A/N: And, we're back! :) so happy to be back after my laptop busted. It took me a while to get a new one, but it feels great to be writing for you all once again. I do hope you enjoy this new update. Cuteness alert between Regina and Henry. Enjoy!

They were up bright and early for a Saturday. Emma, Regina and Henry were taken by Archie for an early breakfast, one which after a few times of persistence from Emma and Henry, Archie joined along. Regina was surprised just how at home she felt being this free with Emma and her son. How comfortable it felt to be able to laugh while being around Henry. Even Archie took notice at Regina's sudden change when she was around Emma. She was a good boss to him, but she remained professional - hardly cracking a smile.

As breakfast passed, with Emma's permission, Archie took Henry to a nearby arcade while both women enjoyed another cup of coffee.

"Don't get me wrong. I do enjoy your look in pencil skirts, all professional, but have you ever worn anything that's not work related?" Emma brings her hot cup of coffee to her lips, the steam lightly brushing her bottom lip, "Something more liberal?"

Regina swallows her gulp of coffee as Emma drinks from her cup, "Liberal? I can be pretty liberal, I assure you."

"Name one time you were pretty liberal. Teenage years don't count." Emma challenge, a smirk playing on her lips.

To this Regina raised an eyebrow, "How old are you again? Because sometimes, I swear I'm talking to a teenager."

"Ooh, yet you fucked me in an airplane bathroom."

Regina turned red in a matter of minutes, wishing that the ground would swallow her whole in that very moment. It was a small bakery shop, therefore she was sure people around them had heard her well enough.

Emma turned to look at the couple sitting behind them as they were staring wide-eyed, "Haven't you ever heard that love knows no age difference?"

"Emma." Regina said in a low voice, trying to get her to stop her jokes.

"We have a very romantic story." Emma kept informing the couple as her body shifted more in her chair towards them.

"Emma." Regina voiced a little louder.

"She's a friend of my mother's. Sparks fly, you know? I'm 18 today, it's pretty legal." Emma joked as the couple just kept staring at her as if they were frozen in time.

"Alright, kill me now." said Regina, redder than she was before of embarrassment.

Emma turned to face the brunette before her as she let out a light laugh, she quickly looked back at the couple behind them, "I'm only kidding. I love messing with her. I'm twenty-seven." Green eyes looked over at Regina who was now sipping at what was left of her coffee. Brown eyes followed Emma's hand as it reached behind her jeans pocket and dropped money on the table, "Come on." Emma stood up, "Let's go for a walk. I still have a two hours before I have to meet up with this guy."

Regina stood up without saying a word, but not before leaving some money on the table to cover for the early meals, following Emma out the glass door as the blonde held it open for her to step out first. Those little things Emma did for her, like holding a door open so she can walk through the door frame first made her heart… flutter? Whatever the correct word was, it was certainly something she could get used to. Especially when her ex-husband never once held open a door for her.

"I didn't tell you. I met with your ex husband." Emma said as they walked down the concrete sidewalk together. "And, your sister. August and I will be playing at the wedding." she nudged Regina playfully on the shoulder with her own as she noticed the brunette stiffen up at the mention of her ex husband. "I'll be taking requests."

Regina's lips curved into a smile, her pace easy and calm along with Emma's, "I hope he wasn't too much for you."

"He didn't say anything I couldn't handle." Emma smirked at the memory of that day.

Regina's brow arched in question, "What did you say, Emma?" she had a light smirk appearing, amused and interested already.

"He started it. I'm perfectly innocent." Emma held her hands up in defense, quickly shoving them back inside the pockets of her jeans. Her blonde hair loose and wavy with the light breeze. The sun light making her curls shine with every step she took.

As Regina glared at her. One of those deadly glares that would make you confess your most intimate secrets, Emma spoke again as she couldn't help to laugh lightly, "He asked if it was true that I was now dating you, since he thinks we are. I couldn't say no." she paused briefly before she spoke again, "He didn't seem to like it much. He was a real asshole about it. So, I made sure to let him know that you are a hell of a woman."

Regina chuckled, "Hell of a woman, hm?"

"Well, my exact words being a work of art." Emma admitted.

Her words bringing a smile to Regina's face, "You really said that to him?"

