Hey! How are you doing today? I hope everything is fine for you, if not I send you good vibes and love :)

I'm working really hard when I have some free time for this translation to be as good as possible, I know it's not perfect but I put my heart and soul in this story!

Now, I stop being so talkative and let you read, enjoy!

Chapter 13: To the beach!

The summer sun was barely up but was already burning hard on the small town of Storybrooke. Emma had a coated tongue by alcohol the day before but woke up quickly, eager to pick up her son at the Mills. She quickly braced herself and put on one of her last clean outfits, a plain white tank top simply fitted over skinny jeans. It was not very dressy, but with this heat, she could not tolerate anything more, anyway.

She quickly went down to the bar where she was surprised not to meet Ruby at her post, probably still asleep on this Sunday morning. She was just about to order her traditional morning fuel – a large hot cocoa sprinkled with cinnamon - when she thought about the Madam Mayor.

*No doubt she would enjoy a coffee so early in the morning …*

So it was two big goblets in hand and a light heart that she went to Mifflin Street.

After a few minutes of waiting on the porch which seemed to her an eternity, the door of 108 finally opened.

"Hello mom, did you sleep well?" Henry asked with a smile as he led her in.

"Hey, kid! Yes, I slept very well, what about you? I hope you did not go crazy and you behaved last night, huh?"

"Of course, mom, you know us …"

Emma could not say why, but she felt a touch of irony in her son's words.

"Yeah, precisely eh ..." Then, surprised that it was the young boy who opened the door, she continued. "Your mother is not here?"

"Yes, she is. She's still asleep, I think. Well, I'm going to get Matt, he was washing up. Make yourself at home, I'll come back!"

Henry went upstairs, leaving Emma alone in the large living room. The two hands still occupied by the goblets, she did not know where to sit. She was afraid of dirtying, of disturbing the perfect order of this perfect house … So she remained standing in the middle of the living room, her back facing the entrance, to observe the colors of the garden sublimated by the morning light.

"Miss Swan …"

The voice had come out of nowhere, and when Emma turned, she found herself face to face with the Mayor, who seemed to have just had time to put on a robe. Emma was captivated by the beauty of the brunette: without makeup and barely brushed hair, she had the impression of discovering a brand new Mrs. Mills, different, more natural but above all ... much more vulnerable. Emma was aware that she probably did not show everyone that way and her heart swelled with pleasure. It seemed to her that Regina gave her a privilege, a favor, and that she had to be worthy.

She moved instinctively closer to her to greet her.

"Hello Regina … I … I brought you a coffee." She suddenly remembered. "I hope it's not cold by now. I assumed you would like it black, here it is …"

Regina did not answer right away, she did not even take coffee from her hands. She just observed her, which did not fail to disturb the young woman. Had she done something wrong? Finally, Regina broke the awkward silence and took the goblet Emma handed her. She smiled at her, with one of those politician smiles – which it is hard to see if they are sincere – while still staring straight at her, as if she wanted to look into her soul. Regina seemed to take pleasure in destabilizing her and seeing her face break down.

"Thank you. You have correctly assumed …"

"Uhm, well … I'll take Matt and we'll go." Said Emma, who wanted more than anything to fill the awkward silence between them. "But where the hell is he …?"

"Do not be impatient. I'm sure he'll be here in a few minutes …"

"By the way, thanks again for having welcomed him. I hope he didn't bother you too much and didn't make a mess …"

"Language, Miss Swan."

"I'm sorry?"

"Watch you language, I already told you that your informality displeased me, even more so if you intend to continue to see my son."

"Our son." She replied, annoyed by the superior airs of her interlocutor.

"Our son, I agree …"

A little playful gleam shone in Regina's eyes and Emma swore that her coldness was just a facade and that she amused herself by making her uncomfortable.

"Yeah, sorry, I was saying that I was hoping he did not bother too much …"

"Oh no, everything was in order when I came back last night. But I guess Henry had to teach him how to tidy up."

