*** I had a really hard time figuring out how I wanted to end this story. I began quite a few different starts to the end, and couldn't pick where to go. So I hope you don't mind that I picked a few of my favorites and worked them into this very long final chapter. ***
Chapter 28 – Epilogues
Six Months After Adoption
The family was hanging out on the front porch of the homestead. Regina and Emma sat on the bench swing with Hope and Daisy between them, while Kat and Henry sat on the railing across from them. A tray with fresh cookies and lemonade was on the table between them.
"I hate waiting," Kat looked out as far down the road as she could, searching for any signs of a vehicle.
"Why is Miss Bell coming again?" Hope asked as she pet Daisy's head on her lap.
"She's coming to make sure you and Kat are still happy and healthy, and that we've been taking good care of you," Regina answered, running a hand over her curls.
"Well that's easy," Hope chuckled. "I could have called her and told her so, and saved her the trip."
"I'm sure she's here to see Michael too," Emma stole one of the chocolate chip cookies, dodging Regina's swat to stop her.
Henry grinned, "Yeah, Jeffy text me saying she came in last night. I guess Michael has been annoying him all week, prepping for her visit. He sent a bouquet of roses to her room at the BnB so they'd be waiting for when she came in, went for a fresh cut and shave, and even made reservations at that fancy Italian place on the waterfront."
"Well, it's no secret how taken he is by her," Regina said as she spotted a car coming down the road. "Ah, here she is."
The kids stayed on the porch while Emma and Regina walked down the steps to greet Tina.
"Regina! Emma! How are you two?" Tina took turns hugging the couple after stepping out of her car.
"We are well Tina, how are you?" Regina couldn't help but smile back at the bubbly woman.
"Well since you asked," Tina held up her left hand with a wiggle of her fingers, showing off a sizable engagement ring. "Amazing!"
"Oh my God!" Emma gasped. "Michael purposed?!"
"He did. I know it's been a short time, but I don't care. He's just… super!" Tina sounded like she wanted to cheer the sentiment.
"Congratulations," Regina hugged her again.
They led her up the porch to sit with the kids and share her good news. Hope poured some of the lemonade she had prepared for them, and Tina thanked her with a quick hug.
"I'm so happy for you, Miss Bell. Michael's an amazing guy," Henry beamed. "Does this mean someone's moving?"
"As a matter of fact," Tina beamed. "Michael and I are looking into a new home here in Storybrooke."
"What about Jeffy?" Henry asked with a bit of protectiveness for his friend.
Tina smiled reassuringly, "I'm sorry, Henry. I didn't mean to sound like he wasn't coming with us. We want to look for a new house with separate quarters for Jeffy. We had a real nice talk with him this morning. He seemed really excited for his own space now that he's going to be eighteen, but of course he and Michael want to stay close."
"Maybe I should talk to him, then. Help him through the transition of creating his own bachelor pad, you know?" Henry said to his family.
"I think Jeffy and Michael would love that," Emma ruffled his head, before asking Tina, "What about work?"
"It just so happens that your district had an opening for a child services representative. They needed someone to cover the coastal towns of Maine, and I start next month."
"That's amazing, Tina. Maine's definitely getting one of the best." Emma pointed up their hill, "So do you want me to call Roger for your big day?"
"We were thinking more of a seaside ceremony," the woman blushed. Waving her hands in front of her, "Anyway, enough about me. That's not why I'm here now is it?"
Hope watched closely and bit her thumb as Tina took something out of her briefcase. Emma saw the girl's nervousness sat next to her on the railing, wrapping an arm around her with a reassuring smile. Tina handed Emma an envelope.
"Please just sign the delivery receipt on top," Tina pointed out and handed Emma a pen.
"Wait, aren't you going to inspect us or the house?" Hope asked, breaking her nervous silence.
"I don't need to," Tina indicated to the envelope. "Open it."
"What is it?" Kat asked.
Emma read the document she pulled out, her eyes going wide, "Is this for real?"
Regina moved to Emma's side and read over her shoulder. She began to cry, "Tina?"
"We just have to take a trip down to City Hall." Tina looked to the kids, "The workers from St. Joseph's and Massachusetts Social Services, petitioned the state of Maine to expedite your adoption. The petition, along with the DNA results, got a judge to sign off on a court date for today."
Hope looked to her sister, "What does that mean, Kat?"
"It means that Regina and Emma can adopt us." Kat started to tear, but smiled widely, "Today."
