A/N: so sorry for the delay! I moved house and it just got a little crazy. I've put in a time jump here because I wanted to move the story along. There will be 40 chapters in total for this fic, by the way. This one is NSFW.

"It smells different," Henry said, standing in the doorway and looking around, nose wrinkled.

"Yeah, it doesn't smell like hospital," Emma joked, squeezing past her son and dumping his bag on his bed. "Nice, right?"

"Different," Henry repeated.

He followed his mother and sat down on his bed, the frame creaking in a familiar way as he did so. Glancing around his bedroom, Henry tried to remember what it had smelt like last time he had been there. The six weeks in the hospital had all but wiped his memory of life before he got sick.

"How are you feeling, kid?" Emma asked, crouching down in front of her son. "Is it good to be home?"

"Yeah," Henry said with a smile. "It's good."

"Are you tired?"

"No," Henry said, shaking his head. He may have been allowed to leave the hospital but his body still had a long way to go before he was fully better. For now, however, he was feeling wide awake and happy to be home at last. It was just a shame his dad had gone back to Cardiff the previous week and wasn't there as well.

"Come on," Emma said, reaching for the bag she had just discarded. "Let's unpack and then we can get started on dinner. Regina will be here in an hour."

Henry obediently slid from the bed and began to put his clothes back in his wardrobe, his mother helping him to fold his t-shirts properly. They were finished in five minutes and headed out into the kitchen. Which was where Regina found them when she let herself into the apartment almost an hour later. Emma had given her a key the week before when Regina had offered to return to Emma's to pick up some clean clothes and the blonde had insisted she didn't need to give it back.

"Gina!" Henry exclaimed when he spotted the brunette. "We're making pizza."

"Awesome," Regina said, placing a soft kiss to Henry's head and then craning over him to peck Emma's cheek too. "Can I have pepperoni on mine, please?"

"Yep," Henry grinned. "That's what I'm having. But Mum says I need vegetables too so I've got to add sweetcorn."

"Oh that sounds delicious," Regina said. "Can you put some on mine as well please?"

The small boy nodded but frowned, as if he couldn't quite understand why an adult would want to eat vegetables if they weren't being forced to by their mother.

"How was the rest of your shift?" Emma asked as she spooned out tomato sauce onto the supposedly round pizza bases Henry had rolled out for them.

Regina had come up to see Henry off when he was finally discharged from the hospital that afternoon but had been unable to travel back to the apartment with the family as she still had to finish her shift. Emma had insisted she come over for dinner, however, and Regina was more than happy to oblige. The two of them hadn't spent much time together since Neal had left the weekend before. Regina realised that although she disliked the way he looked at Emma sometimes, his visits did allow Emma to have the occasional night off from the hospital. Now Henry was home, Regina supposed she would just have to spend more time at the apartment in order to see her girlfriend. She didn't mind that prospect one bit.

"It was busy," Regina said. "Fridays appear to encourage clumsiness, apparently. I'm glad it's over."

"And now you've got two days off," Emma added.

"I do," Regina said. "And I know exactly who I'm going to spend them with."

"Who?" Henry piped up.

"You, of course," she said, tapping his nose and smiling. "And your mother."

"In that order?" Emma asked, smirking.

Regina laughed. "Perhaps. I mean, you're not the one we're celebrating being home after six weeks in the hospital, are we?"

"True," Emma conceded. "This weekend should be all about my little prince."

Henry scowled. He didn't like that nickname or crowns. "Can we go to the park tomorrow?"

"If you're feeling well enough, yeah," Emma said. "That's ok, isn't it, Doctor Regina?"

"You should take things steady but yes, Henry, if you want to go outside and play for a bit I think that would be good," Regina nodded. "I can understand you wanting to go and play with your friends."

"Can Neal come and play too?"

"He's in Cardiff, remember, kid?" Emma said.

"But he could come tomorrow," Henry reasoned.

"He has to work, Henry," Emma reminded her son gently. "He's coming next week, isn't he? He told you last time he was here that his dad wanted to meet you too and they're both coming up next Wednesday."

"That's ages away," Henry whined. "I want to see Dad now."

