"Help!" Emma cried desperately, back to the ground, at the mercy of her attacker. "Help! Officer in need of assistance!"

She gently swatted away tiny tickling fingers, letting a few slip in here and there to do their worst, while her assailant giggled merrily straddling her stomach.

"I got you!" Henry shrieked, excitement threatening to overwhelm his face, scrunched up in unabashed joy.

"Oh yeah? Are you getting cocky?"

While the boy paused trying to determine her meaning, Emma used the distraction to cup the back of his head and flip them, the child now on his back, her hand ensuring the move didn't bounce his head off the hardwood floor of the living room.

"Ahhhh! Momma! Haaaaaalp!"

Regina was in her study, trying to finish an e-mail but thoroughly failing because she couldn't resist listening to the joyous racket taking place across the hall. Admitting defeat, she stood with a smile and strode in to assess the situation.

Emma sat back on her knees hovering over Henry's legs, effectively pinning him to the ground. Every few seconds she'd wind a finger through the air and land it somewhere on his torso for a quick tickle. He'd screech in delight and try to swat her away, only her have her fingers land somewhere else.

"Oh, sure, now you come in? When he calls? What about me?" Emma teased with a smile, keeping her eyes trained on the boy. She didn't have to look to know Regina entered the room, she could smell her perfume, the scent making her heart skip a beat.

She finally looked up, trying to keep a straight face. "I have the suspect subdued, ma'am. What should I do with him?"

"Stop tickling him," she chided gently. "He just ate. I don't want him getting sick on my floor."

"Really? He was torturing me with his tickle claws, and I just ate, and yet you had no concerns about me? About my well being?" Emma tried to adopt her best wounded look. "Oh, I get it." She stood, reaching down to help Henry up, then hung her head low, slowly walking out of the room. "It's OK, I understand."

She was nearly in the foyer when she felt a finger hook into the belt loop of her jeans and tug her backwards. She turned and immediately felt two arms attached around her neck. Regina leaned in and nuzzled Emma's nose with her own.

"I do care about your well being," she purred. "Quite a bit, actually."

"That doesn't sound like a lot." Emma's lips quivered trying to hold the pout when all she felt like doing was smiling so wide her cheeks would ache.

"Quite a lot."

"Eh."

"More than I can say?"

Sulk evaporated, Emma's lips stretched wide as she leaned in to kiss her girlfriend. "There you go."

Lips slipped and slid slowly until Regina pulled out of the kiss, reluctantly releasing Emma's bottom lip. "He needs a bath and it's getting late, would you like to help?"

Tilting her head, Emma touched her forehead to Regina's. "I can do better than that, I'll do the honors. Did you finish your work?"

The brunette smirked. "No. I couldn't concentrate, there was some sort of wrestling match going on in my living room."

"He started it. I was the victim. Why do people always blame the cops?"

"Hen-ray!" Emma sang, walking into the foyer, her arm slung lazily around Regina's shoulders. The women were so preoccupied with each other, they didn't even notice the child leave the room. The boy in question appeared in the hallway.

"What?"

"Bath. And I will give you a 3-second head start because I am generous and humble. 1…2…"

Henry yelped and took off up the stairs.

"You cheater!" Emma barreled up hot on his heels, taking two steps at a time. She was nearly at the first landing when she ran back down, quickly pecking Regina on the lips. She charged back up growling, "You're in for it now, kid!"

Regina chuckled to herself as she heard Henry shriek in response somewhere upstairs, the surprisingly loud thud of his feet traveling overhead sounding like he'd come through the ceiling any second. She headed for her study once more wondering if all this sudden joy in her life was some sort of cosmic reparation for her previous loss and pain.

She lasted all of 10 minutes before she shut down her laptop. It was useless, when Regina was home these days, she only wanted to be with two people. Where they were, she wanted to be; that e-mail never stood a chance. Regina shut off her office lights and headed up the stairs, happy that she could spend the rest of the night with her family, but sad Emma would leave before midnight.

Since getting together three weeks earlier, the women had adopted a regular, easy schedule. Emma was over for dinner Tuesdays and Thursdays – the two evenings Regina didn't have after-hours meetings with the City Council, Planning Board or any other town business. Friday through Sunday evening, she moved into Mifflin Street, much to the delight of its residents. Mother and son hated to see Emma leave, so much so that when she did, it had to be after Henry had gone to bed. The first time she tried to leave with Henry awake was a disaster. Regina would not soon forget her son's tears that Sunday night when the Mills family finally allowed Emma to leave their home after their long Thanksgiving weekend.

