Hi, everyone, I've jumped forward a little in this chapter and hope you all like it as much as the last ones.

Sorry for any spelling/Grammar Mistakes.


Regina and Emma arrived back at the Mills castle on a cold early evening, in late November.

"It feels a little odd being back here" Emma muttered, rubbing her arm in her guest room. While Regina was stood at the door entrance, pulling her thick cloak around her.

"I understand I really do. This place has a lot of haunting memories" she replied.

Emma nodded in understanding.

"Your mother" Emma asked and walked over to Regina and took her hand.

"And that man" Regina clenched her jaw.

"Listen, were made new memories, good memories" Emma told her seriously and she squeezed the brunettes hand.

Regina slightly relaxed.

"We will?"

"Yeah, we can do things we enjoy, good times, no more bad" she said sweetly and kept her gaze on Regina's face.

Regina smiled at her.

"What do you propose we do first?" she asked.

"Um, Well how about in the morning, we go and see your apple tree, I am sure you have missed seeing it"

"That would be nice"

Emma tilted her head and bit her lip.

"What do you want to do right now? Regina then asked Emma, finding the blondes lip biting, kind of cute.

"Um, I am a little hungry"

Regina chuckled.

"I will let the kitchen know that we wish to eat"

Emma grinned and they just looked at each other softly, for a long moment, until Regina's guard Jefferson interrupted.

"Your Majesty, is everything okay?" He asked, as she came to stand near the door and she glanced to him.

"Everything is good. Will you tell the kitchen me and the princess wish to eat"

"Yes your majesty" he bowed his head, suddenly noticing his Queen was holding the Princesses hand and he smirked and left.

"Do you think your parents, are worried about you being here?" Regina suddenly asked, turning her attention back to the Princess.

"No. They know that you won't let anything happen to me"

Regina then thought back on her conversation with Snow. It was hard to forget. Especially when her happiness was her daughter.

"Hey you okay?" Emma asked, squeezing the Queens hand once more.

"Yes dear. I shall let you unpack"

Emma nodded and released Regina's hand and watched the Queen wander off.


Meanwhile back in the East kingdom, Snow and David were looking into marriages between royalty, of two different kingdoms.

"Says here, that marriage between two different kingdoms royalty, needs to be agreed by both King/s and Queen/s" Snow said and frowned.

David scoffed.

"There's nothing on same gender marriage within royalty" Snow then added and rubbed her forehead with her hand.

"Of course there's not, its unheard of" David replied seriously.

"Before now" Snow corrected.

"Their not even together, let alone marrying each other Snow" he snapped.

"David, this is our daughters happiness. Do you not want her to be happy?"

"Of course I do. I am just still surprised that's all. However it is not easy. Many will not agree "

"Maybe not now, because of the kings recent death but maybe in a year or two"

"Snow" David warned.

"Emma said she will wait, as long as it takes"

"Do you really believe that?" he asked curiously.

"Yes, I do" she then looked back down at the papers, on the table.

"What do you think they are doing right now?" David then asked.

"I don't know. I like to think that they are happy" she smiled.


Back in the West Kingdom.

"Woah" Emma said, looking down at her plate of Roast Swan and potatoes, then noticed the vegetables.

"Eat up dear" Regina asked happily.

"You know I won't eat the vegetables right?"

Regina rolled her eyes.

Emma then smiled and started to dig in to her plate of food and they ate in a comfortable silence. Until Emma said "I'm stuffed"

Regina shook her head.

"You haven't finished your desert Princess" she teased.

"I can't" she leaned back in the chair. "Your spoiling me" she added.

Regina picked up her wine and swirled it lightly. whilst looking across the table to Emma smugly.

"You deserve it"

Emma scoffed.

"Your the Queen, I'm a mere Princess"

"Who will be Queen one day" Regina corrected.

Emma frowned "I never wanted that responsibility" she replied sadly.

Regina's hummed in agreement. "I never wanted this neither. I wanted to be free" She then slumped slightly in her chair and she found herself locking eyes with the blonde Princess for a long moment and they could feel the understanding they shared.

"We have a lot in common huh?" Emma finally said.

Regina smirked and took the napkin from the table and dabbed her mouth.

"I guess that's why we are best friends Emma"

"Yeah" The princess replied softly and glanced down at her lap, thinking she wanted to be the Queens best friend and lover and she wandered, if she would ever be able to hold her tightly within her arms.

Meanwhile, She didn't notice Regina looking at her curiously.

"What is it Emma? What are you thinking?" Regina asked.

"Oh, I was...thinking do I have to sleep in my own chamber tonight?" she saw Regina look a little confused "I mean last time I was here, I stayed with you and that was nice, I mean its the best sleep I've ever had and oh never-mind" she gripped her fingers together feeling foolish.

"Oh, I wouldn't mind that...I mean Yes it was nice and I too had the best sleep"

They both looked to each other sheepishly.