Hope jumped from her spot next to Emma to squeeze between her and Regina with as big of a hug as her little arms were capable of.
"When do we go?" Henry stood at the ready.
"As soon as you get ready. I told Mayor Quinn and Judge Walt we'd be there before noon." Tina stood and grabbed her case.
"Mayor Quinn?" Regina inquired, surprised.
"She insisted on being present," Tina beamed.
"Well then let's go!" Henry clapped her hands together. "I'll call Vi."
"I'll call David and Mouse," Emma stood, grabbing the tray of drinks.
"I'll call Ruby!" Kat ran inside.
"I'll call the courthouse and tell them we'll be there in an hour," Tina pulled out her phone as everyone dispersed.
…..
"… Based on the vow of your commitment to care and provide for these two girls, and by the power vested in me by the state of Maine. I now pronounce you, Regina and Emma, the legal parents of Katrina and Hope Swan-Mills."
Judge Walt joined Mayor Quinn and the courtroom filled with citizens of Storybrooke, in applauding the family that was now completely in tears. The room broke out into singing Happy Birthday to Hope and Kate.
Mayor Quinn stepped forward to shake Emma and Regina's hand in congratulations.
"Thank you so much for being here for occasion, Mayor." Regina wiped her tears.
"It was an honor, Regina. After all you both have done for the community here and in Boston, I jumped at the chance to help speed things along for your family. So did Judge Walt," The Mayor looked over as the judge came forward.
"Congratulations you two," the judge shook their hands and turned to their son, "Henry. Look at you all grown up. Congratulations to you too."
"Thanks, Judge Walt. It's good seeing you too," Henry shook her hand. "Thank you for taking care of my sisters."
"It was my honor, kiddo," the Judge said before turning to shake Kat and Hope's hands. "You two very lucky girls."
"We know, Judge Walt," Kat couldn't stop smiling.
Mary Margret appeared and engulfed the girls in a tight hug to the sides of her very pregnant belly, "Welcome home, girls."
"Guys, line up for a picture," David got their attention.
The Family turned together for the picture, putting Kat and Hope in the middle holding their adoption certificates. They took another shot with the Judge and Mayor at their sides, before a clerk stepped in so David, Mouse and Suzy could join.
"Oh Lord, two more Swan girls. This world is in for a world of trouble."
The group turned and erupted into cheers of excitement when they saw Jeremy and Colton walking down the short aisle of the courthouse.
"How the hell did you get here so fast?" Emma asked, hugging her friends.
"We got a call from Miss Bell last night telling us we needed to make the trek down for you guys. We didn't hesitate," Jeremy turned to kiss Regina's cheek. "Even if she didn't tell us why 'til just before heading here to the courthouse."
"I wanted to make sure you were the first to know," Tina said to the women.
"Your cool uncles wouldn't have missed it for the world, but we hid in the back to surprise you." Colton said as he hugged Kat and Hope together, followed by Jeremy.
"We couldn't miss it wither," Gran added, stepping forward with Maddie and Ruby.
"Whoa, it's almost lunch rush and Gran's here. Who's watching the diner?" Violet asked in surprise from Henry's side.
"A sign saying 'Be back in an hour.'" Gran snipped before bestowing the girls with a rarely seen smile, "Come here you two."
She and Maddie took their turns hugging the girls.
Ruby stepped forward and pulled Kat into a tight hug. She kissed her cheek and whispered, "Congrats, Kat."
Kat pulled back with a blushed grin, "Thanks."
Henry cheered, "This calls for a celebra-!"
"Oh, my God!" Mary Margret gasped, grabbing her stomach.
"Mary Margret?" David went instantly to her side.
"I think there may be three birthdays today," she said as looked to a puddle gathering at her feet.
The room irrupted into a frenzy as Emma and Henry ran to bring cars around and rush everyone to the hospital. Approximately three hours later, David Nicholas Nolan Jr. was born and more pictures were taken of the growing family as they welcomed him and the girls.
One Year After Adoption
Regina and Hope stood back and to look at their work. The wall that followed the stairs up to the second floor of the homestead, now held an array of framed photographs. The frames all matched in color, but the styles were slightly different.
There were photos of the girls with their parents, and of Henry before and after Emma entered his life. There was a current picture of Henry with Violet next to one of when they were kids in grade school. David and Mary Margret also joined them along with pictures of Suzy and Davy.
The large frame at the bottom of the stairs held baby pictures of all of them, including Emma and Regina. Emma's little Polaroid at the center. Their wedding portrait had its own special place in the foyer entryway.
