorted, as his hand swept through the air with the frustration he felt. "I know she's trying to be better. I also have a good idea of how much she loved Daniel and how she spent decades trying to kill your mother to get her revenge for his death. Obsessions like that and the feelings that led to them, don't just disappear."

The revelation about what her father was mostly worried about hit Emma's gut and she forced herself to take a deep breath. It wasn't that she doubted Regina, but the truth in what she had heard knocked her off balance as she took it in. "You think she can't really lo—care about me because of that?"

"No. I talked to your mother. I know they've both let the past go for the most part and I saw how far Regina's come since she had to destroy Daniel after Whale brought him back."

There was a feeling much like relief that washed over Emma. She almost felt guilty for it because it meant she had questioned her trust of Regina. But David had made a point that was easily validated by some of the jobs she had taken on as a bounty hunter. Years and years later crimes were committed due to deep feelings that had gone unresolved. Hell, it had even taken her years to find it within herself to let go of Neal. Taking a moment to consider if her father might have voiced a reasonable concern was only human and justified, especially when in the end she was certain it wasn't what was happening and that she could trust her girlfriend.

When Emma could only nod at what she'd been told, David continued. "I'm just—I guess I just want you to be careful. It can be hard to let go of the feelings like the ones Regina had for Daniel. In our land, if he really was true love for her, it's difficult to really move on and love another, even if they may be another chance at true love."

A sigh came from Emma and she stood up straighter to make eye contact with David. "No offense, I'm sure you're right in most cases, but Regina cares too deeply when she feels for someone. I don't think I need to worry about Daniel still taking up most of her heart. It seems like there's been plenty of room in there for Henry, and for me, too."

"And you would know better than anyone," David said sincerely.

Emma found herself laughing lightly and receiving a confused look from him. "Sor—sorry. It's not funny. I know you really do care and you're being my dad, but you want the truth? There's like a five percent chance of Regina being the one to mess this up…of hurting me. I'm sure that sounds crazy to you, but I know her. I know me. I'm way more messed up when it comes to what it takes to make a relationship work, trust me. Sure there's a chance she'll try to push me away, but I'm used to that and would know to fight like hell to get back in. If I run though, then that's probably it. If I can't do it, if I can't keep committing myself, I don't know if there'd be a way to fix that. I'm too good at running and believing I'm messed up. So, it's not me who needs protecting."

Emma felt David's arm wrap securely around her shoulder. Heat rose through her cheeks to her eyes, but the tears she expected didn't form. "Emma, you've changed a lot too. I'm not great at this heart-to-heart stuff, but don't be so hard on yourself and stop doubting. You've been committed to Henry and your mother and I. You haven't run away."

Emma frowned, knowing herself too well. "There's still time."

"Maybe, but I don't really believe that and I don't think you do. The way you've tried to make this family work, how you've compromised with Regina, and even how you helped Henry with this party, you're already committed. I think you care enough not to run anymore."

Emma grunted in dark amusement. "That's when I do some of my best running. When I realize how much I care."

The hand on her arm moved up and down offering as much comfort as any parent could give. "If you say so. And hey, you could try, but I don't think you'd get very far. Too many people would run after you, especially Henry. I don't think he'd leave you alone until he managed to drag you back."

Emma gave a small, watery smile at the thought, now that tears had properly appeared in her eyes. "I can't run from him."

"See?"

"But that doesn't mean I won't royally mess this up," Emma sighed, then added, "No pun intended."

David squeezed her closer to him. "If she really makes you happy you'll do everything not to mess it up. You'll do everything to keep her happy and yourself if you care about her as much as it looks like you do."

"I know it's going to take some time, but it's Regina, not she or her," Emma scolded gently and David nodded his understanding. "And you're right; I'm going to work my ass off to make sure I don't hurt her."

"You're mother and I are here if you need us."

Emma gave a half-chuckle. "Mary Margaret said the same thing. You'd think you're married or something."

David shook his head with a laugh. When he looked back at Emma, a serious expression had returned to his face. "I want you to be careful, but I also want you to be happy. If Regina is who you want to be with, I have no right to stop you as much as I might want to."

"Is it just about the Evil Queen thing or the woman thing too?" Emma found herself needing to know where his reluctance to accept this truly stemmed from.

