Chapter 35

A Ride to Remember

Weeks went by and Storybrooke had finally settled back into itself. Zelena was still refusing to speak to Glinda or even elaborate as to the turmoil of their friendship. The good witch easily ran around the town making new friends but would coyly attempt to see her. One day she appeared at the marketplace when Zelena was shopping with baby Robin. Another time she "happened to bump into" her at the park. Zelena felt it was all intentional but she wasn't ready to face the situation.

Regina was frustrated she couldn't help Zelena change back to human color. She felt it was somehow linked to the arrival of Glinda but her sister wouldn't hear it. She would change the subject and become obstinate whenever Regina would bring her up.

Emma was waiting for Henry when he got out of class this afternoon.

"Hey Ma. Everything ok?"

"What? Can't a mother pick her son up from school?"

"Yeah, but I always walk home now." Henry smiled.

"Yeah well, today's a little different. I need to talk to you about something and I kinda need your help too."

This peaked Henry's curiosity. "I'm in."

"You haven't even heard me out yet."

"Is it a secret?"

"Yes…"

"Is it a mission?" Henry further questioned.

"You can say that…yes."

"Can I give it an operation name?"

"Yes, you may." Emma laughed at her son's antics. Henry was a young man but still kept the heart of a boy.

"I'm in!"

Emma nervously sighed with her hands behind her jean pockets, "Good, because I can't do this without you kid."

A week later Regina got a note from Emma to meet her at the old stables. Regina had taken to riding again and she was helping Emma along who seemed to really enjoy it. Emma had told her she was starting to feel like, "A proper princess, or knight…depending on the day." This had gotten a good laugh out of Regina who understood Emma's top or bottom innuendo all too well.

It had been two months since Omegaverse happened in Storybrooke and thus far no other heat episodes had occurred again. Rumple believe their world would react differently to the stimulus. Perhaps it would happen a few times a year or once every three months. He seemed convinced it would definitely happen again and so did Zelena.

When Regina got to the stables Emma was already there with both their horses saddled and ready to ride.

"What's this?"

"Nothing…I just thought I'd take you somewhere special today." Regina came over and kissed her.

"Thank you Emma. This is so nice." She noticed a picnic basket along with blankets Emma had prepared.

"After you my lady…excuse me, My Queen."

"Oh don't you start that, or it'll be you I'm mounting instead of this horse."

Emma knew how turned on Regina felt whenever she called her Queen. "I'm counting on it, your Majesty."

The women rode into the forest with Emma leading them to a clearing, overlooking a beautiful valley. The greenery opened up to a waterfall as they stood over the mountainous precipice.

"Wow." Regina got off her horse. "When did you find this? It's beautiful."

"I had a little help from another avid horse lover." Emma smiles as she ties the horses to a nearby tree.

"Our son."

"Yeah. We found this spot a few weeks ago while riding."

"I hope this isn't his little hide out with Violet." Regina was always worried about what trouble Henry could get himself into. And now with a girlfriend…lets just say she was once riding around at his age with Daniel but alas her times were different. Regina wasn't ready to be a grandmother.

"No, he was just as surprised to find it as I was. Anyway come sit with me." Emma laid the blanket out and pulled a chilled bottle of champagne from the basket along with two glasses.

"Rose'…my favorite." Regina noticed.

Emma also had brought along a platter of cheese with grapes and some sandwiches.

"Honey, this is so sweet. Thank you for putting all of this together."

"Regina, you deserve it. I'm sorry lately it's been mostly work and only dinners at home."

"Emma, I love our dinners at home. Although it is nice to take a break from small town tasks I must say."

Emma popped the bottle of champagne open and Regina noticed shaking hands as she was pouring.

"Are you alright?" She voiced concern.

"Yes. Yes, Regina I am more than alright." Emma sat up on folded legs as she took the brunette's hands in hers.

"Regina, I know we've only been 'romantically' together for two months and I know there have been and I'm sure will be things to work out in the future but…I've loved you for seven years. Seven wonderful but longingly desperate years where I wanted nothing more than to be by your side every chance I had."

"Emma…"

"Wait, let me get this out. What I'm trying to say is…that… I love you more than anything. There has never been anyone else before you and there will never again be anyone after you."

Emma was failing at holding back her tears but she didn't care. "You are my true love. Something I didn't even believe in before you and all of this. You are my miracle that I never knew was possible. We already have an amazing son together and well…we live together although we've never actually discussed it, I know I just kinda stayed. And well…Regina what I'm trying to say is….Will you marry me?"

Emma pulled a small box out of her jacket and opened it. Inside were two beautiful diamond rings with vintage looking silver bands.

"Emma!" Regina was in disbelief and could barely see through her watery eyes.

"That's why Henry and I were up here…I asked him for your hand."

Regina was stunned.

"I know deep down the kind of woman you are…He helped me with everything."

Regina opened her mouth to speak but Emma was still nervously ranting.

"I know. I know what you're gonna say. That only months ago I was married to someone else and that we should take our time but I just want to remind you that in my heart nor legally was that a real wedding and…"

But Regina interrupted Emma by crushing her lips against hers, knocking her back as she lay on top of her.

"Emma, Emma, Emma, my Emma!" Regina kissed her everywhere she could find. She finally lifted the blonde up.

"You asked Henry?"

Emma smiled.

"I never believed after Leopold that I would ever get married again. As a matter of fact I swore it off. Marriage was a nightmare to me."

Emma's heart sank.

"That is, I never considered it until you. Emma, of course I'll marry you. Yes! A thousand times yes!"

Now it was Emma who pounced her, passionately kissing her bride to be.

When they finally came up for air, "Thank you Regina."

"You are thanking me? After all the wonderful things you've done for me?"

"I am thanking you for accepting to be my wife."

Emma reached into the little box and put the diamond on Regina's finger. Regina in turn reached down and did the same thing. "Emma, we are engaged."

Hello Everyone! Thank you for your patience and thank you as always for your reviews, likes and favorites! My apologies that this has taken so long. I'm finally back on the wagon and I want to complete this story :) This was a very short chapter but the next one will be long and hopefully won't disappoint. Thank you all again for reading this story!