Sorry about the long wait for a new chapter, but here it is. Hope you enjoy :)

The time went by fast. Emma's surgery had been postponed by further notice, since the doctors couldn't agree about what she needed. Regina had thrown a fit, told them they were useless and threatened to report them. Luckily Emma had talked her down and told her, she'd rather they were sure what they were doing, that they just jumped into it. Regina had understood and they walked out from the hospital without Regina killing anybody. Emma kept going to the chemo therapies, and sometimes she met Vera, until she suddenly didn't come again. When Emma had met her grandchild and had been told the old woman had passed, she was sad for a few days, but remembered what she had been told by her. She cherished every day she was given with Regina, even though they sometimes fought like hell. Regina's parents had decided to visit them; unfortunately it was on one of Emma's bad days. It didn't stop Cora or Henry to come by the apartment and meet Emma as Regina's girlfriend.

"It's lovely to meet you again, Ms. Swan" Cora said politely and shook her hand. Emma shook her hand, but took a bold chance and gave her a hug. Cora looked overly surprised at this move and looked at Regina who just smiled at them, along with Henry.

"Thank you so much, Mrs. Mills" Emma whispered into Cora's shoulder. She stepped back, but kept her hands on her shoulders. "I can't say it enough. Thanks, both of you" She turned and looked back at Henry. "Mr. Mills" She smiled and could almost not hold back her tears. She felt a hand on her shoulder and looked back at Cora.

"You are my daughter's girlfriend and she is very fond of you. If not to say, that she loves you" Cora looked at Regina and noticed the blushing on her daughter's face. Henry gave her an one-armed hug and laughed "We'll do anything for her and you've made quite an expression on me the last time we met" She arched an eyebrow at Emma, who looked away sheepishly "We are happy to help you, Ms. Swan. And by the way, just call us Cora and Henry" Regina smiled broadly and was extremely happy.

"Only if you call me Emma" Emma said and smiled. Cora nodded. Regina looked at Emma, her eyes filled with love and adoration. Emma blushed under her gaze, but smiled softly to her.

"So, what's for dinner?" Henry asked. Cora rolled her eyes and shook her head.

"You're always thinking with your stomach" Regina laughed and put a hand on Emma's lower back as she stood next to her. Emma leaned into her touch.

"Food is important, and you can't think straight with an empty stomach. That is why I always eat before an important meeting" Henry said matter-of-factly and with a serious face, before winking at Regina and Emma.

"That's what I always say" Emma injected with a smile.

"But the difference is, you don't have important meetings and you can always eat" Regina said with smirk.

"Hey! I do have important things to do" Emma said and looked at Regina.

"Yes? Like what?" Regina asked. Emma thought about it and scratched her head. She thought about talking about her chemo, but she didn't want to kill the mood and she knew Regina only meant it in jest.

"Er- Like... Talking to the Landlord about the shower, for an example, that was pretty important" Emma said in victory. They all laughed as Regina nodded.

"Yes indeed, that was very important. Thank you" Regina leaned in and gently kissed her cheek. Emma blushed and looked down; knowing Regina's parents were watching them. "So, how about dinner?" They sat down together at the table and enjoyed the dinner, Regina had prepared for them. Regina knew that Emma wouldn't eat much and had told to her mother, not to comment on it. Cora watched as Emma pushed her food around, sometimes having a blank look in her eyes and she felt bad for the woman. She wished she could take away it all and also taking away the hurt in her daughter's eyes. Even though Emma seemed to enjoy the company, it was clear to all of them that she was very tired. Cora had talked to Regina about how it proceeded, but all Regina could give her was bad news. The treatments weren't as effective as the doctors had wanted, but they couldn't seem to get why, since the cancer hadn't spread further. Suddenly, Emma rose and they all jumped when her chair hit the floor. Emma ran out of the room quickly. Regina stood up and followed her to the bathroom. Emma closed the door and fell to her knees as the content of her stomach harshly came up. It burned and tears gathered up in her eyes. Regina quietly opened the door and sat down next to her and caressed her back. She could feel Emma's backbone and it was obvious to her, as it has been for some time now, that Emma had lost too much weight.

"I'm sorry" Emma heaved into the toilet. Regina shook her head.