"It may not have been common in our land for two women to have been openly in a relationship, but if you and another woman feel even half of what I feel for Snow, I'd say go for it. Life is short and finding true love…that rarely happens," David was smiling, as he paused for a moment and Emma could tell he was trying to find the right words for what he was thinking. "Regina is a beautiful woman and she's smart, strong, and loves Henry; I'll admit that. I'm glad you found someone who matches you in those ways."

"So it's the Evil Queen thing," Emma concluded.

David released her to run a hand over his face. "You weren't there, Emma. Regina was evil and probably close to insane by the time she cast the curse. She took my family away from me, and now, I'm being asked to let her have her family, who happen to be two people who are also my family. That's something I never thought I'd be willing to give her. But your mother knew her before she became that way and always believed and hoped she'd see the Regina who saved her again. You believe she's found a part of that good person in her again and I've begun to see it as well. I only hope that person is here for good."

"I hope so too and I'd say it's a safe bet," Emma assured, resting a hand on David's arm.

She saw the look of acquiescence in his eyes, before she heard the slightly amused, but defeated sigh. For the first time, Emma understood the genuine gratitude and pride that most girls felt when their father's reluctantly agreed to give them what they wanted because they saw how truly happy it would make them. And even though she was an adult, there was no mistaking the feeling and gift of freedom and trust her dad had just given her; one that she was incredibly thankful for.

"It'll take me some time, but I'll try my best to get there."

"That's all I'd ask for," Emma smiled and wrapped her arms around David in a tight, grateful hug.

"I was afraid when I had to choose between my kingdom and Snow," David said as they released each other. "I'd never force my daughter to make a similar decision."

"Thank you."

"At least ultimately choosing your mother and love was easy when the other choice was helping a man, who would have beheaded me, keep his kingdom. I can't imagine having to choose between two parts of your family that you care about."

Emma nodded in agreement. "It wouldn't have been easy or fun, I'll say that."

"But you'd have chosen her," David replied knowingly.

"No…I-"

"You would. I understand, believe me," He tried to erase the guilt that had flooded the green eyes staring at him.

"I'd still care about you guys," Emma said in a small voice.

"I know. Like I said, I understand."

"Well, I'm happy I don't have to choose," Emma felt lighter as she took a step toward the door.

"Just humor your father and be careful."

Emma rolled her eyes mockingly, but there was a fondness in the genuine way she smiled at his concern. "I will be…dad."

"Thanks. Now, go help Regina find that treasure."

"She's lucky it was too big for us to bury," Emma chuckled and brushed a hair that had come out of place when she hugged David, back behind her ear.

"She is. I think Henry's probably ready to drag you out of here thanks to your mother and I," David commented, nodding at the door. Through the window they could see the boy standing a good distance away on the sidewalk, eyeing the building impatiently.

"Looks like it."

"Have fun."

Her father walked with her and held the door for Emma after she pulled it open.

"Oh, we will. Nothing like a late-night treasure hunt with Belle, Mr. Gold, my kid, and the Queen of Designer Clothes walking around outside in sweats on a cold night," Emma muttered under her breath in case any of them were close enough to the door to hear her.

"Is she still wearing heels?" David asked just as muffled.

"I snuck the only pair of sneakers I could find in her closet, into my car when I left her house."

"Good idea," He patted her shoulder proudly.

"Thanks. And thanks again."

They shared one last smile. Then, Emma stepped out onto the sidewalk hearing the door click shut behind her.

"Emma!" Henry ran over to her and grabbed her hand. "At this rate, it's gonna be after midnight by the time we get home."

"Henry, I already told you it's fine if you go to sleep much later than usual tonight," Regina sighed, running a hand over his head. "All of the sneaking around you did last year, and tonight, you're worried about going to bed late."

Emma couldn't help but laugh at Regina's grumbling. Henry looked to his brunette mother apologetically, until Emma brought his attention back to her. "Here, take the keys and open the bug. Get your mom's sneakers out of the back, please."

"My sneakers?" Regina's eyes squinted in confusion.
"Well, you can't go walking around the woods in heels," Emma replied nonchalantly with a shrug. "I don't think they'd be comfortable roaming around town either."

A hand rose to Regina's hip and she stared Emma down. The blonde half-expected her girlfriend to start tapping her foot like a mother awaiting a guilty confession. "The woods?"

"Afraid of the dark, Your Majesty?" Gold saved Emma from responding.