The little gleam was still there, and now she was revealing a slight smirk, giving Regina an air of satisfaction of herself and of the rather strong irriation she provoked in Emma.

"Hey, I'll have you know that I taught Matt to tidy up, clean and wash, huh! It's not just you who know how to raise your son properly. It's not because we have less resources than you that we live in a pigsty!"

"I have never say such a thing, Miss Swan … But after all, maybe it worries you a bit to not be able to give a comfortable life to your son."

She turned her back to the blonde, leaving her boiling with rage, satisfied with the effect induced. Regina appreciated Emma's fighting spirit and responsiveness. Few people in Storybrooke dared to stand up to her and respond to her, frightened by the mayor's charisma and extraordinary presence. So she had found in Emma an opponent to her size and she liked that.

A few minutes later, the two brothers, clean and dressed, stood side by side in the living room, facing their mothers. They had decided to put Operation Lovebirds into action this morning. And, to do this, they had both dressed almost the same outfit: a simple t-shirt and jeans. While they were usually distinguishable by their hairstyle, always very neat for Henry, a little less for Matthew, they had combed today exactly the same way.

A very short moment, Emma hesitated on the identity of the boys, but, hurt in her maternal pride, she did not let anything appear. Regina was completely lost. She was even afraid of not being able to find her son, and the anguish could be read in the depths of her trembling eyes.

"We're ready!" The two boys said with one voice.

"Uh, okay, but I think Regina wanted to keep Henry this morning … and I'm leaving with Matthew." Emma answered.

"Very well, but you still have to find who Matthew is." Challenged one of the boys.

Emma and Regina were completely confused. They stared at the children attentively, and it was with a hint of annoyance that Regina speaked, addressing one of the boys whom, to be honest, she had chosen completely at random.

"Well, Henry, enough! You go up to your room. I'm in a hurry today, and you're delaying Miss Swan who must have plenty to do."

"Well, in fact, not really …"

"Yes. You have a lot to do and especially get out of here with your son."

"Uh …"

The blonde girl did not know what to say. She was rather amused by the game of her sons and did not understand why the mayor wanted to kick them out so quickly.

"Listen, moms … That's what we propose to you …" Said the first twin.

"If you can distinguish us, we will stay with our own mother for the day …" Continued the second.

"But if you can't, then we'll have to spend the day all together …"

"All the day!"

"Henry, that's enough! I do not have time for these nonsense …"

"Well, Regina. If that's the only way for us to get our son back, let's go …" Emma gently interrupted her. "Anyway, it's not two scamps like them who'll succeed in duping our instincts of perfect mothers!"

Emma and Regina then circled the children for long minutes, watching them, detailing them from head to toe. But neither of them seemed very convinced. Finally, it was Emma who started.

"I think you're Matthew …"

"I quite agree with you, Miss Swan." Said Regina.

"Well, come on, let's go, we'll not disturb any longer."

Emma took the child by the hand as she walked towards the front door. She stopped when she felt the hand in hers resisting.

"I may be Matthew … but maybe not …"

"Maybe it's me …"

The two boys were smiling at each other, proud of their jokes and sure that they would be able to cast doubts once again on their mothers. The two women were upset to be completely manipulated by their children, so Regina got angry.

"Well, like we said, you're Henry so you come with me. Goodbye, the Swans."

"Is that your final answer?" Asked the child by her side.

"YES!" Answered the two women in unison.

"Well … you're wrong! I am Matt." Revealed the boy beside Regina.

"And I am Henry." Continued the one still hanging on Emma's hand.

"So your pledge is, as promised, to spend the day together!"

Regina, more than exasperated at being tricked by children, glared at them with annoyance.

"Anyway, I can't, I have to go to the town hall this morning."

"On Sunday?" Emma questioned.

"Yes, on Sunday. Unlike you, idleness does not suit me, Miss Swan."