Emma shrugged, liking the idea of keeping the brunette guessing if she did or didn't, "Would I lie?" She made her way into the arcade, spotting Henry rather quickly. Regina remaining outside for a minute, a smile forming from ear to ear.

"Are you sure you don't mind watching him just for a few hours? I honestly feel bad that we came here and I have to meet with this creep." Emma asked Regina as they walked back to her car, along with Archie and Henry in toe.

"It's perfectly fine, Emma." Regina could see the worry in the blonde's eyes about leaving her son. "You know, your distrust in me is a little offensive." she joked.

Emma's cheeks turned a shade of pink, "I didn't mean it like that, it's just-"

"Mom, I'll be fine!" Henry shouted from inside the car.

"Put on your seat belt." she ordered Henry as she looked back at the older woman, shoving her hands inside her pockets, "Are you sure?"

"Yes." Regina closed in the space that was between them, suddenly pressing her lips onto Emma's as she gave her a quick peck. "Go. I assure you, I am perfectly capable of taking care of a child."

It surprised Emma just how quickly even a quick kiss from Regina calmed her. Had they'd been paying attention, they would have heard Henry giggling in the back seat as he sat back, away from the window.

"What are you laughing at, Henry?" Archie asked as he looked over at the boy through the rear view mirror of the vehicle.

"Regina kissed mommy." Henry's smirk only grew as Archie smiled at the amused eight year old, shaking his head.

"Kathryn, I don't know if I am even capable of taking care of a child." Regina had been alone with Henry for only a few minutes and already she was freaking out. She wanted to help Emma out, but truth was she didn't know much about caring for a children.

"Wait, you're looking after a kid?" Kathryn asked over the phone.

The brunette rolled her eyes at her friend's ignorance, "Yes- what planet do you live on? I told you Emma and Henry were spending their weekend here with me, days ago."

"Oh, right! I'm sorry, my mind is… a little preoccupied at the moment."

Regina's brows furrowed as her friend sounded a little breathless over the phone, her voice sounded as if she was trying to hold something back from escape her. "Do I dare ask what you are getting yourself into?"

Kathryn let out a few giggles as her hand grabbed a fist full of hair, her eyes looking downward between her legs, "Oh…" she bit her lip to suppress a moan, "Well… I am currently on planet August."

It was then, Regina knew exactly what was going on. Her eyes grew wide as realization hit her, "Please, tell me you did not just answer the phone while-"

A laugh with a small shriek sounded, which made Regina pull her phone away from her ear as Kathryn's smirk grew as her head rested back, eyes closed and all, "Mmm- yes!" a moan escaped her as her breathing hitched, "Ooh- I'll call you later, I promise!"

The call ended soon after, Regina tossed her phone on the couch in frustration that her best friend was far too busy to even give her a solution to her small crisis in babysitting. She was an intelligent woman, for Christ sake! How hard could watching a kid be? Plus, this wasn't just some kid - it was Emma's. Yeah, just Emma's kid. The woman she occasionally slept with.

"Regina!"

The brunette looked up at the grinning boy as he looked down at her from the ledge of the stairs, his voice echoing through the penthouse.

"Can you please watch a movie with me?"

Regina felt some relief. A movie sounded calming, that she could do. She smiled up at the boy, nodding, "Of course. I'd be happy to watch a movie with you."

"I get to pick the movie!" Henry's footsteps were heard running his way into the theater room on the second floor. Regina chuckled at the boy's adorable excitement as she made her way into the kitchen to make some popcorn. Knowing Henry would be a part of her weekend, she was prepared with foods a kid his age would appreciate.

Henry ended up picking a Harry Potter, a film Regina did not come to understand so she had him explain it to her. Either way, it was safe to say she was having the time of her life. She couldn't help to wonder, as she glanced over at a happy Henry the different turn her life would have taken had she'd become a mother when she wanted it the most. Would she'd been a good one? The idea of being a single mother scared her, since she ended up divorcing Robin. And, now having Henry here with her, spending all this time with him. She felt like that woman who was more than ready to start a family of her own. Only, he wasn't hers to have. He was Emma's and they had an agreement to not allow things to get in anyway complicated.

"Do you like my mom?"

Henry's voice made Regina shake herself from her deep and personal thoughts, now staring at him wide eyed, her lips slightly parting, "What?"

"Do you like my mom?" Henry repeated.

