"Ruby Lucas," Jenny Nelson announced from the stage on the main floor of the club. "The winner of the two-hundred thousand dollar prize is Ruby Lucas."

The crowd erupted into cheers as Ruby stood shell-shocked near the front of the stage. Regina just smiled and kept her composure as Emma turned to her in shock that her friend's name had just been drawn. It wasn't until Emma gave Ruby a push towards the stage that Ruby finally snapped out of her stupor and scrambled up the steps to accept her check for the grand prize money.

Regina just stayed at Emma's side, watching Emma watch her best friend accept her check with just as much excitement as if she'd won it herself. After Ruby scrambled down from the stage, people congratulating her for winning hoarded her and after a few minutes, she made her way back to them and let out an excited squeal that was immediately returned by Emma.

"Can you believe this, Em!" Ruby exclaimed. "I actually won! Do you have any idea what this means?"

"What does it mean, Rubes?"

"The possibilities are endless!"

One of those possibilities had been creating a financially stable future and another was the fact that when she offered to pay for Emma attending the Boston Police Academy, Emma had accepted it immediately. Even months later, on the eve before Emma was due to attend her first class, Regina could still feel the excitement that had come from both women the moment Ruby's name had been "drawn" from the barrel that night at the club.

Regina walked down the hallway and into her office, nursing her glass of wine while Emma took a shower in the en-suite. She paused to listen and when she was satisfied Emma was otherwise preoccupied with her shower, she entered her office and shut the door quietly behind her.

Everywhere she looked, there were pieces of Emma everywhere. From the odd article of clothing that always got haphazardly tossed aside during one of their many spontaneous fucks to the few pictures Regina had allowed her to frame and hang on some of the walls. Bear's toys seemed to end up everywhere but the designated spot he had in the guest room, complete with his own large bed that sat under the window. She toed away one of his bones out of the way as she approached her desk and placed her glass of wine on the leather coaster.

In the six weeks since Emma had moved in officially, she hadn't once opened the safe where she kept the ring, but all day her mind had been on it, distracting her from her work. She pulled back the picture on the wall and spun the lock on the safe, hitting each number with practiced ease before it unlocked and the door popped open. Inside, on stacks of important documents and a folder filled with money sat the ring box. She inhaled slowly as she pulled it out and opened the box, smiling as she ran her fingertips over the diamond lightly.

"Babe?" Emma called out. "Regina?"

Regina jumped at the sound of Emma's voice, nearly dropping the box. She scrambled to put it back into the safe, spun the lock and pulled the picture back over just as Emma opened the door to the office.

"Babe, we ran out of soap," Emma said as she stood there dripping went in only just a towel she held loosely against her body. "Do we have anymore anywhere?"

"Did you check the cabinet in the bathroom?"

"Yeah," Emma nodded. "And the linen closet. Both of them. Nothing."

"Grab the soap out of the other bathroom for now, dear," Regina said and she picked up her glass of wine, noticing immediately how her hand was shaking slightly. "I'll put it on the list for when we go shopping next."

"Hey," Emma said as she closed the small distance between them. "Why don't you join me?"

"Another time perhaps," Regina said and she lifted her glass of wine to her lips. "Go finish up with your shower, my love, and come join me out on the balcony when you're done."

Emma sighed and turned to walk out of the room, pulling the towel away from her body as she walked away. Regina groaned at the sight of Emma's tight and toned ass and wished she could take back her refusal on joining Emma in the shower. It wasn't as if she normally refused, but Emma had just gotten in from a run and Regina had already showered while she'd been out earlier.

For weeks, Regina had been trying to figure out the perfect way to propose and the perfect time, but nothing seemed to come to mind other than just knowing that when it felt right, she would ask Emma without hesitation. After living with Emma, she had no doubt in her mind that she wanted to spend the rest of her life with Emma Swan. She could not imagine a future without Emma in it anymore and she didn't want to either.

Regina topped up her glass of wine and headed out onto the balcony. The sun was already beginning to dip down in the sky, but the dark clouds rolling in from the west obstructed the usually amazing view of a picture perfect sunset. Regina relaxed on the sofa and sipped her wine, smiling when she heard Emma walk through the kitchen.

