A/N: Thank you for your patience on me getting these last two chapters up. I am beyond moved at how many people have been following my story. Thank you all so much for your heartfelt and often hilarious reviews. And thank you for every single Hit and Kudos.
Viva La SwanQueen!
Three weeks later…
Violet led a small class that consisted only of her boyfriend, his mother and her girlfriend. This was the start of her third week teaching yoga for the Savior's Gym, and the second time leading this small developing family. She was loving it!
Her boyfriend was oblivious to the extent of his mother's relationship. Sure he's gotten ridiculously, adorably uncomfortable when they showed affection toward each other at times. But they were in love.
Then there were Henry's 'Ohhh…" moments, where clarity would hit him. Like when they were kissing in his backyard, and his mother had walked out just as Henry gave her a flower. His mother was equal parts proud and embarrassed. It was moments like that, she knew Henry understood the correlations.
Right now, she could tell his mother and her boss, were completely distracted with each other. Emma could hold any pose longer than anyone she's ever seen. Today? She had fallen over three times in the past twenty minutes. It was time to wrap it up.
Henry walked over to her when they were done. He rolled his eyes at the two women behind him, and shook his head with a smile. She took her towel from him with a wink.
"Thanks for leading today, Vi." Emma approached and hugged her shoulder briefly before going to get them all waters.
"Yes. Thank you, Violet. I can see why your classes are filling up." Regina smiled kindly at her.
"Thank you, Miss Mills. I'm honestly loving it. I can't believe how popular it's becoming after only a couple of weeks." Violet accepted a water from Emma.
"It's cause the instructors a hottie." Henry winked, wrapping his arm around Violet's shoulder like he was posing on her. She pretended to punch him in the stomach and he keeled over.
"Flattery will get you nowhere, Henry Mills."
Emma laughed. "Lame, kid. Real Lame."
Regina scoffed at her, "Excuse me but who said the same thing about the town's Mayor, not two days ago. Where do you think he gets it from?"
Emma grabbed Regina's cheeks and kissed her to quiet her. The both of them smiling at each other.
"OK, first of all I got my own game thank you very much." Henry joked defensively.
Emma pulled away from Regina and brought him into a head lock messing with his hair.
Violet laughed as they scuffled onto the ground. Henry trying to get out of Emma's grasp.
"Careful, Emma." Regina worried.
Emma looked up but did not release him, "He's fine. Kids are supposed to be this color."
Henry was grabbing Emma's leg, trying to tip her.
Regina sighed and shared a laugh with the young woman next to her. "We're dating children, Violet."
Henry finally was able to get out of her grasp after making them fall onto the mats. The two helped each other stand, and Emma patted his back.
"Good job, kid."
Henry straightened out proudly. "Hey, you guys want a smoothie from Gran's? My treat."
"That would be lovely, thank you Henry." Regina said.
"Yeah, get me the Grasshopper shake." Emma said, and Regina cringed. "Don't worry babe. It's not real grasshoppers I promise. You'd actually like it. It's pineapple, mango, banana, kale and honey."
Henry and Violet both made disgusted faces.
"Don't knock it 'til you try it."
"Alright then." Henry downed the rest of his water and turned to Violet, "Come with me?"
"Yeah, let's go."
"Mom, you want that grasshopper thing?" Henry asked, still looking grossed out.
"Yes, I think I'll try it. Are you sure you don't need any money?"
"I'm good. Be back in a sec." Henry and Violet left out the back door.
When the two teens left, Regina let out a yelp as she was pulled into a demanding kiss, and maneuvered toward the punching bags, out of sight from the windows.
"Emma…" Regina panted as Emma's kisses began moving down to her clavicle.
"Don't even try and stop me. You know what you in workout clothes does to me." Emma's hand reached down to caress Regina's ass. "I fell three frickin' times, lady."
Regina chuckled and indulged in the feeling of lips and teeth nibbling her cleavage.
"I can easily say the same, but we can't here. Henry and Violet could be back at any moment." Regina gasped as she felt Emma bite down on her nipple, through her top.
"Mom! Emma!" They couple heard Henry calling out.
"Damn, that was fast." Emma said as they quickly straightened out and went to meet Henry.
