Prince Henry.
After several bouts of, what both women would agree was, earth shattering sex, they collapsed onto the bed, panting hard, but smiling just as hard.
"You should come with a warning label, Mayor Mills."
"Are you," she takes a breath, "complaining, Miss Swan?"
"Hello no! When I die, this is exactly how I want to go."
"Mmm, agreed," the brunette mumbles against the neck she's softly kissing.
They lay there for just a bit longer before deciding they should probably hit the road.
Regina wants to take a quick shower first because she's sweatier than she ever remembers being.
"Okay, beautiful. I'll go grab some fresh clothes and have a quick shower at mine. Meet up back here in fifteen?"
"Perfect," she replies, kissing the blondes lips before getting up to go shower.
Emma lays on the bed, completely bewitched by the brunettes naked form walking towards the bathroom. "Oh my god, that ass!" She mumbles to herself. She manages to use what strength she has left to haul herself out of bed and run to her own cabin, not wanting to waste a second of not being with Regina.
In the shower she begrudgingly washes away the smell of their love making, because she knew it was love making even if there wasn't anything slow or gentle about it. Once she has showered she even more begrudgingly brushes her teeth. It has to be done, but damn is she going to miss that taste. Once she is clean and dressed she rushes over to Regina's cabin, let's herself in, and kisses the brunette, who is drying her hair.
She is completely devoid of makeup and Emma sits on the bed and stares at her through the mirror. She has never seen such a beautiful woman, just naturally freaking stunning. She couldn't believe that she was hers.
When she finally turns the hair dryer off, she feels strong arms encircle her waste from behind.
"You ready, sweetheart?" Emma breaths against her cheek.
"If I must," she affirms, as she leans back into the blonde.
She kisses her cheek before stepping back and grabbing her lovers trolley case.
"Come on, we need to get you home. I'm sure Henry has been missing you."
At the mention of her son she give a face splitting smile. "I can't wait to see him. I'm picking him up from my mother's before school, and taking him for pancakes. He loves the blueberry ones from this diner down the street."
"Pancakes? Waffles is the breakfast of champions. Little dude has a lot to learn."
Regina laughs and leads Emma out of the cabin, not forgetting her beautiful bouquet of flowers. "I think you and Henry may have a lot to discuss."
Emma is taken aback, things were going great between them but this was the first time Regina had implied that they would meet. Emma knew she would eventually have to meet him, but now that Regina had said that, she was really looking forward to it.
"Don't worry, I'll set him straight on the best breakfast foods to have," she says with a grin.
"I wouldn't be so sure, he can be quite persuasive."
"Takes after his mother, then?" She teases the brunette.
They close the door and Emma wraps her arm around her girlfriends shoulder, not even thinking of the possibility that Gold could be somewhere in the grounds. They approach Emma's car and Regina bursts out laughing.
"What?" The blonde asks, looking slightly hurt.
"I'm sorry, dear," she squeezes the blondes hip, "but is subtlety not your thing?"
Emma rushes up to her yellow bug and dramatically throws her arms over the bonnet, hugging it. "Don't listen to the mean lady, my beautiful girl, she doesn't know what she's saying," she says to the car as she kisses the bonnet.
Regina laughs then pouts, "I thought I was your beautiful girl?"
Emma rushes back to over her and picks her up in a big bear hug. "You'd better believe it, beautiful, you're all mine." She twirls her around, the brunettes legs wrapping around her.
"Promise?"
"Oh yeah. I have no idea how I managed to get you, but now that I have, I'm not going to lose you," the words are said with such sincerity that Regina can't argue.
"She carefully lowers the brunette so she can stand on the ground before opening the passenger door for her. "Your carriage awaits M'lady," she says with an over-exaggerated bow. Once she is seated, the blonde closes the door and runs around to the driver's side, and gets in.
Emma ignites the ignition and they start their drive to Storybrooke. She reaches over and entwines her fingers with Regina's in the brunettes lap.
"I feel bad that you're driving me all this way only to have to drive back then go to work."
"I don't. The only other option was that you left with Zelena and Kathryn, and I am so happy that you didn't." She takes her eyes off the road, just for a second, to look over at Regina and smile at her. She wanted her to know that she had absolutely no regrets about what had transpired between them.