"So, good thing you decided not to join me," Emma said as she walked out onto the balcony, her hair still wet and only wearing a white robe. "Water ran wicked cold."

"Ah."

Emma chuckled as she casually draped an arm around the back of the sofa and behind Regina's shoulders. "Looks like we're not going to get a good show tonight," she said as she moved to nuzzle the side of Regina's head and dropped a kiss just above her ear. "What are we doing tonight?"

"Nothing, my love. You have a busy day tomorrow. I thought we'd just stay in and relax tonight. I have a feeling that you'll need it."

"Yeah," Emma sighed. "I have no idea what I've just gotten myself into, do I?"

"I'm sure you'll be perfectly fine. You're in excellent shape, probably in better shape than the rest of the recruits you'll be training with."

"Yeah, I'll be fine for the physical stuff, it is everything else I'm worried about."

"You'll be fine, Emma," Regina smiled. "You're smarter than you think you are."

"I sure hope so."

"When will you be done with your training?"

Emma shrugged. "Around Thanksgiving, I believe. I should have a job by the New Year, at least that is what I'm hoping for."

Regina leaned into Emma as she looked out at the darkening sky and watched the dark storm clouds roll in quickly. "Perhaps we'll get another show tonight, just as long as the rain doesn't cause us to take shelter inside."

"Mm, I love thunderstorms."

"I as well."

"You know what I love most about thunderstorms?" Emma asked and Regina just shook her head. "I love to fuck during thunderstorms."

"That can be arranged," Regina chuckled. "Storm or no storm."

Emma waggled her eyebrows and Regina laughed again. Regina loved spending time with Emma even if they just sat out on the balcony and had a glass of wine, just talking and laughing together. She loved the domesticated little moments they shared, all the nights they cooked dinner together, the mornings they woke up and made love for an hour before Regina had to rush to get ready for work while Emma put the coffee on and made breakfast.

Every night they were together, whether they made love or fucked until they collapsed, or on nights when all they did was cuddle in bed until they fell asleep, it was almost too good to be real. But it was very real and Emma had become such a very big part of her life in such a short period of time. Every day that passed had Regina finding it impossible to see a future without Emma in it.

"What?"

"Nothing, mi amor."

"Seriously, what?" Emma asked and Regina shook her head. "Tell me what you are thinking."

"I'm thinking about how wonderful you are," Regina said softly. "How beautiful you are," she smiled and she leaned over to drop a light kiss to Emma's cheek. "I love you."

"I love you too."

"So," Regina purred, her attention suddenly caught by the smooth expanse of Emma's thighs and the way the robe fell open as Emma shifted to face her. "Are you wearing anything under that?"

"Maybe, maybe not."

"Is that an invitation to find out?"

"Maybe," Emma drawled and Regina licked her lips as she watched Emma languidly trail her fingers up her right inner thigh teasingly.

Regina downed the last of her wine and waited for Emma to take another sip of hers before she took both glasses and placed them under the sofa. She grinned salaciously as she trailed the tip of her fingers over Emma's right knee and watched as Emma let her thighs fall open with ease. Regina let her eyes linger where the robe just barely covered Emma's sex before she looked up into Emma's lust-filled eyes and was filled with a familiar hunger.

Thunder rumbled off in the distance as Regina slipped her hand between Emma's thighs beneath the robe and was met with smooth skin and an ever familiar sticky wetness that made her hunger insatiable. Regina deftly slipped her index finger inside of Emma just as Emma pulled her in for a crushing kiss. That first feeling of her slipping her finger inside of Emma knuckle deep was a feeling that thrilled her every single time. It sent her arousal into overdrive and it only made her crave her beautiful lover so much more.

Regina pulled back from the kiss and rose to her feet, reluctantly withdrawing her finger from within the warm, wet depth of Emma's pussy. She held Emma's gaze as she began to strip, slipping out of her shirt and then her pants before removing her bra and her thong. The few times they had attempted to have sex on the balcony had been disastrous, but Regina was as determined as always to make it work and she winked as she tugged at the belt on Emma's robe.

"You don't want to go inside?" Emma asked as Regina pushed open the robe and moved to straddle Emma's thighs. "No?"

