AN: I am soooo sorry for how long it's been since i've updated.

Chapter 14

Things between Emma and Regina only grew in the months they lived together while Emma's house was under construction. The police still had no leads on Leo and though he'd laid low since setting Emma's house on fire and had made no contact, the couple and Emma's work family stayed vigilant. They couldn't afford for anyone else to get hurt, not if they could help it. Officers continue to patrol Regina's residence, office, and Henry's school, day and night. Kathryn had decided to move closer after the incident with James and while she'd been staying with Regina and looking for a place of her own, James had asked her to move in with him. The move had not come as a surprise to most of them. Regina loved having Kathryn so close and welcomed the new change. In all the negativity brought on by her ex it was a nice to have family and friends to turn to in her times of need. She was able to visit with her friend often and Henry loved having his aunt near them also, because when Emma and Regina could not pick him up, James or Kathryn did, which meant, them taking him out for some hang out time. James took on the role of honorary godfather and Henry simply adored him. Henry, Regina and Kathryn fit right in at the shift's quarterly family BBQ held at their Lieutenants house. For the first time in a long time Regina felt like she belonged. Felt as though she was part of a family, not the family one she was forced to pretend to enjoy growing up. She'd never seen Henry so happy and playing with children his age. She'd always been so protective of him because of his father, it was nice to see that he still played well with others outside of school. Outside of not knowing where Leo was and when he'd strike next, things had been going really well.

"Ma," Henry called out from his room. He would be spending the night with his aunt while his mom and Emma went on their date.

"Yes Henry." Regina checked to see what he needed.

Henry sighed, "Not you mommy, Emma."

"Emma," she questioned.

"Yes, Emma." He raised an eyebrow wondering what was up with his mom.

"I'm sorry honey I guess I'm just confused." Regina looked at Emma who was down the hall. By the shocked look on her face, she'd heard Henry. "You called Emma, Ma."

Henry nodded now worried he'd done something wrong. "Michael at school has two dads, and he said he calls one of them Dad and the other Pop. I have two mommies, did I do something bad," he asked fearfully, he didn't want to get in trouble and have his sleepover cancelled.

"No, no sweetheart, you did nothing wrong." She hugged him. "I just hadn't realized that that's what you wanted to call Emma, that's all." She smiled at her son. It made her heart melt that Henry thought of Emma as another mother. She couldn't ask for a better person for her son to look to as a mom.

"Is it okay if I call her that," he asked.

"Why don't we ask her." Regina was about to call for Emma but she was already there, standing in the doorway with tears in her eyes. "Go ahead Henry." She let go of him and gave him a gentle nudge towards Emma.

"Emma, is it okay if I call you Ma since you're kinda like my mommy now," he asked.

Emma's smile couldn't get any bigger if she tried. She'd thought of Henry as her son for a while now, but she never expected this, she was overwhelmed that he saw her as a mother. "Of course little man. I'd be honored to be you Ma." She hugged him tightly, looking at Regina over his shoulder.

"Emma," he choked out. "Too tight." He tapped her shoulder.

Emma laughed and released him. "Sorry buddy, it's just that you make me so happy."

He groaned. "Now you sound just like mommy."

"I do, don't I." She scrunched up her nose. "You had a question." She reminded him.

"Yes, can Ember come with me to Aunty Kat and Uncle James' house," he asked. Ember normally stayed home when he was gone but he really wanted her to go with him. James had promised to play catch with him.

"Let me call Kathryn and make sure it's okay with her, if it is, then I have no problem with it."

"Yay!" He ran and hugged Ember. "Come on Ember let's pack your bag just in case." He ran out of the room with Ember following close behind him.

"Uncle James," Emma questioned turning to Regina, that was new too.

"They're learning about families at school. I believe he's connecting the dots." Regina had never thought that her son would have another mother or father let alone a mom, multiple aunts and uncles, and serval cousins. She couldn't be happier that Emma's entire crew had adopted them.

