Cora timidly rang the Swans' doorbell and waited for the door to be opened. In a second it was.

"Hello, Mrs. Mills, nice to see you," David said with a smile as he opened the door more for her to enter.

"It's Cora, Mister Swan," she said as she stepped into the house.

"David, please. May I take your coat?"

Cora took off the light jacket she had on and handed it to him. At that moment, Mary Margaret walked over and said, "Hi, Cora. Nice to see you."

"Thank you again for inviting me."

"Sure come on in. Can I get you anything? Water? Soda? Iced tea?"

"Iced tea would be great. Thank you," Cora said as she followed Emma's Mom into their kitchen.

"You have a beautiful home," Cora said as she admired her surroundings.

"Thank you." Mary Margaret said. Then she walked to the staircase and yelled, "Regina, your Mom's here!"

In a second's time she heard, "Be right there!"

Mary Margaret poured some iced tea into a glass with ice.

She set the glass in front of Cora who had sat down on a stool at the island. She grabbed it and took a sip.

All of a sudden there was a commotion of teenagers running up the stairs. To Cora it sounded more like a herd of animals.

When the two girls walked into the room Regina walked up to her Mom and awkwardly hugged her shoulders. Cora was shocked, but quickly hugged back.

"No. Could you please stand up?" Regina extended her hands out to her mother who quickly grasped them. With some assistance from her, Regina pulled her mother up and immediately into her arms. Cora wrapped her arms around her daughter while Regina tentatively placed her head on her mother's shoulder. Cora tightened her grip around her and sighed.

The three witnesses were happily surprised at the interaction. Emma wore a smile from ear to ear and looked emotional. Her parents were silent, but wore big smiles their faces as well.

"I hope this is okay?" Regina looked up at her mother while still in the hug.

"This is wonderful. I do believe that this is our first hug. I am ashamed to reveal that," replied Cora with a sad sigh.

"While I wish we had done this in the past, what matters is that we're doing it now."

Regina hugged her mother for a few more seconds and then released her.

Shortly after the takeout was delivered and they were seated around the dining room table as they made idle chitchat.

Cora swallowed a piece of noodle and then said, "I want to thank you, David and Mary Margaret for having me over. I am enjoying my time here."

They both smiled at her. Cora continued, "I also want to thank you for giving Regina a place to call home. I appreciate this the most. You've welcomed her into your family without hesitation. I am learning from you what the true definition of the 'unconditional' means. You love her unconditionally and I appreciate it."

"Well, Cora," said David, "It's not hard to do. We know that she loves our daughter, over there." Emma waved her hand and Regina grabbed her other hand tightly.

"Yes," Mary Margaret seconded, "She has a 'home' for as long as she wants to be here."

"Thank you," Cora said humbly. "Regina, I hope we can build a new relationship between us. I am truly sorry for all that I did or didn't do for you during your growing up years. You know this. I am hopeful that I can be a part of your life from now on."

"While I am still a little apprehensive about letting you in, I know that I have to try if I want to have a better relationship with you. I don't want to get hurt again in the end."

Cora looked sad for a moment as she looked at her daughter. "I totally understand that. I did things to you that made you feel like you couldn't trust me. Regina, I'm asking you now to think about the idea of trusting me. My program is solid and I am working with my sponsor everyday to strengthen my mind so that I can maintain my sobriety. I'm hoping that you'll see the change as we spend more time together."

Regina nodded her head and said, "I already see the change, Mom. And I'm proud of you for that. Really I am."

Cora smiled brightly. And then the conversation switched to something they all talked about.


Ten years later…

Regina and Emma found themselves as high school seniors in a blink of an eye. It felt just like yesterday that they were freshmen and just beginning their friendship and then their relationship.

"I'm so proud of you," Emma's mother said proudly as she looked at her daughter who had matured and grown into a gorgeous, blonde bombshell. Mary Margaret smiled widely as she held the acceptance letter from the local college that had early accepted Emma and Regina together.

They had decided that they'd go to college together. And luckily they had been accepted. With this feat accomplished the two girls enjoyed their final year in high school.

