The storm they had created remained. The sky was black, clouds grey and the wind bustled around the streets. Lamps had switched themselves on even though it was supposed to be daylight. People stopped what they had been doing to look around and gauge the situation. Emma and Regina landed with a thud outside of the library. They glanced to each other, looked around and stood prepared to fight.

"Do you think…?" Emma's voice trailed off, not wanting to think this was the end. They'd come too far and it didn't seem fair. Before Regina could say another word, two figures in the distance stalked closer. Too far to make out, one wafted an arm into the air and caused a street light to blow. The sparks fell around their head, but they were otherwise unaffected.

Regina gripped onto Emma's wrist and tugged her so they could walk into the middle of the street, "stay with me." She wasn't prepared to lose Emma and although she had just proved to be capable of magic, it wasn't up to the standard Regina had hoped they could achieve.

They stood in the middle of the intersection, heads spinning as everyone else ran from the area. It was uncertain what was going on, but whenever they would end up here, something always did. At least the streets would be empty and there would be no casualties. They hoped. "Something feels off."

"I know-" Regina squeezed her palm, "let's just see what happens, be prepared to use magic and fight."

Emma shook her head, looked down to her clothing then back around, "in my vision, I'm wearing something different, I have the sword and it's night. I'm certain of it," she said as Regina went to open her mouth, "everyone else was in the visions, except…"

"Me?"

"Yeah, but I guess Hook was supposed to be in it too." Emma didn't want to think more on the subject, glad he was gone and would be out of the way.

"We were the ones who created this. If they wanted to scare us, they would've been the ones to do it. Doesn't make any sense." Regina thought about it for a moment, the two figures becoming more than specs in the distance. It didn't feel much like a final battle by any sorts, so perhaps this wasn't the vision Emma had seen. It didn't explain the figures and she remained tense and ready.

"What if Hook leaving changed everything?" It was a possibility, if the vision was supposed to occur as it had when Emma had first experienced one then if they altered things in the present, it could have an effect on the future.

"It's likely. Is that…" Regina squinted and saw one of her signature dresses. Mainly black with purple sparkles over her chest and in various areas. It fit tightly and revealed a huge amount of cleavage, fit snuggly around her waist then puffed outwards. "She can't fight in that dress."

Emma's eyes widened as she caught sight of the queen, "you're certain?"

"It's for show. She can use magic, but physical fighting, not so much." Regina wasn't entirely sure and she thought on it harder, "if she's working with someone else, it's possible she could be the source of the magic. But...that would mean the hooded figure doesn't have magic."

"Doubtful." Emma's stance went rigid. "Why would the hooded figure reveal themselves before the battle? It would give us the upper hand by having chance to prepare."

"Or throw us off. Either way, we're about to find out."

The figure lifted their arm and caused another light to blow. It created the perfect ambience. The queen had a huge smile on her face, evil, seductive and as if she was about to get everything she could ever want. From a far, that was. As she came closer, Regina could tell it was the same mask she had worn for years. When she had convinced herself killing Snow White would make her happy.

The hooded figure stalked closer, head bowed to hide their face. The queen moved slightly in front of them, a bounce in her step. No matter what was about to happen, being the in the know and gloating was always fun. Regina's grip on Emma's wrist hardened and she stood slightly in front of her like a human shield.

"Well, well, well, my dears." The queen's red painted lips spread so widely across her face and her eyes glued to Regina's then Emma's in turn. They both felt the hooded figure as she came close enough they could almost touch her. A few steps more and they would be nose to nose.

"Why are you doing this?" It was the first words out of Emma's mouth. Mainly to the figure, but as much to the queen. If Regina cared for her then that care should extend to the queen. Yet, here they were.

Regina wanted answers just as much as Emma. She stared at the queen, gave her the hardest look she could conjure and brought out a voice she hadn't used in a long time, "hurt her and I'll find a way to end you."

She chuckled, looking amused, "that's rich, considering I am the one who is going to end you."

They faced each other and frowned. Was that the queen's plan all along? How did that tie in with Emma's visions? More than ready for answers, they both turned towards the hooded figure, Emma feeling a little safer at how much Regina was willing to protect her. Emma had always felt it, but to hear it was…nice.