"Why you go?" Henry asked weakly, realization softening his eyes at the corners. His lips stared to quiver as Emma slung her duffle over her shoulder. He grabbed her hand as if he could tether her to the spot.

"I have to work tomorrow, bud," she countered softly. "It's dark out. You have to go to bed and get a good night's sleep and so do I." Emma's heart pinched at the statement, she knew she wouldn't get a better night's sleep outside the arms of Regina Mills.

"But I here. And Momma. You stay!" Henry stomped his foot to punctuate his demand. If a pout wouldn't work, maybe brute force would. "You stay Cheef!"

Regina remained in the background, watching her two loves work it out. Emma took a knee in front of the boy, surrendering her bag to the floor. "I'm coming back, Hen, in two sleeps."

"No."

Well this isn't working. Emma switched course. "I need you to do me a favor." The child leaned in, mildly interested. "I have to go home and stay at my apartment, do you think…" She looked to her left and her right as if to secure their secret. Emma leaned in and whispered in his ear. "You're my deputy, do you think you could take care of Momma for me when I'm not here? I'll be here a lot, but I can't be here all the time." She smirked, adding quietly, "Not yet."

The child's eyes narrowed, trying to determine if he was being tricked. Suspicion was easily overruled by his devotion to the woman. "OK," he agreed, sadly.

"What?"

"Tuck me in?" Emma heard Regina try to stifle a snicker in the background. The boy wasn't even in his pajamas yet, this request would mean at least another hour at the house. She didn't mind, at all, other than the fact she just got played by a 3-year-old.

"You win, man. But let's start bedtime now, OK?"

Henry beamed and bounced up the stairs, leaving Regina to approach Emma with a lingering kiss on the lips, followed by a wry grin. "Remind me not to let you handle negotiations with the union next time the officers' contract is up, OK?"

Regina reached the upstairs hall with a smile, listening to Henry and Emma's easy banter. It hadn't even been a month, but it was the best, brightest, most-hopeful time Regina could remember since Daniel died.

Curious, she stood outside the doorway and listened in, fascinated by the pair. She could see the vanity mirror from the hallway, the angle displaying Henry in the bubble-filled tub and Emma's sock-clad feet and jean-covered shins perpendicular. She must be sitting up against the vanity.

"So how was school today? What was the best part?"

"Snack."

"Oooh! What'd you get?"

"Yellow cookies. Dey were small and crunchy."

A snack aficionado, Emma tried to follow the clues. "Nilla Wafers? What color was the box?"

For a person who never had a child, nephew or niece, Emma's facility for children was impressive, Regina mused. Her relationship with Henry was so natural, so easy, it felt as if she had been a part of his life for three years not three weeks. Regina was grateful for the woman's presence in Henry's life, as well as her own, stunned at how quickly the child bonded to the blonde. She was also slightly concerned. Was she letting him get too attached too quickly? Was it already too late?

"You did have Nilla Wafers. Yum!" Regina overheard, tuning back in. "I'll ask Momma if we can get some. Come here, we need to wash that hair."

Unable to resist the pull of her loves any longer, Regina walked in and witnessed an only slightly soaked Emma rinsing the shampoo out of Henry's hair.

"Hey," she smiled, eyes still focused on keeping suds out of the boy's eyes. "We gotta get handsome here some Nilla Wafers. He's acquired a taste."

"I supposed we could do that."

Emma and Henry hoorayed in unison, prompting Regina to chuckle. The pair were so similar she had already come to wonder if Emma had given birth to him. The brunette draped him in a hooded towel and oversaw teeth brushing, Emma already on her way to his room to grab new underwear and pajamas. Soon the boy was dressed and tucked into Emma's chest on Regina's bed, the unstated-but-understood best upstairs location for group book reading.

"All About Police Cars," Emma began, suppressing a groan. "I hope Santa brings you a new book for Christmas, man…One day, Officer Dan…"

Emma didn't need the book, she could recite it by heart by now. She smiled, feeling a small hand near her head, wondering if playing with her hair had joined finger-sucking as Henry's chosen self-soothing techniques. She looked down to find two fingers disappeared into his small mouth, lids starting to flutter. With one arm around Henry and another holding the book, she wished she had a third to wind around the comforting weight pressed deliciously into her left side. The brunette had joined them on the bed, curled into Emma's athletic frame.

