A.N.: I can't believe I missed the day of Regina's birth, the night of her birthday! Happy belated birthday, my Queen! I wish you nothing but luck and happiness.

Roni woke up in the morning feeling out of sorts. She checked her phone and saw it was *that day*. Oh. That explains it. The last few years, she'd curl up with Lenny and a bottle of whiskey and try to forget the date. Would this year be any different?

Meanwhile, Emma was sitting in the dining room, waiting for Roni to come downstairs for breakfast.

"What's taking Roni so long? I'm going to check on her." Emma stood up, but Henry stopped her.

"She's going to be a while." Henry said. "It's February 1st."

"What does today's date have to do with it?" Emma asked.

"It's her birthday. She always got a little sad around her birthday." Henry explained.

"Oh." Emma understood better than anyone. Her own birthday had been depressing in the past, up until the last four years. "Well, that's going to change. How about we do something nice for her?"

"Like what?" Henry asked.

"What!" Neal parroted.

"Let's take her out for dinner tonight. There's this restaurant just out of town I think she might like." Emma said.

"I think it's a good idea." Henry said.

"What's a good idea?" Roni entered the kitchen, still in her pajamas and looking like she hadn't slept.

"Hey, you okay?" Emma asked.

"I'm fine. Today's just... not my day, I guess." Roni answered.

"You sure? It's only 7 in the morning. Things can always change." Emma said.

"You've been spending too much time with your mother." Roni quipped. Emma huffed out a laugh before offering the woman the rest of the pancakes.

"Noni," Neal spoke. "Can play wit Inny?"

"Let's finish our breakfast, first. Then we can play with Lenny." Roni's voice softened as it always did with Neal. Neal shoveled his scrambled eggs into his mouth, though most of it landed in his lap. Roni smiled at his antics. At least this day won't be so terrible...

After breakfast, Roni took Neal up to play with Lenny. Emma took Henry to school, then swung by Game of Thorns to pick up some flowers for Roni. But what kind of flowers would she like? There were roses and orchids and carnations and way too many choices to pick. In the end, Emma chose a dozen coral-colored roses. They were a nice color without being overly pink.

Emma returned to the mansion and began looking for a vase. They had so many decorations, surely she could find a spare vase, right? Emma finally found one on a bookshelf and filled it with water. She put the roses in it and set them on the dining table.

Emma heard Neal running with Roni right behind him.

"Neal, slow down!" Roni laughed. She ran into the dining room and noticed the flowers.

"Pwetty!" Neal exclaimed.

"Yes, the flowers are pretty, aren't they?" Roni said, picking up the boy when she finally caught up to him.

"They're for you." Emma said. "Henry told me it was your birthday today, so I got you some flowers." Roni looked up at Emma, clearly surprised. A smile spread on her face.

"Thank you, Emma."

"And would it be okay if we take you out for dinner tonight?" Emma asked.

"Emma, you don't have to." Roni looked away.

"But I want to. Because that's what friends do."

...

That evening, Emma drove everyone down to the restaurant. It was a nice Italian restaurant and, though their lasagna didn't hold a candle to Roni's, it was an enjoyable evening. Neal didn't complain about his mac & cheese, Roni was happy, and there was no cat trying to snatch Emma's dinner.

Roni sipped at her glass of wine and got lost in her thoughts. This was, without doubt, the best birthday she has ever had. In her childhood, her birthdays had been lavish and overly formal and was usually all about her mother showing off than it was about celebrating Regina's birth. When she was married to Leopold, he never bothered to celebrate her birthday. There was the occasional dinner, but otherwise, she was ignored. After his death, Regina was hated and didn't truly celebrate the way she always wanted.

As Madame Mayor, her birthdays were lonely. There was no family to celebrate with. Until Henry, at least, but even then, she felt nothing but the crushing loneliness. When she became Roni, she ceased to care much about the day of her birth. She didn't even try to enjoy it.

Emma changed all that. Roni was really actually happy on her birthday for once. Especially now, sharing a slice of chocolate cake with her two favorite boys.

Snow giggled over the chocolate goatee Neal sported. Emma took out her phone and snapped a pic. Emma's and Roni's eyes met and a genuine smile passed between them.

Back at home, the two women were getting ready for bed.

"Emma, I wanted to say thank you. For the flowers and dinner. You really didn't need to, but I'm glad you did."

"You're welcome. You deserve to enjoy your birthday, Roni."

"I did." Roni smiled. Their eyes met and something made them step forward. They used to do this a lot, looking each other down in their personal space. This force always pulled them to each other and now that there was no animosity between them, the force was stronger than ever.

"Emma..." Roni could feel Emma's breath on her lips. They could no longer fight their magnetism. Their lips met and they fell into their own world. It was like everything fell into place. Everything made sense. This... this is exactly where they were supposed to be.

They moved to Emma's couch, sitting as close as possible, practically in each other's lap, making out like a couple of teenagers. Not that either woman cared. This was a long time coming. Yes, they've kissed before, but in this moment, it felt like their first.

"Emma, I..." Roni was happy, ridiculously happy. The emotions crashed over her. Roni buried her face in Emma's shoulder and sobbed. Emma simply held onto her and let Roni vent her emotions. It was overwhelming, Emma knew, to be so unhappy for so long and then suddenly find what she's wanted for so long. It felt unreal, like it might disappear if you looked away, if you let go for a single second.

After Regina disappeared four years ago, Emma felt the same, however, she worried about her son's adoptive mother. How easily people accepted it, how easily they tried to erase any trace of the woman. How they could ever want to erase the woman in her arms, Emma had no idea. She was funny, loving, and so smart. All she needed was someone to love and Emma felt honored that Roni would choose her.

Roni sniffled and wiped her face. She gave a watery laugh and apologized.

"I didn't mean to get so emotional. It's just... I'm not used to this." Roni explained.

"I know. But hopefully you will." Emma said. "You deserve happiness. You deserve love. And I'm glad you found it in me." Roni smiled and curled up against Emma.

"You know..." Roni spoke. "Valentine's Day is coming up... and I would like to take you somewhere."

"Like a date?" Emma asked.

"Exactly like a date." Roni said.

"I'd like nothing more than to go on a date with you." Emma said.

"Good." They resumed kissing. What a birthday...