"You're cowards," Regina spat to them both, "reveal yourself." At least when she had killed in the past, she made it known. She didn't hide behind a mask.

Emma and Regina stood, silent, as the figure let out a low chuckle. Their hands went to the side of the hood, but stopped. Emma felt the urge to launch right at them and pull the hood down herself, but Regina tugged on her arm sensing as much. It wouldn't do either of them any good if they were to dive straight in without knowing who they were up against.

"The biggest twist of them all," the queen said, wide eyed. One hand on her hip, she chuckled again and shook her head, "I can't believe neither of you have figured it out. I mean, look at us, Regina." That didn't help in the slightest. The queen did surmise they existed differently, but still, "do you feel any darkness, Em-ma?"

There was a twinge of guilt the queen tried to ignore. Emma had tried, at least, but it still wasn't enough. Regina wouldn't want her back and if they merged they would be miserable. At least this way, the queen could pretend she had gotten everything.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Emma felt as she always had, a little off considering everything that had happened, but…of course she had darkness. Did she? Now she thought about it, she couldn't remember the last time she had questioned the saviour side of herself. Not since before the hospital visit, at least.

They got their answer as the hooded figure lifted the material and let it drop around their shoulders. A wide smile spread over their pale features, eyes swimming in darkness.

Emma tensed.

Regina blinked once, twice and on the third time when nothing changed she looked to the queen.

"Brilliant, isn't it?" she said and Regina did feel stupid. She was…damn.

"H-h-how?" It was…terrifying. The thought of that darkness she had once felt existing outside of herself. No wonder Regina had acted so differently since casting hers out.

Emma smiled. A devilishly, evil smile which sent a shiver down both of their spines. She pulled the hood off completely to reveal leather armour. It fit perfectly, coiled around her muscles and had powers unbeknown to the human eye. Her blood red lips turned into a snarl as she stared at her other half, hand clenching into a fist at the need to destroy, "you cannot cast darkness out," she said, voice deep and filled to the brim with pain, "I have it all."

"I…" Emma's mouth hung open as she stared, unable to comprehend, "but…" she'd gotten rid of the darkness, contained it and destroyed it.

Regina pulled herself out of the shock, a lot more accustomed to seeing two of herself than Emma. She slid her hand down Emma's wrist, until it clasped onto her hand and gave a gentle squeeze. "The darkness was contained in a vessel, he died, this shouldn't be possible."

"Oh, come on, Regina-" the queen rolled her eyes and placed both hands on her hips, "you managed to cast your darkness out and create me. I hardly see how this is such a shock." So the queen had been a little taken aback when she had first been cornered by the dark one, but it hadn't been that difficult to get her head around.

"Yes, well," she said, tipping her head to the side with languid, yet frigid movements, "it would have worked, until Rumple intercepted and took back his darkness." Her eyes found Emma's and she punctuated every word. "I am the dark one you created."

Emma stared back at herself, squeezing her hand in Regina's as if she were an anchor. Her face paled almost as much as…Emma's; not Emma, "I created two of me?"

The Dark Swan smiled a smile so devilishly it had Emma take a literal pace backwards. She shouldn't be afraid, but all she wanted to do was run and hide. She moved closer. Regina stepped in front of Emma, "I don't think so."

Brown determined eyes met her cold gaze head on. They stared in a way which was chilling. Some experience with this dark one didn't prepare her for the way she looked through her as if she were nothing. A barrier she would end with a wave of her hand. That's exactly what she did. Waved her hand and teleported Regina behind her, clearing her path so she could reach Emma.

"Why do you want me dead?" Emma glanced over to where Regina landed, unharmed and clenched both fists by her sides, reminding herself of the things she wanted to live for. It didn't stop the tremor from running through her body.

The leather armour altered as she moved closer, rippling to fit her movements. Unlike when Emma had been whole and the dark one, her skin glittered and shone. White hair had been pulled back into a tight pony tail, dangling down to her shoulders. Her eyes transformed between white with light grey orbs or completely black as her darkness rose to the surface. "If you haven't learned by now, dear saviour-" she gripped onto Emma's chin with one hand, the other hanging by her side and lifted Emma up enough she stood on her tip-toes, "without power, you have nothing."