"Very funny. And no. But the woods, really Emma?" She turned back to her girlfriend with a disapproving look.

"I'm not saying anything," Emma smiled smugly.

"Don't worry, I brought a few flashlights," Belle offered, attempting to give Regina some relief. She pointed to the tote bag sitting on the ground by Emma's car, before heading over to retrieve it.

"Here's your shoes, Mom," Henry rushed over to them and handed the sneakers to Regina.

"Stand still," Regina ordered, leaning on Emma and balancing on one foot as she took a high heeled shoe off one foot and slipped a sneaker on in its place, before switching feet and doing the same with the other.

When she was finished Emma nodded to Henry who had confiscated the treasure map from Gold and unfolded it so Regina could see. The boy stared at it with his mother, studying what was drawn on the parchment in black ink.

"I don't understand," Regina looked to each of the adults. "There was an x on it before."

"Sorry, that was our map…just to make sure you're on the right track," Belle began to explain and her voice shook a little out of embarrassment and nervousness at Regina's calculating stare. "This one starts out with a clue and eventually, once you've figured it out, you'll add the x to where you think it is."

"So, it really is a hunt," Regina took the parchment that was absent of any dashes leading her to the x she sought and looked more closely at it. "This better be a very good surprise," Regina said through gritted teeth leaning into Emma, so only she could hear her. Not wanting to cause Belle to become any more uncomfortable or make Henry think she was unhappy with his final surprise, she forced a smile.

"Where do we begin?" Regina asked Henry with more enthusiasm than she thought she had in her, and realized she might be more intrigued and excited than she expected herself to be.

"Here's the first clue," Henry pointed to a line of words at the bottom.

Regina skimmed over the print she recognized as Emma's, and then, read it out loud. "Here's the place where you've watched the rest of us eat all the burgers and fries we could ever want. Henry's sad he won't be getting a shake tonight, but you'll be able to get a clue in a different font," Regina eyed Emma with amusement, her eyebrow arching up as she attempted to hold back a chuckle. "Want and font?"

"Don't worry, Belle came up with most of the others," Emma felt her cheeks flush and decided to just take the Birthday Girl's mocking and criticism.

"Belle?" Regina sounded disappointed. "Surely, you could have come up with some creative ones, Rumple. I thought you specialized in riddles?"

Regina pursed her lips and sent him a smug look.

"My talents were needed elsewhere in making this little treasure hunt, I'm afraid. There was no point in wasting them here," Gold replied just as smugly, but Emma picked up on the almost-friendly glint again that she'd seen him give Regina so often lately.

"Lucky for me, this one's an easy riddle," Regina ignored his answer. "I suppose we should start walking toward Granny's."

"We can take my car if you want?" Emma pointed at the yellow bug.

Regina shook her head and Emma could tell she declined more out of pride to keep showing her dislike of the car, than actually not wanting to be driven around.

Henry followed Mr. Gold and Belle as they took the lead in the direction of the diner. Emma and Regina followed a small distance behind them.

"How did it go with David?" Regina found herself asking when they started walking and she couldn't take not knowing anymore. "You don't seem upset."

"I thought the fact that I'm still here doing the treasure hunt would be enough of a clue. Oh, and that I'm holding your hand," Emma grinned, scooping up Regina's hand into hers and raising them to eye level to make a point.

"So, it went well then?" Regina's brow wrinkled with the scrutinizing look she searched Emma's face with, trying to come up with any sign that Emma was just trying not to hurt her.

Part of Emma wanted to answer with a sarcastic comment, but she could tell Regina was genuinely asking and had obviously been worried about Emma talking to her father, even if her concerned eyes were really all that gave her away.

"I told him I'd choose you…actually, he came to that conclusion himself."

Regina groaned and tugged her hand out of Emma's to run it through her dark hair. The action had them stopping in the middle of the sidewalk. "Emma, I didn't want either of your parents being forced to accept us because of some ultimatum."

"If you'd let me finish," Emma rolled her eyes with a playful huff, and took Regina's hand again, rubbing her thumb against the soft skin it rested on. "I know you like getting the last word in, but at least let me finish talking first."

Emma smiled teasingly at her, making certain Regina knew she was mostly kidding.

"Fine, go on," Regina acquiesced with her own eye roll and smirk, as she allowed them to continue walking again.