"You have nothing to apologize for, sweetie"

"I've ruined your dinner with your parents. You've been looking forward to them visiting" Emma sat back with tears running down her hollow cheeks. Regina grabbed a washcloth and gently washed her face. She took Emma's face in her hands and caressed her cheeks.

"You didn't do anything, dear. It's alright. My parents know this is hard and I already told them, that today was a bad day. They aren't mad or anything, I promise you" She smiled softly to Emma to make her understand. She felt a little nod from Emma. Regina wrapped her arms around her as Emma leaned into her to rest her head on Regina's chest. Emma closed her eyes and took a deep breath to relax. She could hear Regina's heartbeat and it made her smile. She loved listening to it. She was almost dozing off when she heard a faint knock on the door Regina cleared her throat to speak, "Yes?"

"Are everything alright?" Cora asked worried. Emma felt Regina nod.

"Emma isn't feeling very well and needs to relax"

"Anything we can do?" Cora asked.

"I just want to go to bed" Emma mumbled into Regina's chest. Regina nodded and moved to get up. Emma quickly rinsed her teeth and led herself being led into their bedroom. She lay down and sighed in content. Regina kissed her forehead. "Go and be with your parents, Gina. I'll be fine right here"

"Alright, but if there's anything wrong-"

"I'll yell" Emma mumbled and felt herself nod off. Regina took away the scarf on Emma's head and placed a soft kiss on her head.

"I love you" She smiled down at Emma and closed the door quietly as she walked out. She turned around and went to the living room, where her parents were seated. They had made themselves coffee and poured a cup to Regina. "Thank you" She sighed and took a sip of the steaming coffee.

"Is she alright?" Her father asked.

"I don't know." Regina took her shuddering breath. "She alright one day, but the next days can be bad or worse. It's hard. She doesn't deserve this" Henry reached over and placed a comforting hand on her knees.

"And how are you, dear?" Her mother asked her. Tears immediately sprung to Regina's eyes and she felt her mother's presence next her in a heartbeat. She felt the tears running down her cheeks and her mother held her tight as she cried. After several moments, she finally spoke, her voice hoarse and low.

"I don't know what to do. I try so hard for her, to be strong and help her. It's on me and it's tough"

"We know, honey and you're doing great. It's alright to think sometimes it's hard, but not everything is on you and sometimes you would feel like you should give up" Regina looked offensively, but Cora held a hand up to stop her replying "But I know, you would never do that. If you need us, we're here for you. You can always count on us" Cora said and held her tight once again. She felt Regina nod and released her.

"I know" Regina said and took some of the water, her father had brought her. "Thank you, daddy" She smiled up at him. She was happy her parents were there for her. Emma woke up, in need of a trip to the bathroom. She quietly tiptoed out of the room and made her way to the bathroom. After a quick trip, she was about to go back when she heard low voices. Figuring it was Regina and her parents, she wanted to say a properly goodnight. She was almost in the room when she heard Regina speak. "Sometimes, I do just want to give up. I didn't ask for this" Emma stood shell-shocked and held back the sob as tears silently ran down her cheeks. She knew it was just about time Regina would put an end to this. She whirled around, couldn't stand to hear any more, couldn't stand to hear Regina ending this relationship. She didn't hear Regina continue the sentence. "But I wouldn't. I would do anything for her. I love her so much and I will do anything in my power to make her feel better" Regina looked at her parents with a dreamy smile "I'm going to marry her someday" Cora and Henry smiled to their love struck daughter. It wasn't the best situation, but their daughter was strong and they knew she was in good hands with Emma and likewise with Emma. Regina took very good care of her.

"We know, dear" They talked a bit more, before her parents decided it was time to go back to their hotel to get a good night of sleep, before they were leaving in the morning. Unfortunately they didn't have the opportunity to stay any longer, because of conference in New York. Regina bid her parents farewell, with a promise to stay at their place, when she goes home in two weeks. She quickly cleaned up the used cups and so on. After a quick trip to the bathroom, she stepped into her bedroom and noticed something was wrong. Emma wasn't there. Regina looked around in panic, as if Emma would magically appear back in bed. Regina walked towards Emma's room and grabbed the handle to open the door, but it was locked. She knocked on the door.