One day at school, Emma was sitting in a class that she had without her girlfriend. The only one of their schedules. Her mind had been filled with questions of their future. She knew deep down in her heart, what she hoped would happen for them, but she wasn't sure what Regina wanted.

As she grew up, Regina became a little guarded with her thoughts and her emotions. She only allowed a few people in. One of those people was Emma who was thankful for this. However there were times when Emma not second-guessed, but just didn't know what Regina did or didn't want.

Finally the bell rang and the students dispersed into the hallway. She packed her bag up and leisurely walked to her locker. Before she got to that destination, she saw Killian at his locker. She wanted to ask him a question.

"Hey, um, Jones…"

"Swan…what do you want?" He fiddled with the lock on his locker and was getting frustrated with every spin of the dial.

Emma pushed him aside and asked, "What's the combo?"

"Uh, 9-28-17." Emma easily spun the dial to the numbers that he said. With the last number the locker popped opened.

He grunted and Emma took that as her thank you. "What do you want?"

"A ring…I've heard that you can get it 'off the ship' that's docked here…"

"Nah. You don't want a knock off ring, m'lady." He pretended to tip his hat and bow.

"You're a jerk…Yea, I do cuz I need something that's not too expensive," Emma said.

"How do you know that I won't charge you an arm and a leg," Killian asked with a raised eyebrow.

Emma smirked at him, but didn't say anything. This, in itself, made him a little nervous.

"Where do you suggest I go?"

"Gold's?"

"Hmm…I'll think about that. Thanks," Emma said as she stepped in and grasped his forearm.


It was at that moment in time that Regina rounded the corner. She skidded to a top and her jaw hung open. She saw the scene between her girlfriend and the guy who had tormented her throughout her high school experience. Regina turned and ran away. She ducked into the girls' bathroom and threw her books to the floor.

She screamed out in sadness and then fell to the ground. She pulled her knees into her chest and threw her arms around them. She allowed a few tears to fall, but not many.

There has to be a logical explanation…

Would she do that to me?

Does she want out?

All of these thoughts raced through her mind. This made her become angry. She had one more class to attend and it was with her girlfriend. She had to try not to show her emotions because it would signal to Emma that she saw them.

She got up from the floor and threw cold water onto her face. She then picked up her books and walked into the hallway.

She arrived at class just as the late bell sounded. Emma smiled as she saw Regina walk into the room. Regina gave Emma the impression that her emotions were hard to read. Emma took notice as Regina sat down after not saying a word to her.

All throughout the lesson, Emma tried to get Regina's attention, but to no avail. Finally Emma felt defeated so she returned her attention to the lecture. At the sound of the bell ringing, Regina packed up her belongings and ran out of the room, with Emma right behind her.

"Hey, Regina, wait up…" Emma ran behind her and barely caught up to her.

"I gotta go, Em," said Regina with a hint of sadness. "I've made plans with my Mom today."

"Oh, okay. Can I come?"

"No, I am going by myself today," Regina said as she walked away. She didn't look back to see a frustrated and sad Emma standing there.


Regina walked all the way from the school to her mother's house. When she got there, she rang the doorbell and waited.

"Regina," Cora said happily.

"Hi, Mom," Regina said sadly.

"Honey, what's wrong?" Cora opened the door to allow her daughter to enter. When she did, Regina hugged her tightly and began to cry a little.

"Regina, shh, it's okay. What's going on?" Cora led her daughter to the couch and they sat down together.

"Emma," Regina started, hiccupped and then continued, "I saw her talking to a boy who has tormented me for almost my entire time in high school. Right before I turned around and ran, I saw her place her hand on his forearm."

Cora looked sad to her daughter, but tried to be optimistic. "Oh, have you talked to her about what you saw?"

"No. I ran out of class with the excuse that I was coming here…uh, not excuse…but…"

"I get it," Cora said with a small smile. In the past three years, their relationship had gotten a lot better. They talked more and Regina felt like she was getting her mother now. The feeling felt great. There were still some issues that neither of them talked about, but Regina always said to herself, "Maybe next time."

"What should I do?" Regina looked at her mother expectantly.