"James and Kathryn are gonna love it, speaking of which can you call Kathryn while I make sure he doesn't pack everything Ember owns," she asked, she needed to get to Henry before he packed Ember's water bowl while it was still full, like he did the last time they went out and he put himself in charge of her things.

"Of course, anything for my son's Ma." Regina grinned. She loved that Henry saw Emma as his mother. "I like the sound of that."

Emma grinned. "Me too." She kissed Regina. "Call Kathryn, I need to see what kind of mess our son just made." She said after hearing a crashing sound in the kitchen. As she'd guessed, Henry had tried to stuff everything in Ember's bag and had dropped it. Her bowls and cans of food were scattered on the floor.

Regina came into the kitchen several minutes later. "Kathryn says it's okay."

"Awesome!" Henry exclaimed as he repacked Ember's bag this time with Emma's supervision.

The trip to James and Kathryn's wasn't long, which made it extremely convenient when they watched Henry. It had taken some convincing and a lot of planning from Emma for Regina to allow Henry out of her sight.

"Be good Henry," Regina warned when Kathryn opened the door.

"I'm always good, right Ma," he asked turning to Emma for confirmation.

"You sure are little man. Now come here and give me some love." She knelt down and hugged him. "I love you Henry."

"Love you too Ma, have fun on your date. Remember to open the door for Mommy and to pull out her chair." He instructed.

"Of course." Emma felt extremely proud of the little gentleman that Henry was turning out to be. She didn't care that he was only five, they were going to teach him while he was young, they didn't want a mini Killian running around.

"Ma," Kathryn mouthed, looking at Regina questioningly.

Regina nodded. "Just wait." She said.

"For what," Kathryn asked.

"You'll see." Regina knelt down giving Henry a hug and a kiss. "Have a great time my little prince."

"You too Mommy. Hi Aunty Kat." He hugged her before running inside taking Ember with him. "Uncle James, Uncle James," he yelled. "I brought Ember with me can we play catch."

"Uncle," Kathryn asked putting a hand over her heart. It was just too cute. "Oh my god, he is so adorable, I could cry." She couldn't believe how cute the words sounded out of his little mouth. She wished she could see the look on James' face. She was sure he'd be thrilled.

Emma and Regina laughed knowing exactly how she felt, they went through the same emotions she was feeling now. Henry had a way of melting everyone's hearts.

"Ugh I'm so emotional, don't let me delay your date night, have fun you two, I'd say use protection but I guess it's not necessary." She teased.

Emma rolled her eyes and chuckled, she was now used to Kathryn's teasing.

"Good night Kathryn, thank you for watching Henry." There was no one Regina trusted more with her son. The first time she'd left him with Kathryn and James had been extremely hard, especially with Leo being out there. It had gotten easier over time. She hadn't felt the need to check on him every ten minutes after the third time they'd dropped him off. They wanted things to be as normal for him as possible, he was too young to worry about the danger his biological father posed.

Emma led Regina to the truck and as Henry had instructed her to, she opened the passenger door for her date with a smile.

"Chivalry is not dead," Regina teased, though Emma had always made sure to get the door for her.

"I have strict orders to open doors, I must comply or face the wrath of an angry five year old." Emma gave her a kiss before gently shutting the door and quickly moving to her side.

"Speaking of said five year old, his birthday is in a month and you can guess the theme he wants." Regina told her once Emma was seated in the truck.

"I think we can make it the best birthday party ever." Emma's smile was wide. She loved that Henry loved everything about the fire department. She was sure the guys would jump at the idea of helping make his day.

"Thank you for tonight," Regina took Emma's hand into hers as they pulled up to the house. "And for everything else." She could never thank Emma enough for the positive change she'd brought into her life.

Emma smiled as she got out of her seat and moved to the other side to open Regina's door. "I love you," she said once she had her door open. "You have made me the happiest I've ever been. Now, let's get inside so I can show you how happy you make me." Emma leaned inside the truck capturing Regina's lips. "You are so beautiful," she whispered, resting her forehead against Regina's. She took a step and held her hand out for Regina to take as she stepped out of the truck.