"I am glad I didn't go with them either. Tonight was more than I could have dreamed of," she sighs happily.
Emma pulls the entwined hands to her mouth and kisses the back of Regina's hand. "Do you think that maybe, we could meet up again soon?" After next weekend I don't have anymore weekends to work for a while." She's not quite sure how they are going to manage it, she knows Regina won't just leave Henry every weekend to be with her, and she would never ask that of the brunette.
"I've been thinking about that and I feel a bit guilty asking, but would you like to stay with us on your next weekend off? I know it's not fair to ask you to drive all this way again but it's a long drive for me to take Henry on, especially just for a weekend. In the school holidays it will be fine, we could come to Boston to see you then."
"Really? You want me to stay with you the whole weekend?" She's grinning like a Cheshire cat.
"Of course, as long as you don't mind all the driving."
"Not at all. Will Henry be ok with me coming?" She asks nervously, knowing that if she doesn't get things right with Henry, their relationship will be as good as doomed.
"I'm sure he will love you, Emma," you can have deep, intellectual conversations about breakfast foods," she chuckles. "He's a very laid back boy, he talks a lot so he will probably be very happy to have someone else to tell all about his car collection.
The huge grin is back on Emma's face, could this all really be happening to her? She was so happy she felt like she could cry, but instead she took a deep breath, and gave Regina's hand a squeeze.
A couple of hours later they pull into a service station to refuel and for Regina to find a gift for Henry, just like she'd promised.
Once Emma has pumped gas she goes to find Regina who is browsing the small selection of toys available.
"Gas stations don't have the best options, do they." She says, rhetorically, looking over the brunettes shoulder at the offerings.
"They most certainly do not," she sighs as she tries to decide between a small monster truck and a red racing car. She picks them both up as if feeling them could help her make her decision.
"What you have to ask yourself," the blonde pauses as she takes both the cars from Regina's hands, "does Henry prefer speed," she shakes the red racing car in her right hand for emphasis, "or is he more into demolition," she continues as she shakes the monster truck in her left hand.
It touches Regina that Emma is helping her to put thought into this. It's only a small thing but it means something to her to get the thing that would make Henry happiest, even if it is only a silly car. "Well, he is a four year old boy, so definitely, breaking things!"
Emma laughs and puts the racing car back on the shelf. "Decision made," she declares.
They also grab a couple of coffees and make their way to the counter to pay for everything, arguing a little over who pays. Regina thinks she should because Emma is only making this trip because of her.
"Miss Swan," Regina says with fake sternness, "It will be better for our relationship in the long run if you just do as I say."
"Oh, it's like that is it?" Emma is giddy from Regina saying the word 'relationship'.
Regina just raises a challenging eyebrow.
"Ok, it's like that," Emma concedes jovially.
Once Regina has paid they make their way back over to the car, Emma once again opening the car door for her girlfriend, before they set off for Storybrooke.
Eventually the pull up in front of Regina's house, both of them unhappy that this is the last they will see of each other for a couple of weeks.
"Would you like to come in for a coffee or something?" Regina offers.
"Or something!" Emma states whilst wiggling her eyebrows.
Regina laughs deeply before gently slapping Emma's thigh. "You are insatiable, dear!"
"You can't really blame me, have you seen yourself?" She gives a low, appreciative whistle.
Regina gives an amused shake of her head, before leaning in. "Don't tempt me, Miss Swan." She gives her a deep, knee weakening kiss, before turning and getting out of the car.
Regina is halfway down her garden path before Emma is back on planet earth and rushing to catch up with the torturous brunette.
"Damn temptress," Regina hears being grumbled behind her. She throws her head back in laughter. She really could get used to this she thinks. Emma is constantly making her laugh and smile, even if it isn't on purpose. Just by being by who she is, she lightens up Regina's world.
After a quick coffee for Emma and a camomile tea for Regina, they are on the porch saying their goodbyes. They hold around each other, their arms a comforting promise to each other that they will see each other soon. Their kisses are not about their libidos but their affection for each other. With a final small kiss, Emma steps back and tells the brunette to get some sleep.
"I will, please text me when you get home?"
"Sure, goodnight, beautiful."