There was that word again. Henry was yet to say it directly to Neal but it was ever more frequently being used to refer to the man whenever he wasn't around.

"I'm sorry, kid," Emma said. "You'll have to make do with me and Regina."

Henry huffed his annoyance and began placing pepperoni slices down on the pizza bases his mother had finished preparing. Emma glanced at Regina over her son's head. The brunette simply shrugged. She didn't have the first clue about parenting and she was certainly out of her depth when it came to advising Emma on her son's relationship with his newfound father.

"So, I hear the weather is going to be really nice tomorrow, Henry," Regina said, trying to change the subject. "How about we take a little picnic to eat in the park?"

They were only a few days into March but the weather was unseasonably warm. Already daffodils were poking their yellow heads out and brightening up the grey streets and Emma was looking forward to spending some time outdoors. One of her favourite summer activities was going to the park with Henry and reading through a new manuscript while he played in the sun. Regina's suggestion reminded the blonde of her mounting workload. While Killian had been incredibly understanding about Emma's inability to complete her usual tasks, she knew she would need to return to the office sooner or later.

Henry coughed a little and Emma shot him a worried look. He caught her and rolled his eyes. "Mum, everyone coughs," he said, exasperated. "It doesn't mean I'm sick, right Gina?"

"True," Regina nodded. "But your mum is just worried about you still. It's going to take a few more months before you're completely fit and healthy again."

"When can I go back to school?"

Emma glanced at Regina. It wasn't a conversation the blonde had had with her son yet. She knew Henry enjoyed his time at school, which he had only started the previous September. He had lots of friends and he liked his teacher too. Emma wondered how much the past two months would have set her son back developmentally. If he had been well enough, she would have tried to teach him some basic maths and reading in the hospital, but until a couple of weeks ago, that would have been too much. She supposed now he was home she might need to start making a conscious effort.

"Well, that depends on you, really," Emma said, looking back down at Henry.

"Why?"

"Because we don't want to make you go back before you're ready and you feel strong enough," Emma explained.

"I'm ready now," Henry said. "I want to see Roland and Nick and Peter and Mrs Jenkins."

"I know you do," Emma said with a sad smile. "But your body is still a little bit sick, remember? If you go back now, you might get ill again."

"When can I go back then?" Henry asked, turning to Regina who, as the doctor, he presumed had the answer.

After a nod of ascent from Emma, Regina tried to explain. "Your body is doing really good work with that healthy blood Neal gave you, Henry, but it takes some time before you can be around lots of people again. Remember when you were in that funny tent?" Henry nodded. "That was because if you'd been touched and hugged by your mum or grandparents or me, you might have gotten sicker. Now, you don't need to be in the tent any more. You don't even need to be in the hospital because you've gotten so much stronger. But if you go back to school, then your body will have to work really, really hard to stop you getting sick. In your class there are 25 other little boys and girls and they all have different germs on them which could make you ill again. We want your body to focus all its energy on making you well again first. Do you understand?"

"So … when can I go back?" Henry asked again. He had understood Regina's explanation but it didn't contain the number he really wanted to know.

"When your body is strong enough," Regina said. "Maybe in two weeks. Or a month. It depends. We'll need to talk to Doctor Lena first and then -"

Regina was interrupted by a clattering and familiar shout from the living room before, seconds later, Ruby appeared in the kitchen.

"Henry! My little man! You're back," the red head cried, rushing over and scooping the boy into her arms.

Henry shrieked and giggled as his Auntie Ruby swung him round, peppering his face with kisses. Emma grinned as she watched. She had missed seeing her best friend and her son together. They had all decided to limit her visits to Henry when he was in hospital but Emma had texted Ruby earlier that day to confirm he was getting discharged.

"Auntie Ruby!" Henry panted as he was set back down on the chair he had been standing on to reach the kitchen counter. "Are you staying for dinner? We're making pizza."

"Is there enough for me?" Ruby asked, glancing at Emma.

"Sure," Emma said. "Let me just roll out a little more of the base and we can make one for Auntie Ruby too. Henry, can you pass me the rolling pin please?"

"And how are you, Regina," Ruby asked, turning to the woman who was standing on the other side of her 'nephew'.

