A/N: I'm blown away at the response of this chapter. Thank you guys so much and I hope you enjoy this one. It is much longer. Thanks to Laurathechef for beta.

Regina sat on the couch, eyes blurred from unshed tears as she scratched Pongo's back. It was the one thing calming her down enough to where she can tell Archie, who was patiently looking at her, why she was there in the first place.

She could not believe that she is going to a man that got his degree from the curse for advice, but alas, she is here. Even if the man was a cricket with a conscious, she never felt that the man ever needed anything from her, and with the past events of today, she needed that selflessness.

"I'm tired and frustrated," Regina sighed as she pet Pongo, bile of bitterness clogged her throat. After a few moments passed, Archie decided to press for more information.

"Is there a particular event that led you here?"

Regina breathed and recounted how Emma had tried to push her to talk to Rumple, and she confronted her and Emma spilled that Rumple wanted to collect on his deal with her. The deal will be completed once Emma convinced Regina to talk to him.

The red haired man nodded as Regina told her rendition of the story. "So is it safe to assume that you feel used in a way?"

"What Rumple did…I can understand since that is just how the slippery imp is. What hurts the most is Emma not trusting me to tell me all of this in the first place. And she always bring up my past. It hurts so much that the one person that should love me unconditionally still hasn't forgiven me for being the Evil Queen."

"I think Emma has the best of intentions but it seems that a lot of hurt is being passed by both sides. I would suggest to have you both in sessions with me, if that is amicable?"

Regina barely wanted to see Emma, and she knew she couldn't talk to her without exploding, so a neutral place and third party would be agreeable for them to hash out their issues.

"That would be acceptable. I'll suggest that to her tonight."

Archie figured that this was a perfect opportunity for Regina to deal with another relationship in her life.

"Considering that you wish for people to not remember you as the Evil Queen, can you find yourself forgiving the Queen of Heart's past?"

Regina chuckled at Archie's slyness. "I didn't come here to talk about my mother cricket."

Regina's barbs didn't faze the therapist at all. "I don't see why we couldn't."

Regina looked off in the distance and thought about it. She barely interacted with her mother. Emma did give her feedback at how Cora was actually a model prisoner. She doesn't cause any trouble, she was learning and adjusting to the new world's technology. The one thing she does is throw insults here and there to David and Emma while on shift, but that is not incredibly evil.

"I guess it would be hypocritical of me to begrudge Emma's treatment of my past and yet do the same to her."

Archie smiled softly at Regina's growth of her own conscious. "See, I didn't need to say anything."

Regina stood up and straightened her slacks. She did feel much better visiting the bug, even if brief.
"I will see you later," and she left his office.

The man smiled at the departing figure. He saw Regina improving so much, he wished everyone can see it.

"Neal, I fucked up," Emma pushed past him into his small apartment, flushed with anxiety.

The brunet scratched his head, closed the door, and observed Emma pacing in his living room. He had no clue why she just appeared out of nowhere.

"What is going on Emma?"

"I screwed up, that is what happened." Emma bit her lip and wiped her sweaty hands on her tight jeans, anxiety kicking her ass because she had hurt Regina.

"I should have told something to Regina, and on the other hand, I shouldn't have said something cruel to her."

Neal looked at her sideways. "Are you done with riddles because I'm not following?"

Emma exhaled. "I had a deal with Rumple and…"

Neal held up a hand to stop her. "You asked my Dad for a favor!?"

Emma winced at the volume of his voice. "It is not as bad it sounds."

Neal looked back at her like she was insane. "A deal with the Dark One is always a bad deal."

"Wait, let me explain. All he wanted was for me to get Regina to talk to him. While, I have been trying for a few weeks and finally Regina challenged me on it, and I told her that it was part of a deal with Rumple."

Neal covered his face with both hands in frustration, a tension headache was brewing. He rubbed his face and crossed his arms.

"I have a feeling you are not done."

Emma frowned, "Unfortunately no. Like, I only did this because I really didn't think Rumple would do anything to me, and it seemed harmless for her to hear the old fart out. She got mad at me for not telling her in the first place, words were exchanged and…"

She closed her eyes from the glare of Neal's judgmental look. "I kind of implied she wouldn't understand why I owe him the deal in the first place because of her being the Evil Queen."

She felt Neal's response in the throbbing pain of her arm. "Fuck! Geez, that hurt," Emma growled, holding her arm which Neal punched.