Emma did not reply. She did not want to enter into a new argument with her, especially in front of the children. So she let one of the twins talk.

"Well, since it's really hot today, how about a day … at the beach?"

Proud of their ploy, the two brothers were smiling and glancing at each other while their mothers were preparing their picnic. After long minutes of negotiation, they finally got what they wanted. Anyway, Emma had nothing else to do today, and if they had not accepted, they would never have told them who was who!

Although having work at the town hall, Regina had agreed that the boys would go with the young blonde this morning, and she had promised to come as soon as she could, when she finally would have finished this endless and boring town council meeting report.

Henry said nothing, but he knew the beach was not the ideal place for his mother. She could very well have not joined them at all and left them all day with Emma. He found it odd that she agreed so quickly to join them. Maybe she did not want to leave them together too long? But ... what if Matthew was right? Maybe Regina enjoyed spending time with them and ... with Emma?

After packing the last sandwiches, Emma suddenly realized that they had not taken their swimsuits out of Boston and pointed it out to her sons. But nothing could stop the determination of the two children. One of them spoke with a sparkle in his eyes, proud of his idea.

"No problem, Henry is going to lend a swimsuit to Matthew. In any case, we are both the same size! As for you, Emma ... Regina will lend you one too!"

The two women immediately stopped all movement, taken aback and very embarrassed. None dared to look at each other, but Emma broke the silence first.

"Uh no, kids, I can't impose that on Regina. It doesn't matter, I'm going to buy one later."

"No." Interrupted Regina. "It doesn't bother me. I can very well lend you one. I have several, after all. It's best if they're useful …"

"I … Thank you, Regina, but are you sure you don't mind?"

"Miss Swan, if it bothered me, I would not propose it to you, trust me on that point." She replied, looking straight in the eyes. "And then, it will save you from losing an hour in a shop while you could relax at the beach …"

"Well, thank you very much, Regina, I'm really touched." Emma answered sincerely, red as a beetroot.

"Calm down, it's just a swimsuit, huh."

This little scene had not escaped the eyes of the two children, delighted with the turn that took things. The day looked promising …

Emma was naked and alone in the bathroom, she dared not try the beautiful dark blue one-piece swimsuit Regina had lent her a few moments earlier. She was uncomfortable about putting her body in the clothes that Regina had already worn.

The softness of the fabric, the smell of the laundry soap mixed with the fragrance of its owner, the cup she imagined sublimated by the body of the brunette … everything overwhelmed her and all her senses were in turmoil.

"So, does it suits you?" Regina asked through the bathroom door.

"Um, wait, I'm not quite ready …" It was no longer time to procrastinate, thought Emma. She then put on the swimsuit, which, to her big surprise, was fitting like a glove. "Yes, that's fine, thank you very much!"

"Show me …"

Caught off guard, Emma came out of the bathroom, embarrassed to be so little dressed. But Regina did not seem embarrassed in the least and looked at her with a smile.

"Well, it's perfect! It is now a bit small for me, but I was sure it would fit you. Come on, put on your clothes and come down, the boys are waiting for us."

Emma gathered her clothes while regaining somehow her composure, then joined the others downstairs. She had not seen the sparkle shining in the brown eyes. A very dark sparkle. And who had appeared in the eyes of their owner, just when the blonde had opened the door of the bathroom.

"Sunscreen?"

"Check!"

"Picnic basket?"

"Check!"

"Beach towels?"

"Check!"

"Beach games?"

"Check!"

"Okay, all aboard guys! The sea is waiting for us!" Emma finally looking forward to spend the day on the beach with her children.

The boys were already in the car and their mother behing the wheel when Regina appeared on the porch with a parasol in her hand.

"Wait, you forgot the parasol!"

"Oh, it's good, we're already very loaded, we don't need it …"

"Listen to me, Miss Swan. If you want to die of skin cancer, it's up to you. But I refuse that my son spends a day at the beach without having a patch of shade. So either you take this parasol, or I will be forced to deprive my son of this outing."

