A/N: Just wanted to thank ObsessedwithOnce for all the guidance and support in these chapters, and t all those who sent me a review to let me know that they are still reading. I'm keeping all your ideas and concerns on board, I hope its going in the direction you all hoped for. thank-you again xox
Regina's jaw hit the floor. She sat there with her mouth hanging open, just staring at Emma.
Had Emma really just told her that she wanted to go home with her? Was this really something that she wanted for herself, Regina questioned herself silently? Well, it would be beneficial to both Henry and Audrey but would it be good for her as well? Was Regina's heart truly ready for something like this? She knew that this wasn't a declaration of love by any means but this was something that needed to happen before any and all of that could ever happen. Moving in together was going to be their foundation. It would be the one thing that would prevent anything or anyone from being able to tear them down. Regina was definitely ready for that.
Archie was not quite sure what to do. He was not even sure where to put his hands.
Should he stand and go over to Emma? Should he comfort Emma over her sudden declaration to Regina? Archie presumed it was the first time the blonde had even voiced such feelings to anyone but herself. Should he extend himself and place a comforting hand on Regina's shoulder? He had been aware of Regina's growing feelings for the Sheriff for a while now but this sudden show of emotion from Emma was a shock even if you were secretly hoping for it.
Kathryn continued to sit in the chair by the desk but her body shook with glee. She simply could not mask her emotions; thereby drawing the attention of the other three occupants in the room to the sounds she was making as well as to the thousand-watt smile plastered on her face.
"OK" Regina breathed a moment later, as she tried to blink back the shock she was feeling.
"OK?" both Emma and Kathryn snapped their heads towards Regina, both showing identical looks of hope on their faces.
"Yes, you can move in," Regina confirmed with a small smile. "But only on three conditions, she continued."
And there it was; Emma thought miserably to herself. The conditions Emma had known would come with Regina's agreeing to her idea. What she wasn't expecting were the actual conditions themselves.
"First", Regina explained, "you and I have to sit and explain this to the kids as well as to your parents," Emma shook her head yes excitedly as her energy was literally vibrating off the walls.
Regina's smile grew bigger at her reaction.
"Two, you will have chores around the home to do just as Henry and Audrey have."
"Audrey already has chores?" Kathryn asked with a shocked expression on her face. The little girl was really new to the environment but the former mayor's strict nature made the statement ring true.
"Keep her room tidy," Archie whispered to Kathryn, attempting to keep things light and not unsettle the mood.
"Fine, I can handle that." Emma agreed, barely listening to the shrink and princess talking in the background.
"And finally", Regina continued, "we make sure everything is done legally."
"You would agree to a joint adoption?" Emma asked hesitantly as now it was Emma's turn to be confused.
"Only if you equally claim Henry as yours, legally" Regina answered honestly. At the Sheriff's overwhelmed expression on her face, Regina continued; "There is no point in only having one child adopted legally. If you want us to truly be a family unit, I am sure Henry would be thrilled with the idea, she added."
Emma moved the remaining two inches currently separating herself from Regina and reached for the brunette over the couch, hugging her the best she could.
"Thank you, she replied shakily". It was truly heartfelt and Regina replied quickly with her own words of thanks as they both knew it was something they needed to say to each other.
"So what happens now?" Kathryn asked as she turned towards Archie for further clarification.
As Archie proceeded to provide a discourse as to how the adoptive process worked, all three woman gave him their full attention and listened attentively. The first important task to accomplish was to set up a meeting with a social worker. And, since there were no social workers in town, something that made Regina inwardly curse to herself, it meant that they would need to obtain someone from outside of Storybrooke to come into town and meet everyone. Archie easily marked off each 'family member' from the list currently sitting in front of him.
Emma, Regina, Henry and Audrey made up this 'family unit' that the Sheriff was all too intent on forming.
Archie would be required to be present at the meeting with the social worker, in a professional capacity, of course.
To all of the outside world Snow and David could not be seen as the grandparents so Regina had reluctantly agreed to label Snow as her sister for the sole purpose of filling out the forms Archie had nervously handed to them.
Both the Sheriff and the former Mayor readily agreed to label Ruby and Belle as Henry and Audrey's Godparents in case something were to happen to Regina and Emma. Not that either of them didn't implicitly trust Snow and David to take good care of Henry and Audrey, but having two people that were more alike to Regina and Emma personally raise them, seemed like a more practical option. This sensitive topic was something Emma knew she would need to discuss thoroughly and ultimately defend, when it came time to telling her parents.
Kathryn and Frederick would also be a part of Henry and Audrey's lives as well, as extended family.