"You are such a fucking idiot that it astounds me. Like seriously." His face was beating red just as Emma's from trying to massage her arm.

"You should have went to Regina first before trying to con her into seeing Rumple."

Emma was about to protest but Neal held up his hand to stop her. "Hell, you could have come to me to get you out of the deal. I don't care how harmless you thought my papa's proposition was, he is the Dark One. Like don't you get that you have people in your life who have your back? You don't have to go lone ranger anymore."

Emma sat down on his couch, feeling truly chastised and ashamed. But Neal wasn't through. "And you seriously need to make up your mind. Either you forgive someone's past truly and don't bring it up or just be honest that you still have beef with them.

You have done it with me and now you doing it with my sister. My sister who has done some fucked up things but trying to do better now in this realm. We all deserve second chances. I may not have known her as long as people here, but I know when someone is trying to redeem themselves and she is a prime example of that. It is not fair to do that to her or anyone else Emma, like don't you get that?"

She had her head in her hands, feeling like dirt that covered Neal's messy apartment. "I fucked up. I am fuckedup. I love her with every ounce of my being." A light bulb lit up for her.

"I need to show her that I love her. I need to get a ring and propose to her ASAP." Emma stood up in excitement to demonstrate how she truly admires Regina. To show her love that she was denied so often in the past.

Neal shook his head and laid a calming hand on Emma's shoulder. "Calm down Blondie. Not to rain on your parade, but I don't think purposing to her now will fix anything."

Emma disagreed. "It is not like I am specifically doing this because of this incident, I was going to do this anyway."

Neal shook his head again. "I get what you are saying but the time is not right. I don't think Regina would want to be tied down to someone that she has to walk on eggshells around. That anytime you want that you guys may argue, or you get mad, you'll just throw her past in her face. Nobody has time for that. No, you guys need to talk."

Emma let Neal's word simmer in her brain. Regina and she definitely need to talk out their issues. Issues that Emma thought that she buried in Regina's vault when Regina revealed everything about her and the curse.

But hidden emotions always seemed to pop up. She knows that she needs to do better for everyone sake's and for the baby to not be born in a hostile mess.

"I hear you. Thank you Neal. When did you become so wise?"

Neal threw her a smug grin. "I'm like over two hundred years old. I should learn something over time, right?

"Right," Emma quipped.

He punched her in the other arm. Emma hissed and started to rub that arm as well. "Damn it! What was that for?"

"For being an idiot. Now get the hell out of here and stop breaking Regina's heart."

Emma groveled. "I deserved that. See you Neal." She made her way out of her best friend's apartment.

"See you." He needed to take a trip back to the pawn shop.

It has been a long time since Cora has been outside. She is left in the small, cold prison cell. The décor is quite drab with no personality. It's mildly depressing, but it is better than her head getting chopped off. This Storybrooke has a different type of governance. No matter. She supposed that this is her second chance to make things right with Regina.

Regret, shame, and horror went through her mind each and every day sitting in the dank room. It was all started when then Princess Eva humiliated her. All she wanted from then on was to never bow a knee to anyone. She met Rumplestiltskin…the rest is history. She was never a warm or fuzzy woman even with her heart. She had always wanted power, and taking her heart out just made her even more cold and calculating. But with her heart back, even if she wasn't going to be the world's best mother, she would have never done the things she has done to her daughter.

She always wanted her daughter to have what she didn't, isn't that what every parent wanted? For their children to have a better life than they had.

True, she fully believed that she would have pushed Regina to reach her fullest potential even with her heart, but to kill her fiancé in front of her…that was taking things too far. She hoped to see her daughter again. At least she is in some position of authority in this small town.

The cot she sits on is uncomfortable, but at least some of her basic necessities have been taken care of. Her daughter deemed it proper for her to not totally be starved. The food in this realm is strange…but not completely unappetizing.

She no longer has her outfit from Wonderland. The sheriff delivered some clothes that Regina gave her. It doesn't escape her that the very woman that she loathed is the great grandmother of her daughter's true love. Her linage, Henry and the other grandchildren, are irrevocably part of her and that dreadful woman. The fates did this to spite her.

Anyway, the clothes that Emma brought her, she recognized the fashion mirrored her daughter's. She ran a hand over the silk cream blouse. Regina has exquisite taste that she is proud of. But Cora realized that she rarely uttered words of praise to her flesh and blood. Not many kind words flew out of her mouth. Maybe, in even this degrading position she is in, maybe she can do things differently.