"We were heading down the back alley when we heard a scuffle by the back trash bins." Violet started as they entered, Henry holding something in his arms.
"There was a suitcase sitting off to the side that fell over. When we went to put it in the bins, we found this little guy." Henry turned the bundle in his arms around and held out a small chocolate colored puppy.
"Oh my goodness!" Emma's voice went up an octave as she went to take the puppy from Henry.
"I'm gonna get it some water." Henry said starting to run toward the back.
"Wait, Hen. Go up to my place and get a bowl from my cupboard. And some weenies in my fridge. And a towel." Emma yelled out in excitement, each item as she thought of it. She fished out her keys for the lift and threw them at him.
"On it!" He ran off.
Violet, Emma and Regina sat on the floor and put the puppy down between them. The puppy happily running between them and tripping over its fat puppy feet.
"I wonder if it's a boy or a girl." Violet wondered.
"She's a girl." Regina said scratching the puppy's ear and playing with her. At her girlfriend's questioning smile, she said, "My father used to breed hunting dogs when I was a child. This little girl looks like she might be part Lab."
"Well baby girl." Emma said playing with the puppy who was trying to catch her hands on the mat. "What are we going to do with you?"
Emma looked up and caught Regina's eyes. Where she was expecting to see a look of trepidation, she was met with hopeful eyes, and a bit lip.
"Can we keep her, mom?" Henry asked as he returned, sitting on the floor with them.
He put down a towel and the bowl on top of it, pouring some water in. But the puppy was more interested in the weenie he had in the other hand. They laughed as the little pup stole a weenie from his hand and ran to Regina's side to eat it.
"I think she already has a favorite, kid." Emma said smiling at Regina who was petting the puppy at her side.
"What do you say, mom?" Henry pleaded.
"Let's make sure she's not chipped and lost first, but… I think that she'd make a perfect addition to our family." Regina answered his question, but glanced at Emma.
Emma's heart squeezed in her chest and she reached out to take her hand. The puppy let out a small yelp and trotted over to Henry, searching his hands for another treat. They laughed as she began climbing Henry's lap to get to the other weenie.
"We're going to have to start training her right away. Especially if she's a Lab. They're wicked smart dogs." Emma said scratching the pup's head as it ate the second weenie.
Regina rose to her feet. "Well I say we go and get her the supplies she needs then don't you?"
Henry stood and hugged his mom. "Thanks mom."
Violet stood, picking up the puppy. "What will you name her?"
Henry thought for a moment and smiled at his girlfriend. "Well I already have a Violet. Why don't we call her Daisy?"
Violet rolled her eyes and pushed his face away as he tried to kiss her. "Cheesy, Henry. But I like Daisy." She pecked his cheek, and the young couple walked toward the back.
"Okay that was adorable." Emma said, watching them link hands and leave.
"You're turning my son into a smooth talker, Miss Swan." Regina teased, kissing her girlfriend.
"It's a gift." Emma shrugged her shoulders with a chuckle. "The force is strong with that one. Just like his mother."
"Oh, God. I take it back. You're too cheesy. Bu-bye." Regina flicked her wrist, showing her palm to Emma and began walking away.
Emma laughing loudly as she followed.
Henry and Violet were sitting on the floor of Henry's bedroom, playing with Daisy. The puppy was now sporting a brand new rhinestone studded dark purple collar, complete with a crown shaped bedazzled name tag.
Emma was finishing assembling the crate that would stay in Henry's room while they trained her.
"There we go. All set." Emma checked the door hinge.
Regina came over and placed the doggy bed in the crate along with an old fleece blanket she had pulled from Henry's closet.
"I remember my father telling me that a dogs should always get used to their owners scent. Especially if you're going to train her to track. So I'm putting your old blanket in here for her."
Regina had no sooner laid everything out, that Daisy came over and entered the crate on her own. Letting out a yawn and laying down comfortably.
"Okay, I don't think crate training her will be a problem." Emma looked surprised. She closed the door and hinged it shut. "Hand me the other sheet, Henry."
"Why are we covering it?" Henry asked handing her the sheet.
"It's kinda how birds will go to sleep when you cover their cage. She'll start to associate this with sleeping time." Regina answered as they heard the doorbell ring.