"Goodnight, Emma."
As soon as she pulls up to her apartment she texts Regina to say she's home. She wonders whether she should try to get an hour of sleep before work but on getting out of the car and feeling how stiff she is from sitting in the same position for hours, she decides that a quick run will do her some good.
Her phone beeps almost immediately. "I'm glad you got home safe. Thank you for the wonderful weekend."
"The pleasure was all mine," she sends back.
"Actually, four pleasures were all mine ;) ," she cheekily text back in reference to their activities the evening before.
Emma laughs out loud but decides she needs to change the topic before does end up going to bed for an hour, but not to sleep.
"Mayor Mills it is not even breakfast time yet, get your mind out of the gutter :p I'm going to go for a run now, I hope you and Henry enjoy your gross pancakes."
XXXXXXXX
Regina lets herself into her mother's house, instantly hearing little feet run through the house towards her.
"Mommy," Henry excitedly shouts when he sees her, "I've been waiting for you."
She bends down to pick him up and hug him tight against her. "Hello, my prince. I've missed you so much," she says, kissing his face over and over.
He squeals in joy but constantly tries to avoid each kiss like it's a game.
"Hello, Regina," her mother is standing a few feet away, a knowing smirk plastered all over her face, "good weekend?" She tries to ask innocently.
Regina needs to find out how much her mother knows so to distract Henry, she reaches into her handbag and pulls out the monster truck, making him squeal even louder.
"Were you a good boy this weekend?"
"Yes, mommy," he says and Cora nods her head in agreement.
"Well, this is for you then, do you want to go play with it for a few minutes before we go have some breakfast?"
His little hands grasp for it as he nods his head enthusiastically. She gives him his present before giving him a kiss to his temple and setting him down so he can go play with it.
"Thanks, mommy he excitedly shouts as he runs to the living room to have fantastical adventures with his new toy.
"No running," she calls out after him. He slows his pace to a fast walk. The two women both smile as they watch him leaving with his toy.
She turns to her mother and asks with a sigh, "how much has Zelena told you?"
Cora laughs, putting her arm around her daughter, "not enough," she answers as they make their way to the kitchen. Cora pours herself a coffee but Regina refuses, saying she will get one in the diner. It's about the only thing they do right there.
"All she's told me is that when she sees you together it makes her want to vomit, which I'm assuming is a good thing, and that you stayed at the camp a bit later with her last night…" she trails off with a cocked eyebrow, the implication obvious.
Regina ignores that last part of the sentence, she is not talking about that with her mother. "Things are going really well between us, she makes me happy."
Cora gives her daughter a big smile, "I'm really glad. It's about time you put that nightmare of a relationship with that witch out of you mind." She had never liked Mal, she hated the way she treated her daughter.
"I did that ages ago, mother," she counters.
"No, sweetheart, you didn't. If you had then you wouldn't have waited this long to have a relationship again."
She supposes her mother might be right, not that it matters. "I really have to go now, if we want to have enough time for breakfast before Henry has to be in school."
"You are not getting out of this that easy, Regina. I will bring lunch to your office today, is one okay? I want to know more about this Emma."
"I'm really busy today, mother." She isn't ready to have the third degree from her, she can be even worse than Zelena, when it comes to protecting her children.
"I will see you at one, darling," it is said with such finality that Regina knows not to argue back.
She gives Cora a kiss on the cheek before thanking her then getting Henry and his school bag ready.
XXXXXXXX
"What would you like for breakfast?" She asks Henry as they get themselves comfortable in the booth at the diner.
"Pancakes!" Is his enthusiastic answer, as it always is.
When the waitress comes over she places their order, waffles and coffee for herself and she adds a juice to Henry's request for pancakes that he half screams at the waitress in his excitement. She had never had the waffles from here before but given Emma's love for waffles in general, she thought she would give them a go.
As they wait for their food she asks Henry about his weekend and gets a very detailed run down of everything he did with his Grandma, including a blow by blow account of making cupcakes. It was very important to him that she knew every little thing he did in the making of the 'best cupcakes in the world'. He really was a kid that never stopped talking but it was one of her favourite things about him. She could listen to his childish ramblings for hours.