The place is not bad. The garderobes, or toilets as they called, is much more convenient and sanitary. The mechanical horses around seem so interesting. But she hasn't been outside in over a month since being imprisoned. And there were many questions she would like to ask, but she considered chisel chin to be an idiot, and Emma hasn't been in the holding cell much lately. Plus, Cora considered it wise to keep her distance to be in Regina's good favor. Her first lover was killed by her own hand. But...maybe today can be a new day.

Cora's musings must have been answered by the fates. In walks her daughter. She noticed her daughter was very haughty. Her eyes were very a little red but nevertheless, she had complete wardrobe.

"Mother," she flatly greeted.

"Daughter. What a wonderful surprise. I was just thinking about you."

Regina chuckled in disbelief. "Wondering about how I am such a disappointment."

"Ha," Cora shook her head. "Not at all. I was thinking about how I should have praised you more. You are a powerful sorceress, so powerful to create this curse and have basically everything you wanted despite of me. But why are you looking so haggard?"

Regina mentally shook her head. Even in the midst of praise, she had to deliver some critique. But this time, she didn't think it was malicious. Her argument with Emma really took a toll, but she is willing to take steps in her journey. She cannot be mad at Emma for holding her past against her, and do the same to her mother.

Regina straightened her spine and leveled a look at Cora. "It has come to my attention, if I want to be redeemed from my past, I have to be willing to extend it to another. So…mother" she drawled the former title out, "are you willing to do the same?"

Cora mauled over it for a few moments. This is the olive branch she has been wanting. She'll be a fool to turn it down. "Yes, I would like that very much. Thank you!"

The words sounded so foreign in her mouth. It is not like she doesn't have manners, but for her to be in such a humbling position…well, she hasn't been in that predicament in a while. But she is willing to do whatever it takes so she has a part in her daughter's life, and also her grandchildren.

Regina was surprised at how amicable her mother is being. It caused a level of bitterness to surface that she could have had this all during her childhood.

Regina nodded at her. "Good, we will have sessions with Dr. Hopper once a week. That is the only time you will be allowed to go outside."

"Good indeed. Heavens know when the last time I was able to see the sunlight. By the way, not that I care about the miscreant, but what happened to the handless wonder?"

Regina gave Cora a genuine but malicious smile. "Your former lover took care of him." At least Rumple has done one deed that Regina agreed with.

Cora was expressionlessness with the news. "He was useless anyway. A man like that, who uses make-up shouldn't be trusted anyway."

Regina smirked, her mother wasn't a big fan of the pirate even though she worked with him.

"I'll take my leave, we will begin our sessions shortly." Regina left the station, leaving Cora with a bit of hope that things might just become better for them.

"What the fuck where you thinking?!" Neal yelled in Rumple's face. Of course he found his father in the creepy shop. He was livid by what Emma told him.

Rumple frowned at his son's confrontation. "What are you talking about?"

"I'm talking about you ignoring my advice and using Emma to get Regina to spend time with you. You actually thought that was a brilliant idea."

"I always finish my deals. And there would have been no harm done. Emma could get out of her deal with no price, and I get to spend time with my daughter which was denied to me. It's a win-win situation."

"Except that your antics caused strife between Emma and Regina. And I'm sure Regina hates you right now."

Rumple did feel dejected after Regina confronted him. For a man having foresight, he greatly missed the ball on this one.

"I'll tell her I'm sorry. I made a grave error in judgment and-"

"You are not going to do anything," Neal interrupted the older man. "What you are going to do is stay away from me, Regina, Emma, and Henry until you learn how to be a freaking decent human being. And to think that I thought you were changing," Neal said with utter disappointment.

Belle came out of the back and looked between the two men with tension high in the air. "Is everything alright?"

Neal looked at Belle. "No everything is not alright. Maybe you should take a long, hard look at what type of man you are with." With disgust Neal shook and his left the shop.

Belle folded her arms and looked at Rumple for an explanation as he hung his head down in shame.

Regina opened the door to the mansion as she is prepping for tonight's dinner. She was shocked to see who was on the other side.

"Neal?" Regina curiously asked. He looked a little pissed.

"I'm so sorry Regina, can I come in to talk?"

"I'm preparing a meal."

"Then I won't be long," Neal gave her a silly grin to get her to ease up on her stiffness.