"This book is like Tylenol PM," Emma whispered. "He's out. And it's not even a long one…thank God."

"Maybe it's the reader?" came a low, calming voice.

"Well, definitely. The reader is certainly talented."

Regina threaded an arm around Emma's waist and squeezed, then pulled away. "I'll say. Let me go take care of him and I'll be right back." She scooped up the boy and tucked him in his own room, returning quickly.

"That was fast," Emma laughed. "Did you even put him under the covers or did you just throw him on the bed?"

Regina resumed her spot, snuggled around her girlfriend. "I am an expert. I don't need a lot of time to get him into bed, especially when I wanted to join you in my bed." The brunette hummed as she curled into her girlfriend, pressing an open-mouthed kiss to the underside of Emma's chin.

The blonde groaned, it was getting so hard to fight the desire to rip Regina's clothes off and make her forget her own name. In the short time they'd been together, Regina had made impressive progress demonstrating her affections. There were passionate makeout sessions, which evolved into lusty, though fully clothed, fondling and groping. And she could never forget that night in the back seat of the Mustang…

"I bet you were a goodie two shoes," Emma teased on the way home from dinner.

"I was a smart, responsible young woman."

Emma coughed into her fist: "Nerd."

"Excuse me?"

Emma pulled up to the curb in front of Regina's house, the lights low, save for the flickering of a TV in the darkened living room. Wonder if the sitter's awake? Becky had a habit of conking out past 10 p.m.

"Nothing. We're here."

"No, let's continue this."

Emma smiled and leaned across the center console. "I'm just saying I bet you were a good girl who never broke the rules. Did you ever smoke?"

"No."

"Well, that's good. It's an expensive, deadly habit. How about drinking?"

"My parents used to give me a glass of wine with Sunday dinner."

"How cool, drinking with your parents." Emma pretended to yawn.

Regina smacked her on the arm playfully. "I had boyfriends."

"Oooh, now we're talkin'." Emma leaned over farther and began to lick any part of exposed neck not burdened by an overcoat. "Did you let them do this?" Lips began to suck gently on corded muscle.

"Yes."

"Mmmm, how 'bout this?" Emma gently fondled a breast, albeit one hidden under two layers.

"One or two."

"Breasts or boys?" Emma laughed at her own joke through fervent kisses. "Ever make out with a boy in the back set of his car?" Delicious sounds of lips and suction filled the air, met by a low, yearning sigh.

"No."

Regina pulled away suddenly and opened her door, a rapid blast of cold air invading the car. She tilted the bucket seat forward and hopped in the back as the door shut, a challenge in her eyes, her coat soon landing in the front seat.

A feral smile broke across Emma's face as she swiftly followed suit. "So," she taunted. "Come here often?"

Regina's eyes were wild with lust as she dove for her girlfriend, lowering her to leather seats, which began squeaking under maneuvering body parts. Neither woman was very tall, but the sloping, cramped back was still far too small for serious horizontal activity. Emma had to pull her knees up to fit on the seat, Regina straddling her with one knee on one side of the blonde's hips, her right foot on the floor.

Determined, the women kissed passionately, frantically, lips nipping, biting, tugging and sucking any skin they could find. Four hands roamed, massaging, rubbing and teasing breasts and stroking abs, clothes staying put, fingers still never venturing too far south. Emma looked up and saw the back windows began to fog. Hell, yeah. She felt Regina's hips start to undulate on top of her, exquisite rubbing dampened by the slight rise between the back seats that pressed awkwardly against her lower back.

"Uh, honey, as much as I hate to say this, laying down is not super comfortable."

Regina groaned in frustration, sucking on Emma's earlobe. "Why didn't you buy an SUV?"

"If you promise to repeat this, I will buy an RV, whatever you want," she gasped. Emma pushed up off her elbows and sat up in her seat, patting her lap with a leer.

Catching the drift, the brunette smirked. Hiking up her too-tight skirt, she straddled Emma's thighs and dove in to claim kiss-swollen lips once more. Despite near-freezing temperatures outside, it was Texas in July inside the Mustang, sweat, heat and heavy breathing now fully fogging all windows in the rear. Emma released a few buttons of Regina's blouse, moving a warm hand in to cup a breast, teasing a hidden nipple. Lips followed her hand, sucking on a swell of flesh not covered by lace.

