A/N: Sorry, Life took over me. This chapter was supposed to post on the first week of June. But I was busy with my reality. I have taken an offer for a teaching job and finally arranged everything as soon as possible before the summer ended. I know, it's already summer. Happy First Day of Summer! Enjoy this one and The Family Stone: Chapter 30.

Chapter 20: Emma's Return from Chicago

The phone calls were reducing by the ladies' time since Emma stayed in Chicago for an extended month for the performances. It meant that Henry had his time to stay around in Regina's place. Of course, the blonde dancer has some time to call him about new updates in Chicago. Regina was not pleased with her extended stay in Chicago. Kathryn and her father came to visit her in Storybrooke.

Emma missed an opportunity to meet her girlfriend's father in person. From her perspective, her son has been talking about Regina and her family. She knew the whole story about Cora since she found out from the news one night. It was a huge one she had ever seen and alerted her to call her girlfriend for a truth. Regina explained everything from the beginning with her father on the phone and ended up in somewhere in the conversation based on their relationship.

Regina promised them for their fourth date when Emma returned to Storybrooke. They declared their love to each other on the phone. Henry shouted over their phone conversation and his voice was heard by his mother on the other line. Regina rolled her eyes and scoffed. It caused her to sigh at every moment and they decided to end up their call. Henry returned with the knowledge on the progress for the dance studio.

"The Dance Studio is almost finished."

"I know, Henry. They just installed A/C in each studio this morning when I came to check on the progress. Everything is in the finals."

"Oh cool, I heard that the restrooms have the showers in there. Is it true?" The brown-boy danseur asked with his peak of curiosity. Regina cackled and nodded with no words. Henry fisted in the air and went pleased with his question being asked.

"Why is that?"

"Because the boys stink." It caused them to laugh louder. Few minutes later, they headed up to Granny for a lazy day. Granny greeted them when they came to the counter. Henry dumped himself on a stool and continued.

"Do you have a Cinnamon pie right now?"

"Yea, it is just coming out from the oven and very fresh. Want one with a homemade vanilla ice cream?" The oldest woman smiled with a reply. It caused him to nod violently with a wide grin. Regina raised her eyebrows at them and continued.

"Cinnamon?"

"Yep, it is only a limited time for a spring break. I wish you serve that pie as a signature pie every day. Can I have it for tomorrow?" Henry begged Granny with a perfect pout face. Granny and Regina cackled at him. Granny rolled her eyes and asked.

"Madame Mayor, want one?"

"If you have roasted cinnamon apple pie."

"Yes, we have a variety of pies. Apple Strudel, Cinnamon, Pancake Batter and Roasted Cinnamon Apple."

"Then can I have that one with a whipped cream? And thanks."

Granny nodded before retreating to the kitchen. Regina and Henry chatted about Storybrooke Middle School and he was talking about the budget for P.E. class. The brunette mayor merely greeted when the patrons saluted their head when they saw the mayor in the diner. The owner of the diner came back with hot pies for serving Regina and Henry. Of course, the brown-haired boy paid for both pies and received thanks from the ladies.

When they finished with their desserts, Henry asked Regina if they could walk and check on The Swan Dance Studio. Regina nodded with a gesture. They entered out of the place and greeted Dr. Archie Hopper on their way. Henry blabbered about the exact dance moves he learned from August few weeks ago before the Chicago Ballet.

Regina was pleased to listen on Henry's stories and they arrived there. Leroy and Doc were there to observe on the blueprint for the interior design that Regina suggested few choices. Few men saluted their head when they saw the mayor arriving at their construction area. Henry beamed widely when he saw the sign of his last name, Swan.

Some worked long hours to renovate on the exterior of the building. It was the windows. Others focused on inside of the studio floors and installed the mirrors. Almost everything that was complete in few weeks. The townspeople came to help them out every day. Regina was impressive that Storybrooke people came to unite and support each other every day and started to love her new life in a small town.

Leroy finally got out from the construction area and found Regina there. The brunette mayor narrowed her eyes at him. Henry hid his giggle when Leroy almost ducked in his baggy clothes. Regina raised her eyebrow at him with a reply.

"How is it going in there?"

"It's pretty finished. We just installed the mirrors in three studio floors. Some are still working on the electricity and water. That's all we completed most of it. Thanks to the community. Anyway, I found something odd before we started on our renovating in the lobby."

"What is it?"

Leroy nodded at himself and pocketed out a necklace from his plaid flannel jacket. Regina looked down at his rough hand and spotted a chain necklace. It caused her to make a mental note in her head. Henry got a look on the necklace and whispered.

'Cora'.

"Mother." Regina forced a smile at the necklace and looked up at him with a nod. Leroy gulped when he saw the red flag on the mayor's face and decided to step backward. The brown-haired woman picked up the necklace and thanked him before dismissing them to go home quickly. Doc was there to witness the scene between his brother and the mayor.