"I'm good thank you, Ruby," Regina said. "Just come off a four-day rotation so I'm pretty tired but looking forward to my weekend with these two."

"Yeah? What are your plans now Master Henry is home?"

"We're going to the park tomorrow for a picnic," Henry said. "Can you and Billy come?"

"I'm sure we can," Ruby grinned. She had missed running around with the small boy. He gave her an excuse to act like a child without anyone looking at her like she was crazy. She loved to play around and run wildly without a care in the world. "Hey, Henry, I have a present for you."

"What is it?" Henry asked, turning away from the pizzas onto which he was supposed to be sprinkling cheese, distracted at the prospect of a gift.

"Come and find out," Ruby said, helping him down off the chair and leading him into the living room.

"Woah!"

Emma and Regina exchanged curious looks and followed Ruby and Henry who had disappeared. They rounded the doorframe to see Henry staring reverently at a shiny new bicycle, training wheels in place and a blue helmet perched on the seat.

"You bought him a bicycle?" Emma asked, gobsmacked.

"Well, I wanted to get him a motorbike but Billy said he was too young," Ruby quipped. "It's ok, right?"

Emma said nothing. She just wrapped her arms around her friend and squeezed tightly. "Thank you so much!"

Henry had asked for a bicycle at Christmas but Emma hadn't been able to afford it after having to pay for some significant repairs to her bug. She had forgotten she had mentioned that to Ruby and felt tears prick her eyes at the thoughtfulness. Regina's arm slid around her waist as the three adults watched Henry walking slowly around the bicycle, taking in every inch of its pristine frame.

"Can we go to the park now?" he asked excitedly.

"Kid, it's dark," Emma laughed, pointing to the windows. "Tomorrow, ok? And what do you say to Auntie Ruby?"

Henry ran up to the redhead and hugged her legs. "Thank you Auntie Ruby. This is the bestest present ever!"

Ruby smiled and patted his head. "You're welcome, Henry. I'm just really glad you're getting better. It was a little bit scary back then, you know? We were all worried about you and we're really happy you were so strong and brave. Now you're getting healthy again, I thought it was time you learned how to ride a bike."

"Can you teach me, Mum?" Henry asked.

"Of course," Emma said.

"And Ruby and Gina can help teach me too," Henry added.

"We sure can," Ruby said, smiling at Regina.

"Um, well, actually, I can't ride a bike," Regina admitted.

Three faces gawped at her. "What?" Emma frowned. "How did you not learn?"

"I don't know," Regina shrugged. "I just never got around to it, I suppose. My family were so busy and I was always more of a city girl than one who wanted to spend time in parks anyway. I regret it now but I guess it's too late."

"Never," Emma said. "I'll dig out my old bike and we can teach you tomorrow too."

Regina looked sceptical but Emma looped her arms around her waist and placed a soft kiss to her nose. "You can do this, I'm sure of it."

"Yeah, Gina," Henry piped up. "If I can learn and I'm only six, then you can learn too because you're old."

"Older," Regina amended with a laugh. "And ok, I'll give it a try."

The next morning, Emma stood, bathed in warm sunlight, hands on hips as she surveyed her bicycle. It had not been used since the previous summer when, for one week, she had gone on a fitness spree and cycled regularly. But then she had lost interest and the bike had been parked in the allotted space beside her apartment block, only partially protected from the rain. The chain was an ominous orange colour and she had coughed as she dusted off the saddle. Both tyres were flat and, to her, it looked unridable.

"Don't worry," Regina said from beside her. "I've managed this long without knowing how to ride. I'm sure I'll survive the rest of my life."

"No, you need to learn," Emma huffed. "Plus, Henry's super excited about the two of you learning together."

The boy in question was still inside with his Auntie Ruby and Billy, trying to decide which shoes he should wear to learn his new skill. Emma assumed it was more about the fact that he got to wear shoes and clothes other than a hospital gown that he was most excited and indecisive about.

"Well, if you can get it going, fine," Regina said, folding her arms and smiling in a challenging way.

"I can get it going," Emma defended, crouching down and turning the pedals backwards. The chain bunched, sagged and slid off the cogs. "Oops."