Regina looked at the pictures with tears in her eyes at the small handful of memories, thinking of all that was yet to come.
"Are you alright?" Hope asked, wrapping her arms around Regina's waist.
"I'm more than fine, sweetheart. Just a bit emotional looking at all these wonderful memories," Regina hugged the girl's head to her. "But I am extremely happy."
"Me too," Hope looked back to wall, shying a bit, "Thank you for including pictures of our Mom and Dad."
"Of course we'd include them. Hope, they are still your parents too." Regina pulled the girl to sit with her on the stairs, "Do you know what I do every time I see their pictures?"
"What?" Hope bit her bottom lip to stop its tremble.
"I thank them," Regina nodded at Hope's curious questioning smile. "I do. I thank them for bringing two absolutely beautiful and wonderful girls into this world. I pray that they know how much Emma and I love you and your sister. And I hope that we make you and Kat as happy as they would have."
Hope's tears pulled at Regina's heart and she engulfed her in another tight hug. The front door opened to Emma and Kat entering with Henry.
"Everything okay?" Kat asked, seeing Regina and her sister crying.
Hope nodded from where she was burrowed into Regina's shoulder.
"Oh my sweet babygirl," Regina pulled Hope back, cupping her cheeks. "We love you and your sister so much."
"Standing right here, Mom." Henry pointed at himself with a smile, hoping to calm whatever was going on.
"Oh, stop. You know we love you too, Henry." Regina rolled her eyes at her son while helping wipe away Hope's tears. "We love all our kids."
"I dunno," Emma drew out and crossed her arms, winking at Hope, "One of them did eat my secret stash of peanut M&Ms."
Hope jumped up and ran into the kitchen. Returning quickly with a Halloween size bag of said candy for Emma, making her laugh and pull the kid in for a hug.
"Okay, I love you again." Emma said, pressing a kiss to Hope's head.
"The kid learned fast," Henry laughed. "The way to Ma's heart is through unapproved snacks."
"Hey, Ma works hard. She deserves sneaky M&Ms." Hope retorted with a wide grin that she turned toward Regina, "Right Mom?"
Emma and Regina's mouths gaped open in shock. They had never pressured the girls for the titles. Completely use to being called by their names, neither expected it.
"I don't know that Mom should talk, Hope. She's got a hidden stash of Reese's cups in the freezer that I'm pretty sure Ma doesn't know about," Kat chuckled.
Emma pulled Kat to her other side, "The first time you guys call us that and you do it by narc'ing on your mother. God, I love you two."
Kat wrapped her arm around Emma's shoulders. Made easy by the fact that she was now a head taller than Emma.
She whispered loudly, "Henry also hides his good chocolate in the freezer by the way."
"Good to know," Emma squeezed her.
"Hey," Henry whined. "How do you know about my stash?"
"We may or may not have broken into them while playing video games at your place," Kat said as she and Hope gave matching grins.
"You know, I'm not mad." Henry drew Kat into a headlock, "I'll just have to kick your butts at Mario Cart again."
Before Emma or Regina could say anything, Kat had Henry on the ground in a leg lock.
"Boom!" Emma laughed, "That's my girl!"
"Say uncle," Kat tightened her hold.
"Uncle!" Henry yelled and tapped the floor. Kat released him and offered her hand to help him stand. "Sheesh, all the women in my life just love just love abusing me."
"T.M.I. big bro," Kat ruffled his hair and pushed his head away.
Henry pushed her back and fixed his hair, "Davy needs to hurry up and get bigger so I have another guy around."
Two Years After Adoption
Emma and Kat had read through Stephanie's letters a couple of times over by the summer of the girl's second year in Storybrooke. Now that Hope was a teenager and had better understanding of her mother's history, she was allowed to read through them as well. The three sisters continued to bond over the first-hand account of their mother's life, written mostly in diary form.
Stephanie's life had not always been easy, but she never seemed to complain. Most all hardships were tackled like challenges. She found her true happiness when she met the girl's father, Jorge Rodriguez. She bragged about her husband's success in real estate, and doted on her daughters, proudly. One giant undeniable truth through most of her letters, was her regret for letting Emma go, and not being able to find her again.
With Regina's encouragement, Emma and both girls began seeing a therapist to help work through their grief and understanding. They saw the counselor individually, and in group sessions where Emma was able to learn more about Stephanie as a mother through the girls.