Regina paced back from where she had landed. Her heart rate sped up by the arms which flailed by Emma's sides. The queen spun and flung both arms out, creating a magic barrier which kept Regina from moving any closer. Regina snarled, "what do you have to gain from this?"

Regina flung magic at the barrier, but it didn't budge. Frustrated, she pounded her fists on the dark purple wall, face contorting in pain as her eyes glued to Emma. She had been lifted so her head tilted backwards and she scratched at the Dark Swan's hand without causing a scratch. Regina growled at the queen, "tell me!"

The Dark Swan heard the panic rising behind, yet had enough faith the queen wanted what she had promised, that she would handle Regina for her. She relaxed her grip on Emma then pulled her closer so she could stare into those wide green eyes. "You have the saviour, I have the darkness. Whatever you felt as the dark one, was nothing compared to this. I will end you and take your power then even Rumpelstiltskin won't be able to stop me."

Emma tried to pull in as much oxygen as she could get. She spluttered and coughed now the hand had loosened enough to let air into her lungs. Both hands gripped onto the Dark Swan's forearm, to no avail. "Stop…you…from doing…what?"

The queen looked on at Regina, glanced to her nails as if she had all the time in the world before casually strolling so she stood in reach of Regina. "Look at you," she gloated and placed her palms flat on the barrier, "you can't save her now, can you?"

Regina held back a sob. Her hair was tatty around her face, cheeks flushed and forehead sweaty. She had thrown magic and banged at the barrier, but no matter what, her focus was shot and she couldn't seem to get it down. "But we…" love her. Regina lay her forehead down, it was warm against her already clammy skin. Her chest heaved and she hit the barrier one more time for good measure. "Just tell me what you plan to do."

The queen chuckled. Part of her revelled in the Regina's pain. Successfully putting Emma and the Dark Swan on ignore, she could easily avoid any hint of her own pain. "I'll get everything."

"How? The only way to get everything is to merge back. As much as it pains me, it's the only way." Regina looked up and pleaded with her eyes. She wouldn't beg, it was beneath her. One more glance to Emma saw that pride crumble. If she had to, she would in an instant.

Emma plunged to the floor. She landed on her side, legs sprawled and weight rested on her palms from where she was hunched over. Each breath pulled her senses back into focus. The wind blow through her loose hair and over her body. It caused her to shiver. It remained dark and so quiet, she wondered where everyone else was. Why her family wasn't here.

A dark laugh sounded above, "if I didn't want your magic I would get rid of you right now. You're pathetic, Em-ma. Some saviour, you can't even save yourself." Magic saw to it Emma was brought back up again. She felt for her own, but was too panicked to access it. It fizzled in her fingers then died before it morphed into anything useful. Emma bowed her head from where her feet dangled just off the ground.

"If you're going to kill me, just get on with it." The darkness came out of the Dark Swan in waves and surrounded Emma. Her head jolted up at the sudden sensation. It…tickled, but she could feel the impulses coiling around her veins. A sudden flare of anger erupted and she felt the urge to scream.

"Feel that." The darkness amplified. Emma struggled against the magic hold, but no magic was being fed into her and her own was useless. "That's only a percentage of what I carry. But no, I'm not going to kill you now. I decided to give you a gift. The Evil Queen very helpfully pointed out how much more fun it would be to gloat. How I was under your nose this entire time, yet you still couldn't figure it out. Her mind is phenomenal."

She had to agree, this was much more fun. She was hardly even trying and seeing the defeat in Emma's eyes was worth it. It would mean she had already won. By the time she was ready for battle, Emma would know exactly who would be driving the sword through her gut and know that she only had herself to blame.

"Why should I merge with you, when I can kill you and take all your power?" The queen pressed her nose to the barrier, a smirk pulling on the corner of her lips. Regina squinted at her, no longer having the faintest idea what she was on about. "Oh yes," she continued, "once the dark one has everything she desires, she will be powerful enough to kill you and let me absorb your power in the process."

"No matter how much power she has, it doesn't stop us from being one. Your life is connected to mine. Whatever she has promised you, it's…all…lies." Regina twisted her head and brought forth the darkness she had been trying to ignore. Both Emma and Maleficent had been right, the split didn't work how she had anticipated. "Now let me out of here to save the one person who still cares about you."