Regina laughed. Emma stood back up and scowled just as Emma, Ruby and Billy emerged from the building behind them.

"Mum! Look!" Henry called, gesturing to his mother to check out his chosen outfit which consisted of jeans, a bright green sweater and the trainers his grandparents had given him for Christmas, barely used thanks to his illness. Atop his head perched a helmet, glinting in the sun.

"Wow! You look great, kid," Emma said, walking towards him and taking the bike from Ruby who was carrying it one handed. "But I'm afraid you're going to be flying solo today. My bike is a little bit broken so Regina won't be able to learn as well."

"Oh," Henry said, looking crestfallen.

"I can fix this," Billy said, giving the bike a once over. "Give me ten minutes and it'll be good as new." Without another word, he headed back into the apartment for his toolkit.

"We'll meet you there," Ruby called after him, knowing Henry would be too impatient to wait and also being aware that he was still not supposed to be doing too much too soon. This was already going to be a short trip.

Emma and Regina's fingers laced together and, with Henry's bicycle wheeling alongside them, they set off on the short walk to the park, Ruby and Henry ahead, chattering all the while.

By the time Billy appeared, riding Emma's newly fixed bicycle, Henry was already getting the hang of peddling. His fists clutched the handles and his tongue stuck out in concentration as he made his way slowly along the path, Emma, Regina and Ruby all walking by his side.

"Looking good, Henry," Billy said as he rode up beside them and pulled a wheelie.

"Woah!" Henry said, eyes wide at the move as his bike slowed to a stop after he forgot to peddle. "Can I do that?"

"Not yet," Emma laughed. "Now, can you set off again on your own or do you need a push?"

Once Henry had resumed his movement, with a helping nudge from Regina, the five of them continued for a while, Billy peddling slowly alongside. As Henry grew more confident, Emma asked Ruby to take over so she and Regina could give the bigger bike a go.

"It's easy, Gina," Henry said, looking back over his shoulder and steering straight into Ruby's leg. "Oops, sorry," he added as Ruby hopped on her uninjured foot and tried hard not to curse.

Billy dismounted, unclipped the helmet and handed both to Regina who took them, looking apprehensive. After the man had hurried after his girlfriend, Emma turned to Regina with a big smile.

"Safety first," she said, puling the helmet from Regina's hands and putting it on her head.

Once it was clipped up, Emma patted the now clean seat and, after a moment's hesitation, Regina lifted her leg over the frame and settled into the surprisingly comfy saddle, fingers clasping rubber handles tightly.

"Good," Emma said. "Now, brakes are here and here," she said, uncurling Regina's fingers and wrapping them around the brakes as well as the handle. "Pull both together because if you only pull the front one, you could go over the bars."

"What?" Regina asked, alarmed.

"Don't worry," Emma reassured. "You won't be going fast enough today for that to happen. Now," she said, moving to stand so each of her thighs was on either side of the front wheel, holding the bike steady, "put your feet on the pedals."

"You're definitely holding it up?" Regina asked, sceptically.

"Sure am," Emma said, leaning over the bars and kissing Regina quickly.

Regina nodded and, after taking a deep breath, quickly placed her feet on the pedals. The bike wobbled minutely but stayed upright.

"Good," Emma grinned. "That's the balance you need to get but it's much easier when you're moving.

Regina looked like she didn't believe the statement but didn't say anything. Instead, she returned her feet to solid ground and released her hold of the handlebars.

"Ready to try?"

"Do I have to?" Regina asked, her voice suddenly quiet.

"No," Emma said at once. "I'm not going to force you to do anything, Regina. But riding a bike is a great skill to have and to be honest I can't believe you don't already know how to do it. I mean, you're such an accomplished, intelligent woman -"

"Whose parents had busy lives," Regina finished. "I know, I know. I need to learn how to do this. But it's kind of scary, to be honest."

"Good job you've got Henry to learn with then, isn't it?" Emma said, pointing to her son who was about one hundred metres in front of them."

"But he's six. He's allowed to learn. It's embarrassing at my age."

"You're hardly old, Regina," Emma pointed out. "And I think it's admirable that you're choosing to learn now."

