Chapter 25

When young Emma and Henry had left the house earlier that morning they had done exactly as they had set out to do and gone for a run. It had only been a few days earlier that Henry's blonde mother had told him how much physical exercise had helped her regulate her thoughts as a teen and when he had seen how downhearted his companion was, he had suggested it as a way to cheer her up. It was only afterwards that he realised that he was now going to have to go running.

Once he had come to terms with his hasty offer he had reluctantly schlepped off to find his track kit whilst Emma had gone in search of some of her adult versions running clothes. After a quick change, he waited by the front door as Emma sorted herself out and rounded up Jasper. When she joined him ten minutes later he could instantly see that her mood had already improved greatly. As happy as she was, she couldn't help but notice how hesitant Henry had suddenly become.

"Not much of a runner?" She asked sympathetically as she motioned for them to begin.

"Not so much, no." He answered, a little shyly. "I'm more of the academic type."

"That's ok." She replied kindly. Now that she knew that information, she found that she was genuinely touched by his effort to cheer her up. "Thank you for suggesting this. I wasn't the sort either until a few weeks ago, I used to laugh at the people that would run round and round the block past the home I lived in. I never really got it before, but now... I love it, it really helps me to sort out my brain."

"How so?" He asked out of curiosity as they jogged down towards the end of the road.

"It's kinda hard to explain, I guess it's like all of my thoughts used to be in one big pile in my head and because everything was just a mess in there, I couldn't always find the information that I needed." She paused and scrunched her brow as she thought of a way to explain. "Like I would know how I should act and I knew the appropriate response to situations, all of that was in there, but in the heat of the moment I would struggle to find it in the pile. Something would happen and boom, I would lose my shit." She said, using hand gestures to accentuate her point and Henry couldn't help but laugh. He spent a lot of his time around women with a propensity to 'lose their shit', but he had never heard it articulated in such a way.

"Running helps because it's like it gives me a filing system. The more time I spent running, the more that pile in my brain get sorted through and stored somewhere I can find it. It just seems to make it easier not to fuck things up." She laughed. "That sounds really dumb doesn't it?"

"No, it doesn't sound dumb at all. I'm glad you found something that helps." He said kindly. Although she was the same age as him, he knew that her life had been vastly different to his own. If, like she claimed, running helped her come to terms with that and gave her a way of dealing with the emotional fallout, then he would happily run a thousand miles by her side. Even though he was absolutely certain by now that he did in fact hate running.

Emma was not familiar with the streets of Storybrooke, so she had let her companion dictate the route they took. She had no idea that he was leading her to the only place he could think to go, other than his grandparent's loft. After thirty minutes at a gentle pace, Henry had skidded to a stop outside of a very grand house, or rather mansion, on possibly the nicest street she had ever been.

"Stop stop, I need water. Follow me." He said, leading her down the path towards the front door.

"Whoa, what are you doing?" Emma asked in alarm. She was sure that the people that lived there were not going to be happy about two sweaty teenagers turning up on their doorstep."

"Relax Emma, it's fine." He said with a smile. "This is my other home."

It took a moment for the words to register in the young blondes brain. When they finally did she paused to take a good look at the house. Looking up at the majestic abode, a small part of her expected to feel jealous of the young man standing next to her. After all, he too had been put up for adoption, just like her. But unlike her, he had found a home, and what a home it was. With a happy smile, she found that she wasn't jealous at all, just really really pleased that he had found his way here.

"WOW. Kid, you got so lucky!" She stated whilst playfully slapping him on his shoulder.

"I really did, didn't I?" He replied whilst giving the blonde the biggest smile she had yet to see on her son's lips. "Come on in." He continued, turning his key and pushing open the door.

As they walked up the steps and into the foyer Emma's eyes widened. It was so grand, much more so than she had ever seen. She continued to follow him through into the kitchen where he took two glasses from a cupboard and filled them with water.

"This is a nice place." She said in awe.

"Thanks, I lived here with Mom until I was ten. That's when I came to find you. I've split my time between the two of you ever since. I guess I won't have to do that anymore now." He said with a smile.