Leroy was lucky to flee from the scene and decided to retire for the beer. Ruby was there to take him there to the Rabbit Hole. Henry tried to walk away but Regina gripped his shirt with a look. The brown-haired boy tried to smile at her but faltered. The men finished their duties and retired for their night.

Regina and Henry returned to the townhouse and found her father standing there. Henry smiled at his daughter then looked down at the brown-haired boy with a reply.

"You must be my namesake."

"Daddy, what are you doing here?" Regina asked with a confused look. The brown-haired boy giggled at the oldest man with a nod. Henry Sr. winked at him and continued.

"I'm here to inform you that your mother is here."

"I guess that it should be the adult talk. I'm going to my room. Let me know if you need help with dinner, Regina." Henry Jr. explained before fleeing to his room. Regina rolled her eyes at the brown-haired boy's poor escape from the adult conversation. The oldest man chuckled and raised his eyebrows at her.

"So, Mother is here in my living room?" Regina asked with curiosity.

"No. She is in the Sheriff's station right now after I arrived from Washington, DC." He scoffed.

"Oh, have you met Sheriff Nolan?" The brunette mayor chuckled with a question. Henry nodded at her with a smile.

"Yes, a fine man with a distinctive eye. I'm impressed with your town since my arrival."

"Good. Then, I think that we have to let her stay for a night then we can take our conversation there in the morning after I drop Henry off at the school."

"Sounds good! I just got settled in your guest room." The father of Regina's explained with a glint in his eye. Regina rolled her eyes and gestured them inside the room then went to the kitchen for making a dinner.

Few days later, the dance studio was finally completed with the interior design. Regina asked the inspector to observe for the safety reasons before the grand opening when Emma arrived home. It was a surprise from Storybrooke community. Henry Jr. was excited when he heard that his mother was coming home on a same week as the studio put a final touch.

Of course, Regina was busy with approving on the Summer Festival and hosted some meetings with the townspeople for more ideas and budget issues. Henry Sr. was there to watch his daughter for her mayoral duties. He was impressive that Regina proposed some ideas that the townspeople wanted to have their own block party following up with the months such as the holidays. It would take a place on the Main Street.

Henry Jr. explained toward his mother's girlfriend's father about the history of Storybrooke. The oldest man got interested in the history because he was a history geek in his whole life. They discussed on the stories behind the buildings they passed through included greeting everyone. Regina was relieved that Henry Jr. took her father to have some tour around in town while she was finishing her touches in The Swan Dance Studio.

Of course, Sheriff Nolan came to stall Cora for more days to stay in the cell. He got a message from his boss that Regina wanted to see her in the interrogation room before Cora left for the trial in the court with the State of Maine. They were in their hectic schedule before Emma arrived with August from Chicago.

Until that night, Regina got a call from her girlfriend while she was watching a dance movie with Henry Jr. Her father retired to his guestroom to stay for few days and he wanted to meet an infamous dancer and girlfriend of his daughter.

"Hello?"

"Hi babe." Emma replied with a cheery smile. It caused the brown-haired woman to smile and replied back.

"Emma. How are you?"

"I'm doing good. I'm ready to go home. The shows just finished tonight. It went good. August was cheering with our good friends. We will arrive in at late morning like 11am."

"Oh ok." Regina continued.

"How is my son?"

"He is watching a dance movie with me. He is doing good. I think that his Spring break is coming up next week, I believe so."

"Yes, he begged me for a Florida Trip. But I have plans to do with the Spring Play."

"He will be disappointed in you when it comes to your plans. Can I join you for our short vacation together? I need some break from the mayoral duties. It kills me already."

"Hah, what about our fourth date? You and I in the cabin alone. Henry will be gone with his friends for a camping trip at Lake Enchanted Forest. David was the one who planned for the boys' trip for weeks. I sent him a text and he wanted to go. So, it seems that you and I have plans together and be alone for a week. How is that?"

"Yes! Yes! Thank you!" Regina exclaimed with a smile. Henry rolled his eyes when he heard the plans from Emma on texts.

"Alright, I have to go. August is trying to get me in for the shots. I don't really drink that much. See you tomorrow, babe." Emma replied with a scoff. The ladies laughed then ended their phone conversation. Regina looked at the brown-haired boy and continued.

"Your mother is coming tomorrow. So, we have to plan a surprise event early before 11am."

"Ok! The movie is finished. So, I gotta bed. Good night, Regina."

"Good night, dear." Regina kissed his forehead and sent him away to his room. She cleaned up in the living room before heading out to the kitchen for checking on the mail. Few minutes later, she retired to bed.