"No."

Emma ran her hands up over Regina's abdomen and to her breasts, her thumbs flicking at semi-erect nipples and caused Regina to moan excitingly. With every little touch, it felt like the first time even though they'd spent hours the night before and that very morning making love over and over again. Regina grasped on to the robe and tried to pull it off, but in their position it was impossible. And that was when she felt it, the hard bulge in the one pocket and she pulled back from Emma's lips with a heavy gasp and reached into the pocket.

Over the months they had acquired a few toys they used at least once a week, some on a regular basis, but as Regina wrapped her hands around the girth of the smooth phallus inside of Emma's pocket, she knew it was something new instantly. Emma groaned as Regina pulled it out of the pocket and looked down at the purple phallus she held in her hand. It was much like their blue feeldoe, but a bit bigger and thicker.

"You want to?" Emma asked softly. "We can always go inside or wait or—"

"I want to. Right now. Right here."

"Fuck."

Regina ran her fingers over the bulb while holding on to Emma's gaze. She wanted nothing more than for Emma to fuck her since it normally was the other way around. Tightening her grip on the feeldoe, she moved to kneel in front of Emma, ignoring the roughness of the concrete beneath her knees as she spread Emma's legs. Emma's legs were smooth and freshly shaven, as was her cunt as Regina quickly discovered.

She wasted no time in diving between Emma's legs and licking her hungrily. Emma slipped down on the sofa and slipped a hand behind Regina's head, holding her right where she was as she moaned and gasped. Regina could spend hours between Emma's legs, licking her into oblivion, but her knees were beginning to ache and the slight weight of the feeldoe in her left hand just served as a reminder of what she had in mind.

With one last languid lick, she pulled back and peered up at Emma. She licked over the bulb of the feeldoe before easing it inside of Emma. She licked her lips before she lowered her head and wrapped her lips around the tip of the purple phallus. She enjoyed it a lot when Emma did the same whenever she wore the blue one to fuck her with, she enjoyed the sight of Emma nearly taking the entire phallus into her mouth, moistening it to the point where there was no need for lube.

"Jesus," Emma gasped. "You're nothing but a tease, Regina."

Regina chuckled lightly before moving to stand up, allowing herself a few seconds to get the feeling back in her knees before she straddled Emma's thighs. "I am a tease," she admitted lowly. "But I happen to know that you love it when I tease you, mi amor."

"Yeah, I do."

Regina smirked and leaned in to kiss Emma lightly. "How about we try to rectify our fantasy of having sex on the balcony?"

"Pretty sure we're more than halfway there, babe," Emma replied as she slipped her hand between Regina's legs and ran her fingers over her cunt. "You're already so wet."

"I'm always wet and ready for you."

Emma moaned as she surged forward and kissed over the front of Regina's neck, her descent down to her breasts a quick one. She teased her fingers over Regina's clit as her other hand went to the small of her back to keep her steady. Regina closed her eyes and focused on the feel of Emma's lips as they wrapped around one nipple and sucked hard. Regina gripped on to Emma's toned shoulders and threw her head back as she arched into Emma's warm, wet mouth. A wave of unadulterated pleasure coursed through her as thunder rumbled off in the distance and the wind began to pick up.

Emma barely paused in her assault on Regina's breasts, moving to take the other erect nipple between her lips, flicking at the tip with her tongue as her teeth grazed over it lightly. Regina reached down to grab a hold of the purple phallus, giving it a tug to divert Emma's attention away from her breasts completely.

They were silent as they stared into one another's eyes and Emma slipped two fingers inside of Regina, eliciting a soft yet needy moan past her lips. Regina shuddered in anticipation when Emma deftly slipped her fingers out and helped her guide the phallus to her entrance. Thunder rumbled, louder than before, as Emma lifted her hips to thrust the feeldoe inside of Regina, stopping halfway to allow her a moment to get used to the full feeling inside of her.

"Okay?"

"Yes."

"Okay," Emma grinned and she gripped tightly onto Regina's hips. "Does it feel good?"

"Yes, but it'd feel even better if you'd fuck me, Emma."

"Like this?" Emma empathized as she thrust her hips upwards and Regina could feel the tight burn deep in her core as Emma filled her completely.