"So you wouldn't mind?" Emma asked.

"No, of course not" she gave a smile and they then continued talking about random meaningless things.


Later that evening, Regina and Emma changed into their night gowns and got into Regina's large bed.

"So comfortable" Emma whispered happily. as she felt the soft mattress and sheets against her.

"I usually find it hard to sleep" Regina blurted out, without thought.

"Apart from when I am here" Emma replied quickly and they looked to each other and swallowed thickly. The tension was currently growing within the room.

Regina then could here Snows words in her head...Promise me when you find your happiness to grab it with both hands...but then she thought I don't deserve Emma, there's so many things in our way, I need to think of my people, it is too soon after.. she sighed sadly.

Emma meanwhile, took the brunettes hand.

"What you thinking about?" Emma asked, tilting her head.

"Oh nothing, just tomorrow, Hopefully it wont rain"

"I am looking forward to our walk and when your fully recovered, you shall have to show me your horse riding skills"

"I would like that"

Emma then released the Queens hand and laid down. Regina then too laid down.

"Goodnight Regina" Emma said.

"Goodnight"

Emma then turned on her side, her back facing Regina but she kept her eye's open. Thinking about Regina.

Regina meanwhile laid on her back, going over things in her head before closing her eyes.


The next morning, Regina woke first to find Emma, still with her back to her.

She moved closer and whispered "Emma.." there was no answer and she raised her hand and pulled blonde locks, from the girls face.

Much better, she thought to herself, before she got up and got dressed.

When Emma woke up twenty minutes later, she was disappointed, that Regina wasn't there and she yawned and got up to get ready.

It wasn't until a further twenty minutes, that she found the Queen talking with Archie in the main hall.

"Good morning Princess" Archie said, upon noticing her enter the room, wearing pants and a loose white top.

"Good morning"

Regina beamed.

"I shall speak to you later Regina" Archie then said and Regina nodded.

"I hope your not leaving because of me" Emma asked, coming to stand next to Regina.

"No princess, enjoy your breakfast" he smiled and walked off.

"Breakfast?" Emma asked Regina with wide bright eyes.

"Yes, breakfast"

They then walked to the table.

"Did you sleep well dear?" Regina asked.

"Yeah and you?"

"I did" they both looked to one another before they sat down.

"Your wearing pants?" Emma noted.

"Yes, so are you dear" she quirked an eyebrow.

"Yeah, without my parents I can wear what I want. Unless you think it is inappropriate"

"Of course it's not, I want you to feel comfortable here" She then thought plus you wearing pants lets me see your fine ass...maybe I will get her to bend over a few times during today...she smirked to herself before her eyes then widened...When did I become a perv, no I am not a perv. Treat her with respect Regina, she told herself seriously and her cheeks started to heat.

"Are you okay Regina?" Emma asked from across the table.

"Yes I was...are you still thinking of not wearing on dress on your wedding day?" Regina asked curiously.

"I don't think I will get married"

"Why not?" was out of her mouth before she could stop herself and she cursed herself for being so stupid.

"Well..." Emma thought about confessing but chickened out. "There overrated" she replied.

Regina frowned and they then ate breakfast before going out, into the gardens.


"It is nice to be out here" Regina said, taking in the sight of her apple tree. The day was bright and the air felt slightly warmer.

"I agree" Emma said softly, standing next to her.

"Your majesty" Jefferson said, a little breathlessly as he hurried over to his Queen.

"Yes" Regina said a little to harshly. She didn't want to be interrupted, during her stroll with the Princess.

"Your needed in the main hall" he told her.

"Oh? why is that?"

"There's has been trouble in the nearest village"

Regina nodded and began to walk.

"I won't be too long Emma, I'm sorry"

"That is fine, don't worry" Emma shouted back.

Emma then wondered around the castle aimlessly. While Regina was busy and it wasn't until early evening, that Regina found Emma in the library.

"Emma..." she said happily and the blonde turned from the window and smiled.

"Is everything okay?" she asked and stepped towards Regina, who had closed the door.

"It will be. There was a fire in the village. it wasn't an accident" she looked down sadly.

"Oh no, is everyone okay?" Emma asked.

"Minor injuries, but some have lost their homes and will have to stay in the small shelter tonight" she sighed and Emma immediately took her hand to comfort her.

"You care deeply Regina. I like that about you" she gave a goofy smile and Regina felt slightly better.

"I shall be going to to the village in the morning, we will take food and water for those effected"

Emma nodded and asked "Can I come?"

"Of course" she gave a small smile before asking "what have you been up too? whilst I have been busy?"

"Nothing exciting" she released the Queens hand and walked to the window. "I have been watching your two guards for the last ten minutes, they seem to be up to something"

Regina quirked an eyebrow and walked to the window, looking over to the two men.

She laughed.