The possibility of learning more about their family, also motivated Emma and the girls to begin visiting Rose as often as they could. Although the older woman would often forget who they all were, she enjoyed their company none the less. It had been a healing experience for them to learn more about their extended family through Rose's lucid moments.
Rose passed away in her sleep the previous spring, and was laid to rest beside her late husband. A Stewart family lawyer contacted Emma and confirmed that she, Kat and Hope, were indeed the last of the family lineage. This entitled them to a hefty inheritance, as well as stock in the family's tool company. Emma and Regina set up a trust funds for Hope and Kat.
Emma used part of her inheritance to expand the gym. She now owned one of the only ninja obstacle training facilities in the state of Maine. The brothers had helped build an outdoor course that brought a lot of business to the small town. Bringing would be warriors and their trainers to spend months at a time training at her facility.
As an eighteenth birthday present, they also used some of the money to buy Kat a Jeep that matched Emma's, only in dark green. After graduating, Kat told the Moms that she wanted to stay home and continue to help run the family gym with Emma. Although Emma was ecstatic to have Kat running things with her, the family knew Kat staying behind had more to do with her girlfriend, Ruby.
Kat had been a welcomed source of change in Ruby. After constant fighting with her Aunts the first month she was in Storybrooke, Ruby was on the verge of running away when she first met Kat. Kat had a calming effect on her girlfriend and made her take life a little more seriously. Emma and she had a long talk with Ruby about the alternate life she could have had living as an orphan without her Aunts. It helped put things in perspective for her, and made her more grateful towards Maddie and Jackie.
Like Kat, Ruby was now helping run the family business. Helping her Aunts update the Diner with a new computer system and making repairs to the building itself. Regina and Emma had agreed to give Gran and Maddie money to update their Diner and BnB to accommodate the grip of people coming to train at the gym.
It took some convincing, as the women initially looked at it as a handout. Regina had assured them that it was a business transaction that benefitted the gym and the community more than anyone. With that they agreed and expanded the BnB to the building next door. They also expanded the outdoor patio of the diner to the back, setting up picnic tables and fairy lights all around. The diner now also offered a full coffee bar and free Wi-Fi.
Hope, who was now a junior in high school after skipping a grade, was being recruited by dance academies and Ivy League schools all over the U.S. and Europe. Homemade videos she and Henry had created of her dancing over the years, had gone viral a few times over. Her unique mix of classic ballet moves with contemporary and hip hop feels, had her set as one of the most sought after dancers by the time she reached fifteen.
Henry and Violet, after finishing their third year in college, had decided to move in together and rented out one of Jeremy and Colton's apartments. Regina was automatically against it, but was talked down by her very persuasive wife. She knew how serious the couple was, and needed to trust that they knew what they were doing.
True to their words, Jeremy and Colton came to visit everyone in Storybrooke whenever they could get away from their responsibilities in Boston. It only took a year after the tournament and the beginning of their work with St. Joseph's, for them to announce their own intent to adopt. They welcomed home a two year old named Benjamin Kirkwood, Benji for short.
The Boston Fight Club had grown over the last couple of years to include another location in Chelsea. Their children's program also implemented a PE alternative course that replicated Emma's original program.
Six Years After Adoption…
Benjamin Bash smiled at the gathered crowd and then to the couple in front of them, "Girls, you couldn't be more blessed, exchanging your vows here at Miller's Ranch. I had the honor of officiating both Emma and Regina's, and Henry and Violet's wedding on this very spot. Now I have the honor of performing the same right to you two. By the power vested in me by the state of Maine, I now pronounce you Kat and Ruby, married."
Cheers exploded through the gathered family and friends as the couple kissed, sealing their union. Regina and Emma both had tears running down their faces, sitting in the front row and mirrored my Maddie and Jackie in the row across from them.
Hope, who stood next to her sister as her Maid of Honor, cleared her throat loudly, "That's enough you two. Keep it PG, there are kids watching."
Kat and Ruby pulled apart with a laugh and looked to their giggling nephew who was pointing at them.
"What are you laughing at Ricky?" Kat asked at the little ring bearer standing in front of his parents.
Violet and Henry whispered in their almost two year old son's ear and the little boy yelled, "Yay Kat and Wuby!"
Much like Emma and Regina's wedding reception, and that of Henry and Violet's, practically the whole town of Storybrooke gathered at Roger Miller's ranch to celebrate Kat and Ruby's union. A family that had begun with a gym owner and the town's mayor and her son, had begun growing with the addition of the two rag-tag foster kids from Boston all those years ago. The Swan-Mills family now included many off branches throughout their community.