"Emma? What are you doing?" She asked confused. Emma heard Regina, and she knew it was kind of childish to lock the door, but she couldn't face Regina right now. She couldn't stand to hear what Regina had to say to her and her heart hurt at the thought. "Sweetie, please let me in. I don't understand" Emma sobbed violently into the pillow as she ignored the hurt she heard in Regina's voice. It wasn't real anyways. Regina wasn't deaf, she heard the way Emma cried and felt her own tears. What had made Emma react this way? She couldn't understand it. She slid down at the door and sat with her arms around her knees. She would stay here until Emma opened the damn door. Emma couldn't hear Regina and figured she had gone to her own room. Emma scoffed at the thought. Of course she wouldn't stay longer or try to get into the room, she would just dumb her. Emma felt a fresh wave of tears and cried yet again. They both fell asleep crying that night.

"Regina?" She felt a hand shaking her. "Regina, why are you sitting out here?" She opened her eyes and blinked a couple of times, before looking up at Ruby.

"What?"

"I asked why you're sitting outside of Emma's room. Did you two have a fight?" Regina stood up; a bit wobbly since her legs was sleeping a bit. She then noticed another woman standing behind Ruby, with a small smile. Ruby saw Regina looking at the woman behind and grinned. "Oh, this is Dorothy. Dorothy, this is Regina"

"Hi" The woman, Dorothy smiled and waved. Regina smiled politely back, but wasn't in the mood to be all socially.

"So?" Ruby asked seeking an answer. Regina looked back at Ruby.

"I don't know" Ruby frowned.

"What do you mean, you don't know?" Regina sighed in exasperation and walked past her and into the kitchen, where she grabbed a glass of water. She took a big swig of the water before answering Ruby.

"What I said! I don't know! One minute, she's fine. The next, she's sleeping in her own bed with her door locked! I didn't do anything!" Regina said frustrated and slumped down on a kitchen chair with a loud sigh. "What are you doing here anyway?"

"I live here?" Ruby asked confused.

"No, yes, I mean, we haven't seen you home in a while. Only Emma hears from you" Regina said as she tried to calm down and think rational before breaking through Emma's door to get answers.

"Oh, yeah… I needed some clean clothes and I wanted to see how you were doing, but it seems like there's trouble in paradise"

"If this was paradise, you have a funny perspective of said thing" Regina said and raised an eyebrow at Ruby.

"You know what I mean" Ruby said and rolled her eyes. "So, tell me again, why Emma is hiding… again" Ruby sat down and motioned for Dorothy to sit down with her.

"I really don't know. She felt ill and I put her to bed. When my parents went home, I cleaned up, went to the bathroom and to bed, but she wasn't there. I knocked on her door and I could hear her, but she didn't let me in and then you found me" Regina sighed and let her head fall into her hands.

"You're leaving me" A hoarse voice sounded from the door. They all turned to look at Emma standing protectively at the door, arms wrapped around her stomach and blood shot eyes.

"What did you say?" Regina asked and frowned. Emma said annoyed.

"You know what I said. You're going to leave me" Regina stood up and walked closer to Emma, but she stopped when Emma took a step back.

"No, I'm not. How did you get that idea?"

"I heard you! I heard what you said to your parents and don't deny that you didn't say it, because you did and I don't want to stand here like a fucking moron, pinning after you when you don't want me back. Of course you don't want me" Regina was shocked and extremely confused. She thought back to her conversation with her parents and couldn't think of a time, she had said she wanted to leave Emma. "Look at me. I'm an ugly mess, a sick ugly mess!" While Emma had talked, or rather yelled, Ruby had sneaked out, not wanting to interrupt. She stayed in her room, with Dorothy in case they needed her or it got out of hand. Regina now stood calmly and looked at Emma.

"I am looking at you, Emma and I don't see anything about you that is even remotely ugly"

"Oh, don't make fun of me!" Regina took another step towards Emma.

"I'm not! I don't understand where all of this is coming from. By no means have I said anything to my parents about leaving you. I love you, Emma and I could never leave you" Regina reached forward and put her hand on Emma's cheek. Emma flinched at the touch and tried to avoid the hurt in Regina's eyes.