"Emma?" The queen pushed back and spun on the spot. Emma remained in mid-air, fighting a mixture of impulses. The saviour inside demand she call for her magic and blast free, whilst the darkness being fed to her wanted to grip onto the Dark Swan and straggle her as payback. Not of that mattered, considering she would never be able to escape the hold and the Dark Swan watched as if she were bored.

"Emma was the one who found the potion. Emma was the one who has been trying to persuade me to take it. Emma was the one who wanted to treat you with kindness to show you you're wanted. . .Her. Now let me out and use that head of yours. It's not possible, we are one person, one cannot die without the other." Regina didn't know how the Dark Swan had convinced her otherwise. She had even gone to Rumple for answers at one point. Even he said the same. Then there was the book Emma had found, which explained the split a little more thoroughly.

The queen stared for a moment. Even after the split, the feelings for that idiot remained, until she had been hell bent on killing her. It had been easy to remove her after that, send her away to the wish realm. Then the Dark Swan had appeared, offered her the world and she hadn't taken her on, not at first, but the darker nature of this Emma called to her own. She couldn't resist.

The Dark Swan would be powerful enough to eliminate Regina and allow her to keep all the power. It had to be true or she would lose everything. She gave herself a moment to think. Weighing the options between following through, being lied to or merging. Emma remained a deciding factor, because as much as her pesky feelings remained, the Dark Swan hadn't once hinted that she was a part of what she wanted.

"The potion from Jekyll and Hyde split our live force and placed it into two bodies. One of us die, we both die. You wouldn't be able to take out my life force and add it to your own, because that would result in the both of us dead before you could manage it. You couldn't kill me first and take it, because you would already be dead. It's not possible. I want you back. Please, don't let her die." Regina thought she saw a shudder from the queen, but as she spun back around her eyes were filled to the brim with anger. She snarled, waved her hands and disappeared in a cloud of purple smoke. The barrier fell.

"Emma!" Arms and legs pumped as she ran, then wafted her arms to teleport. She landed beside them and found herself in another barrier. This one was black and it made her vision blurred. "Damn you-" she hit the barrier again, prepared to throw whatever she could at this Dark Swan. She twisted her head to face Regina and smiled.

"Relax, I'm not going to kill her. Not today, anyway." She freed them both in one swift motion then took a few paces backwards.

Regina ran to where Emma was on the ground again, tugged her up and held her into her chest. Emma couched and heaved from the darkness, not used to handling that much. Every inch of her shook and she buried her face in Regina's neck for the warmth and clung onto her. Aware the Dark Swan was still a threat, she wouldn't allow herself to relax, but pushed down on any lingering thoughts of revenge.

"As I was saying." The Dark Swan paced back and forth, glanced to the way Regina had an arm around Emma to tuck her into her side, scoffed and felt a hint of longing. "I'm going to give you a gift. The final battle will happen in one week. Now, you can use that time to try and find a way to defeat me, but as I already told you, this darkness cannot simply cease to exist and you would be wasting your time or-" she stopped and faced the pair, "you can spend it saying your goodbyes and all of those things you've been holding back."

Emma popped her head up with fire in her eyes. She remained silent, not trusting anything that would come out of her mouth. Regina stared her down, one hand running up and down Emma's back. The Dark Swan chuckled, not even phased by anything she had done. It was the tip of the ice berg and she had enjoyed throwing Emma around like a rag doll. That still left the queen and she had heard every word of their conversation. Heightened senses being one of her many gifts. That would be some damage she would have to undo. Though she supposed if the potion lasted a few more days, then it wouldn't much matter if the queen suddenly stopped helping. A cloud of black smoke appeared and she was gone.

Regina pulled a quivering Emma into her and wrapped both arms tightly around her body. Emma let herself be held, mind spinning and unable to comprehend anything which had just happened. Both of their chests heaved as the found comfort in each other.

"I'm not going to let you die," Regina whispered and Emma chocked back on the anger, the tears, the knowledge that she had been so hell-bent on keeping Hook alive, that she couldn't live without him, she had created this.

So much for her actions having no consequences.