The tone of the brunette left no room for negotiation. Then Emma gave in with a sigh and placed the parasol in the trunk, then she finally started.

One of the children spoke after a few minutes of driving.

"By the way, Mom, you know, earlier, in the hall, when you said that I was Matt … Well, you were right!"

"What?! But you have schemed all that then? Damn it, but what manipulator! No, but wait, I did not raise you like that!"

"Oh sorry mom, but that was the only way …"

"The only way for what?"

"… to spend a day with our family …" He replied in a breath.

"'Our family' …" She repeated, dreamily.

How these two little words echoed melodiously in Emma's ears … She smiled discreetly, hoping Regina could quickly join them.

The sun was really beating down on this beautiful summer day. Emma enjoyed being able to enjoy the refreshing shade of the parasol. Regina was right to insist she take it, even if she would not have confessed for anything in the world. Lying on her beach towel, she watched her two children play in the water. She finally felt serene. She felt good. Her twins were playing together, they were at the beach all three and she watched them play as if they have been doing this forever … As if they were a family … She realized that her family should be rebuilt, but she would fight for it. She realized that was what she had always wanted. Being with her family.

The more she looked at her sons, the more the differences between the two children seemed flagrant: an attitude, a way of walking, to move their hands, or even a look … Her two sons were physically identical, but she felt deep down that they had their own individuality. She could have recognized them with her eyes closed. And strangely, the more she watched Henry, the more she saw the resemblances with Regina. Strangely, the young boy had the same air as his mother, the same facial expressions that she found charming, like the way they raised their eyebrows, their smirks or even their little satisfied look they wore in certain situations. With a smile, she wondered again how they could have trapped her like this in the morning.

After enjoying their delicious picnic and taking a short nap, they decided to swim together, having fun as three children, laughing hard and playing in the water. It was then that Regina and Graham, still dressed, arrived on the beach. While looking for them in the water, a melodious sound echoed in Regina's ears, a sound she knew she could not live without: Emma's sweet laughter.

"Look, Graham, they're over there." She said, turning to the Swans.

Suddenly, her heart sank for the scene in front of her: Emma, a huge, happy smile on her lips, was carrying one of the children on her shoulders. She was having fun splashing the other child in front of her, who was not idle, and who also watered his two opponents abundantly. Then, completely blinded, she fell backwards deliberately, dragging the child on her shoulders as she fell, and the three of them came out of the water, coughing and laughing with happiness.

Regina admired this scene and a smile spread on her lips. They were happy, she felt it, she saw it. She felt infinitely soothed by the vision of her happy son. But a little inner demon began to torture her: 'You have nothing to do with them, you should leave …' He told her. 'They don't need you, they are happy like that … Go away, leave them alone, you'll hurt them …'

She turned to Graham. He had not seen anything of Regina's troubles, her nascent tears being hidden by her big black sunglasses. Emma saw them and shouted.

"Hey! Regina! Graham! Come on, the water's very nice!"

The two brothers, also noticing the newcomers, moved a little away from Emma. Matthew began to whisper quickly.

"What is he doing here? Well, bro', here's the moment to carry out the Operation Lovebirds, part 2: the eviction of the suitor." They spoke to each other for a few seconds, then Matthew went on. "Ready?"

"Ready!"

Abruptly, Henry and Matthew ran out of the water, and they headed straight for Graham. Without being aware of what was happening to him, each of the brothers grabbed one of his wrists and pulled him towards the sea. In a few seconds, the sheriff still dressed was in the water, soaked from head to toe, and a look darker than ever.

The scene had not escaped the two women. Emma was crying with laughter, and Regina seemed to like the joke of the two children, a thin smile lighting up her face.

"WHAT'S WRONG WITH YOU? I DON'T HAVE EXTRA CLOTHES, YOU IDIOTS!"