Regina was completely caught off guard. What was she supposed to answer? She didn't want to lie to a small boy, but that was a question she wasn't even sure he would fully understand what it meant. She knew ever since meeting Henry that he was a chatterbox, but she wasn't prepared for this conversation.

"Well, do you?" he asked again, eagerly this time for an answer.

"Uh…" she could practically see the glow in the boy's eyes. What boy didn't want a second parent? Regina shook yet another thought in her head, a nervous smile playing on her lips as she looked directly at Henry this time. "Yeah. We are good friends."

A knowing grin played on Henry's lips now. "You like her." it wasn't a question this time.

"Henry, what do you say to helping me prepare a nice spaghetti for dinner?"

"Yeah!"

He couldn't have bounced more for joy as he ran out of the theater room, leaving a relieved Regina releasing a breath she hadn't realize she was holding the entire time she felt like she was being interrogated by an eight year old. She turned off the gigantic screen as the movie was now totally forgotten by Henry, and rushed downstairs to catch up with him. Hoping that there would be no more curious questions from the boy.

"What do you mean the price just went up? Why?" there was frustration in Emma's voice as well as anger towards the guy.

"I'm sorry." the man said, not hinting any sympathy in his voice.

"I just played for you for a whole hour! I brought all of the paperwork you asked for- I brought the money you specifically asked for since the last time you gave me the same damn answer!" she shouted as she motioned towards the guitar that was leaning up against the wall, the papers scattered on his desk, and the money she had stored in an envelope.

"Ms. Swan, I understand your frustration, but shouting won't help you." the man said calmly as he sat behind his desk.

"Apparently nothing will." her hands were on her hips this time as she glared down at him.

"Now, now, I wouldn't say that just yet." he stood from his chair as he walked around his desk, walking around the angry blonde in a slow pace. Emma didn't need to have eyes in the back of her head to know she was being devoured by a pair of eyes that belonged to him, from top to bottom. "There is a way you can own this establishment of mine." Emma remained still, as she heard his voice dropping down an octave. His hands already ghosting over her arms, "I understand that it's too much money. But, you are obviously very talented in what you do and I have no doubt that you are perfect for taking care of my place. I want you to own it."

Emma didn't have to turn to face him, as the man had already moved in front of her, sitting on his desk. His eyes traveling up and down again. "It is a very nice location, and it's located in the most busy side of New York." a small smirk formed on his lips, "I think you understand what a place like that is worth."

Oh, she had had enough of this creep's insinuations. She wanted her own bar someday, badly, it was her dream, but there was no way she would ever sleep with a creep such as him just to get where she wanted to get. If there was one thing everyone who knew her were very clear on about Emma, was that she worked herself to the bone to get to where she wanted to get.

Emma quietly started gathering up all her papers, and her money as she held them close to her, she could see the disappointment in the man's face.

"Thank you for your time, Mr. Davis. I can see I'm only wasting my time with you. I did have many dreams and hopes for this establishment, but if to get it implies me sleep with you, then I want no part in it." she walked towards the door as she made her way out without another word. All that was heard was the slam of the door.

Regina and Henry's cooking time went better than the brunette expected. Luckily the boy was having way too much fun to even bother playing twenty questions with her again. Regina had a lot of fun showing the boy how to make the tomato sauce from scratch. It was her own recipe that she learned from her mother as a child and she was glad to pass it down to Henry. But, obviously the boy's favorite part was pouring in the noodles into a platter and mixing the sauce in. After a few times of begging and pleading, Regina caved and allowed him to pour in the sauce all by himself. Henry froze when part of the sauce splattered on Regina's white shirt after he poured it on too fast. Had anyone else had that accident with her clothes, she would have given them a piece of her mind, but Henry just made it all too fun that she really didn't care about the shirt being decorated with a red stain now.

Regina handed Henry two cups as she smiled down at him, "Here. Why don't you go place these on the table? I'll get the plates and serve dinner, okay?"

"Okay." Henry beamed, taking the glasses carefully from the older woman's grasp as he walked (not ran) as he was instructed earlier by her, more than happy to be of help.

Regina took the plates out and served each with a good portion of spaghetti, smiling at Henry as he came back into the kitchen.

"I'm sure you must miss your mom." she said to Henry.

"Not really. I'm having too much fun being here with you." Henry admitted, which the brunette chuckled over.