"I told him I'd choose you, after David had already said he'd work on accepting that his daughter is dating…"

"The Evil Queen," Regina supplied with distaste.

"Former," Emma corrected with a nudge to Regina's shoulder, receiving the grateful smile she had hoped she'd get in reply. "I think he's more worried about me getting hurt because of you randomly snapping back into cold Evil Queen mode or the fact that I might always be playing second fiddle-"

"Second fiddle?" Regina interrupted, confused.

"To Daniel."

"Oh," Regina fell silent, falling slightly out of step with Emma.

"I told him that neither would happen," Emma assured, as she linked their fingers together.

"You don't know that," The words came out quiet and sad, which made Emma force them to stop a few buildings away from Granny's.

"I do."

"How can you?" Regina asked, her eyes flitting from Emma's to somewhere behind her.

"Regina, as far as Daniel goes, you've told me about him. I've never felt him to be my competition," Emma explained and moved to wrap her arm around Regina and she gratefully leaned into the comfort. "You'll always love him, at least a little. I know that and I'm ok with that. I get it."

Emma's lips pressed against Regina's head, before she pulled away and looked into brown eyes that would appear almost completely black if it weren't for the streetlights reflected in them. "He loved you and saw you for who you are. He was there before I could be and if his memory reminds you someone loved and wanted you, I want you to remember that. He's a part of you. You've moved on from trying to kill my mother, so I'd say he's gone back to being a good part of you. He makes you who you are and I love you."

"Sometimes I think you know me better than I know myself."

"I could say the same thing when it comes to you knowing me," Emma kissed her softly, her lips pressed to Regina's long enough to let her know the depth of what she was feeling.

"I love you, too," Regina murmured, once Emma had slowly pulled away. "Possibly more than you know."

"I'm pretty sure I have a good idea as to how much," Emma kissed her again, before she snaked her arm around Regina and made them finish their walk to where the others had just arrived.

"You two walk slow," Henry complained.

"Sorry kid. We were talking," Emma ruffled his hair.

"More like making out," He narrowed his eyes at her.

"Trust me, that was not making out," Emma objected with a small laugh. "I'd never traumatize you like that, after walking in on my parents a few times."

Henry shifted his eyes from Emma to Regina, suddenly appearing unsure of something.

"Hey," Emma soothed and squatted in front of him. "I know that look. What's up?"

But Henry only shook his head making it clear he didn't want to talk about it right now. Emma cast her eyes up at Regina, silently wondering if she should do as he wanted and drop it for now. In reply she received a small, worried smile, until Regina motioned for her to stand up.

"Let us know when you're ready," Emma offered and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Yeah, ok," His half-smile matched hers. Then, he reached for Regina, surprising both of his moms. However, she didn't hesitate for a second, and instinctively opened her arms to him. "Next clue," He prompted from where he stood with his arms lightly encircling his mother.

"Next clue," Emma repeated, going along with what her son wanted, and grabbed a paper sitting under a rock on one of the outdoor tables in front of the diner.

She brought it over to Regina and held it open, so her girlfriend could read Belle's neat, wispy handwriting. Regina played with Henry's hair, as she looked the paper over.

"I suppose this means we're headed to the Sherriff's Station?" Her brown eyes fell to her son, who stared up at her and nodded.

"Yep," He dropped his arms from around Regina's middle and she slowly let go of her son.

"This isn't some trick to lock me up, is it?" Regina wondered seriously, but she followed the question with a smirk.

"Emma, she caught us!" Henry played along, but couldn't hide a laugh. "Now, what do we do?"

"Come up with a new plan and a new name," Emma suggested with a wink, as Henry led them down the street to the next clue he knew to be sitting in the jail cell.

"As long as I get to pick the name," He met Emma's eyes over his shoulder.

Emma snorted. "Don't you always? Not like you'd ever go along with anything I pick."

"Anyone who thinks their codename should be 'Pumpkin' loses their chance to get a say."

That had Regina and Belle both laughing, but unfortunately, Regina was the only one Emma felt comfortable nudging in the ribs.

"He made a good point," Regina argued, rubbing her side more as a display, than because Emma had actually hurt her.

"Maybe I should lock you up," Emma grumbled, as Regina locked her arm with Emma's and leaned against her in apology.

"Maybe you should," Regina whispered suggestively against her ear and saw the devilish smile that formed on Emma's face.