"Graham, let me be clear, nobody calls my son an idiot." Regina said, more amused than upset.

"But wait, are they stupid or what? I'm soaked … Well, it's enough, I'm coming back home, bye."

"No, wait, Graham …"

"No, it's enough, bye, Regina. See you later … when I'm dry."

Graham was upset and took the opposite direction, heading for his car with a determined step.

Regina followed him with her eyes, a little embarrassed for him, but turned quickly to the children and Emma, still bursting with laughter. The three of them came out of the water and walked towards her. She started to panic.

"Do not even try to do the same thing with me, I'm warning you …"

"Don't worry, mom, we don't want you to leave …" Said one of the brothers, mischievously.

"Ah? Because you mean you did not want Graham to stay? It's really not nice …"

"What? He is not part of our family! Are you coming bro'?"

Regina's heart skipped a beat. 'He is not part of our family' … Did all four form a family? Impossible, she thought, evacuating this incongruous image from her mind.

And the two children, who still laughed at their stupidity, ran back into the water. Emma and Regina found themselves alone on the sand, admiring their children, a blissful smile stuck on their faces.

"Well, what if we settled under the parasol? The sun's burning there." Emma suggested.

"You see, I did well to insist. And I'll take the opportunity to put my swimsuit, before these two knaves do me the same thing as poor Graham."

She walked the talk. Emma, red as a beetroot, scarcely had time to look back modestly.

"I'm sorry for him, I hope he'll not be too upset. I swear I had nothing to do with it!"

"I know it well, and don't worry, he will get over it. And then, I must admit that I don't dislike it …"

"What? That Graham was humiliated in front of everyone?"

"No, Miss Swan … That I'm here with you three."

Emma's heart was racing. She forced herself to look at the open sea, so as not to meet the mayor's gaze. She was afraid of what she could have read. Then she changed the subject, without losing sight of the two children who were having fun in the distance.

"So, could you finish your super shitting report?"

"Language, Miss Swan! And yes, I was able to finish. I have probably botched it a little but I thought it was too silly that I lock myself on a summer Sunday while my son was at the beach burning in the sun and soaking in ice water with strangers. It was too stupid to miss that!"

"Oh! Strangers? I dare to hope, Madam Mayor, that we are no longer strangers! Well, you lent me a swimsuit, though! It's a damn bonding experience!"

The two women laughed, laughing with complicity, laughing happily. Regina suddenly thought she had never felt so good for a long, long time … Since … Daniel. She lay down and closed her eyes, serene.

Emma was sitting beside her and finally dared to put her curious eyes on the body of the mayor. All her curves were perfectly proportioned, sublimated by a beautiful black bikini. The natural tan of her skin attracted her irresistibly. Some non-chaste ideas came to her mind at a devastating velocity. She had no trouble imagining her, naked, without these two little, so small pieces of fabric. Yes, things would have been different if they had been alone on this beach, if the boys were not present a few meters from them, if …

The deep voice interrupted her thoughts abruptly.

"Tell me, Miss Swan …"

"Uh … yeah? But you know, you can call me Emma …"

"Emma … What do you think you will do?"

"Uh? About what?"

Panic began to invade the young woman. What? She could read in her thoughts?

"About Henry. How will you do when you have to leave for Boston?"

"Actually, I haven't thought about it yet." She replied, back to the reality. "I'll soon be at the end of my holidays, and I'll have to go back to work in Boston …"

So the Swans were going back to Boston? For good? Regina should have been delighted. Everything was finally back in order, no one would take his son. But then why did she feel this strange little pain in her heart? Why did the fear she knew so well, the fear of abandonment, come back to gnaw at her?

That's it for today!

I don't know how many of you are still here, if you are: put your hands up (via reviews of course) and it would be appreciated if you let your opinion about the story by the way ;)

In the next chapter: the rest of their day at the beach and more ...

See you next week!