"Well, I'm glad I haven't bored you, dear."

"Are you my mom's girlfriend?" he asked.

Regina's eyes went wide once again at Henry's sudden question. Let the twenty questions game begin. It was nice while the peace lasted. Her brow raised as she looked right at him, "Girlfriend?"

"I know kids like me can have two mommies."

Regina chuckled, seeing the look of I know more than you think look on his face. She really underestimated him for how smart he actually was. "Thank God your mother has explained that to you." she muttered under her breathe so he wouldn't hear her. Smiling as she leaned up against the kitchen counter, "Honestly, Henry. No. I'm not." her voice sounded disappointed, she hated seeing how the boy's features had changed from a beaming smile to a frown in a matter of seconds.

Henry's brows furrowed in question, "But, you kissed her." he said accusingly.

"Yes. I did." Regina's throat felt dry.

"On the lips. My mom always says that only grown ups who are together can kiss on the lips."

Regina bent down to his eye level, a smile flashing before him as she gently tapped his nose with her finger, "You are a bright one, Henry. Don't ever grow up, grown ups are just too complicated and hard to understand."

She prayed and mentally pleaded that that would be the end of that conversation for now. Surely enough, she got her wish as the boy simply smiled back at her, boping her nose gently with his own finger, "I won't, I promise."

The door was heard being opened followed by the sound of Emma's voice, "Marco!"

"Polo!" Henry shouted as he ran to find Emma in the living area, jumping right into her arms as he was lifted up by his mother.

Emma placed a big sloppy kiss on Henry's cheek, earning a shriek from the boy in protest as Emma kept up with her sloppy kisses to his other cheek and all over the boy's face.

"Stop, mom!" Henry broke into a fit of giggles as Emma wouldn't let up.

Regina stared at the pair with a smile of her own. Sometimes she had to admit, she almost forgot about Emma being a mom, but this moment with Henry before her was everything she once wanted for herself and more. Much more. She loved watching her with Henry, it allowed her to see another side of Emma she never thought she would even want to witness.

"We made spaghetti, mom. I helped!" Henry beamed as Emma sat him down on his feet.

"You did, did you?" she looked over at Regina as her son nodded, "I hope he wasn't too much trouble for you."

Regina shook her head, "Not at all. He was very well behaved."

"I set up the glasses on the table!"

Emma smiled down at an excited Henry, "I saw that. Why don't you go sit down and we'll be right there?" Emma's eyes looked at the red spot on Regina's shirt as Henry ran off to take his seat at the table, "Looks like he got you good."

Regina looked down at the spot of tomato sauce, "It's just a little sauce. No harm done."

"You sure got off better than I did." Emma joked, recalling the first time they met, when Regina spilled all her coffee on her shirt.

The older woman rolled her eyes as Emma smirked, "How did it go today?" she was quick to change the conversation as she noticed just how quickly Emma's smirk was gone and gave an eyeroll of her own.

"Ugh. I might as well forget about owning that bar someday." Emma made her way towards the plates as she took two, walking towards the dinner table as she sat down Henry's plate in front of him.

"What happened?" Regina asked as she sat down her own plate, taking a seat at the table.

Emma glanced quickly at Henry before she answered, "Turns out, I could get the place, for a very high price that in no way am I willing to pay."

Regina didn't have to hear the words to know what Emma well meant. Her features becoming angry in a matter of seconds.

"It's okay. I gave him my thanks and walked out. August will want to give him a piece of his mind though." she brought her fork filled with spaghetti to her mouth as she finished that last sentence.

"Well, so do I. That's repulsive! Not to mention unprofessional!"

Emma's brows hit her hairline in surprise to see Regina so upset. She had never seen her this upset over- well anything, really. She always made sure to keep to herself around her. "Forget him. He's a real creeper. The last thing I want is for him to disrespect you too."

Now Regina was the one to feel surprised at Emma's words. Emma actually cared for her well being. She couldn't even remember what caring for someone felt like, let alone someone caring for her. The last few people who ever truly cared for her were her parents and Kathryn.

The remainder of the dinner was quiet, but not for long thanks to Henry as he told his mother about his fun day with Regina. But, all through dinner, she could see the sadness that filled the blonde. She knew Emma very little, but in that little of time they have known each other she knew her well enough to know that she was very passionate about owning her own establishment filled with her own music. And, she wished there was more she could do to help. Maybe not now, but she would definitely be giving this sorry excuse for a man a piece of her mind. Or her name wasn't Regina Mills.