When their food arrived, Henry immediately tucked in like he hadn't been fed all weekend. She had to smile at this, she loved that he wasn't a fussy eater, it definitely made her life easier. She had never really had to deal with him throwing temper tantrums over not wanting to eat something.
She took a delicate bite of her waffle, it wasn't too bad but definitely nowhere near as good as the ones she'd had with Emma.
"Mommy?" He said after he swallowed a mouthful of pancake, he knew has wasn't allowed to talk with food in his mouth.
"Yes, sweety?"
"Are you going to go away again?" His features dropped a little, the sparkle that constantly lives in his eyes was faded. She felt like the worst mother in the world right then. He wasn't used to her not being there for their weekends together and she had done it to him twice in a matter of weeks.
"No, Henry." She was certain in her answer because Emma would be going there next, then if all went well between them, it would be summer holidays and she could take Henry to Boston.
"Ok, good. I missed you, mommy."
"I missed you too, my little prince."
XXXXXXXX
At one o' clock precisely Regina's secretary calls through to say that her sister and mother are there. Shit! She didn't know Zelena would be there. She should have guessed that she would come along to watch her squirm though.
"Send them through," she says through the phone.
The door opens and Zelena is the first one through it, an evil smirk spreading across her features when she notices that Regina's shirt is fully buttoned, something the Mayor never does.
"Oh, Regina! Do you have a hickey under there?" The redhead rushes over and tries to undo the top button on her sisters shirt.
"Get off me," she squabbles with her sister.
"Zelena, leave her alone. We didn't come here to torture her."
"You may not have, mother, but that is exactly why I am here." She does back off though and takes a seat on the other side of the desk as Regina glares at her.
Cora unloads Tupperware full of food from a bag onto the desk.
"So," she starts as she hands a box of pasta salad to her youngest, "tell me some more about Emma."
Regina smiles at the mention of Emma then blushes when she realises both women are staring at her, waiting for an answer.
Regina doesn't really know where to begin but she knows she will be hounded until they get a proper answer. "She's amazing. So sweet and caring. We have so much fun together."
"Oh, I bet you do," Zelena interrupts.
"Leave your sister alone," Cora reprimands.
Zelena sighs and slumps into the chair with a roll of her eyes.
Regina gives her a smirk, the same one she always gives her sister when she gets a telling off from their mother. It was childish but deserved the brunette decided.
"Continue," Cora softly urges her daughter.
"She is just so easy to be around, she always makes me laugh. I don't feel like I have to hide who I am from her, I can just be myself. It's so liberating. With Mal I always tried to be what she wanted me to be, hoping it would keep her faithful if I gave her everything she wanted. It's not like that with Emma. She has such capacity for love without even knowing it. She makes me feel things I've never felt before and I love it."
Cora reaches over to squeeze her daughters hand. "I think you might be in love with her, my dear girl."
She blushes even harder and bites her lip. She doesn't want to get too far ahead of herself. After all, a lot hinges on how things go between Emma and Henry.
"If you think Regina is in love you should see Emma," Zelena says to her mother, "she walks around all doe eyed after Regina. Like a lost little puppy."
"She does not!" Regina protests.
"She does too. She would rip her own heart out of her chest and give it to you if you asked. All weekend I had to put up with you two practically radiating light when you were in the same room."
Regina wants to argue back just for the sake of arguing but she doesn't because she thinks Zelena might be right.
"Am I going to get to meet her at some point?" Cora queries.
"She's coming up the weekend after next."
"Wonderful, she is so easy to torture!" Zelena beams.
Regina is about to start arguing with her sister again but Cora cuts in, "why don't you bring her over for dinner?"
"I'm not sure, mother. She can be quite shy and it might be a lot for her to have dinner with my mother on the same weekend she meets my son for the first time."
"Have a think about it and let me know what you decide. From the sounds of things, she isn't going anywhere anytime soon, I can wait," she finishes with a smile.
XXXXXXXX
When she and Henry are having dinner a few nights later she decides to broach the subject of Emma coming over to say. She's almost certain he will be fine with it but she just wants to get him used to the idea. She and Emma had been texting throughout the day, as usual, and the blonde had suggested that if Henry was up for it, the could try Skyping before they meet. Regina thought it was a great idea so she was tentatively approaching it with Henry now.