"They have alcohol dear"

"Oh, how do you know that?" she tilted her head at the brunette next to her.

"I have caught one of them with a flask of rum before" she smirked. "I shall have a word with them tomorrow, but for now me and you have got to go and have dinner"

Emma smiled widely at her, her stomach had been rumbling all afternoon. "Lets go" she said seriously and pulled Regina by the hand and lead her out of the library.

This made the Queen chuckle, at the Princesses eagerness to go eat.


Day two, of Emma's two week stay.

"Come Emma, Come see this" Regina said, to the Princess as she watched two young children juggling with some fruit.

Emma came to stand next to the Queen, who had guards also close by.

"Good to see they can still have some fun amongst all this, huh?" Emma said as she gestured around them. The ground was black, a number of homes were burnt out and the smell of burning was still in the air.

A couple and their child, then came towards her.

"My Queen, I can't say how grateful me and my family are, for your generosity and for your visit" She held one of the small baskets, that had food and water in.

"Your Welcome dear, was one of these your home" she gestured to the burnt out homes.

"Yes, the last one" The woman looked down sadly. "We didn't lose our lives, that is what matters does it not?" she asked Regina.

"Of course dear"

"My home is my family" the woman then added and looked to her husband and small child.

Regina's heart melted, as she saw this family in front of her. As long as they were together and alive, nothing else mattered and it made her heart swell.

She then turned to Emma, who was smiling at the family. Her eyes started to water. She quickly composed herself. She needed to be her people's strength, a wall.

The family then bowed their heads and walked away. Leaving the Queen and Emma, to see the other people of the village. Who greeted them happily and with surprise, at Princess Emma's attendance.

They then walked to the carriage of food, they had brought with them. With Emma taking two of the baskets and handed them out to two elderly women. Before reaching for another basket and walking off.

Regina immediately followed after her and two guards, immediately followed after them.

It wasn't until ten steps later, that Regina knew what the Princess was doing. She had taken the basket over to a man, who was sat on a section of a brick wall and gripping his hands together and looking lost.

"Excuse me sir. I am Princess Emma and I have brought a basket of food and water over for you. would you like one?"

The man looked in her direction, but wasn't sure if she was talking to him. As people rarely talked to him, because he was a loner and blind.

"Are you talking to me?" he asked.

"Yes. What is your name?"

"William and how do I know your the Princess?" he asked standing up.

"Um" she looked to Regina, who looked amused.

"Do you know your Queens voice?" Emma asked.

"No" The man then tilted his head and then a teenage boy, who was one of the few, who actually tried to talk to William on a few occasions, interrupted.

"It is the Queen and the princess, William" he told him.

William then smiled at hearing the boys voice.

"Okay" he held his hand out, to take the basket.

"Will you be okay William, carrying this" Emma asked.

"Yes princess, thank you for your concern, but I got it" he smirked.

"Okay"

The man then lowered his head, before asking "is Queen Regina standing next to you?"

"I am" Regina answered.

The man turned his head, to the sound of her voice and he smiled wider.

"Please don't think badly of me my Queen, but you are defiantly more of a Queen then your mother. She would not have come here but you have"

"I will take that as a compliment William. Thank you" she smiled, but realized he couldn't see it.

He however smiled back in her direction and then said "Take good care of the Princess, my queen. She's a keeper" he smirked and Regina and Emma gaped, as he bowed his head and walked away, counting the steps to his home.

"A guard then interrupted by saying "All the baskets have been given out my Queen, what do you wish to do now?"

Regina turned, whilst Emma continued watching William walking away.

"We shall depart in ten minutes, ready the cartridge" The guard nodded.

"Are you okay Emma?" Regina asked, seeing a dazed look upon the Princesses face.

"Yeah, I'm sorry that I walked off like that"

"Do not apologize dear. You did a good thing but how did you know he was blind?"

"I didn't, I just thought he seemed a little lost" she rubbed her arm.

Regina wanted to comfort her and went to take the blondes hand, but realized quickly that she was in public. So she pulled back and looked a little awkward. Emma chuckled.

"The hand holding is coming instinct now, huh?" she tried to joke.

Regina swallowed thickly.

"Yes, it seems so"

They then slowly walked back, where Regina spoke with other grateful villagers, while Emma listened until Regina turned to her and said "Right dear. It's time for us to go home"

Emma nodded and they proceeded to the royal carriage, where Emma said "I am looking forward to Dinner"

Regina rolled her eyes.

"I have never met some one who loves, their food as much as you"

"Are you calling me a pig?" Emma joked.

Regina now stopped at the royal carriage and looked around at a few curious looking villagers, watching her and Emma. She gave a warm smile and then looked back to Emma.

"Who said anything about you being a pig!" she then licked her lips and added "Just get in the carriage dear"

Emma then narrowed her eyes at her for a few seconds, before she got into the carriage and Regina followed behind with a chuckle.


Thanks for reading,