The stimulation was driving Regina insane, the position forcing her cheek to lean on top of the crown of Emma's head. She shifted her hips with a wanton moan, now straddling one firm thigh, a thin layer of hosiery the only barrier between Emma's leg and Regina's sex. She began to grind, chasing friction.

"Oh God. Mmmmmm…Oh God…" she whimpered. Her hips pistoned faster. Emma pulled back from a firm breast, fully realizing what was going on.

"Do you..." she was having a hard time forming words. The sensation of Regina bucking on her leg, the scent of sex, perfume and sweat overwhelming the cramped space and her ability to speak. "Do you want to stop?"

The question was almost silly as Emma had little to do with the situation at hand, save for being the person on which the brunette was rutting frantically. Regardless, she wanted to ensure Regina had her bearings and was thinking clearly before she continued.

"No…no, I…it feels so good."

Emma looked up and smiled at Regina's flushed face, her mouth open in a small O as she panted. Eyes nearly closed in concentration, she resumed wildly chasing release. The blonde kept her hands away from the action, one threaded in thick black hair, the other wound around Regina's back, helping her balance. When it was finally time for her to give this gorgeous creature an orgasm, she wanted it to be in a bed with plenty of space, time and solitude. For now, she was content to kiss her girlfriend senseless and hold on for the ride. It was obvious Regina needed this, she needed it so bad.

Close to climax, Regina pulled away from Emma's lips and dropped her forehead to the blonde's shoulder. "Come on baby, let go," Emma urged. Regina grunted in response, lost in sensation, then cried out with tight wail, torso shuddering, hips jerking out of time. Emma tightened her embrace, kissed her neck and stroked her hair as Regina came down from her high.

The back seat remained hot and humid, the only sound Regina's deep breaths. Once steady, she met Emma's eyes bashfully. "I'm sorry."

"What? Why?"

"I shouldn't have—"

"Did it feel good?"

The brunette nodded with a shy grin.

"Then you absolutely should have. That was crazy hot and it makes me so happy to help you feel good."

"But I—"

"Regina." Emma breathed her name like a benediction and cradled her face in her hands. The brunette nodded in understanding.

"How are you? Did you…" she trailed off, embarrassed.

"No, you would have noticed." Emma couldn't control a giggle. "Believe me."

"Do you want to…"

"Yeah." Another giggle. "But it's OK, I'll take care of it later."

Emma had been "taking care of it later" for nearly a month. Initially she had a chivalrous goal of not enjoying an orgasm until she could share it with Regina, but she gave up a few days in. The couple's hot-and-heavy makeout sessions were enough to get Emma stimulated beyond belief, but not enough to give her any relief. She'd leave Mifflin Street and head directly to her couch to take the edge off. It wasn't perfect, but it would have to do for now.

"You mean…masturbate?"

The word sounded so foreign, so dirty, in Regina's mouth Emma nearly laughed. "Um, yeah. I'd never get any sleep otherwise and I'd be cranky as hell."

Emma had hoped they were nearly to the point at which Regina would beg Emma to make love to her. This was the furthest they'd ever gone; full-on, totally naked, mind-blowing sex couldn't be too far away. Emma was more than ready to use her whole body to show Regina how much she loved her.

"So you're going to go home and masturbate?"

Again Emma had to bite back a chuckle. How was this a difficult concept? Had this woman never enjoyed a little self-love before?

"Eventually, yes." All this talk about getting off with Regina straddling her now-damp pant leg, her aching core encased in sticky underwear just out of reach was going to make this line of question moot very quickly.

Regina paused. "What if I want to help you?" A hint of insecurity threaded through the question.

Emma swallowed thickly. "Then I say I'm the luckiest women in Maine."

"What do I do?"

Well, that was a loaded question. Mindful of her girlfriend's inexperience and her insistence Regina set the pace, Emma kept it easy. "Switch positions with me."

Regina rolled off Emma's lap and in a game of back seat Twister assumed her position, Emma now straddling Regina's hose-clad thigh, skirt rucked up nearly to her waist. Unnnnn, so close, Emma moaned to herself.

She followed Regina's lead, straddling her thigh. "Do you feel that?" Emma knew the fabric covering her groin was wet. Regina gasped at the sticky, warm heat kissing her thigh. "That's what you do to me." A tiny shudder raced through Regina's torso.