"That'll be my dad. You guys go ahead and stay with her, I'll see myself out." They all stood with her, and Violet kissed Henry's cheek. "Goodnight everyone."
"Night, Vi." Henry smiled as she left.
"Night." Emma shot out.
"Goodnight, dear."
Henry began picking up the puppy's toys. "She's going to be a fun addition to our runs when she gets bigger."
"That she will. I can train you both together." Emma threw a toy that was closer to her at Henry.
"Henry… Emma and I wanted to share something with you." Regina shared a knowing look with Emma. "As you might have figured out, once my term as Mayor is over, we'll have to vacate the mansion for the next Mayor appointed."
"Yeah, I figured we'd be moving back to the homestead, right?" Henry said. "Daisy will love all that open land."
"I don't doubt it." Regina agreed. "But I was thinking of another addition for when we move back there."
"Huh?" Henry's face scrunched in confusion.
"Me, kid." Emma laughed.
"Oh!" Henry exclaimed. "You're gonna move in with us?! That's awesome, Em."
"Yeah?" Emma was relieved.
"Of course." Henry smiled. "Hey, do you think we can convert the barn into a home gym, mom?"
"I think that's completely feasible." Regina smiled at her son, pulling him in for a hug.
"Awesome." Henry hugged her back, and pulling in Emma to join them. "I'm happy for you guys."
"Thanks, Henry." Emma ruffled his hair affectionately. "We'll let you get ready for bed. Night, kid."
"I'm going to read a bit before I go to bed, but goodnight you two." Henry accepted a kiss from his mom.
"Goodnight, dear."
Downstairs, Regina entered the living room with two cups of tea, watching Emma hang up her phone.
"Who was that, dear?" Regina inquired.
"That was August." Emma helped put down the mugs for them.
Regina looked surprised. "I can't believe it, but with all the excitement finding Daisy, I almost forgot about the hearing today."
"That's a good thing, hon. I don't think you should spend another minute thinking on them." Emma reclined, pulling Regina into her side. "And Daisy was a great distraction. Seems Henry forgot too."
Regina sighed. "So what happened?"
"Well unfortunately the case didn't go to Cindy, but the judge they got didn't mess around either. The kids that pleaded no contest will be serving eight months in Juvie, and probation until they turn 21." Emma started.
"That was lenient." Regina's brows furrowed.
"A bit, yeah. But think of it this way, they'll all have a juvenile record until they turn 21. They won't be returning to Henry's school since they've all been expelled. They're going to have to go to continuation school or go for their GED. They won't be allowed back into any kind of sport team in this county. Henry told me one of them had been up for a full ride on a wrestling scholarship before the attack." Emma shook her head.
"It'd feel sorry for them if they hadn't put my son in a coma. They deserve to have their futures tainted by their own actions." Regina said firmly.
"I agree." Emma kissed her temple.
"And the Golds?"
Emma took a deep breath, "Well, Neal was tried as an adult. He received six years for Aggravated Assault with Intent, but will be eligible for parole after two."
Regina let out a heavy sigh. "That's what I was expecting."
"Yeah well, he was also supposed to spend time in juvie, then transfer to State when he turned 18. But, come to find out that Neal actually turned 18 last week. He had to repeat a couple of grades before the Gold's moved to Storybrooke, so he's older than the other guys. No one knew. He's going straight into county on Monday." Emma sat up and handed Regina her tea.
Regina held back from expressing other, more violent, sentiments toward Neal Gold. "And Rumple?"
"With all the counts against him, the evidence and the cover up. Old Rumple's looking at ten years, eligible for parole after five. But, he will never be able to hold public office again." Emma took a sip of her own tea.
"I heard he sold his family home here in Storybrooke. I saw movers packing everything up."
"Good. Hopefully it'll be the last we hear from that family." Emma kissed Regina's shoulder. "Are you okay?"
Regina looked at the tea in her hands and sat it down. "Yes, I just… I actually feel bad."
Emma put her tea down and took Regina's hands. "Listen to me hon, they deserved what they got. You shouldn't feel bad because Gold is behind bars along with his son, while we're home with ours."
Emma had not finished speaking when she suddenly had Regina's lips on hers and was being pressed up against the couch.