Shortly after they had both turned twenty, Ruby and Kat convinced the moms to let them move into Henry's old studio over the barn. After the two had been living together for a couple of years, Ruby came to Regina and Emma on her own one day to talk to them. She presented them with a deed to a house she had slowly been purchasing on her own. She also laid out her plans for taking over the diner and BnB, so that her aunts could retire. Relieved after clearly impressing her girlfriend's mothers, Ruby formally asked their permission to purpose to Kat.
She had admitted to them that her first call had been to Hope to ask for her approval, which she had of course received. Setting the poor nervous girl's heart at ease, Regina and Emma embraced her happily and gave their blessings. They helped Ruby orchestrate a beach side proposal that ended with Kat shouting, "Yes!" and fireworks over the harbor.
Henry and Violet had been engaged and married the same year they graduated college. They moved back to Storybrooke and bought a seaside cottage near the harbor, where both worked remotely from home for the Boston Herald. Henry also helped with the gym, while Violet had taken to teaching part-time at the dance studio.
Within a year of being married, they welcomed their son, Henry Richard Swan-Mills, nicknamed Ricky for short. Even though they were extremely happy for the couple, it took Regina and Emma time to adjust to the idea of becoming grandmothers. But the moment Ricky was born, they doted on him lovingly, as did Kat and Hope.
David and Mary Margret were on baby number three, Samantha Keane Nolan. Mary Margret decided to demote herself from school principle to assistant administrator, in order to have more time with her children. Suzy, Davy and Sammy spent as much time with their Aunties and cousins as they did home.
Twenty Years After the Adoption
Regina and Emma sat on their back porch swing, just as they had a million times over their years together. Emma's blonde hair now had blended streaks of white. Regina's was still dark as can be thanks to the boxed products she refused to admit she used.
They were resting, on the porch while their family was spread through the homestead's back property. The children all held giant water pistols, shooting them at each other from behind trees and from the massive master tree house above.
"Did you ever picture our lives would be so…" Regina couldn't find the right word for what she wanted to say.
"Loud?" Emma filled for her with a chuckle. "Ricky, Joey, make sure Lou gets a shot too!"
Their sixteen and twelve year old grandsons flanked their nine year old baby sister, Louise. Pointing to Kat and Ruby on the other side of the picnic bench, they instructed her to aim high so that the water would jump the bench and hit them.
Ruby and Kat's adopted thirteen year old daughter, Piper, winked at her grandmothers as she approached the boys from behind and took them by surprise. She hit both of them with water before picking up Lou and throwing her over her shoulder. She ran with the giggling girl and shot water behind her as the boys made chase.
"Three amazing kids and four terrific grandkids," Emma sighed, "It's no wonder we never have the house to ourselves. How about Hawaii first?"
"That's an excellent idea, but I think I'd like to visit another continent as well. We've been back and forth between here and Europe, it'd be nice to travel South maybe." Regina sipped her wine and leaned further against Emma.
"Anywhere I can get you into a bikini is fine with me," Emma kissed her temple as they both chuckled.
"Even at my age?" Regina's face fell lightly.
"Are you kidding? Baby, you're sill as hot today as the day we met. I am married to the most gorgeous woman on this planet." Emma kissed her soundly.
"Hey moms," Hope interrupted them as she came out from inside the house with her own wine glass and sat on the railing across from them. "Why are you guys hiding up here?"
"Oh just taking a breather, dear." Regina smiled kindly at their youngest. "Are you ready for tomorrow?"
"Oh yeah. You know me, one Z-Quil and I wake up in Paris ready to go. Even if I'm now the oldest dancer in the company." Hope played with her glass.
"You mean the best," Emma corrected. "Don't knock yourself, kid. They wouldn't have you if you weren't."
"I know, but would you guys be super disappointed if…," Hope took a deep breath, "If I decided to retire?"
"At thirty-two?" Emma laughed, "Hate to tell ya kid, but you still have a few years."
"Sweetheart, do you not want to dance anymore?" Regina sat up straighter.
"Maybe," Hope didn't meet their eyes, "Would you be disappointed?"
Emma said nothing but reached under the pillow she had been leaning on and pulled out her own water pistol, unleashing a stream of water at Hope who jumped up with a scream.
"What the hell, Ma!" Hope wiped her face.
"That's for asking stupid questions," Emma stood up.
Regina stood as well, suddenly brandishing her own pistol and shooting water at Hope as well.