Rolling her hips, Emma shifted until she found the perfect spot, pinning the seam of her pants just where she wanted for maximum stimulation. She leaned forward, slinging her arms around Regina's neck for balance. "So good," Emma groaned, a wave of pleasure building on the horizon.

Regina placed one hand around Emma's waist, another low on her back. She was shocked when her core began to pulse once more in empathetic arousal. She instantly understood what Emma had just done, turned on with no method of relief in sight, content to put her lover's need before her own.

"You make me feel so good, Regina," Emma gasped, picking up speed. It wouldn't take long now.

"I…" Regina started then stopped. Sex talk had never been her strong suit, but she felt compelled to speak. "Show me," she pleaded, so low it was nearly a whisper, shocked at the desperate timber of her voice. "Show me."

Regina tentatively dipped her hand lower, moving from the small of Emma's back down to her ass and, caught in the moment, grabbed a handful and squeezed.

Emma gasped, thrilled with her girlfriend's boldness. "Yes. Oh God! Unnnnh!" The unexpected move was enough to push her over the edge in a shuddering lurch, a long, hot groan expelled on Regina's neck.

A mirror image to earlier, the women held each other closely as their breathing returned to normal. Emma pulled back and looked deep in Regina's eyes.

I love you, unspoken by both parties, hung in the air fully realized, felt and believed. Even though neither had formally verbalized it, they both knew it to be true. It was plain as day as they gazed at each other with complete devotion and wonder, still panting from the experience.

"What are you smiling about?" Regina had moved off Emma's neck and caught her girlfriend in a beatific smile.

"The back seat of my car."

"Mmmmm." She lay her head on Emma's shoulder as they snuggled on her bed. "That was something."

"I can't believe we didn't check your makeup before we went in."

"We? How was I supposed to see myself? I can't believe you didn't notice how disheveled I looked!"

Emma giggled at the memory: walking into the foyer and spying the woman under decent light. "You looked like The Joker. I can't believe Becky still answers your phone calls."

"I can. Do you think she wants to get pulled over every time she drives through town or have a tax lien put on her parents' house?"

Emma grinned. "Nice. I thought we agreed not to let our personal and professional lives conflict." She dove back in to assault her girlfriend's neck and was enjoying great success when a fierce uproar erupted from her pants pocket:

Fuck tha police
Comin' straight from the underground

"Oh God!" Emma leapt up in a panic, grabbing her phone and pressing the end call button, sending it straight to voice mail. She quickly switched it to vibrate, her heart still hammering in her chest.

"What on earth was that?" Regina laughed.

Figuring it was easier to show her, Emma produced the call in question, which featured Robert's contact photo. "My best friend, Robert. He's just like me, except gigantic, black and a dude. You two need to meet."

Regina closely examined the picture of a "shocked" Robert being kissed on the cheek by a smirking Emma.

"I've spent the past, what, three months whining to him about how much I like you. It was pathetic."

"It sounds it." Regina grinned. "I have an idea." She took Emma's phone hand and stretched out the arm, selfie-style. Leaning in, she recreated Robert's contact photo, one-upping it a bit, draping her arms around Emma's neck and shooting a possessive/sultry stare at the lens as she kissed the grinning blonde on the cheek.

Regina appraised the final product with a victorious smirk. "Send him that," she husked.

"He's gonna die, I love it."

"Is Robert from the city?"

Emma laughed. "If you ask him, he'll claim the mean streets. But don't let him fool you, he grew up in Concord. His Dad has a dental practice on Beacon Hill, does most of the movers and shakers in the State House and half of the Celtics."

Emma paused to draw Regina in her arms once again and cuddle on the bed, running her hands through silky black locks. How is it this smooth all the time?

"His Dad could have gotten him hooked up with a prime gig, some high-money, lame assignment like standing outside the locker room at The Garden or 'guarding' the caf at the State House. But he didn't want it. He really wanted to be a cop. I respect the hell out of him for that. His father could have pulled every string and Robert said no. He's a great cop."

"He sounds like an honorable man."

Emma felt her phone buzz, hitting the message symbol, she brought up her friend's reply:

thud

"He's also a giant goofball." She held up his reply for Regina to see.

"I'd like to meet him," she smiled sincerely. If this man was as important to Emma as he appeared, she was curious beyond all belief.

"He feels the same way. Against my better judgment, we need to make it happen."

The following night, N.W.A. furiously made their presence known once again, this time in Emma's apartment. I have to change that ringtone.