"Don't encourage me," She returned lowly. "I might just do it."

"Maybe I want you to," Regina hummed and kissed her neck.

"For now, I think we should just focus on getting clue number three. Again, I don't want to traumatize Henry."

Regina chuckled deeply against Emma's shoulder. "No, we wouldn't want that."

"You think he'll talk to us," Emma asked quietly when Henry was far enough ahead of them he wouldn't pick up on something that wasn't quite a whisper.

"I—I hope so," Regina offered with as much confidence as she could, while watching their son walk ahead of them. He seemed happier after his banter with Emma, but she could tell there was something weighing him down. It was odd though, because whatever it was obviously had to do with his moms' relationship, and yet, he'd been the one orchestrating a plan to get them to dance together, earlier.

"Wish I could read his mind," Emma let out a worried exhale.

"He'll come to us when he needs to," Regina assured her, as they followed Henry, Belle, and Mr. Gold into the dimly lit building and toward Emma's desk.

"There it is," Henry pointed to a folded paper, sitting on the cot on the other side of the bars that enclosed it.

"Shouldn't your mother have to search for the clues?" Gold questioned Henry.

"Nah. I just want to give her the big surprise!"

Henry's excitement had returned to his eyes. Regina took the key Emma's hand held out to her and went to pick up the next riddle from inside the locked cell. When she returned, she dropped the key into Emma's palm and leaned in, so her cheek was against the blonde's.

"I think you should join me next time," Regina felt Emma's cheek grow warm against hers and felt her breathing become more labored, before she moved back and stood up again.

Emma just glared at her, through the smirk on her face. "Cruel."

"I thought it was considerate of me to offer," Regina frowned, but Emma could tell she was acting. "If you really feel that way, might as well just handcuff me now."

"Why?" Henry looked from one of his moms to the other, catching their conversation that was unsettling out of context.

Emma coughed lightly and stared expectantly at Regina. "Yes, Regina, tell your son why I should handcuff you?"

"I'm not sure whether I want to be present for this explanation or not," Mr. Gold mumbled to Belle, but loud enough that Emma overheard and laughed.

Staying true to the mayor that never faltered, Regina didn't even flinch and met her son's unhappy gaze. "Don't worry, sweetheart. We were just teasing each other."

"I'll say," Emma acknowledged from behind her with a roll of her eyes.

"So, you didn't do anything wrong?" The timid way he asked had both Emma and Regina feeling guilty that their son was honestly concerned.

"No, Henry, she didn't," Emma told him as sincerely as she could and added a smile. "Or at least, nothing I'd have to arrest her for. Teasing her girlfriend with promises she can't make good on in the immediate future…well, that's another story."

"Oh, hush," Regina waved her hand to silence Emma. "I made no promises, just suggestions," she defended and faced her son again. "You have nothing to worry about, Henry."

"Good," Henry grinned, seeming comforted by the back-and-forth between the two women. However, Regina still recognized the uncertainty in his eyes as he looked at her.

"Now, where am I off to next?" The paper tucked between Regina's fingers was opened and she scanned over the words Belle had written. "My throne away from home?"

"Sorry, that was another one of my lines," Emma cast her eyes down sheepishly.

Henry laughed. "Throne and home don't really rhyme."

"You should stick to being sheriff, dear. Poetry isn't your strong suit."

"I think we should just get going to your office," Emma ushered the others out, earning an entertained smirk from Regina.

"Remember I love you," Regina uttered as she walked past Emma and placed a light kiss on her lips.

"I know. Hoping you'll remember how much you love me, once we start trekking through the woods."

Regina captured Emma's lips again. "I'll never forget. But if for some reason I do, I'm sure there's some way you could remind me."

"I'm sure there is," Emma used her hands that had settled on Regina's waist to pull her in. "And in case I haven't said it enough in the past few hours, I love you too."

"We're that sickening couple straight out of a romantic comedy aren't we?"

"Better than being a couple right out of a Shakespearean tragedy," Emma joked, receiving a gentle slap against her shoulder from Regina.

"I'm done with tragedy."

"Looks like we'll both have to put up with the sappy romantic stuff, then," Emma found Regina's hand and they made their way outside to catch up with the others.

"I believe that's a price I'm more than willing to pay," Regina smiled so adoringly that it had Emma's breath catching in her throat and her fingers finding their way between Regina's.