Chapter 12

A week into living together, the two women finally felt that they could relax. Boxes had been emptied and thrown, Emma found a job and even enrolled Grace into the local nursery which adjoined Storybrooke school for when she is older. Deciding to both take the girl on her first day, the pair stood at the entrance while the small blonde looked anxious on going inside.

Crouching down to the girl's level, Emma takes hold of her hands. "Hey bug you're gona do great I promise. If you need either of us we are just going to be down the street okay?"

Nodding slowly, Grace remains quiet but wraps her arms around her mother's neck to hug her tightly. Watching concerned herself, Regina places a hand on the older blonde's shoulder for her attention before gesturing to the teacher in the distance. Seeing the woman nod, the Mayor makes her way over for a 'talk'. Returning shortly after, the brunette stands beside Emma who has now stood once again while holding the small blonde's hand. "What did you just do?"

Smirking, Regina shrugs innocently. "Nothing..just some friendly advice on what were to happen if anything goes wrong..."Seeing the blonde's eyebrow raise, the brunette purses her lips. "..namely her job.."

"Regina!" Shocked, Emma chuckles in disbelief.

"What? I am making sure that no one hurts our daughter and being Mayor helps that!" The Mayor explains while straightening her coat.

Looking in awe, the blonde simply smiles.

"What now Miss Swan? Why are you giving me that look?" Regina questions feeling awkward at the undivided attention in public.

"You said our daughter..." Smiling more, Emma takes a chance and kisses her cheek.

Smiling herself and breaking her professional act, the brunette glances down to Grace who attempts a smile. "Well dear, It's true.." Holding her hand out towards the girl, Regina waits for Grace to accept before the trio step inside the building.

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"I played with the dolls and..and I did drawing..in my bag mama for you and mommy.."

Listening intently to the small excited blonde, Regina beams down at her. "It's a good job that I'm taking you to Granny's then to say thank you sweetheart"

Grinning with a nod, Grace questions. "Hot chocolate please?"

Guiding the small blonde into the establishment, the Mayor leads her up to the counter to order from Granny. "One coffee and one hot chocolate please Granny"

Waving at Grace, the older woman smiles. "Coming right up!"

Keeping hold of the girl's shoulders, Regina looks over towards the Sheriff approaching. "Good afternoon Sheriff, how is the new deputy settling in?"

"Very well Madam Mayor, she certainly knows what she is doing"

"I bet she does" smirking slightly, the brunette turns back to retrieve their drinks before making her way towards a booth in which Grace had ran to. "Oh Sheriff if you could ask the deputy to make sure she is home by 6 that would be great"

"Of course"

Smiling to herself, Regina slides into her seat then looks across at the small blonde. "Are you hungry dear? We can order you a snack before dinner"

Taking the menu, Grace screws up her nose at her attempt to read then sighs. "Mama? Granny still have pancakes?"

"Yes she does. I'll order you one" gaining the attention of a waitress, the Mayor watches the girl in awe as she automatically goes in her bag for her colouring book without so much of a word.

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Closing the front door behind her, Emma strolls through the hall, removing her jacket before making her way towards the kitchen at the smell of dinner. "Deputy Swan calling for duty Madam Mayor at 6pm as requested"

Glancing over from the chopping board, Regina stifles a laugh at the woman's playfulness. Happy to make the brunette smile, the blonde walks around the island and plants a quick kiss on the woman's lips. "Hello you"

"Hello dear, good day?" Continuing to chop up some vegetables, the brunette smiles as Emma makes a point of washing her hands then takes another board out to help her.

"Was okay. Not really eventful. Where's bug? Did she have a good day at nursery?"

"Yes, full of beans when I picked her up and she has something to show you. I took her to Granny's for a treat and now she is playing in the living room with Bob"

"Oh well in that case" placing her knife down followed by Regina's, the blonde turns the brunette to face her by her waist and kisses her.

Happy to oblige, the Mayor wraps her arms around Emma's neck and kisses back with a smile. Ending the kiss with a series of pecks, the Deputy Sheriff grins. "I missed you today. Now that I get to see you every day and have you..I hate when I don't get to see you for a few hours let alone days"

Chuckling, the brunette then hugs into her. "Charmer..."

Kissing the woman's head, Emma then rests her head against Regina's. "God I love you"

"I love you too..now I really need to get back to dinner because a certain madam wants to squeeze in a game before bed. Plus she has that surprise for you"

"Okay" pulling back, the blonde pecks the Mayor's lips again then makes her way out of the kitchen to find Grace while Regina returns to the vegetables.

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Having completed the majority of dinner and was now waiting on the oven, Regina makes her way towards the living before pausing in the doorway with her arms crossed while watching in awe.

"Bug this is beautiful! Thank you baby" kissing the grinning small blonde's head, Emma lifts the girl up onto her lap on the couch while looking at the picture Grace had drawn for her mother at nursery.

Smiling to herself, the Mayor takes a deep breath, feeling content with her life. She had finally found a family to call her own.

A/N: I know some of you love this story but next chapter will be the last as it will be an epilogue! Thanks for all your support!