"What's goin' down on the the mean streets of Storybrooke?"

"Well, today I gave an interview to the paper about the importance of locking cars and homes."

Robert roared, this town was out of a fairy tale. "That's some avant-garde policing there, Swan. You sure the Feds don't want you? You could make a big difference. You're gonna get a medal or something."

"That actually is progressive here, hardly anyone locks anything, except for stores."

"Then it's a nice place to be."

"Indeed."

"So what's up with the kiddie safety lecture?"

"Eh, having a rash of break-ins. I can't believe I have to even state 'Lock your shit.'"

The deep voice chuckled over the line. "I certainly hope that wasn't the headline: 'Chief to residents: Lock your shit.' So…how's Mrs. Mightyfine? That was some picture. How'd you con her into kissing your mug?"

"It was her idea. You guys need to meet, although I'm feeling I'll regret it."

"I will do my best to refrain from sharing your sordid tales, although the time where you found that pair of panties tucked into your flak jacket on that bust—"

"No! See, that is what I worry about."

"Calm your tits. Why don't you bring her and Mightymidget down to the big, bad city after the holiday? Get a nice hotel room, Lord knows you have the money, your wallet's rusty."

"Hey, I've picked up plenty of tabs in my time."

"Ain't talkin' about that. I mean, you rarely spend it on something fun for yourself, aside from that ugly-ass car. You never go on vacation or do squat. Bring the family down, take him to the Children's Museum, Museum of Science, aquarium, all that kiddie shit."

"Pretty sure it's not marketed as 'kiddie shit,' but you've got a point. Let me check with Regina."

The imitation of a whip crack sounded across the line. "Surprise her, you dumbass. It's Christmas time. Plan a mystery trip and whisk her away. Shit, I gotta do everything for you?"

Emma couldn't admit he was right, she'd never hear the end of it. But it was a good idea.

XXXX

Since becoming a couple Thanksgiving weekend, Emma and Regina had a long talk on the subject of personal-professional conflict. They outlined any potential areas they thought could potentially be an issue and worked through ways to disarm any arguments. After they ran through it, it turned out there were very few, given Emma didn't report to her girlfriend. There were the basics: personal calls on personal phones, work calls on work phones, the same went for texting or e-mail.

The one issue they did agree needed an alteration was their weekly Tuesday meetings. Regina would never forget that first Tuesday when she asked Laura to come in and take minutes. All three women sat at the conference table, the elder Laura instantly realizing something significant had changed between the women. The meetings over the past month were gallows-like, the subdued Chief, the on-edge Mayor. The officer would disappear behind the door and return less than 15 minutes later, looking even more glum than she had when she arrived. Now, the Chief swept in upbeat, the door stayed open, the Mayor looked radiant and Laura was invited to pull up a chair and bring a pen.

The meetings had been friendly, business-like, quick – and boring, Laura observed. The best part was watching the two women "Madam Mayor" this and "Chief Swan" that, all while trying to suppress the light in their eyes and the obvious joy in each other's presence.

I may be old, she thought, but I'm not dead. The women were good, she gave them credit. They were as professional as they could be, but no one with a heart could tamp down whatever they were feeling. Curious, she began fishing for info with her sources around town, which is exactly why Regina had already informed the City Council the night before.

At the end of the previous night's meeting, she requested the Council go into Executive Session to discuss a personnel matter, thereby making the meeting private and not open to the public. Reporter and handful of spectators removed to the hallway, Regina's throat felt tight as she stood in front of her five bosses and announced, "I've entered into a relationship with Chief Swan."

She delivered the prepared remarks she had written the night before, cross-legged on her bed, in between kisses from Emma.

"Are you sure you don't want me to come with you? I will. I don't like you doing this alone." Emma's eyes were so soft and sincere, Regina's heart squeezed with affection.

She took the blonde's hand and let herself be pulled into a hug. "I should go, at least at first. They've known me for years, I think it would be better coming from me."

The Mayor's statement and plan of action were short and sweet. She finished quickly and sat, silence dangling as she nervously waited for a reaction.

"Well," began veteran Council chair and pharmacy owner John Lavoie, "thank you for your transparency. It musn'tve been easy on such a personal matter."

Viewing Regina as the consummate professional who went out of her way to avoid any impropriety, Lavoie automatically sensed that if the relationship between the employees had progressed to a point at which the Mayor felt the need to address the Council, it had to be serious. "I have full faith in your ability to perform your duties without any conflict of interest with the, um, Police Department. Anyone else?"