"I suppose," she answered and she stepped aside to let him in. He did and he rocked back and forth before he began.

"Look, Rumple is an idiot."

"Ha, something that we agree on."

As long as she isn't fire balling him, he thought he was making good progress.

"I told him to not push you. I'm so sorry that you experienced any pain. I just want you to know that I'm here for you."

Regina crossed her arms in a way that she is not convinced. Neal understood the gesture.

"I mean it. I don't know about you, but I never had much family. To find that I have a sibling, that is awesome. And I know you don't think too highly on me, that I need to work on my manners."

Regina smiled a little and that made Neal's spirit to rise because that shown him she was lighting up a little.

"And that I probably need to save but you know what, I'm not a powerful man but with me, at least you know that I'm in your corner." Neal looked at her eagerly to see how she would respond.

Regina mulled over Neal's insistent need to show her that he cares for her. She didn't take to him initially when she found out that Neal was responsible for Emma being locked up. And then to find that he was her brother was confusing. But seeing him with Henry and how he risked his life for him, she couldn't deny that he at least had some redeeming qualities about him.

And who was she to not give someone else their second chance. And Regina knew that she should take any form of love she can get when it has been denied to her for so long.

"Okay…"

Neal looked at Regina expectantly but not knowing what her okay was.

"Okayyy…"

"You are invited to dinner. I'm making Macaroni con la Trippa. Be here at six. Sharp."

Neal looked at her blankly. "I have no idea what that is but I trust you and your fancy cooking skills and I'll bring your appetite." He gave her a goofy grin.

"Make sure you do that."

Things felt a little awkward but he decided to go for it anyway. He hugged her quickly which startled her a little. He grinned at Regina's surprise and left.

"Why are we meeting like this is some high secret operation?" Kathryn asked as she waited in the lobby of Granny's bed and breakfast.

"It does seem like we about to participate in some weird lesbian orgy or something."

Granny put her hands on her hips and looked at her granddaughter like she was saying. "Do you even believe the words that come out or your mouth? Hush child."

Ruby frowned being thoroughly chastised. "I can't help that my cursed side brings out the immaturity within me. Besides, I get everything I need from Graham."

"Alright settle down everyone, we came here because no one barely comes here and it is private. No offense Granny," Snow said as she looked apologetically at the older woman.

"No offense taken."

Snow clapped her hands together. "We are gathered her today,"

Ruby tried to hold a chuckle. "Now we are getting married." She then laughs.

"It does sound quite formal," Kathryn smiled at Ruby's antics.

Snow put her hands on her hip and Granny just rolled her eyes at Ruby's foolishness.

"Before I was rudely interrupted, we are here to formally plan Regina and Emma's baby shower. Now that the craziness is over, we can finally settle in to get our ducks in the row."

"So what did you have in mind?" Granny asked bluntly. None of them ever celebrated a baby shower before, but they were excited to give the reformed queen and their lovely Emma one.

"I have done some research, and I think it will be best to aim for the part to be in Regina's seventh month of pregnancy."

"Why at seven months?" Ruby queried.

"Because it is just a cultural norm."

"How many weeks is Regina? Kathryn asked.

"She is roughly ten to fifteen weeks."

"Oh my gosh, for those of us who are no math geniuses, how many months is that?" Ruby exasperated asked.

"It is roughly a little over two months."

"Where will it be held?" The older woman asked.

"Of course at the mansion."

"So if it is a surprise, how would we set up the decorations for the party?" Kathryn lifted an eyebrow.

"Maybe we should include Emma in all of this," the werewolf suggested.

Snow nodded her head. "See guys, this is what we need, our thinking caps on. We can approach Emma about this. Here are some game suggestions," and Snow proceeded to show them all of the games and norms of what goes in a baby shower. She is really excited for her granddaughter to make her way into this world. Once they were done with some of the initial ideas for the party, Snow went home to prepare for a family dinner at 108 Mifflin.

Emma came home with a proverbial tale between her legs. She decided to grab some flowers from Moe's and present them to Regina. She saw the beautiful woman preparing a whole host of ingredients. Whatever she was making, it was going to be wonderful.

Emma cleared her throat to gain Regina's attention. The brunette whipped around, saw Emma, and then returned her attention back to the banging of pots and pans.

"I got you flowers," Emma called out, trying to not be hurt at Regina's dismissal.

"How cliché," she responded, her back still facing Emma.