"You're just saying that" Emma turned her back on Regina. "I'm giving you the easy way out. I'm breaking up with you" She heard the sob leaving Regina and all she wanted to do was wrap her in her arms and tell her that she didn't mean it, but she couldn't do that. She was doing it before Regina could. She walked out of the kitchen and towards her room, when she felt a hand grab her arm.

"Em, don't do this" Ruby said. "You love her and you need her" Emma pulled her arm away from Ruby's grip. She looked at Ruby sadly before going to her room and locked the door. As she lay down on her bed, she didn't know what to do. Ruby stepped into the kitchen and immediately saw Regina sitting down on the floor, crying her heart out. Ruby's own heart clenched at the miserable look, Regina had at the moment. "Come on, darling" She leaned down and got Regina to stand up. "I'll get you to bed" With luck, Ruby got Regina into bed and gently kissed her forehead as Regina kept crying. "She'll be okay tomorrow. She's just not thinking clearly right now" She stood up. "Now, get some sleep and we'll talk tomorrow, alright?" She didn't get an answer, but closed the door quietly and went to Emma's door. She knocked but didn't get an answer. She sighed heavily and ran a hand through her hair. What a mess. She shook her head and went to her own room, deciding not to go back to her girlfriend's, but staying here with her and keeping an eye on the two lovebirds. She would make them talk.

It wasn't going as Ruby had planned the next days. Emma avoided Regina, as good as she could in a small apartment, and Regina did everything she could to get Emma talking to her. She was afraid Emma wouldn't eat, sleep or take care of herself, but Ruby had told her Emma still ate and had gone to get the chemo therapy. She was glad, but it still hurt that Emma wouldn't listen to her. Every time they met, Emma would look away and hurry away to her room. Regina looked longingly towards where Emma had gone and turned to the television with a sigh. Belle smiled sadly at her as she rubbed her back.

"She'll be back to you before you know it" She tried to say it reassuringly but it didn't work for Regina. Her lip trembled yet again and she took a deep breath.

"Yeah, she'll be-" Ruby started but got interrupted by Regina.

"I don't care right now if she's going back to me or not. I'm concerned about her health. Before anything else I want her to be healthy and be back to the cheerful Emma we know before all of this. If she won't listen to me and rather believe some words, that weren't even said, then fine by me" She looked at Belle and Ruby. Ruby looked at her with a knowing look that said she knew Regina was lying about it being fine. "I love her tremendously and I want to be together, don't get me wrong, but I just want her to get through this and get well again" Regina stood up and straighten her clothes before running a hand through her hair. "I'll go to Kathryn's. I don't want to leave Emma here, but it hurts when she ignores me and doesn't want my help at all. I hope you understand" Regina picked up the bag she had hid under the table. Both Belle and Ruby stood up with helplessly looks at their faces. They understood her reason, but wished they could do something. Emma was so damn stubborn. "Will you call me if something should happen? I'll be back soon, I promise"

"Of course, Regina" Belle said and wrapped her arms around Regina to give a comforting hug. "Take care of yourself" Regina nodded and walked out of the apartment. "Well…" Belle drawled as her and Ruby stood back in the living room.

"Yeah…" Ruby sat down with a sigh "I hope Emma gets her head straight on one of these days. She really needs Regina" Belle nodded but didn't say anything else as she walked into the kitchen to get some tea. Regina was sitting in a cab, thinking about if she had done the right thing by leaving their apartment and most important, Emma.

Emma had heard Regina leave and all she wanted to do was to run out to her and get her back. Telling her it was a mistake, and she had clearly misunderstood the whole situation with her parents. Matter of fact, Emma had thought about it and wanted to make amends with Regina, but decided it was for the best that things were the way it was at the moment. It was the best decision for Regina, she don't need all of this. She has had these thoughts many times and every time, Regina had shot it down, telling her it was wrong, but Regina wasn't here now. She turned in her bed and listened to the quiet mumbles from the living room. She didn't feel well and just wanted to sleep. She wanted the chemo to work, she wanted to feel better, she wanted to work again, feel important, she wanted to tell Regina, she had agreed to surgery and removal of her left breast and most importantly she wanted Regina. She wanted Regina to be there with her when it happened, but it was when she was in Storybrooke for Kathryn's wedding and no way in hell, was Emma keeping her in Boston. Yes, maybe she was stubborn, and Kathryn would definitely understand the circumstances for staying away, but Emma wouldn't want that, so she had decided to do it on her own. When she couldn't hear any more chatter from the living room, she stood up and tiptoed out to the kitchen. It wasn't late, but she didn't want to catch the attention of her other roommates. She grabbed a mug and filled it with water.