Emma stood with her arms crossed and back resting against the kitchen counter. Her eyes didn't move from the ground. Snow stood opposite, making a variation of hot drinks for everyone who had bombarded into the loft. Once the magic shield around the town had lifted, did they all reunite and return to the loft. It was supposed to be about discussion, but so far Emma hadn't come out of her head space. It was dark, twisted and it crept into her bones, whispering that it was her fault, she had already lost.

Snow spun, placed a hot chocolate beside her daughter, but otherwise didn't attempt to make conversation. Emma hummed in thanks, but didn't engage either. Once Snow had grabbed the other drinks and distributed them around the room, did she sit beside her husband on the couch. Regina and Henry had moved some chairs and sat opposite.

"So…they both want you dead." Snow tried to be objective about the situation, but it proved difficult.

Regina shook her head at the absurdity, took one long gulp of her coffee then looked to Snow, "our other halves don't like us very much."

Emma half listened to their conversation, the retelling of the events which had only just transpired. From the forest, to the queen, to the Dark Swan being under the hood, to everything in between. She twisted her head to the side, took one long look at them before sinking back into the pits of her mind. They spoke for a long time, figuring out how it was even possible, if the queen really could get what she wanted, but Emma had yet to move. The only thing she had managed was to drink her hot chocolate.

Eyes flickered to her repeatedly, more so Regina than the rest. All Emma wanted to do was sink into a hole in the ground until this was all over. A gift, she had called it, but this was anything but. Emma would have preferred it if she didn't know. This week was going to be torture. There would be talk of fight, when Emma knew she couldn't win, last words spoken between them, even if they insisted she could win. She didn't want to face the chance she would die, she didn't want to face her son, she didn't want to face any of it.

A whole thirty minutes went by and no one said a word. They let her stew, but in their midst was a queen and a woman who was not prepared to go down without a fight. It was going to be difficult and Regina didn't want to have to hurt any version of Emma, they all seemed in agreement in that regard, but she wasn't going to let Emma mope, either.

Regina collected all the mugs and brought them over to the sink. "You can dry," she flew over her shoulder, "and pass me your cup."

It took a moment, but on a sigh Emma grabbed her empty mug and handed it over. They washed and dried in relative silence, her hands moving on autopilot. The last thing she wanted was to have to speak, to do anything, but Regina and the rest of her family weren't about to let that happen.

"I know you're hurting and probably blaming yourself-" Regina handed her a washed mug, but otherwise didn't look in her direction, "but wallowing in self-pity isn't going to do any of us any good. I thought we had passed all this."

"Was my fault." Emma put the last of the mugs into the cupboard and leaned against the side. She crossed her arms and shrugged as Regina scoffed at her.

"No." Regina moved around her, stance wide so she was almost straddling her legs. It at least got Emma's attention, those eyes sort out her own and Regina placed both hands onto the side and leant even closer.

"You listen to me. What he put you through was not your fault. I am not about to let you fall into the pits of despair he built for you. You will fight this, Emma, even if I have to drag you out into the woods to practice magic. Even if I have to yell at you, because, Emma-" she grabbed tightly onto Emma's upper arms and gave her a small shake, "you are a fighter. The Emma Swan I first met wouldn't take bullshit from anyone. She took a chainsaw to my apple tree, she fought against me at every turn." Regina squeezed her fingertips around Emma's arms and lowered her voice. "I am not going to let you die."

Emma looked to her with sadness and despair in her eyes. "There's no way I can win, Regina. It's over."

She bowed her head, ignoring the tightening of those fingers. She wasn't sure where that Emma had gone either, lost in the midst of saving everyone else whilst no one saved her. If only Regina would pull her into those arms and hold her for a while. Everything might be a little better. Regina pulled away and Emma sagged.

"Fine. It was nice knowing you." Regina walked straight to Henry, kissed his head and whispered into his ear before standing back up. As much as she was going to push Emma, she didn't want to comprise her son in the meantime. She'd promised no more lying and he trusted her. "Henry, say goodbye to your mother."

At that, Emma snapped her head up to see Regina was serious. Their eyes connected and brown orbs remained hard. If Emma was going to wallow in her own self-doubts, Regina wasn't going to be around to witness it. As much as she wasn't anywhere near giving up, she would leave if Emma didn't make an attempt to do anything other than drown. "Regina?"