Emma smiled wearingly. "Yeah, that's me, very corny." She made her way to right beside Regina, looking at the side of her face, admiring its glow.

Emma's vanilla scent hit Regina, and all she wanted to do was bury herself in it, but they have issues that can't be ignored.

Emma exhaled. "I know I messed up, royally, but I love you but I can't help but feel you so distant for me. I have never really been in a real relationship so help me. How can I fix this?"

Regina put down the sauté pan and peered at the blonde. "I don't have much experience either. I think we should start by having sessions with Archie."

Emma thought for a moment, she never been to a therapist before, but she was willing to do whatever it took to gain Regina's forgiveness.

"Okay, I'm willing to start whenever you want."

Regina looked at her, nodded, and went back to prepping the vegetables for dinner.

Emma stood there at a loss, Regina was so cold towards her. She didn't want the conversation to end.

"Hmm, when is the next appointment for our jellybean?"

Regina subtly held a hand over her stomach, the proof that she does love Emma. She knew she was being distant, Emma really did hurt her this time.

"Dr. Henderson scheduled it for next week."

Emma looked adoringly at Regina. "Cool." Emma had no idea what to do with the flowers so she just put them on the far side of the counter, Regina didn't seem interested.

It felt like Regina was giving her the silent treatment and it made her feel out of place. "Is there anything you need me to do?" She shoved her hands in her tight jeans in anticipation.

"No, but we will have another dinner guest. Neal is coming over."

Emma nodded her head, Neal was family. Regina's inclusion might have resulted in Neal possibly talking to Regina about their situation with Rumple. At least someone is on good terms with Regina.

"Cool," Emma nodded absentmindedly. Why did she feel that this meal was going to be painful?

"Hi," Snow and Charming greeted Emma at the door.

Their daughter gave them a pinched smile. She looked at the dish in Snow's hand, it looked like a green bean casserole. They're so white.

Emma widened the door to let them in. "Come on in," and her parents beamed wide smiles at her.

"I hope you don't mind us bringing something, we didn't want to come empty handed."

"That's fine," Emma responded curtly and she turned around to retreat back into the house.

David gave Snow a matched worried look.

"Are you thinking what I'm thinking?"

Snow frowned and whispered quietly to her true love. "Something seems…off. Has she said anything to you?"

David shook his head in the negative. They made their way into the mansion and were greeted by Henry. They had no idea where Emma disappeared to.

Henry gave them a big hug and they eagerly returned it. When he got home, he couldn't help but feel there was some tension between his parents. He was used to them being loving and a little too touchy.

But now, his mom seemed to barely want to be in the same room as Emma. And his blonde mom, she just looked so sad.

So, when his grandparents came looking so together and actually happy, he gladly latched onto that. Hopefully he can cheer both his parents up.

The table was set and dinner was ready shortly after. Neal came right when the food was ready. Conversation flowed awkwardly between Neal, Snow, David, and Henry. Snow was talking about being excited for their grandbaby. Henry talked about school and how he was finally making friends. Neal cracked some jokes and David talked about how he was still adjusting to modern life.

However, the whole time Emma was fidgeting and Regina was unusually quiet, she hadn't even insulted anyone. Everyone could feel the wall of tension between the two women.

Neal couldn't take it anymore and he genuinely thanked Regina for the meal, shot a look at Emma, and packed a plate to go. Snow looked at David and they had the same thought. They thanked their daughter and her true love's hospitality and took their leave as well.

Henry excitedly said that he was done and was going to wash up to break out of the awkward situation with his parents.

Emma frowned as she figured that Regina and she were probably not the best of company today. Emma joined in the others conversation, and tried to rope Regina into it but was ignored. She hoped the counseling sessions would do them some good.

A couple of days later

Regina and Cora had their first session with Archie together. The therapist was flexible enough to meet them at the prison for their appointment. Emma was so accommodating to allow Regina her privacy, probably out of guilt. Things were still tentative between them.

The mayor had to explain to Cora what a therapist roll was. Cora was still a little bit put off with talking about feelings. But she slowly opened up. Regina was a little surprised that she knew so little of her mother's past as a miller's daughter. The neglect of her drunkard grandfather and how Cora had to work so hard to not starve to death.

Heartless Cora never explained in detail why she was so hard to Regina, but now with them talking it out with Archie as a mediator, Regina could understand Cora's motivations, even though she has made it clear to her mother that she still felt hurt by her abuse. Overall it was a good session. They still had a long way to go.