"Go home, talk to her…Get her side. And stop jumping to conclusions. It's not fair to you or to her."

With hearing and taking in that piece of advice, Regina bolted up and ran quickly to the door. After she twisted the handle, she looked back to her Mom. "Thank you. I appreciate it."

Cora smiled and then Regina ran out of the house, down the steps and to the sidewalk. She ran like she was in the most important marathon of her life. She ran as if her life depended on it. To her it did, but it just wasn't her life. It was her life with Emma. They were building something special to her. She was absolutely not about to let it crumble because of the slime that is Killian Jones. She rounded the corner of her house and finally got to the destination. She ran up the steps two at a time and pushed the door opened. The piece of standing wood made a loud bang and Regina yelled, "Sorry!" She climbed the steps to Emma's room and pushed the door open. Emma was startled as she looked up. She immediately stood up and just stayed there. Regina ran to her and catapulted herself into Emma's arms. She then hungrily kissed Emma with everything that she had. Emma responded immediately as her arms wrapped around Regina's frame tightly.

Regina came up for air and said, "I will not lose you to anyone. Especially not to Jones." She plunged back into the kiss with Emma.

After a few more minutes, Emma ended the kiss, but held Regina tightly in her arms. "What are you talking about?"

"What were you talking to him about today?" Regina wiggled out of the embrace.

"A gift for you," Emma said and then realized what Regina had asked. "You were in the hallway when I was talking to him?"

Regina nodded her head up and down in confirmation. "I saw, or I think I saw the whole interaction."

"What do you think you saw," Emma asked totally not angry or upset.

"The last thing I saw is you leaning forward with your hand on his forearm. After that I turned around and ran to the bathroom to, um, compose myself."

"Regina, what you saw was taken out of context. Yes, I did those things, but not because of the reason you think."

"You're not interested in him," Regina asked meekly.

"Hell, no. Regina, are you trippin'?" Emma smiled brightly at her girlfriend. She tried to make light of a serous conversation. She saw in Regina's eyes that it wasn't the right thing to do. "Ok, listen to me, I am so not interested in Killian. Yuck, he's a guy. I'm not into guys, as you know. I am however totally in love with you." Emma kissed Regina's nose.

"No feelings…for him," Regina asked shyly.

"Not any positive or love feelings, no. Only for you, Sweetheart," Emma said as she grabbed her girlfriend for another hug. "I love you," she purred.

"Emma, I love you too. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have jumped to any conclusions without talking to you about it. Can you forgive me?"

"Yes, I can. You need to trust me totally though."

"I know, I'm sorry, I'll work on it." Regina said as she looked up into Emma's eyes.

Their intense stares bore into each other as Emma smirked at Regina who closed the tiny gap between their lips. Once they were kissing, Regina's tongue licked Emma's bottom lip as it begged for entrance into her mouth. Emma parted her mouth and immediately Regina's tongue darted inside and instantly massaged Emma's tongue. Their tongues massaged and pushed against each other as their heads tilted back and forth.

"Regina," Emma breathed out.

"Em," Regina replied.

"I need you," Emma revealed quietly.

"But your parents," Regina said sadly.

Just then there was a light tap on Emma's door. "Come in," she responded still in Regina's embrace.

"Hey, girls, your father and I are going out to a movie now, spur of the moment. We'll be back later." Emma's mother didn't wait for a reply as she quickly shut the door behind her.

"God, I love your parents," Regina said as she hugged Emma tighter.

"Me too," Emma hurriedly said before she dove into another kiss.

Emma leaned forward and picked Regina up from under her butt. "Whoa!" Regina stopped the kiss and chuckled.

Emma didn't chuckle. She was eerily silent and Regina found that this turned her on more. "Em," she whispered.

Emma carried her to the bed. With Regina still in her arms, Emma began to bend down onto her knees. She released Regina from her embrace when she knew that she was sitting on the mattress. After Emma was satisfied that Regina was indeed on the bed and was comfortable she attended to Regina's feet as she took off her shoes. She tossed them to the side. Emma's one hand trailed up from Regina's ankle to her upper thigh. She took her time in massaging Regina's thigh. "This is one of my favorite parts of you," she whispered almost inaudibly.