Regina placed her hands on the back of the sofa and focused solely on finding a rhythm with Emma. The angle was slightly off as the sofa didn't allow for them to change it up, but it didn't quell the pleasure or the orgasm that was steadily building. With the approaching storm adding to the buzz Regina felt flowing through her body, she knew it wouldn't be long at all before she came tumbling over the edge and succumbing to her impending climax.

Emma slowed her thrusts and stilled Regina's hips before bringing them together for a heated and hungry kiss. They moved slowly, their bodies still falling into a familiar rhythm albeit a much slower and sensual one. When Regina felt the first drops of rain hit her back, she tried to ignore it and focus solely on her beautiful lover, but when those few drops became a torrential downpour, she nearly leaped off of Emma's lap with a gasp.

They scrambled to get inside, Regina quickly grabbing her clothes while Emma grabbed their wine glasses and they were laughing as they stumbled into the kitchen together. Regina dropped her wet clothes to the floor and Emma placed their glasses on the counter before moving to wrap her arms around Regina from behind. She could feel the warmth of the purple phallus against her rear and she spun around, moaning as Emma picked her up with ease.

The mood had shifted completely as Emma backed her up against the wall, gripping tight onto the back of her thighs. Regina held on to her shoulders as they kissed wantonly and after a moment, she reached between their closely pressed bodies and slipped the phallus back inside of her. They both moaned in succession and Emma wasted not a second in thrusting her hips hard, sinking the toy deep inside of Regina. Regina grabbed at the corner of the wall and succumbed to the pleasure completely. The thrill of being fucked while Emma held her so strongly in her arms was almost just enough for her to find delicious relief.

She grasped on to the robe Emma was still wearing and tried to pull it off, but she only succeeded in getting it down to Emma's elbows before Emma's lips were on hers once more, kissing her deeply and passionately, her tongue thrusting in time to Emma's steadily moving hips. Regina tightened her legs around Emma's hips and Emma let go with one hand and then the other before her robe finally fell to the floor.

Regina groaned as Emma slammed into her and her back hit the wall almost a little too hard. Emma held on to Regina firmly, never once making her feel like she was about to loose her grip. Regina could feel her orgasm as it was incredibly close, but she just needed a little extra something to push her over that final edge.

She threaded her fingers through Emma's hair and scratched her short nails against Emma's scalp. They had gotten to the point where words were no longer needed or necessary for them to communicate, especially in an intimate moment such as that one. Emma just nodded and eased out of her before settling her back down on her feet. It was Emma who took her by the hands and led her over to the island countertop and after a brief, hot kiss, she spun Regina around and placed her palms flat on the counter.

"Oh Emma!" Regina cried out as Emma thrust the phallus into her from behind, the curve of the toy hitting her g-spot with the first thrust.

Emma groaned as she started to fuck her hard, fast, and deep. Her hands gripped at Regina's waist for a moment before she moved one to the small of Regina's back and pushed her so she was leaning over the counter, changing the angle just a little, and it was just that little change that had Regina's orgasm thundering through her body almost instantly.

"Fuck," Emma murmured as she slipped out of Regina and just as Regina turned to look back at her, she saw Emma drop to her knees. "You're soaked."

Regina moaned as Emma all but buried her face into her cunt from behind, her tongue licking at her in a frenzy. Regina clawed at the countertop as she was still so sensitive from her quick yet hard orgasm and it wasn't long before she came again. She barely had the strength to hold herself up much less to push Emma away when she needed just a moment to recover.

"Delicious."

"And to think that before you met me, you'd never eaten pussy before," Regina chuckled salaciously. "Let's go to bed, my love."

"Gladly. And maybe I can have another taste of that delicious pussy of yours, hmm?"

It never failed to amaze her just how strong Emma was, and she knew not to be so surprised when Emma grabbed her and picked her up to carry her into their bedroom. The lights flickered as they fell to the bed together and as the storm raged on outside, they were in the midst of making one of their own. Together.

[X]

For the next two weeks, Regina had seen a lot of changes happening with Emma. She was tired every day she came home from the academy and she spent her evenings studying from one of the many textbooks that littered the living room, the bedroom, and Regina's desk in the office. One of the major changes was their intimacy, and while it wasn't as often as it'd been before, it wasn't non-existent either.