A couple of days after that

Emma and Regina sat in the plush couch in Archie's office. A little distance between them. Regina still felt like Emma never forgave her past. Emma felt like she couldn't express herself better to Regina.

It has been stifling silence of ten minutes. These were two of the most stubborn women he has ever met. He has been seeing Regina lately, glad to see progress between Cora and her. But his heart broke a little when he sees the couple's relationship deteriorating.

He cleared his throat. "Well, since you all don't want to tell me why you here, how about we just start things off with telling me how you both met."

Emma fidgeted and looked over at her lover to see if she was going to start. Regina had pursed lips, looking down on the ground. She decided to start things off.

"It was my 18th birthday and my first time at a bar," Emma began. The smells and sounds of the club pummeled her memories.

"I remember that there was only on woman through the whole night that I couldn't keep my eyes off her." Emma turned her head to look fondly at Regina.

Regina was going through her own memories of the day. She remembered the hope and anticipation of what the day would give her. The brunette finally tore her attention from the floor back at Emma, who was looking intensely at her.

Regina picked up the story. "I was minding my own business when some beast got a little to handsy."

"And I came to the rescue," Emma replied smugly.

Regina rolled her eyes at Emma's exaggeration. "I had it under control."

Emma snorted. "Didn't look like it to me." Regina scoffed at Emma's overconfidence, but in all honesty, it was what attracted her in the first place. Emma being fierce and protecting her from scumbags.

Archie was thrilled that he got them to trigger happy moments so that they can actually start to talk to each other. They just sat looking at each other in adoration. Archie pushed for them to continue.

"What happened afterwards?"

Regina gave Archie a seductive smirk to mess with him. "And then Henry was conceived."

Archie blushed bloody red and he pushed his glasses up on his nose to regain composure. Emma hid a chuckle behind her fist and Regina's bluntness and the therapist's sheepishness at the implied sex that she and Regina had.

"So it seems to me that you both took to each other immediately?"

Emma and Regina both nodded in argument as their full attention return to the red-haired man.

"So how did we go from there to here?" he point blanked tried to get them to talk about their issues.

The sheriff slouched in thought. When Henry returned her to Storybrooke, she still had bitter feelings towards Regina and didn't trust her word about Henry being hers. But she turned over a new leaf the very next day. So it couldn't be that….

"My confession…" Regina whispered. Emma nor Archie could hear her.

"Excuse me?" Archie politely asked.

"In my vault, I finally told Emma the truth about the curse, how I was the Evil Queen. She never looked at me the same again," she finished with a downturned frown.

"That's not completely true," Emma raised her voice and stood up and looked at Regina like she stabbed her in the heart.

Archie raised his hand to get Emma to calm down. "Emma…please calm down and take a seat," he smoothly ordered. Emma sat back down with her arms crossed in frustration. Regina clenched her jaw, she knew that Emma loved her but it still hurt from Emma's accusation towards her.

Archie stared at Emma. "Do you want to respond to Regina's assessment?"

"Yes, I do." She turned towards Regina and started to speak. "Yes, I was upset that you decided in that moment to reveal that piece of information to me at that moment."

Regina looked at the blonde. "Honestly would you even have believed me about magic out of the blue without showing you my vault when our son tried to convince you for months?"

They both looked at each other challengingly. Archie butted in before Regina got on a roll. The atmosphere turned so quickly. "Regina, please allow Emma to continue." He gestured to Emma, "please continue. Emma."

Emma breathed to reduce her nerves. "Yes I was upset you were partially responsible for me growing up to be an orphan but I got over it and loved and still love you anyway. But maybe I still have some issues…" Emma guiltily mumbled the last part

Regina closed her eyes as Emma finally admitted what she suspected all along.

Archie clasped his hands together as he pondered on Emma's admission. "Emma, how is your relationships with your parents?"

Emma looked confused at the sudden switch of topic. "Ahh…alright I guess." Regina also wondered about Archie's shift of conversation.

"Emma, I was there at the table as part of your war council with your parents when they discussed ways to escape Regina's curse," he trailed off. Regina bristled at her thirst of revenge, how she was actually close to killing baby Emma. She felt ashamed and fought hard from letting any tears to escape.

"And?" Emma asked to figure where the man was going with this.

"Were you upset with their decision, when they got their memories and you believed that they were your parents?"