Regina found herself becoming hot and totally ready to be loved by her amazing girlfriend. Because Regina hadn't said anything, Emma timidly looked up at her. Emma found a lustful smile showcased on Regina's face. She leaned down and captured Emma's lips with her own. As they were kissing, Regina found Emma's arms and pulled her up so they would be face to face. The kiss continued to transpire and Regina's desire continued to build. Regina pulled Emma up and onto the bed with her. This action made Regina lay down on the bed.

Emma stopped the kiss and smirked because she noticed that one of Regina's legs was bent. She took advantage of this as she hung over Regina's body as she raised her hand up to tediously massage every inch of Regina's leg. Emma leaned down to initiate the kiss again. One of her strokes came earth shatteringly close to Regina's womanhood, which made her choked on air making the kiss stop. Regina regained her composure as she murmured, "Em, touch me." Emma looked down as she eagerly pushed Regina's lace panties aside and quickly pushed a finger into Regina. At first it felt awkward, but Emma knew this so she took her time. She pulled out, received a grunt of disappointment and then pushed right back inside. The second time that she did this, Regina arched her back as Emma's finger slid farther inside. "Emma," Regina screamed out. Emma picked up her head and immediately kissed Regina passionately.

While in the kiss, Regina fumbled for a split second, but pulled Emma's sweatshirt zipper down, pulled the shirt off and unclasped her bra. She tore everything off and tossed it to the floor. She hesitated for a minute. Emma broke the kiss to tease, "I'm kinda chilly…" She then moved slightly up Regina's body. "Well, we can't have that, can we?" Regina didn't pause for an answer. She grabbed and held one of Emma's supple breasts in her hand. She lowered her head to kiss it. Then she licked it once. She licked it twice. And on the third lick Regina sucked Emma's nipple in her mouth. As she was doing that, Emma began to feel aroused. "Regina," she panted out as she immediately reached down and entered Regina with her finger. Because of this action, Regina bit down a little onto Emma's breast. This made Emma freeze and yelled, "Ah!"

"Did you…ya know?"

"Did I what," Emma asked, but she knew what her girlfriend meant. She wanted to hear her say the word.

"Did you orgasm, my dear?"

"Yup. Do that again?"

Regina bit down a little harder and Emma's body convulsed. "Hmm," she grunted.

"Take off your pants," Regina demanded as she assisted her girlfriend. Once the article of clothing was off, Emma tore Regina shirt and bra off her torso and tossed them aside. Immediately one of Emma's hands wrapped itself around Regina's breasts. She sighed in contentment. With her hand full of Regina, Emma decided to enter her girlfriend again with her free hand. She quickly did so and Regina was near the edge.

"Two fingers," she panted as she rocked herself back and forth on Emma's hand. She immediately entered her love with two fingers and almost instantly Regina had her orgasm. She held Emma as close as possible as she rode the wave that she was experiencing.

"You okay?" Emma hugged her tightly after she knew Regina was finished. They lay there in the oncoming darkness as Emma was stroking Regina's back.

"Yes, I am. Thank you for that. I am sorry for my behavior before."

"I can see how that would make you question some stuff. Cuz if it was me looking at what you saw, I'd question it. But, Regina, I am here. I'm all in. That means that I don't want anyone else, especially the boy who made most of your high school experience a living hell. You gotta realize that I love you."

"Emma, I do," Regina said pleadingly. "I just sometimes, like today, don't believe it."

"Why?"

"Why? You have met my mother."

"But Regina, everyone isn't like your Mom…or how she used to be."

Regina remained silent for a few seconds. "I know," she whispered.

"Do you," Emma asked sincerely.

"Yes, I do…I think I do…"

"Listen I am not going anywhere. I wouldn't be me without you. As cliché as it sounds, you Regina Mills…'you complete me'!"

Regina chuckled. After a second or two, she became very serious. "You really see a life after high school with me, don't you?"

"Sweetheart, I see forever with you." Emma sat up and pulled her girlfriend with her. When they were both sitting up, she pulled Regina into her arms and they hugged each other tightly.