"I'm not choosing," Regina shot back. "You're making me do this."

Emma sighed. "No, I'm not, honey. If you don't want to do it, you don't have to."

"I do," Regina said, her tone changing so fast it was giving Emma whiplash. "It's just scary."

"Then less talking and more action," Emma said, releasing the bike that was still clasped between her thighs. "Hands up here, fingers over brakes. Now you're going to put your right foot on the pedal just past the highest point, push off with your left foot and you'll be on your way. Try to keep the handlebars as steady as possible, ok?"

Regina nodded and took a deep breath. Emma placed another kiss to her cheek before standing back. A final nod of determination and Regina raised her foot and placed it exactly where Emma had instructed her. Once more, she glanced at the blonde who smiled encouragingly. Eyes returned to the path before her. Tarmac had never looked more intimidating. She pushed off.

The whole frame wobbled beneath her and she squealed as she quickly planted her feet back on the floor.

"That was great," Emma enthused, walking the few metres Regina had just travelled. "This time, try to put your left leg on the pedal and join in the movement. It helps with the balancing.

Regina's heart was in her mouth but she nodded her understanding and prepared herself once more, wiping her sweaty palms quickly before trying again. This time, the bike was a little steadier and her left foot almost made it onto the pedal before she swerved violently to the right and skidded to a stop on the grass.

"Getting better," Emma said, this time jogging to Regina's side. "Make sure you keep your handlebars straight and try not to look down."

"It's easier said than done," Regina huffed.

"It is," Emma agreed. "And you're doing great."

"You're patronising me," Regina said. "Please stop it."

"I'm encouraging you," Emma amended. "There's a difference. Now, try again?"

This time Regina's left foot landed squarely on the pedal. She was so surprised that she momentarily forgot what she was supposed to do as her mouth fell open in surprise. The bike slowed and began to wobble until she managed to resume her pedalling and straightened the bars just in time to avoid the family walking towards them. Emma grinned and ran after her girlfriend, beaming with pride at the back of Regina who was still moving and still upright. Another ten metres down the road, a rock skittered away from Regina's front tyre, the wheel slipped and the brakes squeaked.

"You ok?" Emma asked, rushing up to Regina's side just as the brunette stopped.

"I did it!" came a gleeful shout.

"You sure did," Emma grinned. "That was awesome. You picked it up so quickly."

"Except I did just get scared of a pebble," Regina said, glancing back and glowering at the offending obstacle.

"Pebbles are difficult to negotiate until you have your steering up to code," Emma said. "Want to cycle to Henry now? I think they're waiting for us."

Down the path the little group could be seen, sitting on a bench with Henry's new bike parked beside them. Regina nodded in determination, her mind set on her new goal. Without hesitation, she kicked off again and began to pedal, Emma jogging beside her. As they approach, Henry spotted the two of them and climbed onto the bench, clapping and cheering.

"Gina! You did it!" he yelled. "Now you can ride like me."

"Yeah, it looks like I can," Regina grinned, dismounting and propping the bike against the edge of the bench, beside Henry's.

"Good work, Regina," Ruby said, holding her hand out for a high five which Regina performed. "Now, sandwiches?"

"Yes please," Emma said, sitting down beside her best friend and beginning to unpack the bag she had been carrying and handing out their lunch.

Not long after they had all finished eating, Henry stifled a yawn.

"Right, time to head back I think," Emma said.

Henry protested but when Regina suggested they watch a film back at the apartment with popcorn, he came around to the idea. He rode his bicycle back to the park entrance, Regina riding ahead of him, wobbling occasionally. Once they reached the road, Billy hoisted the small boy onto his shoulders and carried him the rest of the way. Regina deemed the pavement too narrow for her bad steering and the road too scary so Ruby rode the bicycle instead. By the time they got back to the flat, Henry was fast asleep.

"Was it too much for him today?" Emma whispered as she lay him down in his bed, Regina hovering behind her.

"He'll be fine," the doctor assured her. "He's just done a lot. An afternoon nap and he'll be up again in a couple of hours."

The two women left the room and returned to the deserted living room. Emma flopped onto the couch and Regina did the same.