"Do you know why Mommy went away this weekend?"
He shakes his head.
"Well, I made a friend so I went to see her."
"I like seeing my friends too," he said with a smile.
"I know you do, darling. You know how they sometimes come over to play?"
"Yessss, that's the bestest," he eagerly nods.
This wasn't the time for correcting him so she continued, "well, mommy's friend, Emma, is going to come over." She waits to see his reaction, hoping it will be positive.
"Can I play with her too?" He innocently asks.
"Of course you can, she said she can't wait to meet you."
"Really?" The excitement evident in his voice.
"Oh yes, I told her all about what a good boy you are,"
He beamed with pride at this. "When is she coming, mommy?
"In nine more sleep." It was actually eight but because the blonde was going to drive straight from work the following Friday, she wouldn't be there until after midnight so technically it was nine more sleeps for him as he wouldn't see her until Saturday morning.
He counts to nine on his fingers then holds the correct amount up to his mom.
"That's right, my prince."
"I can't wait!"
"If you want, you can see her after dinner, on mommy's computer."
"Okay, mommy," he eagerly agrees.
She can't believe how easy that was. Once they have finished eating and she's kept the dishes she sends Emma a text to ask if they could Skype in a few minutes, before Henry has his bath.
"Yeah, I can't wait!"
She smiles when she remembers that was Henry's exact response to meeting Emma.
She turns her laptop on and Henry is excitedly bouncing in her lap. She can see that Emma is already online so she begins the call. After just a moment Emma's smiling face appears on the screen.
"Hello, Emma. I would like to introduce you to Prince Henry," she says, giving her son a kiss on top of his head.
"Prince Henry!" She exclaims, putting her arm across her body and bowing theatrically as she sits on her couch.
He turns to face Regina, giggling, "she's silly, mommy."
He look back at the screen and Emma is pulling funny faces, "I'm not silly."
He giggles even louder. "Yes, you are."
Regina is lovingly watching their interaction. She hopes this is a sign of things to come. She doesn't get a chance to talk to Emma because Henry starts telling her all about school and his friends, to the ducks in the park, and how he always bakes with his Grandma. Emma attentively listens and asks him questions, making him feel important.
Before long, she knows she has to interrupt them because it's getting late and Henry needs his bath, then stories before bed. She's loathed to do it because watching them interact is the most heart-warming this she has ever witnessed.
"I don't wana go. Mommy. I want to talk to Emma," he moans, crossing his arms over his chest in protest. His bottom lip starts quivering but before he begins to cry Emma calls through the screen.
"Hey, Prince Henry, I have to go for my bath too. But if we ask your mom really nicely, maybe we can talk again tomorrow night, would you like that?"
At the mere mention of talking to Emma again his pout is gone and with a happy smile he turns to his mom, "Please, mommy? I'll go for a bath," he bargains with her.
Okay, sweetheart, say goodnight to Emma."
He turns back to screen, "night night, Emma. Tomorrow I will show you my favourite cars!"
"I can't wait," she fondly smiles at the little boy.
"Go pick a bath toy and I'll be right up."
He gives her a nod and wriggles down onto the floor before going to pick a toy.
"Well, he is utterly adorable!" Emma beams.
"He is, and he's quite taken with you, Miss Swan."
"What can I say, I'm a Mills charmer," she winks.
"I can't argue there, even Zelena likes you and she hates everyone!"
Emma gives a full belly chuckle. "I just have to win over your mom and I'll have the whole set."
"Are you sure you are okay having dinner with my mother, we can do it another time if you'd prefer?"
"Regina, sweetheart, I want to meet her. If I can handle Zelena, your mom will be a walk in the park."
She knows her mother is right, she is so in love with Emma, seeing the way she was with Henry just cemented what she already knew in her heart. "I'd better go before he attempts to run his own bath," she chuckles.
"Okay, beautiful. Talk later?"
"I'll call you when I get in bed."
She did call her as soon as she got in bed and Emma did Skype with Henry the next evening, and the one after that. In fact, they Skyped every night until it was time for Emma to meet him in person, and each night she would count down with Henry how many more sleeps there were.
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