It was nearly Halloween of 2006 before Regina and Henry saw Emma again. Emma greeted Regina as promised with a kiss after knocking on her door. Regina was so surprised it took her a moment to process.

"What took you so long?" she whispered breathlessly as the kiss broke.

"My mark jumped the Canadian border, so it took extra long to get the jurisdiction to bring him back to New York. I should have called more often, but I was trying to get through the red tape as quickly as possible."

"Well, you're here now." Regina smiled. "I was having Henry get ready for bed, but I know he'll love to see you. Want to come with me to tuck him in?"

Emma nodded enthusiastically. She didn't live there, but she felt like she had just come home.

Regina took her hand and quietly led her inside, closing the front door behind them. 'Be very quiet', she mouthed to her before making her way to the stairs. She never let go of Emma's hand as she ascended the stairs.

Emma was walking on tiptoes to be silent, enjoying the feeling of Regina's hand in her own again.

"Henry," Regina called when they reached the top of the stairs. "I hope you're in your pajamas and that your teeth are brushed. I have a surprise for you, but you won't get it unless you're completely ready for bed!"

"I'm ready!" Henry called insistently from his bedroom.

Regina made her way to his room and motioned for Emma to move against a wall where she couldn't be seen, so Regina could poke her head inside the door to check on him. "Okay, it seems you've earned your surprise. You'll get it in just a moment." She closed the door again and looked at Emma. "Give it fifteen seconds," she whispered, taking a step back from the door.

Emma waited fifteen minutes before opening the door and stepping inside.

Henry jumped up out of bed so fast he almost tripped over himself. "Emmmmm-maaaaa!" He ran to her and crashed into her legs, squeezing the life out of them. "You home!"

Emma grinned. "That's right, buddy." She stroked along the top of his head. "Did you get taller?"

"Yup!"

Regina stepped into the room. "Two inches," she supplied.

"Wow! You're going to be taller than us soon, Henry!"

Henry laughed. "Nuh-uh. You giants."

Emma looked at Regina questioningly, who merely shrugged. She returned her attention to Henry. "Mommy and I are going to tuck you in tonight. How's that sound?"

Henry looked at Regina with puppy dog eyes. "She just got here! Do I have to?"

"Yes, Henry. You have school in the morning."

Henry grumbled. "Fine. Can she tell a story, then?"

"You'll have to ask her."

Henry put the puppy dog eyes on Emma. "Will you tell me a story?"

"I...I'm sure I can think of something."

"Yay!" Henry zoomed back to his bed and hopped in.

Regina made her way over to his bed and Emma followed.

"You know the drill," Regina told Henry.

He laid down, allowing Regina to fix the blankets around him the way she always did. She gave him a hug and kissed his cheek goodnight, which he reciprocated. Emma watched, hoping she could become just as good at that one day.

When it was clear Regina was finished with the usual ritual, Emma cautiously took a seat on the edge of the bed. "What kind of story would you like?"

"Any!"

"Any kind, huh? Alright…" Emma launched into a tale on the fly about a dragon and a lion that became best friends. She kept talking until he fell asleep, and then she pressed a gentle kiss to his forehead.

"Good job," Regina smiled.

Emma carefully got off the bed, hoping the movement wouldn't wake Henry. She smiled back at Regina and followed her back out the door.

Regina closed his bedroom door with a soft click. "Will you stay here tonight?" she asked quietly. "It's been nearly two months."

"Aww, you missed me that much?"

Regina nodded. "I want more time with you before I go to work. We're in the middle of a major client crisis, so I've had to be working through lunch lately."

"Then I'll stay here tonight. But I'll sleep on the couch. We only met four months ago and I've been gone half that time."

"Understandable." Regina made her way to the stairs and began descending them.

Emma soon followed after her. "So, what do you have in mind since Henry's asleep?"

"We can watch a movie. Or have one on and talk over it. I just want the time with you."

Emma smiled. Once on the ground floor, she took her hand. "I missed you, too. By the way. A lot."

Regina led her over to the couch and sat down, prompting Emma to sit beside her. Regina turned the TV on and put the volume on low so it would be mere background noise.

"No more two month long trips, okay? Not until next year at least," Regina requested.

"I'll try. I'm not planning on going anywhere any time soon."

Regina pressed a kiss to her knuckles. "Good. Henry and I are both very attached to you."

Emma hugged her. "If I'd known it would take me nearly two months to get back, I wouldn't have gone. I thought it would be maybe two weeks, tops."

Regina relaxed in her arms. "Well, I'm glad you made it home safe."

"Home?" Emma questioned, looking at her.

Regina blushed. "You know what I mean."

Neither woman realized they were tired, but less than five minutes had passed before they'd fallen asleep, innocently cuddling on the couch.