Emma was a nervous wreck. Regina let out a frustrated puff of air as she gazed impatiently at the pair seated in front of them.
Emma and Regina had decided to come straight out with the truth and let everyone know their plan after they walked out of Archie's office that afternoon. After taking Henry and Audrey out for dinner and explaining their "family plan" to the kids, they knew that no other conversation was going to play out that smoothly.
David was the first to break out of his shocked trance. A large grin suddenly appeared on his face as the blonde man quickly stood from his seat and grabbed the pair in a huge bear hug.
Regina sat back down in her chair in shock. Did she really just feel a small amount of acceptance from the man she had always thought to have such little intelligence? No, Regina decided right there that she did not. After the events that occurred following their dinner the other night, Regina decided that this was indeed something more; something akin to the beginning of a new chapter. She realized that the grinning man still standing in front of her came to the same conclusion even if his wife and daughter continued to be a bit slow on the uptake.
A few soft words were spoken between father and daughter and then David was off running, calling out to the two children as they played video games not too far away.
Snow, for her part, had not yet moved or spoken as she continued to flounder in her confused state.
"Mom?" Emma questioned quietly, leaning down in front of her mother while Regina simply followed David's movements with her eyes. She was always cautious of people approaching Henry and now she had Audrey to think about as well.
After a few fumbled words, Snow's brain finally caught up with the situation unfolding right in front of her. "Emma, please go join your father and the kids. I would like to have a private word with Regina." Snow's tone left little room for discussion and with a quick look over towards Regina as well as some unspoken words between them, Emma walked over to the three smiling faces sitting behind them.
"Snow, I-", Regina began to speak quickly.
"Stop whatever you are about to say; please don't say anything." the school teacher spoke quickly and put her hand up to emphasize her point. Where should I begin? Snow thought to herself.
Regina stopped talking, closed her mouth and waited patiently for Snow to continue. She watched Snow's reactions closely; the woman seated in front of her always seemed to be the one to hold Regina's happiness right in the palms of her hands.
"We can spend the rest of our lives apologizing to each other and only move one step forward each time", Snow tried to explain her thoughts to Regina. "I don't think we should continue to do that", she spoke hesitantly. "We have done that so much already that it's starting to feel like beating an empty drum."
Regina gave Snow a small smirk at that explanation and answered, "So let's move forward with many steps then."
Snow smiled back at Regina and continued speaking. "If the paper work is already filled out like you stated earlier then I have some of my own conditions about how this situation is going to play out from now on."
"And may I ask what these conditions are dear?" Regina answered, ready to put up a fight as a small upturn at the corner of her mouth suddenly appeared, letting Snow know that she needed to relay her thoughts quickly and strongly or the words would never truly register with the other brunette.
"First, I understand that we cannot be listed as Emma's parents on paper but I would really like for Audrey and Henry to know that that's what we really are" and at the small head gesture she received to continue as well as the snarl disappearing from Regina's lips, she quickly added; "I want them to be able to call us Grandma and Grandpa." After another nod of approval she then added. "And I want another family dinner with all of us, similar to the one we had the other night. And can we make it monthly?"
Regina was clearly impressed with Snow's conditions and although she was slightly worried about the ultimatums, she decided not to voice her concerns. "How about weekly dinners?" she replied as she realized that she was open to the idea.
At the beaming smile she received from Snow, Regina relaxed and the tense atmosphere seemed to disappear.
"Agreed, but…" Snow let the word hang in the air as she looked over at their combined family. How strange will everything be from this point onwards? Snow ultimately realized that her jealous streak was a bit self-centred and that all that truly mattered to her was her family but this was her only daughter who she just agreed to let live with the former evil queen. And if her husband wasn't willing to step forward and lay down some ground rules, then she was simply going to have to do it. "I want you to promise me one thing," Snow said as she looked towards Regina.
Regina could immediately feel her walls begin to go up and her temper begin to flare.
"Please do not hurt my daughter or my grandchildren." Snow's tone was the most serious and threatening that Regina had ever heard from her and that included the one time Regina had taken the small bundle of joy away from her only moments after she had given birth to the saviour.
Regina only thought about it for a brief moment before she responded. Could she ever truly hurt Emma now after realizing how much she meant to her? Could she ever unintentionally hurt Henry or Audrey? Would she ever jeopardize her family or ruin their happiness?
"I cross my heart and promise you that will never happen" Regina answered Snow with such a strong conviction that Snow truly believed her.