"What was it like, growing up here, with her?" She asked. Henry thought for a moment as he look a long pull of his drink.

"It was pretty great actually. My Mom is a very complex person, and to others it can seem that she is cold and harsh, but with me she was always kind and loving. This house may seem austere on the outside, but in these four walls there was a lot of love and fun." Emma smiled at the thought of her future son being chased around these rooms by laughter and love.

"Don't get me wrong." He continued. "There were strict rules and sometimes I would convince myself that she was evil, but I know now that she isn't, and never was. In fact she is one of the two most courageous people I know." He said whilst pointedly looking at Emma so she would understand who the second person was.

"You see, her mother wasn't a very nice person. She doesn't talk about her much but I am fairly certain that she was mentally and physically abused when she was a child. She was never shown much love, but despite that, she is full of it. From the very first moment she held me in her arms, she has loved me with her whole heart, and with everything she has been through in her life, that took real bravery. Especially as she found out a few days after I arrived that you were my mother."

"I don't understand." Emma said with a frown.

"You were always destined to break her curse, in her mind, she believed that would mean her death. She chose to keep me, to love me, even though she knew that doing so would be her downfall."

"Wow." Emma said, trying to digest the magnitude of the knowledge.

"Yeah. Like I said, she is an incredible woman. One of the two that I have the honour of calling Mom."

"You are so lucky, to have her love."

"She loves you too, remember." He said whilst placing their glasses in the washer. "Come on, let's head over to Gram and Gramps place. I'm starving!"

Half an hour later the pair made it to Snow and Charming's front door. Before they even had the chance to knock, the door was pulled open and they were greeted by a very excitable looking Snow White.

"Emma! You came! Come in come in, welcome to our home." She said whilst ushering the pair in. "Hi Henry." She said after kissing his sweaty forehead. "What do you both fancy for breakfast?"

"Just whatever you guys are having I guess." Emma replied shyly whilst heading over to greet her baby brother.

"Well, we just had cereal, but honey, you can have whatever you want." Snow said kindly.

"Can I have pancakes please Grams?" Henry asked, finally getting in there with his favourite breakfast order. His brunette mom usually made him eat something healthy but his Grams always made him his favourite.

"Of course you can sweetheart. How about you Emma? What would you really like?"

"I'd err.. I'd really like pancakes too, it that's ok?" She answered shyly.

"Oh course it is sweetheart." Snow replied with a warm smile as she ushered them both over to a seat. "Where are your mom's?" She asked Henry casually, before squinting her eyes at the internal confusion that question caused her as she looked at the youthful version of her daughter. "I mean Regina and older Emma?"

"I think they are having some alone time." He answered, hoping that would be enough of an explanation and that she wouldn't ask for any more information on the subject.

"Oh." She answered airily as she thought on his answer for a while. "OHH!" She exclaimed when the penny dropped and his answer finally sunk in. "Right." She said awkwardly as she began to make the pancake batter.

After Zelina's somewhat ominous words of warning Regina just couldn't shake the feeling that something was bound to go wrong. After all, when did things ever go right for her? She was happy, really happy for the first time in a very long time but she just couldn't shake the feeling that it was all going to come crashing down around her.

After she had showered and dressed, she asked Emma to call the convent. The Blue fairy wasn't her biggest fan and she would like to keep her on side by having the Princess make an appointment, however Emma relayed that Blue wasn't available for visitors as she was currently in the Enchanted Forest on business. After that, the brunette was all for storming the nunnery but Emma had managed to convince her that no good would come of it - a lesson she had learnt whilst Regina had been missing.

So for now they just had to wait, and Regina wasn't finding that easy. They had decided to go for a walk along the beach, as Emma hadn't spent a great deal of time by the sea. After a few hours of throwing sticks for Jasper, the whole family had decided to make their way back up to Granny's for a milkshake.

Whilst walking up main street, the brunette just couldn't resist the pull of the pawn shop. Perhaps a visit to see a certain 'Dark One' would serve to allay her growing fears, although she doubted that somehow.

After sending the teens on ahead, Emma and Regina pushed open the door to Rumple's shop, ringing that bloody bell as they did.