Regina spent her days working, coming home just before five and she always had dinner started by the time Emma came home. Regina felt content for the first time in her life, content and settled into the life she and Emma were living and sharing together. And every day, after Emma left for the academy, she found herself in the office with the safe open and the ring in her hand.

The perfect moment was there, she knew it was, it was just a matter of when. Every time she thought about how she'd ask Emma to marry her, the way Emma would look at her in that moment, how special that very moment would be for both of them, it made her excitement grown until it was almost impossible for her to contain it.

By the end of August, and Emma's first three-day weekend off from the academy, they drove to the vineyard for the weekend with the dog. Regina brought the ring along, but something deep down told her that it wasn't the right moment at all that weekend. They spent it relaxing, making love, and on that Monday before they were due to drive back to Boston, they went to visit Danielle. The visit was Emma's idea and it had come out of nowhere, but Emma insisted that they go since they were so close and because it had been months since Regina had been there last.

Regina was surprised to find out that Danielle had been outside most of the day in the gardens and after the nurse took them out to the gardens, she left with just a small smile and Regina reached for Emma's hand.

"Are you sure?" She asked quietly. "We can leave if you're not sure."

"Regina, I'm sure. I would very much like to meet her."

"Okay," Regina said as she took a deep breath. "She—"

"I know. It's okay. I'm sure she'd like visitors even if she isn't so sure who we are."

Regina smiled and they shared a brief kiss before Regina led the way down the path to where Danielle was sitting under an old willow tree in her wheelchair. Regina nearly stopped when Danielle turned to look over at them with a slight smile, more than anything she'd seen in all the years since the accident. Suddenly she was overcome with guilt that she hadn't been there in months, hadn't even bothered to call to see if she'd made any progress or if she'd been slipping down into a steady decline as she'd done over the years after making some progress forward. The guilt felt heavy not only on her chest but on her soul.

Yet, it was Emma who kept her from suffocating from it and she turned to her love and smiled as Emma gently squeezed her hand. It gave her just enough determination to take those last few dozen steps to where Danielle was sitting and suddenly her heart was racing a thousand times faster as Danielle turned to look up at her, the slight smile on her face never faltering.

"Hello, my darling," Regina whispered as she let go of Emma's hand and reached for Danielle's that was resting on the armrest. "How are you doing? Better I see."

"Yes," Danielle whispered and Regina's breath caught in her chest. "Hi."

"Hello," Regina managed to say before she burst into tears.

Regina was shaking and it was only when Emma slipped an arm around her waist to keep her steady did she take a deep breath. She looked down at Danielle and she had a million different questions, but mostly she wanted to know how she could talk again, even if it had been two words.

From behind a grove or rose bushes, a nurse, one of Danielle's regulars, walked out with a file in her hand and a smile on her face. Danielle showed immediate recognition of the woman as she approached them. She motioned for Regina to take a seat on the bench by Danielle's wheelchair and once she was seated with Emma beside her, the nurse stood in front of them.

"I suppose you've seen some changes in Ms. Colter," the nurse, Maria, said and Regina almost burst out laughing in disbelief. "Today is a good day for her," she continued. "An exceptionally good day I should say. A little over six weeks ago, Danielle was approved for a trial drug and stem cell treatment along with some very aggressive physical therapy. As you can see, she has made some progress in that time, especially since you've last been here."

"Who approved for it?"

"Her parents," Maria replied. "I can answer any questions you have, but if you'd like to know more than what I can answer, you'll have to schedule an appointment with her neurologist and her doctor as well."

"Is she—can she remember anything?"

"No," she said with a shake of her head. "But she remembers things from last week, glimpses of them at least. Her motor functions are minimal and she's been working with a speech therapist. I've been told that within a year, she could be speaking at the level of a four to possibly a seven-year-old. She's showing recognition of other things such as…"

The nurse's voice faded out as Regina turned to look at her first love. She did seem different than the last time she'd seen her and there was a certain light in her eyes that Regina hadn't seen in a very, very long time. She wanted to reach out for her, to hold Danielle's hand, to hear her voice again, but Emma was there and Emma was her love, her light, her everything now. Would Danielle ever understand why she had moved on? Would Danielle ever forgive her, especially now that she was making those steps, albeit tiny ones, to becoming a part of who she'd been before?