The next morning, Regina gathered her father and Henry Jr. to grab some breakfast before going ahead to the grand opening at the Swan Dance Studio. Her father showed his presence to greet his daughter's people on the street. Leroy and his brothers blocked the ends of the street where the people could socialize on the street such as a block party to celebrate the grand opening for Emma's new dance studio.

Regina was responsible to have a speech and lead her girlfriend to the new studio. They barely waited for Emma to arrive from the Portland Airport. August got some information from Ruby that he secretly planned to take Emma out for a stall until they arrived in the town. Emma felt strange when she got back from Chicago for two months. In her heart, she really missed her girlfriend and her son since she left for the performances.

She thanked to the heavens that Regina and Henry Jr. surely understood that it was her job that took her to be a dancer. They didn't blame her for that. But Emma thought of her business that it was in the fire right before she left for Chicago with August on the next day. She was disappointed but saddened to see her studio to be ruined.

August was right next to her in the SUV and took some glimpses over the blonde dancer who was his best friend for years. He felt nervous because he didn't want to fuck everything up for Emma and to Regina too. Sometimes, he smiled at her with no reasons. Emma raised her eyebrows and tried to figure him out with her thoughts but pushed it away in her head.

They finally reached to the blockage where Leroy stood protectively. Emma was perplexed at the weird position. Leroy tried to relax himself when it came to herself to show up. August tried to stifle his laugh but held inside himself. Leroy sent him a glare but smiled at the golden-haired woman with a reply.

"Welcome back, Emma."

"Thanks… What are you doing here?" Emma asked. They stood outside after getting out from SUV. August kept his straight face toward her but gave him a nod. Leroy waved his dismissal and led them to tour through the blockage. The people cheered for Emma to welcome her back home. The children gave her some flowers and teddy bears. Granny waved her hand at her with a smile. Mary Margaret and David Nolan hugged her until pushing her away toward the building which it was covered up with the white tarp.

Emma was feeling suspicious when it came to the white tarp that covered the surprise. She looked around to find her son and girlfriend but they were not there until she heard the voice behind her. Regina was on the stage and announced her speech while she was standing next to Henry Jr. who smirked at his mother.

"Welcome back, Emma. We are pleased to have you here from Chicago. And, give some applause for August Booth who brought her home to us."

The people cheered with the claps. Emma looked around herself and went perplexed. Henry Jr. giggled before looking up at Regina who winked at him and continued.

"Now, you are here with us. We as the Storybrooke People love you so much. You brought a light to us because you taught us how to dance freely. To express our feelings to be free. For me, I watched you with your enjoyment through the beautiful ballet performance in The Swan Lake in New York City. I honestly didn't realize that I also enjoyed that dance as well. Everyone included I wanted to thank you for your dignity through your dance."

It caused Emma to smile with tears on her cheeks. People nodded with claps. Mary Margaret smiled at her before looking up at the brunette mayor. The blonde dancer took a look around herself and saw the people clapping for her. Regina cleared her throat and explained.

"Since you left for Chicago with August, I decided to do it on my mayoral duty for gathering people around in Storybrooke and raised the awareness to contribute you a new dance studio. We re-built the new one with a bigger design that you have ever seen in your life. Now, cut the rope, Leroy!"

The bearded man grinned at Emma with a wink before cutting the rope with a knife. The white tarp dropped down to the ground to demonstrate the new dance studio. Emma covered her mouth with her hands and started to cry. Each one of the people clapped with cheers. Regina looked at her girlfriend who was still crying. The studio was demonstrated outside with the beautiful gardens and the name of Swan Dance Studio on the display.

David came upon the golden-haired woman and embraced her with his arms. Mary Margaret chuckled while filming Emma's reaction toward the new dance studio. Regina clapped for the attention and continued.

"You have a new dance studio. It has four floors included three huge open spaces of the dance studio on the second, third and fourth floor. You have a lobby floor which you would have a new office. It is expanded more space before you used to have a small studio which it didn't fit over 1,000 people to take your lessons that you teach. So it means, you have an open space to teach over 1,000 people to dance. Come on and check it out."

Emma wiped her tears with a chuckle and went toward Regina for a hug. The brunette mayor kissed her girlfriend's cheek and gestured her along to see inside the building. The people still scattered around in the street. Granny and Ruby served them for snacks. Henry Jr. pointed to each room with description.

The golden-haired woman was in awe when it came to her huge massive office. She found that she had some remaining things from her old studio. Regina explained how it functions with the technologies and indicted the electricity wires. David was showing Emma to see three studios with full mirrors on the built-in-wall.

Emma was overjoyed with her new studio and hugged her son with kisses. Regina smiled at her girlfriend and beckoned her to the fourth floor which it was huge one and it has a nice view over the town. The golden-haired woman once was in awe when it came to the beautiful view of the front of Storybrooke town.

A/N: Sighs... It's coming to an end. It's an epilogue coming up soon. Please review.