"What was that?" Emma smiled at her.
"Nothing. You're right." She kissed her again. Emma hadn't realized what she said, but Regina knew she meant it. "I love you."
Emma held her closer. "I love you too."
Emma was in her gym cleaning and getting it prepped for her evening class with Michael and his brothers. She heard the clicking of heels entering through the back, and shivers ran up her spine in an oh-so-good way. She turned to spot her girlfriend leaning on the wall by the exit.
"Hey beautiful!" She teased. "What are you doing here?"
Regina met her halfway and the two embraced. Emma giving her a quick peck on her cheek.
Regina softly pushed Emma's shoulder, "I am here on official business, Miss Swan."
Regina tried and failed to sound professional with Emma's lips kissing near her ear.
"Ooo… are we playing Mayor Mills and unruly business owner again?" Emma nibbled on Regina's ear.
"As tempting as that is, no. I'm here with a proposition for you." Regina giggled as Emma squeezed her tighter. "Not that kind of proposition."
Emma pulled away but linked their hands. "Okay, okay. What can I do for ya, Chief?"
"I had a meeting with some of the school board members and Mary Margret earlier today." Regina motioned for them to sit on the bench by the windows.
"Yeah, David mentioned you guys were having a lunch meeting, so he and I met for lunch." Emma tucked a strand of hair behind Regina's ear. "Anything interesting happen?"
"Actually yes. Something that concerns you." Regina took Emma's hands in hers. "It seems that City Hall and the School board have received a few calls and letters from parents wanting to sign up their kids for the same kind of program as Henry."
"What do you mean?" Emma asked.
"Well, Henry is by far not the only child that does not fit in with regular school athletic teams and activities. These parents wanted to know if their children could earn their PE credits with you, like Henry did."
Emma's face scrunched in confusion. "Wait they want me to be a PE teacher?"
"No, dear. We were thinking you could train them here at your gym. You would be in charge of your curriculum. You can do yoga with them, boxing, aesthetics, whatever you'd like. It'd be in your hands." Regina smiled at Emma's contemplative expression.
"How many kids are we talking about?" Emma inquired.
"To start, we have 20 kids total whose parents want enrolled. 21 if you count Henry." Regina squeezed her girlfriend's leg. "You don't need to answer right now. I told them to give you a week to think it over, and they agreed."
"Oh no, I'm going to do it." Emma smiled. "I was just trying to get an idea of what classes I can offer with that many student on a daily basis. Then I thought I'd probably have to enlist Henry and Violet as assistance of some sort. Then I was thinking cool uniforms-."
Emma's lips were quieted by Regina's smiling lips. "You are amazing, Emma Swan."
"That wasn't very professional of you, Mayor Mills." Emma kid back.
"To hell with professionalism." Regina scoffed, making Emma laugh. "I love you."
"Mmm… I love you too." Emma kissed her. "So when would this start?"
"Next semester if you wanted to. Or if you wanted to wait for the beginning of the next school year, we could do that." Regina wiped some of her lipstick off of Emma's lips.
"I think next semester would work." Emma beamed. "This is exciting."
"Indeed. The board also offered to compensate your gym for hosting these classes, and will provide any uniforms you want. Extra equipment can be requested on an as need basis."
Emma shook her head. "That won't be necessary, but I'll keep it in mind."
"Emma, this may help you expand your gym like you wanted to." Regina offered.
"Yeah, but I want to do this to help the kids out, not take money from the school or their parents." Emma shrugged her shoulders. "Would there be a way to make it a donation thing?"
Regina's heart tightened at Emma's thoughtfulness. "I think that can be arranged."
"Good. Than that's settled. Business end is done." Emma leaned in to kiss Regina's neck. "Do you need to head back to work now?"
"No. I'm actually done for the day." Regina dug her hands into blonde locks, pulling her up to kiss her. "Don't you have class soon?"
"Mmmm…" Emma took a quick glance at the clock. "Not for another couple of hours. I was just setting up so I can go back upstairs and eat something. Want to join me?"
"I think that sounds like a plan." Regina bit her lip, letting it snap back into place. She stood and sauntered toward the lift. "Lock it up, Miss Swan. We have forms to review."
