A/N: So the last chapter didn't get much love. I cant blame you I didn't exactly love it myself. I kind of like this one though.

Apologies for the time-lapse between updates. I had meant to but then SwanQueen week happened and I got distracted. As always I hope you enjoy, and feel free to drop me a message if you do!

Its early afternoon when Emma returns. I've just finished writing Henry a letter about dating when she appears in the doorway.

I've tried to impart my wisdom, telling him it's not corny to be a gentleman. He should always open the door for his date, because if it's not chivalrous it's certainly polite. He should date as many people as he wants until he finds the one he really likes, but never more than one person at a time. And when the right person comes along, he shouldn't be afraid to tell them he loves them, but he should never lie about being in love with someone because that's how you break someone's heart.

Most importantly, he shouldn't feel embarrassed to tell his beloved's family how he feels, and if he decides to marry, it's polite to tell his darling's parents of his intentions. Permission is not needed, but blessings are accepted. Oh and none of this "Shall we. You know. What do you think?" rubbish. If he's going to ask, he should actually say the words. I was only proposed to once, it wasn't some grand gesture, it was private and perfect. I can only hope that Henry will feel the same.

"So Mary Margaret's here." Emma says tightly as she sits in the visitor's chair, whilst I seal the envelope.

"Oh Miss Swan, I wasn't expecting you." I stow the letter with the growing pile in the bedside cabinet.

"You're real funny, anyone ever tell you that?" She glares.

"It has been mentioned once or twice." I sigh, looking over at her; she looks a little more ready for this conversation. Maybe it just my sheer will that makes her appear that way. "Yes, Miss. Blanchard teaches my son's 4th grade class."

"She mentioned." Emma shifts uncomfortably in the chair. She looks up and locks eyes with me for a moment. "What am I doing here Regina?" She asks, sounding as tired as I feel.

"I thought that was abundantly clear?"

"Apparently not to me." She harrumphs. "Is this some kind of last ditch attempt to make amends?"

"I think we both know I'm way past redemption." I laugh, there's a sour taste in my mouth.

"Then what?" She asks, her eyes pleading. I try to reach into the bedside cabinet, on the shelf below Henry's letters, but it's too far, too much effort.

"Can you?" I point to the thick white envelope. She gets up and hands it to me. "Thanks." I feel the weight of them in my hands, just as heavy as when I had them drawn up. Heavier still than the first set I ever signed. "I need you to sign these." I open the envelope and flick to the relevant pages.

"What is it?" Emma asks, but her wide eyes indicate she already knows.

"Estate planning." I tell her, almost true. "I need." I need another minute or two to think of the right words. "I need." Why is this so hard? I sigh.

"Shall I start at the beginning?" I almost laugh, and Emma half smiles with a nod.

"Okay." Another deep breath.

This conversation has been ten years in the making. I've had it a thousand times in my head, never quite in these circumstances until a few months ago. But actually having this conversation, well it's harder than I had planned.

"When you left New York, I stayed. But you know that. I stayed for nearly a year, with Henry for 3 months or so. But there were too many memories. Daniel. You. And I had a three month old baby, so I moved back to Storybrooke." Recognition flitters across her face, she's obviously been questioning it.

"My mother may not be perfect, but I had no support system. Nothing. She wasn't necessarily happy, but anyway. Within a year Snow and David followed me back here. I was so angry." I laugh a little, I can do that now. Emma smiles a little, I'm sure she can imagine.

"I demanded she leave, made her life miserable, but still every time I saw her all she said was 'I'm so sorry Regina.' I guess she wore me down." I shrug, I still don't like the woman and am not in her presence for long if I can help it, but my ire has certain diminished. I like to think Henry has softened me. "In all honesty, these last few months, without Snow and David – Henry, I don't know." I shake my head, my eyes prickle, no tears, but the emotions are still there. "He's living with my mother, which is not what I want. And he loves David and Snow, but –"

"Regina." Emma cuts in, there's a warning to her tone. The pieces have finally clicked into place for her.

"But I don't want them either. They are going to have their own children someday and –"

"You can't ask me to do this." Emma shakes her head.

"I can't ask anyone else." I answer her honestly. "I need." Another deep breath. "I need you to adopt Henry."

"Regina. I. I can't. I just. Can't." Emma stumbles over every word, eyes full of tears on the precipice.

"Think about it at. Please." I beg, that's right beg. I have never begged another human being for anything. But for this, for this I will do anything.