Henry shuffled over, not quite sure what to do or say. No matter what anyone of them would say, he was worried. He had caught a taste of what it would be like, the days he had spent watching his mother in that hospital bed. Not knowing if she was going to wake up.

"Mom," he said and walked straight into her own arms, "please, mom, I need you."

Emma pulled him to her chest, arms squeezed tightly around his growing form. Her lip quivered, because it had been easier to distance herself than feel this. "I can't," she chocked and held on tighter to his wriggling body, "I'm sorry."

Henry pushed her away. It was one thing going along with his mother, but this…his shoulders slumped and he turned without another word, grabbed his bag and walked over to Regina. They were at the door. Snow and David sat on the edge of their seats, glancing at each other and silently agreeing to stay out of it. Regina had an arm around Henry's shoulder and yanked the door open. "Goodbye Miss Swan."

Arms still crossed tightly around her chest, Emma stomped one foot so hard it sent shocks up her leg. She pouted, acting like a child throwing a tantrum. "Don't leave me."

Regina spun in the open door way, took one look at Emma and was at a loss. There was only so much she could do. In the end, Emma had to be the one to pull herself out and choose to fight. Taking a soft or hard approach didn't seem like the solution, but now she had taken this path, she would follow through. It had caused a response other than indifference, at least.

"Why shouldn't I? I may as well get used to you not being around. We both know the queen has too much self-preservation to kill me, so that leaves me living on after you've rolled over and been trampled on." Henry flinched and Regina wished she could save him some of this, though Emma was looking to him as if she wanted nothing more than to grab onto him and hold on for dear life.

Both eyes closed as she took deep shuddered breaths. She tried to concentrate, to sort out the tangled emotions and damage inflicted upon her throughout her life. Somewhere along the way she had lost herself completely. Regina was right; the Emma Swan who had first came to town had enough fight in her to go up against the one person everyone else had been too afraid of. She had survived through a childhood of loneliness and longing, an adulthood which wasn't much different.

Then she had met him, still filled to the brim with emotional scars she had buried, it had been so easy for him to worm his way in. Emma had let him, had convinced herself she was happy and he was what she had wanted. To please her parents, to be normal, to have a chance at what everyone else seemed to want.

It had been established that she didn't want that. She had almost accepted herself and was on the way to doing so. Her mind remained a mess, but he was gone. Slowly, she had been coming back into her own. Why should she let all that turn to ash?

She was tired of being tired. Fed up of feeling drained and as if she no longer knew herself. That wasn't her, she'd always had a strong sense of self, enough determination to go after whatever it was she wanted. Emma knew what she wanted. No matter how much she denied it to herself. Everything she wanted was in this room; her parents, her son, Regina. Why she continued to dwell on those things which hurt she didn't know. The pain existed and the wish realm proved it had made Emma…Emma. Without it she very much sucked.

The more she thought about it, the more the fire inside began to build. She clung onto it, felt what it was like when Henry pushed her away, imagined what it would be like if she were the one to lose Regina. She couldn't imagine a world without them. She needed them, just as much as they needed her.

Even if she were to lose, the least she could do was try.

As much as the hurt remained, she was done playing the victim. That was what he had wanted.

Not anymore.

Slowly, she opened her eyes and let the room come back into focus. No one had moved and had held their breath for the entirety of Emma's thought process. After a few paces, she leant both palms on the kitchen counter and bowed her head. A few deep breaths later she pushed back up. Fighting the demons inside her mind was going to be difficult. But, it could be done.

Emma nodded and caught Regina's gaze head on. She stared back with apprehension, uncertain which road Emma was going to take. Then a smirk pushed on Emma's lips and although somewhere inside still fought against her, made her limbs heavy and muscles ache, she took every ounce of strength which remained.

"Let's fight."

Her stomach clenched at the words, but as Regina's smile spread, Emma's body relaxed. Snow and David let out a consecutive breath. Henry bounced back into the room and plonked down on the chair.

"We can do this," Regina said, shut the door and met Emma in the middle of the room.