"I mean, yeah, I yelled at them because I was hurt. I know they did it to give me my best chance, but…for all of my life, I was alone in thinking I wasn't wanted."

"Have you forgiven them?"

Emma rubbed her hands on her jeans. "Yeah. I also found out that Blue and Marco lied about how a second person couldn't come. So…I guess a lot of things went wrong at that time, and I don't fully blame them."

Archie nodded as the details of the Blue Fairy's deception started to spread with Snow being a little hostile to her godmother. He felt for Emma and Snow that all along, she could have raised her daughter and protected her from the harsh world.

"Do you always bring up their past regrets or failures to them?"

Understanding pierced Emma's conscious. She looked up at the ceiling in defeat. "I don't think I do."

Regina's hands clenched in anger. Not exactly at Emma, but at herself. Why did she not get the benefit of total forgiveness?

The therapist fiddled with his glasses. " May I ask why this is and not the case with Regina?"

Her head returned to normal stance and she ran her hand through her long hair. "Don't get me wrong, I do love my parents, but I just don't…feel, as strongly for them as I do for Regina."

The mayor's eyes latched onto Emma, surprised that is what Emma was feeling but confused with Emma's attitude in this whole business too her.

"Hmm." Arche crossed his legs and looked strongly at the sheriff. "Can you elaborate?"

Emma shrugged, struggling to articulate what she means. "I mean, it just feels more like betrayal…I don't know what I'm talking about."

Before Archie could say anything, Regina interjected, looking at Emma intently. Her fists clenched with exasperation. "I live everyday knowing of the evils I done. How my actions have hurt you. I'm ashamed and I try and do everything to make that up to you.

Do you think it is easy for me to know how you were treated like an orphan? I love you with every ounce of my being, and I'm trying to be better than the Evil Queen for you and Henry? Don't you know how much you hurt me to always fling my past in my face?

Even with all of the people in this town who I harmed, I have never felt as low as when you talk about how I kill children?" Tears were flowing freely as Regina continued on.

"You make me feel even worse than Cora has ever done. You make me feel like I'm not enough for the great Savior, born of True Love?" Regina just poured all her frustration and loathing at Emma. She had wondered as of late why Emma never asked or spoke about marriage. Maybe Emma didn't deem her worthy, and maybe the Evil Queen should be thankful for who she had.

Emma's jaw quivered in guilt. Tears burst out of her. She was horrified that Regina thought that Regina felt that way. That somehow Emma made the former queen feel that she was nothing. Emma closed the distance between them and took Regina's hands in her.

"I'm…so so sorry." Emma wiped her salty eyes. "I love you more than I love myself. When I first saw you, I didn't think I was even worthy to be near you."

Emma softly lift Regina's chin and cleared the tears from her face. "I have never felt so strongly for a person as I feel with you. I love you more than life itself and I can't imagine being with somebody else. You are beautiful, strong, smart, and big giant ball of sass."

A chuckle escaped Regina's lips and Emma smiled in determination. "I apologize that I haven't kept my word that all was forgiven, and I will rectify that immediately. Instead of lifting you up in your redemption, I made stumbling blocks in your way and I don't forgive myself for that. Please be patient with me as I am on my own journey of evolving. I love you," Emma pleaded.

Regina's broken heart, her insecurities of her own path, was slowly healing as Emma herself poured her heart out. When she looked in Emma's ocean green eyes, she believed her sincerity. She had no words to return. She pressed her lips against Emma's, the sheriff immediately returned it. I was like a calm balm on their souls.

Archie smiled at their progress. Regina remembered that they had an audience and pulled away with a groan from Emma. She smiled shyly as Emma continued to hold her hands.

Archie decided to speak up. "What you and Emma share, it is no ordinary love. It is true love. But it is true love with a complicated past, a struggling present, but still a very bright future. When things go downhill, I want you two to try to always remember the love between you two."

Archie clapped his hands on his thighs. "I believe our session is at its end, I think I consider this a success," he smiled. "Please return next week at the same time. Believe or not, I do have other clients," he laughed effortlessly. Regina smiled back and returned to Emma's intense loving glare.

"How about we go home?" Regina sultrily asked.

A/N: You ever noticed like at a party or a dinner, when one person leaves, EVERYBODY follows suit to leave? Let me know what you thoughts on the chapter. I do promise lots of good times next chapter *wink*. Let me know what you think of the chapter. Don't be shy.