Emma rubbed her back gently and gave her a little nudge towards Danielle. It was a stark contrast to how Emma had reacted when she first found out about Danielle, but she didn't know everything then, not the way she did now.

"Hi," Regina mouthed and she saw Danielle's smile brighten just a little. "You look good."

"Y—you too."

"This is Emma," Regina said and she noticed that the nurse had quietly left them alone, obviously knowing that Regina hadn't been listening at all since she was just in awe of the changes in her first love. "I told you about her. Do you remember?"

Danielle tried to shake her head no and Regina reached out for Danielle's hands. They felt a little stronger, fuller, than the last time she had held her hands during the visit she had with her the day she found out her father had a heart attack. There was color in her skin too and her hair looked a little fuller than before. She was still a long way from the woman she once was and even though she'd showed some gains, Regina knew deep down that she would never be the woman she used to be before the accident robbed her of her life.

"Emma, this is Danielle," she said quietly.

"Hi," Emma smiled at her and she reached out to pat the back of her left hand gently. "It's nice to finally meet you, Danielle. Regina has told me so much about you."

Danielle's smile didn't falter and Regina could feel Danielle try to squeeze her hands. She turned to look at Emma and she felt so much love in that moment it was hard for her to take her eyes off of her to look back at the first woman who had captured her heart.

"Do you want to take a picture or something?" Emma whispered as she pulled out her phone from the front pocket of her plaid button down t-shirt. "Go on, babe. This is a happy day, yeah?"

"It is, yes," she agreed. "What do you think, Danielle? Are you up for a picture?"

Danielle slowly rolled her eyes and Regina couldn't help but laugh as she moved to sit at the edge of the bench and turned to face Emma. She intertwined her fingers with Danielle's and smiled for the picture that Emma took and then she let go of Danielle's hands and motioned for Emma to sit back down beside her.

They sat out there for almost an hour, nobody really saying much at all. It was nice just to sit under the shade of the old willow tree between her past love and her current one. The slight breeze brought a bit of relief to the hot afternoon and when the nurse came out to bring Danielle inside for her afternoon physical therapy session, Regina found it hard to bring herself to say goodbye.

Emma gave her a few moments with Danielle in her room once she followed the nurse up there. Even the nurse was sympathetic in giving the two of them a moment alone. Regina paced in front of the bed and then sat down facing Danielle who was still seated in her wheelchair.

"What do you think of her, my darling?" Regina asked. "I guess you can say I'm asking for your blessing. You don't remember us, do you?"

"N—n—no."

"You don't?" Regina asked as her eyes filled with tears. "Oh my darling, if things were different, we would not be here right now. We've lost so many years together and you lost so much more."

Danielle looked like she was struggling with her words and closed her mouth with a slight frown. Regina wiped at her tears as they fell and rose from the bed slowly. She leaned over to place a lingering kiss on Danielle's forehead.

"Would you like me to come visit you again?"

"Y—yes."

"Okay, I will. Would you like for Emma to come along as well?" She asked and Danielle's smile faded. Regina chuckled lightly. "Okay. Next time I'll come alone. I'll let you do what you need to do. I want to see you continue to get better, all right?" She paused to take a deep breath. "Next time I see you, I want to hear your voice again. Do you think you can do that?"

She didn't expect an answer as she'd gone so many years with nothing but silence. She just placed one last lingering kiss to Danielle's forehead and walked out of the room without looking back. She walked out of the building a few minutes later and when she saw Emma standing by the Bug with her attention focused on her phone and her blonde hair swaying in the wind, she felt that same pull she felt from the moment she first laid her eyes on her months ago.

That pull that gravitated her to Emma and nothing else in the world could compare to that very feeling.

Except for the way Emma smiled at her the moment she noticed that she was walking across the parking lot towards her. Nothing beat the way that Emma smiled at her and nothing definitely beat the way that Emma looked at her.

With nothing but love in her eyes.