Emma intertwined their fingers, hands conjoining near their hips and pressed her forehead to Regina's. They both sighed and closed their eyes, forgetting they had an audience. "If I survive, then…I know what I want." Their fingers squeezed tightly together and after a moment where Emma took the feel of her in, she pulled her head away. "I'm sorry for everything I've put you through."

Regina shook her head, unable to be mad when Emma's hands were pressed to her own. She wanted to kiss her, her lips demanded she lean in and connect their lips in pepper light kisses then something more searing. Until Henry cleared his throat, that being the last thing he would want to see. Emma chuckled and they both turned to the sound.

"Is there something you want to tell me?" Snow said, biting down hard on her grin. As naïve as she was at times, she hadn't been oblivious.

With their hands still joined, Emma bit her lip and rested the side of her head on Regina's shoulder, eyes not leaving her mother. "Mom, I'm…gay." It remained terrifying. As much confidence as she'd had in the moment, faded as she dropped her eyes, cheeks flaming.

Snow frowned and chuckled at the same time, "I can see that."

Henry spun on his chair, hand twisted over his body to grip onto the back of it. "Mom, I didn't know…that's so cool. Moms, we're the best family ever!" He perked up in his chair and decided to fill in the blank looks on his grandparents' faces. "Well, mom's gay and mom's bi and I'm ace, so-" he spun his head around and gasped, "we should go to pride. Mom we could go back to New York for a trip. We always said we wanted to go back and we could all go as a family."

Regina wrapped one arm around Emma's shoulders and laughed at her son's enthusiasm. "Maybe one day, Henry." Perhaps that could be the trip she had wanted to whisk them away on. Not what she had thought up, but she could imagine it would help Emma.

Emma closed her eyes and sighed into Regina. Their hands were still connected to Emma's right, her other arm hanging loosely around Regina's waist. There was no need to ask her mother any more questions. The reassurance she had been craving, the rejection she had been fearing, all began to fade now a tiny seed of fight had been plant.

"I would like that," she muttered, more for the family part than anything else, "I'm so proud of you Henry."

"And I've been thinking," Regina said directly to her son and to Emma as well. It was good for them to plan for a future, no matter what was to happen. "In a few weeks, once everything's settled. There's a dog shelter not far out of town, maybe we could go take a look."

Emma popped her head up at that, "we can get a dog?"

"Mom, are you serious?"

"You two better keep your promises, but…we can get a dog." Emma darted off before she even got a chance to kiss her temple. Regina rolled her eyes as she plonked on the chair next to Henry and ruffled his hair. Gods, she had missed her…missed her being so care free and child-like and that stubborn streak that saw her determined. Emma looked up and their eyes connected long enough for Regina to see them sparkle in ways which had been sourly lacking.

"I cannot picture a dog in that mansion of yours," David said and smiled to Regina. It said a lot, more that a lot; their past remined complicated, but they had come such a long way, he would be happy to see them together. Seeing Emma act like this for these past few minutes, reminded him so much of how their early relationship developed. They could be as bad as each other at times, but it had helped them bond before they'd moved onto the more serious parts. He nodded once, which was enough for them both.

"I think it'll be cute." Snow looked back and forth between the three of them, the family which had been right under their noses the entire time.

Regina walked over to the group, smirked at Snow and David; her own form of payback and went over to the dining room chair Emma was sat on. She looped one arm around her neck and swung her legs to sit across her lap. Emma was quick to wrap her arms around Regina and snuggle closely, "I'm already liking this."

"Okay…guys, I'm happy for you both, but could you not do that whilst I'm here? It's gross-" he wrinkled his nose and was grateful that hadn't reached the kissing stage. Yet.

"You get to snuggle with Violet," Emma pointed out and flashed a toothy smile at her son, "I'm going to snuggle with Regina if I want to." The sound of her voice was that of a child not getting their own way. Regina couldn't help but chuckle. She almost joined in…almost, then remembered at least one of them had to be the adult.

Regina leaned close to Emma's ear, "we're going to have a lot to talk about tomorrow," she whispered, "but let's just enjoy this."

Emma nodded against her, because no matter what part of her demand she fade into nothing, another part came out stronger. She had finally gotten this, she wasn't about to lose it now.

"We'll have forever," she whispered back.