"Hello Emma" Ruby said from the door. Emma turned around in shock and almost lost the mug in the process.

"Oh my god! Are you trying to kill me?!" She hissed and sat the mug down on the counter. Ruby shook her head.

"No" She said shortly and sat down at the table. "Sit" She motioned to the chair in front of her. Emma decided it was best to follow order and sat down. Ruby looked down on her nails and didn't say anything for a few minutes. Emma was growing restless, and was about to talk when Ruby started. "What are you doing, Em?" Emma looked confused at her.

"What do you mean?" Ruby rolled her eyes.

"This is the first time I had a chance to talk to you, before you're disappearing into your room, so I repeat; what are you doing? You need her, Em! She loves you madly and you love her too, so why are you doing this?" Emma looked down at her hands and tried to find the words, to make Ruby understand her reasons.

"I do it because I want to give her an out" Ruby looked up at her with a frown,

"An out?"

"Yeah… Rubes, she doesn't deserve to go through all of this. What if it's so bad, that I don't get over this and I die? What about her then? I don't want her to sit back here, when I'm gone, and be sad because of me. I'd rather we stop it now, before we get so involved that it's too late" Emma sat back in the chair and wiped away the tears on her cheek. Ruby looked equally as sad, but also with a hint of anger.

"You talk like you have given up, so when you, according to you, die from this illness, Regina would be just fine, because you aren't together anymore. That's bullshit and you know it" Ruby hissed "Regina would be devastated if, and that's a big if, you die! Get your damn act together and bring your girl back" She stood up and looked down at Emma with anger. Sometimes Emma needed to get a reality check. "She's at Kathryn's" Ruby turned around and left the kitchen. Emma sat back and looked at where Ruby had gone. She knew she was right and that she should give Regina a call, but stubborn as ever and feeling she was right, she didn't.

Regina sat on the couch at Kathryn's. She knew she was interrupting, but Kathryn had promised that it was fine. At the moment Kathryn was finding a bottle of wine for them to share. Regina had already told her about the situation with Emma. At first Kathryn had wanted to go and make Emma see sense, but Regina had told her not to and she had relaxed.

"When are you and Frederick going home?" Regina asked as Kathryn came into the room with two glasses.

"In two days. That gives us enough time to get everything that could go wrong under control" She chuckled as she poured them some wine. "When are you going home?"

"Next Thursday. I should arrive in order to make it to the wedding rehearsal"

"Fantastic" Kathryn took a sip of the wine and leaned back on the couch. "Did you get the time for trying out the dress again? I got a call, telling that the dresses was back from the tailor and were fitted" Regina knew, Kathryn was trying to get her mind of Emma and for some time it worked to some degree.

"Yes, Friday, right?" Kathryn nodded "Great" Regina drank the last of her wine and sat back in comfortable couch. "I'm so happy for you, Kath. You really deserve this and I wish for all the best you two" Kathryn smiled.

"Thank you. I can't really describe all the feelings going on inside of me at the moment. I'm so happy, but also afraid"

"Why afraid?" Kathryn poured them some more wine and took a large mouthful of it before answering.

"Oh you know, all the thoughts about if it's the right or wrong decision, will he regret and run away. All that kind of things" Regina took Kathryn's hand and gave it a comforting squeeze.

"Firstly, he would never run away. He adores you and you know it. Secondly, it's just the wedding jitters; you know that this is right. You've been telling me ever since you met him. I remember clearly when we met after your first date. You sat down and told in a dreamingly voice that you're going to marry him and you were right" Kathryn smiled knowingly and looked away blushing.

"Yeah…" They sat back and talked about the wedding and it was what Regina needed at the moment. To just sit back and relax, before going back to Emma and tell her to give her an opportunity to talk it through before she had to go to Storybrooke, but something told her it would be hard.