"What can I do for you ladies." He asked as he appraised the two women standing before him. "Welcome back by the way dearie." He added, nodding at Regina.

"Blue is unavailable and we were looking for some advice about timelines." Emma informed him as Regina offered him a curt nod in acknowledgment of his greeting.

"Ah yes, you are wondering if bringing the younger Miss Swan here was a mistake."

"How did you...?" Emma began to ask before being cut off.

"I know everything dear." He stated in a tiresome manner. "Plus, after your little display in the Diner yesterday, you are talk of the town."

Of course, thought Emma. Thinking about it, she would be surprised if there was anyone left in the township that hadn't heard the story by now.

"Will there be any lasting ramifications from her presence here?" Regina finally opened her mouth to ask.

"I can't tell you that." He stated simply.

"Can't or won't?" Regina countered.

"Either way, I still can't tell you." He sing-songed in response.

"Please Rumple." She almost begged, and that is saying something considering who she was talking to. "I need an answer."

"No you don't. Trust me on this." He said softly, and as Regina raised her brow in question at his request, he raised his hand to silence her. "I know that isn't an easy thing for you, and rightly so, given our history. But please, go home and enjoy your long overdue happiness." He said again, with the slightest hint of smile on his lips.

After leaving Granny's, they returned to Emma's house and the teenagers had immediately descended the steps down into the basement, not to be seen for several more hours when they were lured out with the promise of homemade pizzas. They had all spent an enjoyable few hours creating their own weird and wonderful toppings and sharing them around. Both Regina and Henry had turned their noses up in disgust when both blondes had insisted on putting pineapple on their creations. Ultimately Jasper had been the only one to enjoy those pieces, much to Regina's amusement.

After watching a film, they had all said goodnight and gone their separate ways up to bed. After changing, Regina had settled herself in the window reading nook in the master bedroom and was thoughtfully gazing out of the window when older Emma found herself unable to resist commenting on the other woman's pensive mood.

"You know, I can feel you thinking all the way over here." She said softly from the bed.

"Hmm?" Regina asked before the statement had the chance to sink in. She turned her attention to Emma and smiled apologetically. "Oh, I'm sorry. I just can't seem to get Zelina's words out of my mind. What if we did the wrong thing? What if we have caused irreparable damage to the time line?"

"Well, then I am sure we will deal with it, we always do when these things happen. Please try to stop worrying and relax." The blonde said, moving over to the window seat to join her.

"I wish it was that easy." Regina said thoughtfully, shifting over to make room for the other woman.

"I know it isn't. I know that you haven't had a lot of luck in your life and every time you have found something you thought was worth holding on to, it has been taken from you. I know that because it has been the same for me. But this time, I am choosing to believe that everything will work out for the best. It has to, we finally found each other and now that I have you, I promise that I am not letting you go." Emma stated vehemently.

Regina smiled at her statement and moved in closer to the blonde so she could curl into her side. Emma immediately wrapped her arms around her and dropped her head down onto the top of the brunettes, planting a big kiss.

After a while, Emma's gentle reassurance eventually helped to temporarily allay the former Queens worries. As she lay in her arms, the blonde continued to pepper her hair with soft kisses whilst gently caressing her side.

Emma finally felt Regina begin to relax, and as she did, her hands began to subconsciously repay the comfort she was receiving by starting to gently stroke Emma's tight stomach.

Emma let out a contented sigh as she settled into enjoying the other woman's exploration and as she relaxed further into their position her hand slipped underneath the brunettes top to find the soft and warm flesh of her side and back. As she ran her hand delicately up Regina's spine, the action caused her to roll her body closer into her side and when she moaned in delight, there was no misunderstanding that the comforting embrace had changed into something else.

Regina lifted her chin to seek out the blue green eyes of her love and she was not at all surprised as they instantly met her own. Emma smiled as she leaned in for a tender kiss. After a few minutes, what had started as soft kisses had soon become more heated as they both became more aroused by the second.

"Bed, now." Regina had commanded and Emma complied immediately.