"Mom!" Hope backed up and walked down the steps of the porch with her mothers emptying their water pistols at her.
"What's going on?" Henry appeared with Ricky and Joey.
"Hope thinks we might take issue with her not wanting to dance anymore." Emma quickly filled him in.
"So what?" Kat said as she and Ruby came up along with Piper and Lou.
"So, I just didn't want to disappoint anyone, alright? I'm tired of flying back and forth to Europe, and I miss my family." Hope's tone was bordering on defensive.
"Ohhhhh…." Kat and Henry said together, nodding subtly at each other before they too were shooting water at their sister.
"What is the number one rule of the Swan-Mills family code?" Kat asked as her sister was trying in vain to block the water hitting her face.
"Knock it off, Kat."
Henry looked at his kids and niece, "Kids, what's the number one rule?"
All together they said, "We love each other no matter how stupid we act sometimes."
"Henry!" Regina snapped, but with a smile in her face.
Catching his sister off guard, Henry wrapped his arm around her neck, "Hey I can't help it if Hope thinks any of us would be angry at her wanting to come home."
Before he could say more, Violet came up behind them and smacked her husband to release Hope, "Even if it means being subjected to your brother's stupidity. Let her go, Henry."
Henry released Hope, but pulled her into a hug, "We love you, sis. Nothing could ever make us disappointed or upset with you."
"That's better," Violet stepped forward and hugged Hope as well.
Kat hugged her sister's shoulders next, "I know I'd love to have you around more, too."
"Yeah?" Hope's smile at her sister.
"Of course, Sis." Kat squeezed her.
"I don't know what your plans are, but we could use another instructor at the studio since Ruth is retiring. You know, if you want to transition to teaching," Violet offered.
Hope's eyes widened, "I hadn't thought about it, but that would be cool."
"There, all set. All our kids will be home." Emma exchanged a knowing smile with her wife, "Actually, it's perfect timing, and while we have all of you here, your Mom and I have something else to tell you."
"Please, no more kids. With our cousins and their kids, our parties are reaching capacity," Kat joked.
"No, it's not that," Regina wrapped her arm around Emma's waist, "Your mother and I were talking and we are thinking of retiring early."
"Retiring?" Henry exchanged confused looks with his sisters.
"What about the gym?" Kat asked worriedly.
Emma shrugged, "What about it? As I see it, the acting manager has been running ship pretty damn well without my help for a while now. She also has the perfect wingman helping her out."
Emma winked at Piper who rocked proudly on the balls of her feet. The thirteen year old had been a staple at their gym since coming to live with her moms at six years old. Kat had been managing the Gym for Emma for quite some time already, with help from her daughter.
"What are you saying, Ma," Kat asked again.
"I'm saying that the gym is in more than capable hands with you, Kat." Emma laughed at her daughter's expression. "You got this. Besides, your mom and I want to spend some non-kid interrupted time together, and want to travel a bit before hip dysplasia becomes an issue."
"Ew," Henry cut, receiving a shot from Emma's water gun.
"What about the Homestead? Daisy Jr?" Hope asked as the family's golden lab stepped forward at her name.
"Well as I see it, you'll need a place to live, won't you?" Emma asked Hope. "You can take the studio if you want, fix it up however you want, and we get a live in house sitter."
"I get the studio?" Hope's worry turned into a giant smile.
"It's been empty since Kat and Ruby moved into their place. It's all yours, sweetheart. Only if you want it. It's your choice." Regina added.
Hope leaped forward and hugged her mothers.
"Wet. You're still wet," Emma squirmed, not being able to push her away.
…..
Emma came out of the en suite having showered and running a towel through her hair. Regina was just putting up her lotion and pulling back the covers to their bed.
"Twenty something years together, and you still take my breath away," Emma said, grinning at her wife.
"Charmer," Regina winked at her wife, pulling her hair into a loose bun.
"The kids all asleep?" Emma leaned on the doorway.
"Last I checked they were all still awake around the fire pit. Henry and the girls are tenting out in the backyard so they'll be close to the kids in the treehouse." Regina filled her in.
"So then…"Emma grinned mischievously, "The house is empty, and they're all yards away?"
Regina bit her lip with a smile as she nodded. She slowly untied her robe, and let it slip from her shoulders to pool at her feet. Emma's breath caught in her throat when she saw that her wife had nothing underneath. Regina climbed onto the bed, laying temptingly on her side.
"Lucky me," Emma undid her towel and threw it behind her before jumping onto the bed.
