Belladonna POV

I loved parties. Not the dresses I had been forced to wear, but the atmosphere and all the gaiety that flowed from person to person. I loved the dancing and array of colors whirling about on a ballroom floor. It had been years since we had a ball; not since Henry's sacrifice. But today was his birthday, the final touches were being put on the ballroom and its garden terraces. We were going to have fireworks to herald to the world our pride in our Prince. Henry chose the colors, purple and white. I smiled when he bade this announcement as did Ma and Mom. But it was Grandma who squeaked and hugged Henry, she reduced then to tears exclaiming that she had the sweetest most charming grandson in all the realms. I decided to keep my black with a purple vest and cravat. However on my chest was embroidered in white thread a swan. My hair pulled back in a French braid, my tall black boots gleamed, I strapped the sword and dagger to my hip and smiled at my reflection. I closed my eyes and tried to remember the figure who would have stood beside me in her golden dress. Heather would always dazzle like the sun. I never embraced that feminine charm that she had, she may have looked like Ma, but she moved like Mom. I remember our last ball, I wore an outfit much like this, and she wore a golden gown. It was our birthday celebration and my first ball not wearing a dress. We had walked down that staircase hand in hand proud and regal. It was glorious.

I moved to my bedroom door, I had moved into the other spare room in the mansion. Ma and Mom must have still been getting ready, but Henry came out of the bathroom as I stepped into the hall.

"Well? How do I look?" he asked.

I looked him over in his white regency coat, purple doublet and britches, "Every inch a King." I grinned down with my approval.

"Knock knock!" grandma's voice floated up the stairs, "Anyone home?"

"Coming!" I called as Henry and I skipped down the stairs.

"Look at you! So handsome! Both of you!"

"Grandma you're gushing." Henry grinned.

"I'm allowed!"

"Just don't cry, or you will ruin your make-up." I giggled behind Henry.

"We have something for you and Emma, is she ready?" Grandpa held up a bag.

"Where's mine?" Henry pouted.

"You will have yours at the party." Grandma pinched his cheek.

"I will grab her." I turned but Ma was already walking down the stairs. Her outfit was similar to mine and Henry's but on the sleeves of her jacket in black thread were embroidered wings.

"Ma you look great!" Henry awed.

"You are stunning. Mom won't know what hit her." I whispered.

Ma gave me a shy grin and looked at Grams and Gramps, "Hey guys! You look great! Car here?"

"Yeah! You look great sweetheart." Gramps smiled.

"Thanks dad."

"Oh we have something for you girls, here!" Grams handed us each velvet bags with velvet boxes inside. "I have been saving these!"

We opened them, two crowns of silver. Mom's (the bigger one) had pearls. Mine was adorned with Moonstone.

"Oh Grams! Thank you so much!" I said as I handed it back to her to put upon my head.

"I look forward to the day I get to present it to you officially." She teared up.

"It was a happy day." I smiled back.

Gramps adjusted Ma's on her head.

"It suits you Emma."

"Thanks dad!" Ma gave him a hug.

"Well are we ready to get this party started?" Henry asked.

"I'll get Mom." I sprinted back up the stairs. I tapped on Mom's door, "Mom? Are you ready?"

The door opened and Mom was still in her robe, jewels of diamonds in the shape of stars adorned her neck and crown atop her head. "You look so beautiful sweetheart!" she said as she looked at me.

"Wow! So do you Mom! Are you ready?" I asked.

"Almost! You guys go ahead and I will just meet you there." She stepped back and took me in again, "Love you look amazing! And the tiara?"

"Grams."

"Well for once I agree with your Grandmother's taste."

"I won't tell her." We giggled.

"We will meet you there. Oh and Mom!" She paused just inside her bedroom door, "You are going to take Ma's breath away." I kissed her cheek and ran down the stairs.

Emma POV

Tonight! I was going to make it happen tonight! Come what may. We will steal away before the Fireworks and I will kiss Regina. I have been planning and setting this up with Bella all week. Above the terrace is a balcony only accessed by a private room. After Henry is crowned and she has danced with him, Bella is going to steal her away and meet me in that room. From there... I don't know what after that... Something will come to me. I know that I love her. That I believe in her. I want to show her that! That is why I am wearing purple and black, her colors. I wanted to show her, show everyone, that I am making them mine for tonight.

I was standing in the entrance way with my parents and my children waiting on Regina to arrive. I had begun pacing and my nerves began pulling tight, creating butterflies in my stomach. Bella however was poised, calm and serene. I caught her knowing eye and growled at her grin, "What?"

"Nothing."

"You know how this night ends don't you?"

"Of course it is a story I have heard all my life."

"What story?" Mom asked.

Bella grinned, "The story of Henry's Birthday."

Before I could answer the doors opened and there stood Regina.

Her dark eyes found mine, so vulnerable, and so open. I couldn't breathe. I was only slightly aware of the other comments from my family. She was wearing diamonds in her hair that looked like stars. On her neck was a regal necklace with one large diamonds above her... cleavage. her shoulders, smooth, were bear as sleeves of white, studded with a million tiny crystals, was fitted all the way down her arms. The bodice was tight but that skirt flared out with white and silver feathers. She looked like a swan. That was what she was doing, what I had been doing. She used that dress to declare herself to be with me. Blood roared in my ears.