As they resumed kissing, Emma attempted to take the lead by gently trying to coax the brunette over onto her back whilst beginning to lift her shirt. Regina however had other ideas, again she wanted the other woman to feel the depth of her adoration, so she quickly pushed back and swung her leg over Emma's. She lightly took hold of her wrists and guided them away from her body and above the blondes head where she held them with one hand as she carefully lifted her vest with the other, once her mission was complete, she once again leaned down to kiss her deeply.

After a few minutes of this new position, with her hands caressing the blondes now bare breasts the brunette began to lightly circle her hips and gently thrust against the woman below her. After some more kissing and soft teasing the barrier of their sleep shorts was becoming infuriating for them both so Regina pushed both of her hands below the waistband onto Emma's fabulously firm ass as she asked if she could take them off. The blonde nodded in response as she too made a move to remove the brunettes.

"What are you doing?" Regina asked in surprise.

"I want to feel you against me." Was the breathy reply, and so she allowed her own shorts to be removed shortly after the blondes.

Regina settled herself back down on the bed next to Emma as she concentrated on exploring her body without the restraint of clothing. She was beautiful. Her nipples were straining for more attention and Regina could see the glisten of her arousal as she shifted her body closer. She couldn't wait any longer to feel the effect she was having on her lover so the slowly drew her hand down Emma's abs and dipped her fingers down between her velvet folds. Emma let out a deep groan as she felt those fingers gently begin to slide up and around her hardening clit.

"You are so wet, my love." Regina whispered.

"For you." Was the husked reply. "I want to feel you against me, like before." She said confidently.

Regina immediately complied and swung her leg back over the Sheriff as she shifted her weight above her again. Emma helped guide her knees up next to her waist and encouraged her to kneel back, bringing her heated centre down directly over her own. As the brunette lowered the top of her body back down against Emma's she felt their engorged clits rub against each other.

"Oh God's!" Emma exclaimed. "You feel so good!" Encouraged by Emma's enjoyment, Regina once again began to gently move her hips.

"OH!" Emma called out. She loved being worshiped by the goddess above and she wanted to be able to do the same, she too wanted to express her love physically and so she tried again to lower her hands and snake them up underneath Regina's top.

"You don't have to." Regina said as she steadily increased the pace of her thrusts. "My pleasure isn't important my love, lie back and enjoy."

"Your pleasure is important to me, please let me touch you."

Regina looked back at the blonde with confusion. No one had ever really been interested in her enjoyment before and certainly not whilst so obviously enjoying what she was offering.

"Please." Emma said again. "Let me take off your shirt."

"Ok." She finally said as she couldn't deny her love. Emma made light work of pulling the shirt up and over her head and her eyes dilated a little more as she finally got a close look at the boobs behind the cleavage that had been haunting her dreams for years.

"So beautiful." She said as she raised her hands to take the full weight of them, squeezing the former Queens nipples as she did. This spurred Regina on to increase the pace further still as their clits slid next to each other's again and again.

"Oh fuck, oh fuck, oh fuck!" The brunette chanted as she felt herself slip closer and closer towards her release.

"Come baby, come." Emma encouraged, sensing that right now, Regina's need to let go and allow her own pleasure for once was greater than her own need.

"Together." Regina insisted, continuing her now heady pace.

"Together." Emma agreed as she moved one of her hands to her own nipple and began to pinch.

They continued like this for a few more minutes, steadily getting closer and closer to the high they were both now chasing.

"Emma. I'm going to... I'm going too..."

"I'm here, I'm ready too. Let go baby, come with me." Emma said as she started to see stars all around her. Regina suddenly stopped moving as her body stiffened and she stopped all the noise she had been making - which was previously a lot - and stared, open mouthed as she silently shuddered and came along with her lover. Emma rode out her orgasm underneath her as she lifted her hand to her face and chanted "I love you, I love you, I fucking love you!" to the astonishing creature that had just come apart on top of her.

AN: This chapter has has roughly 87 rewrites lol. It's finally at a place I am happy with, so i hope you enjoyed it. Thanks for all your encouragement and kind words. You guys are great!