Emma jumped to. "Yes, Madame Mayor!"
Henry and Jeffy were putting away the mats in the corner of the room, while the other men milled around after class. Michael and Leroy were in a discussion with Emma and Regina.
"So you basically want to undo everything we did upstairs to make it a studio?" Leroy said in disbelief. "Including taking out that gigantic tub?"
Emma shrugged her shoulders, "Yeah."
"Jeez, sister." Leroy grumbled.
"Don't worry about it, Emma. We can take care of it." Michael elbowed Leroy.
"Thanks guys. But hey Leroy, that means I can get some of the weight equipment down here. You've been hounding me to get some since you first came in here." Emma patted his shoulder.
"That's true. Alright, alright." He turned to Regina. "And what about your place?"
Regina stepped forward. "Well, the outside of the farm house needs a paint job, along with the barn, and the barn's roof needs patching. I was hoping we could expand the back master bedroom and en suite to include Emma's tub."
Leroy and Michael's eyes peeled.
"You girls moving in together?" Michael smiled.
"Yes we are." Emma grinned back.
"Excellent." Michael patted Emma's shoulder. "That's not a problem Madame Mayor. We can do the painting in three to four days, depending on patching. The roof I'd have to take a look at to tell ya a price and time slot, but it shouldn't be more than a couple days too if it's not too bad." Michael extended his hand and shook Regina, then Emma's. "Let's get together at the property and we'll talk real numbers. Tuesday ok?"
"Perfect." Regina smiled. "Thank you, Michael."
"Thanks guys." Emma patted Leroy on the shoulder.
As the other men gathered to leave, Regina stopped them.
"Gentlemen, since I have you all here and before you leave… I just wanted to say again how much I appreciate everything you have done for us and for Henry. I will always be in debt to you and your brothers for searching the woods, finding the video, and testifying in court. Thank you all so very much."
The men, one by one, approached her to shake her hand in gratitude for her words. Jeffy being the last, received a gently kiss on his forehead and blushed uncontrollably.
"Hey Emma." Henry moved to his side. "Jeffy agreed to help me train Daisy to track like the Beast."
Emma turned to a nodding Jeffy. "Hey, that's a great idea! I can't think of a better guy for the job."
Jeffy smiled and gave a whispered, "Thanks, Emma."
Emma pulled the kid gently into a hug. "Thank you Jeffy. I think your brother's ready to go. See you next week?"
Jeffy nodded excitedly and went to join the others leaving.
"Having Jeffy around is kinda like having a little brother sometimes." Henry said waving goodbye. "I brought him in back to meet Daisy and she totally loved him. He raised a hand and snapped his fingers, then pointed down. I swear Daisy automatically sat down and looked at him like she was waiting for his next command. It was crazy! He didn't even say anything."
"That's so cool. Maybe we can teach her commands in words and signs." Emma and Henry shared excited glances.
They heard an exaggerated 'psshh!' Behind them and turned to Regina who had Daisy at her feet.
"Daisy. Cientante." Regina commanded and Daisy sat. "Bajo." Daisy laid down. "Que bella, mi princessa. Un beso." Regina crouched and the puppy moved to kiss her cheek.
Regina smiled at her son and girlfriend's bewildered expressions. "Daisy's already bilingual."
"Wow, Mom." Henry said, impressed. He took the leash from his mother, "I'm going to take her out back for a potty run. She's been in the office for a while now."
"Good idea, kid." Emma turned to Regina as Henry left with Daisy. "Hey, babe. Can I ask why you're adding an apartment over the garage?"
"Oh, that's for you. You can stay up there and I can come up and visit." Regina said matter-of-fact.
"What?" Emma was taken aback.
"I'm joking, Emma. I don't have a guest room in the house, with my office and the den taken up. It'd be nice to have one. And… maybe it could be Henry's when he gets older." Regina said, playing with the bottom hem of Emma's shirt.
"That's actually a great idea. Kick the kid out of the house when he's of age, but not completely on his ass." Emma agreed.
"And… if we should have reason to be somewhere other than our bedroom as we did the other night…" Regina leaned in and bit Emma's bottom lip. Kissing it slowly. "We would have a spot to get away."
"I love you're thinking, Babe." Emma smiled.