Even so I heard her soft voice ask, "How do I look?"

"Magnificent." I offered a half smile.

"You look wonderful too." She smiled, "Wings?" she reached out and traced them on my arm and I could swear that everyone could hear my heart beat.

"Yeah." was all I could manage.

"Eloquent as ever Ms Swan." She smiled, and then looked into my eyes, "Emma."

I grinned and offered her my arm, "Shall we my Queen?"

But before Regina could take my arm Bella swooped in, "I would love to!"

"But..." I stammered. I wanna touch the pretty!

"Mom is going to be escorted by Henry! You are stuck with me, congrats!"

Bella began pulling me away after my parents. I looked over my shoulder once more as a beaming Regina took Henry's arm. "You should have warned me." I murmured to Bella.

She smiled looking straight ahead, "And deny Mom the look on your face? I think not."

"You're grounded!"

"Worth it!"

"I have a feeling we are looking into my future. You are going to be a handful!"

"I come by it honestly." Applause erupted from the crowd when we walked in. Bella and I moved to the bottom of the staircase to join my Father as Regina and Henry stayed at the top with my Mother.

Queen Snow addressed the crowd, "Friends! Welcome! My family and I are pleased you came tonight to celebrate our Henry's birthday. On this day we acknowledge him too as your Prince Henry! Heir to both White and Dark Kingdoms!" Mom placed a golden crown atop of Henry's head and cheers rang out from everyone.

After a moment Henry extended his hand to Regina and he led her down the staircase to the floor, beginning the party with the first waltz. Dad past us to lead Mom the same way.

"Ma?"

I looked at Bella, "I am a shitty dancer!"

"Consider it practice for later."

"We have been doing this all week." I grumbled, "I still suck at it."

We moved out on the floor, "Relax!" she hissed.

"Everyone is staring!"

"At Mom and Henry!"

"I can't do this with your Mom later!"

"Of course you will! Just hold her close and Mom will lead."

"What if I'm wrong?"

"What if this isn't my real hair color?"

"Wait! It's not?"

"Of course it is!"

"So?"

"Just be honest, hold her close and kiss her...the rest will occur naturally."

"I can't believe I am taking advice on how to seduce my children's mother from my daughter!"

As time passed and other couples moved out on the dance floor Bella and I faded over to the side of the dance floor. When the song ended everyone clapped. Bella turned to me, "Okay go and I will grab Mom." she weaved in and out of the dancers to Regina's side. I ran up the stairs and looked back to watch as Bella and Regina twirled around the dance floor.

Regina POV

Atop the staircase was a door, closed. I stood there with Belladonna who had tears in her eyes.

"Are you ready Mom?"

"I don't know." I was trembling.

"Don't be afraid, walking through this door is the best choice you ever made. Love is not weakness, it is the source of strength." I looked at her quizzically, "Our family motto." I nodded and squeezed her hand.

She stepped back as I opened the door and stepped in. The room was lit by candles along the wall lined with mirrors. There were vines of climbing roses filling the air with their fragrance. Before a set of French doors open to the night sky, with her back to me stood Emma. "You came."

I almost missed the words but I replied, "I was drawn in by what our daughter told me."

"Oh? What was that?" She turned to face me.

"That love is the source of our strength."

"Nice, we should make it our family motto." I began to laugh but she continued, "So much better than I will always find you."

"That is your parents not us."

"Us." Emma whispered. She extended her hand, "Regina Mills, would you dance with me?"

Her hand was warm, and I wondered if she could feel me trembling. She pulled me in so close I could feel her breath on my neck. Music from below played up through the open doors. We moved slowly and silently. But in that silence a whole conversation was being had.

I looked at her face, open and scared. But it wasn't of me that she was afraid of. It was of what lay before us. What if it all came true? What if we gained it all only to lose it? Her hand about my waist was firm and strong but when I looked at her neck I saw her pulse was beating so fast. "Emma?" I whispered.

"Yes Regina?"

"I'm afraid."

"Of what?"

"Of me. I know that when I want something life finds a way to take it from me. And never in my life have I wanted someone as much as I want you. I am afraid I will somehow break if I did." tears swam in her eyes and I responded in kind, "Emma, life will do its best to rip apart all we hold dear. I can't stop it from trying. But I promise you that I will make it fight for it. Because I want you too. Not as the savior or the daughter of Snow and Charming. I want you Emma."

Two hands cradled my face as she leaned forward and the moment her lips met mine I felt the world tremble and something explode. Fireworks outside... there were fireworks. We looked out the door and then back to each other. Now it was my turn, and I pulled Emma down and kissed her like a woman starving. And I was! Every fiber of my being cried out in relief and hunger for more of her.

A growl emitted from Emma's throat as her lips moved along my jaw to my ear, "Oh Regina."

"Emma." I moaned.

"Say it again."

"Emma." I smiled at her moan as she continued down the column of my throat, "I love you Emma." She drug her nose back up until she looked me in the eyes, "I love you too Regina." Then she devoured my lips again.

We were getting hot and heavy fast, but a bucket of water fell on us both when a fist pounded on the door, "OH COME ON!" we both yelled.

The door opened and Belladonna said, "You two better come out."

"What's happened?" Emma growled.

"We are back." She breathed, "In the Enchanted Forest."