Lavoie looked left and right at his brethren, who sat on a raised oak dais in Council chambers. The two women and two men all shook their heads in the negative. "I think you said it all, John," added Councilwoman Meg Ames. "I have no concerns either."

"The Chief did volunteer to address you as well," Regina added. "If you would like her at the next meeting, just let her know."

"Is she watching Henry?" Ames asked with a grin, forgetting she was in a Council meeting and not shooting the bull over coffee.

Blushing slightly, Regina smirked. "No, I believe she is at her home."

Councilman Dan Tucker caught the brunette's eye. "Regina, this town is lucky to have you and Chief Swan, I've got no worries." He paused, adding, "I'm happy for you." That much was true, Tucker wanted nothing but happiness for the woman but was gutted by the news. The accountant had been pining for the Mayor for years, but felt his position on the Council created a conflict of interest. He hoped he masked his disappointment adequately.

Unaware, Regina smiled. "Thank you, Dan."

"What do we do if residents ask? If Sidney asks?" All heads turned toward newly elected Sue Abramson. "Oh, and congratulations."

"Tell them the truth," Regina instructed smoothly. "That there is no conflict of interest and the Mayor's office and Police Department are transparent. Any questions they have, any records they want they will get. I doubt Sidney would print anything, unless he starts a gossip column."

"Regina's right," Lavoie confirmed. "It may be the talk of Granny's for a bit, but it'll get old quick. Plus…" he trailed off chuckling, "I can't imagine anyone with the stones to question you and Swan about your personal lives. I'm happy for you two and your boy. Now, can we reconvene into public so we can end this and go home? The Bruins are in L.A. and I want to catch at least one period."

At preschool pickup three weeks later, Ruby tugged Regina off to one side before the kids were released. "Hey, word's getting out about you guys. FYI."

"I honestly can't believe it took this long. I told the Council in November; they had no problem. I've seen some lingering eyes at Town Hall, but I'm sure it's old news there. Kathryn told me it was going around school last week."

"Those teachers are wicked gossips."

"No kidding." Regina wondered about one in particular. The muffled sound of tiny feet approaching and excited chatter picked up in volume as the children progressed down the hallway in a more-or-less orderly line.

"You guys going to the festival Saturday? Graham's off hunting. I was going to take Hunter. Maybe you could join us? Look less couple-y?"

"Or like we're in some sort of kinky swinger's group," Regina tittered. "No, that sounds like fun. Let me just check with Emma, make sure she didn't have plans."

"Yes, check with the wife," Ruby smirked.

Regina smacked her playfully. "You're as bad as Kathryn, I swear."

XXXX

Friday afternoon Regina walked into the Jittery Lobster, the weekend on her mind. She had just wrapped a meeting nearby and was suddenly craving a latte, a quick trip back to her office, a little paperwork and then off to pick up Henry at his sitter's. A certain blonde weekend resident would arrive soon after.

Granny's didn't serve lattes, hence the trip. Being Mayor, she tried to fairly patronize both establishments, the latter of which was allowed to exist after reaching a détente with the formidable Eugenia Lucas by promising to only sell coffee and baked goods – no meals. The newer establishment made up by the difference by staying open until 11 p.m. – or later on weekends - Granny's closing at 7.

Mind focused on her beverage and the impending weekend, she nearly plowed straight into her former doctor, Archie Hopper, as she headed for the counter.

"Regina, hi!"

"Oh, I'm so sorry, I…"

"No worries." He held out an arm, gesturing for her to get in line and order, following right behind. "What's new?"

She smiled. "Everything."

"Well I don't know what that entails, but it certainly sounds good. Join me for a bit?"

Mentally flipping the calendar in her head, she nodded. She had time, that paperwork could wait and she hadn't seen Archie in ages. "Sure."

Latte soon in hand, she slid into a corner booth with the gentle, curly-haired man. "So what's up?"

Regina had seen the doctor professionally for about 18 months following Daniel's death. The murder of her husband, the birth of her son and then the accidental death of her parents sent her to Hopper's twice weekly for a year and then weekly for another six months. She distinctly remembered his kindness and how, when she was forced to bring an infant Henry due to lack of a sitter, Archie would walk his office holding the child, his soothing presence lulling the boy to sleep as Regina cried into tissues trying to rebuild her shattered life.