"So, two hours, huh?" Emma said, a sideways look at the brunette. "Any ideas on how we could fill the time?"

Regina grinned at the lowered tone of her girlfriend's voice. In a fluid movement, she swung her leg over the blonde and straddled her waist, lips instantly finding Emma's. Their tongues met quickly, tasting one another again even though they had spent over an hour making love the previous night. It was never enough, apparently. Just as Emma's hands were trailing up Regina's back, beneath her shirt, the door burst open.

"Emma, I've got Henry's – Shit! Sorry!" Ruby exclaimed as she took in the scene before her and Regina quickly scrambling off Emma's lap.

"Maybe knock next time," Emma grumbled at her best friend, cheeks hot.

"We literally saw you guys two minutes ago," Ruby reasoned. "It's not my fault you two are horny little fuckers."

"Shhh," Emma said, glancing at Henry's room.

"Oh, shut it, Ems," Ruby laughed. "If I hadn't come in, you two would have been doing something that would have been far more scarring to Henry than the f-word if he had woken up."

Emma had to concede, she had a point. "What did you want?" she asked instead of arguing.

"Nothing," Ruby said. "I came to return this." She held up Henry's helmet which she had ended up carrying home.

Emma pointed to the bike which Henry had insisted they store in the apartment rather than the bike shed which had crippled Emma's in just a couple of months. Ruby hung it on the handlebars and turned back to the couple. Regina was still avoiding Ruby's eyes.

"Right, I'll leave you to it," Ruby said, winking at Emma.

The door snapped shut and there was a long silence. "So," Emma said at last. "Still in the mood?"

Regina looked once more at her girlfriend. She thought the moment had gone but when she saw Emma, lips stained by her own lipstick, hair mussed and cheeks flushed, the fire returned.

They landed on Emma's bed in a tangle of limbs and clothes, eager to feel one another again. In no time at all, they were naked, arms wrapped around one another's bodies. Emma rolled them over and pinned Regina down with her hips, mouth working furiously against the delicate skin of Regina's neck.

"No marks," the brunette reminded her breathlessly. There had been hell to pay from Zelena when she had appeared at work with the faintest outline of a lovebite visible beneath the makeup she had so carefully applied.

Emma moved southwards obediently, too eager to taste Regina to argue. She wasted no time in swiping her tongue through wet folds, drinking in the essence gathered there before she focused on Regina's clit. Her fingers pushed inside the brunette, thrusting steadily as her tongue lapped. It was fast and dirty and exactly what they both needed. Regina came with her thighs clamped around Emma's head, breath caught in her throat.

As soon as she was released, Emma kissed her way back up Regina's body, laving each nipple as she passed and then finding the delectable lips where they shared the lingering taste of Regina's orgasm.

"Your turn," Regina said, her hand slipping between their bodies and toying with Emma's clit. "And I have to thank you for teaching me to ride a bike too. An extra orgasm is fair payment, I think?"

"I'm not going to say no," Emma said, hissing slightly as Regina's fingers dipped lower. "But maybe we can save one of those for later. I want to make sure we're dressed when Henry wakes up. Plus, consider the bike-riding lesson part of the grovelling schedule."

Regina laughed. "You're still going on that?"

Emma nodded. Over the past few weeks she had made an extra effort with Regina whenever she could, determined to apologise for what she had done. Flowers had been delivered both to Regina's work (anonymously, of course) and home, as well as Emma making her several lunches which Zelena had delivered to the staff room at the hospital. She still hadn't said those words though. She wasn't sure whether they would be seen as an apology rather than what they really were. True. She hoped that now Henry was out of the hospital and they were going to be able to spend more time together, their relationship would well and truly get back on track.

"I'm going to keep going until you forgive me," Emma said, kissing Regina softly.

The brunette, whose fingers were now sliding through Emma's folds, sighed and smiled up at her girlfriend. "I've forgiven you, Emma. It's done. It's forgotten. I know you're sorry and I know you regret what you said. Let's move on, ok?"

"Really?"

"As long as it never happens again."

"Of course not," Emma said at once. "Never. I'll never do that again, Regina. I … I love you."