After they were all settled safely inside the palace and the guards were informed of their return, the girls sat wide eyed waiting for the inevitable questioning. Regina began. "So, what happened?"

Sofia started. "Mom, there are many things we can't tell you. I hope you understand. Nothing bad happened to us and we are sorry for disappearing without a word. The Enchantress needed us to start out training early because she was getting weaker."

Regina eyed her daughters with apprehension. "But the enchantress is in Storybrook. Is that where you have been? How did she open a portal? She said there was only enough magic left in the amulet to transport herself back. I don't understand." Emma was standing beside her and placed a hand on her shoulder to comfort her.

Ana continued. "It was recharged." She lied. She felt horrible lying to her Mother but they knew that if she knew the truth, she would want to go back and see Henry and Roland and it was too much of a risk right now. "The enchantress had enough magic to bring us there and send us back for our training. On our 16th birthday, the portal will open again and we will all be able to return."

Regina accepted the explanation but Emma's lie detector was going haywire. There was more to it than that but they weren't going to get the truth right now.

"So if you were in Storybrook, did you see our family? Was everyone still asleep?" Regina continued asking.

"We went straight to the enchantress in the forest. We didn't see any person other than her." Sofia lied again. "She told us that the townspeople were sleeping peacefully and would only wake on our 16th birthday after the final battle." It was mostly true. She had actually told the girls that on their first day there and explained that they were not to go into the town under any circumstances.

Ana looked at Emma. She knew she wasn't buying into it and she gave her a please don't make us break out promise look. Emma was just so relieved to have them back that she let it slide. She knew they had seen Henry and had spoken to him. They girls had suddenly started calling her Ma instead of Mama and that was a Henry thing. She asked cautiously. "So everyone is definately asleep now?" She emphasised the now in a way that confirmed she knew at some point, someone was awake.

Sofia and Ana nodded and a small blush crept over Sofia's cheeks. "Asleep and dreaming of fairytales, Ma." She smiled at Emma with reassurance. Emma'a heart warmed at the reassurance and knew this was the girls subtle way of letting them know Henry was ok.

After more talk, endless questioning and some shady half answers, the girls were dismissed to get ready for bed. Emma and Regina sat on the sofa, relieved for the first time in weeks and content in each others arms. Regina sighed. "They're holding so much back aren't they."

"Yep. But I kinda get it. They've got a huge responsibility on their shoulders for such a young age. They would tell us if they could, Regina. We've just got to trust them both on this." Emma said.

"They have seen Henry. I know it. They must have talked to him because they are calling us Mom and Ma! Why do you think they won't tell us?" Regina pondered. She was worried about the boys and it would have been a huge relief for her knowing that were well and safe.

"Oh, yeah. They have definately been talking to Henry!" Emma giggled. "Our kids and their secret operations. You and I both know we won't get a peep out of them until whatever crazy plan they've come up with is complete. Gina, the boys are fine, the girls are home safe. I don't know about you but I could use a drink and an early night."

Regina sighed and rolled her eyes. "Come on then, I think I can rustle up some cider if you go and keep the bed warm."

...

Three years later

Regina, Emma and their teen girls had decided to take a vacation at Snow White's summer palace. They had been meaning to go for a while but ever since the girls returned after their disappearance, public duties and peace keeping meetings had taken up all of their free time. Emma felt bad for the amount of responsibility the girls were expected to have and had insisted on taking them away for a fun filled summer of being the kids they were.

Regina had been surprisingly relieved at the idea too. The girls had not long turned 13 and she knew that it wouldn't be long until they were less than keen to spend any time with their uncool mothers. Ana was already desperate to fall in love with the first eligible boy that turned up and Sofia was beginning her rebellious stage, not that she'd done anything too outrageous. Emma had reminded Regina that if they were in Storybrook, Sofia would probably be rocking some piercings, goth make up and clothes and blasting heavy metal in her bedroom at all hours. Regina had laughed at the idea but honestly, it wasn't the first time she'd imagined her daughter that way.

The family were to spend 3 months at the summer palace and had held the enchanted forest's equivalent of a press conference, explaining that they needed time away from the public eye to concentrate on family matters. The public had been happy enough to let them get away, especially after the royals had done so much for the realm in recent years.

Regina was propped up on her elbows laying stomach down on the blanket covered grass. She watched the girls playing Emma's version of baseball. It was definately more cricket than baseball but they seemed to be enjoying themselves so Regina spared the snark. She hadn't had the luxury of tanning for more years than she cared to remember and it was a relief to be out in the open in nothing more than a bikini. Back in their palace, she wouldn't have dreamed of being so exposed, but this place was all theirs. They'd even dismissed the groundspeople for a couple of weeks, suggesting they take time to spend with their own families. Of course Regina wasn't prepared to spend the whole summer without service but it was nice for a few weeks and reminded her of their life back in Storybrook. It was much more intimate this way.

"Goal!" Emma screamed as Ana hit the ball clear over the fence and out into the cemetery. Regina giggled at her wife's complete ignorance over sports terminology. "You are scarring out daughters for life, you do realise Emma?" She drawled unable to hold back her sarcasm. "I raised boys and I can assure you, the term is home run!"

Emma came and lay down next to her wife and laughed. "I totally knew that. Just thought it's be kinda funny when we get back and have a couple of games with Henry and Roland!" She winked.

"Emma Swan-Mills, you are a cruel mother!" Regina said trying to hide her amusement but knowing how much fun Henry would have at the girls' expense.

"Hey, we gotta keep some things a mystery for them, right? Don't want them getting too cocky like a certain Mrs I know everything and nothing shocks me." Emma playfully replied. "Hey, Ana. Go get the ball. Your Mom wants to show us how its done!"

Ana ran off in the direction of where the ball had gone leaving their mothers to tease each other and play fight on the grass. Sofia huffed sarcastically. At times they acted worse than Ana. It was embarrassing how much they loved each other and their PDA's were grossing her out. "Get a room!" She called back which just made the pair giggle even harder.

"We have one! We just like embarrassing you dear!" Regina called back and licked Emma's cheek.

Sofia stomped off after her sister to find the ball. When she finally caught up to her, she saw Ana standing frozen in the middle of the cemetery. "What is it Ana? Did you see a ghost or som...?" She quipped but trailed off as she saw exactly what her sister was staring at.

"Do you see what I see Sof?" Ana asked not moving her gaze from the stone in front of her.

Sofia took her sister's hand and lead her away. "Come on. We can't do this now. Tonight. When Mom and Ma are asleep."