A tiny grin pulled her lips up at the corners. "I'm in a relationship."

"A good one, apparently."

"With a woman."

"A good woman, apparently."

"A very good woman, Chief Swan."

The psychologist assessed his former patient and warmed at the bright eyes and warm smile that accompanied the mention of her girlfriend. "You look so happy."

"I am."

"What does Henry think?"

Regina giggled at the question, it was so absurd. "He fell in love with her before I did." She stopped, shocked at what rolled off her tongue, completely natural and unbidden.

"What?"

"I…I just said I love her."

"To me," Archie chuckled. "You look a little stunned. I assume you haven't clued her in yet?"

"Not in so many words. I think it's rather obvious, though."

"Has she said it to you?"

"No, but I'll go with the same reasoning. She's very concerned I set the pace in the relationship, given I've never…you know."

Archie didn't know, he'd never assume, but he certainly did now. "Do you have any concerns about how it's proceeding?"

Stalling for time, she sipped her drink. She did have a concern but held that irrational "if I state it, it might come true" fear. Regardless, she took a deep breath and answered.

"My only concern is that this is all too-much, too-soon for Henry. He loves Emma, hell, more than me most days." She laughed at the truth of the statement. "He's never seen me in a relationship and we've never had another adult in the house this much."

"What about Kathryn?"

"I said adult."

"Touché," he tittered. "You know her ears are burning right now."

"I certainly hope so. Regardless, I've never been happier, I'm ready for this and even though I didn't expect it or plan on it, it happened, it's here, and it's the best thing in my life aside from Henry. But I'm worried he's already too attached to her; he cries whenever she leaves us. What if something goes wrong?" Regina's brows knit in concern, even stating that made her stomach twist.

Archie joined his hands and placed his chin on top of them. "Without talking to him or seeing any of you together," he prefaced, "it sounds like he's already bonded to her. Horse is out of the barn on that one." The brunette looked slightly ill and opened her mouth for a rebuttal, but was cut off. "Uh, uh, wait. Let me finish. It all boils down to intent. Most parents don't introduce a romantic partner to their children until they are very sure it's long term and they have substantial feelings for the other party. Does that sound accurate?"

She nodded over the rim of her coffee. "Am I rushing in? Am I falling too hard because I've been alone since Daniel?"

"Do you feel you are?"

The answer was firm and immediate: "No."

"Then you're overthinking, relax and enjoy." Archie looked out the window, watching the sunlight fade in the late afternoon. Most people disliked the early darkness of December, he never could quite understand why, it always seemed so comforting to him.

"I'm curious – I don't want to pry – so if you don't want to answer this I won't be offended in the least. How serious is this?"

Regina placed her drink on the table and took a deep breath. "I love her."

"Then why don't you tell her? There's no rule about how long you have to wait. Don't feel like you have to hold off on your feelings for some predetermined period, unless it's something you both agreed to. There are no rules, no right or wrong here, my friend. Do what feels right to you."

"I need to tell her," Regina breathed, looking off in the distance, like she was giving herself a pep talk. "I need to show her."

Archie raised his eyebrows. I'm not touching that without an invitation.

"I only know what I've read in the paper about the Chief and it's all been glowing. I'd like to meet her sometime." Before the wedding was left unsaid.

"I'd like that," Regina nodded, finishing her coffee. "I'd like that very much."

XXXX

Regina parted ways with Archie outside the Lobster, the neon sign of an over-caffeinated crustacean already lit in the December dark. Once in her car, she pulled out her phone and dialed.

"Yello…"

"Remember how your parents always say that I can use their camp anytime?"

"Yeah. Hold up, wait. Ruby says I'm joining you guys and her and Hunter at the festival tomorrow. Are we all going together?"

"We're going with Ruby and Hunter, so if you're coming, yes."

"I am such a loser," Kathryn grumbled. "I haven't been on a date in God knows when and when I am it's a Christmas festival group date with two lesbians, two little kids and a married woman. This is some sad-ass, 21st-century, junior-high, group date loser shit."

"Whatever, anyway, I want to use it."

"Use what?"

"The camp."

Kathryn dropped her feet off her desk and placed them on the floor. "Oh, right. Wow, when?"

"Are they using it tomorrow night?"

"Doubt it. The base on the mountain's still pretty low. Any snow's coming off a gun and conditions aren't great... You taking the missus and H after the festival?"

She paused before answering.

"One of them."

TBC

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