"Alright, kid. It's time for bed." Emma said to Henry as she placed the dirty dishes into the sink.

"But, mo-om…" the boy whined in protest, not even ready for bed yet.

"Hen-ry…" Emma mocked his whining, "Say thank you to Regina for taking such good care of you, and the dinner and let's go upstairs."

Henry's eyes lid up as he got an idea on the spot, "Can Regina tuck me in?"

The room fell silent as both women exchanged quick glances.

"Kid, I'm sure Regina is tired."

"I don't mind." Regina quickly replied.

"Are you sure?" asked Emma to which Regina nodded. "Well, alright then. Go get ready for bed and she will be right up."

Henry rushed to his mother, wrapping his arms around her waist and legs, "Night!" as he was clinging to her, Emma couldn't help to notice and wonder when in the world did he grew a little taller.

"Brush your teeth!" she shouted as Henry was already on the second floor.

"Okay!" came a shouted reply.

Both women couldn't help but smile at one another.

"Make sure to check his breath. Don't let those big doey eyes fool you, he's a sneaky one when it comes to brushing his teeth."

Regina chuckled as she brushed a hand against Emma's bicep, walking past her and into the living room, "I'll be right back. Help yourself to a drink. You look like you could use it."

Henry did indeed brush his teeth and got into a bed without a single protest or fuss. Regina sure surprised herself today with Henry. For not having any children of her own, she sure felt like she did a good job in watching him for Emma.

"Good night, Henry." Regina whispered as she placed a soft kiss to his forehead. She smiled sweetly at him as he stayed put in bed.

"Good night." he grabbed on to her arm as she was about to stand up to leave the room, "Gina?"

Regina stayed in place, "What is it, Henry?"

"I'd like it if you were my mom's girlfriend."

Regina's heart went to her throat in that moment, but she couldn't help to smile at the boy's innocence, "Sleep tight." her smile went small as she closed the door to his room. Girlfriend. That was a title she hadn't had in such a long time with anyone. She couldn't fall right back to being devoted to someone so emotionally again. She just couldn't.

"Are you alright?"

Regina was taken out of her thoughts by Emma's quiet voice as green eyes stared up at her as she held two glasses of wine in each hand. Regina smiled as she walked down each step, "I'm fine. Thank you." she took a sip of her glass as soon as she took it from the blonde's grasp.

They both sat together on the couch, Emma letting out a heavy, exhausted, and aggravated sigh as her back hit the soft leathery couch. Her eyes were closed, but she could practically feel Regina burning a hole through her with her stare.

"Don't give up, Emma. If anyone can accomplish what she invisions, it's you." Regina shifted to her side, as she rested her elbow on the couch and her head on her hand. Her other hand busying itself as it stroked Emma's golden hair.

Emma felt relaxed almost immediately with the gentle strokes the brunette was providing her with. Her eyes remaining closed as she let out a heavy sigh, "I just really wanted this. Not so much for me, but for him. For Henry." her eyes opened as they found Regina's instantly, "I just want him to have someone he can be proud of. I want to give him the world as best as I can."

Regina was quick to come up with an answer as a small smile formed on her lips, "You already are his world, Ms. Swan. He couldn't be more proud of you. Trust me. You are an extraordinary woman, and anyone who doesn't see that is a total fool."

Regina didn't understand it, why her heart sank to her knees in that very moment. The way Emma was looking into her eyes made her quiver, that if Emma didn't break the silence that was surrounding them then and there - she was scared of what might happen.

"Thank you for watching Henry, and for this amazing weekend." she broke the silence.

Regina removed her hand from stroking at Emma's hair, as her eyes looked down at her glass, "Just call me Regina Mills, Professional Babysitter." she joked, to which Emma laughed lightly. Then, Regina said something without even thinking about how it sounded, "Thank you for as well, for this weekend. I almost wish you didn't have to leave tomorrow."

"Me too."

Whether they noticed it or not, their fingers had intertwined, lightly brushing against each other as both women just stared at each other silently, drinking up each other with their eyes. Whether they noticed it or not… they had shared a small loving moment between two good friends who occasionally had sex.