Standard disclaimer applies, I own nothing. This chapter has been part of updating to fill holes and streamline it. All errors are mine, particularly the grammar ones.

Chapter Thirty Six

Regina stretched slowly, her eyes closed to block out the morning sun for as long as possible. Her hand slid across the empty pillow beside her and her eyes snapped open to find the room deserted. She tied her robe closed with an angry jerk as she headed down the stairs to find Robin.

The castle, if you could call it that, Emma was building on the island was growing on her. It wouldn't do as a home for Regina but it could be a place she was happy to visit.

Each tower was uniquely suited to its inhabitants even if Emma provided only the bare minimum of furnishings. She had complained about it to Robin when he cheekily pointed out that it wasn't Emma's tower to decorate.

Damn Savior thought of everything.

Fine. Regina and Snow had less to object to and convincing Emma to leave and give birth to her children somewhere more civilized was now an impossible task. She had won the war with hot and cold running water.

Regina found Zelena and the baby in the kitchen and murmured a greeting. Breakfast seemed like the wisest option in her current mood.

"Roland was up early. I think Robin took him and met up with Charming for some manly pursuit. Rumor is the Savior managed to fit in a practice area somewhere." Zelena offered her a spot of tea. "They didn't eat everything."

"Lie and tell me that's coffee." Regina pulled a mug from one of the cupboards.

"Nope." Zelena snickered at her sister and poured. "Just tea."

"Someone must of added coffee to the list of things that need to be brought back, right?"

"I think Emma did."

"Excellent." Regina held the mug in both hands and used a bit of magic to warm it up. "Do you need a warm up?"

"No thanks, I've had enough and it's time to get this one cleaned up."

"We should probably leave in about an hour."

"Sounds good." Zelena opened her mouth to say something more when humming in the garden drifted through the open balcony doors.

"That sounds like…"

"Impossible." Zelena walked out to confirm the theory. Regina grabbed an apple from the table and trailed behind.

Emma was humming, no singing as she gathered flowers in the garden below. The sisters exchanged surprised glances. At some distance across from them, Snow was on her own balcony waving her arms above her head.

"You going to get her to stop that?" Zelena asked without taking her eyes from Singing Princess Emma. "Is Emma like required to wear white all the time?"

"Shhhh," Regina hushed her and waved back at Snow then pointed at Emma.

The three women stared, thunderstruck.

"I know you…" Emma sang. "I walked with you once upon a dream. I know you, the gleam in your eye…"

Regina raised her hands up, silently asking Snow what the hell was going on. Snow shrugged back that she didn't know.

"That is one happy singing princess." Zelena stated in a tone tinged with annoyance. Green Pea was captivated by the sound and let out a happy squeal. Regina and Zelena dropped, crouching behind the balcony's railing. They listened to Snow and Emma exchange good mornings.

"This is ridiculous." Regina whispered.

"You did it too."

"I didn't even think about it." Regina shuddered. "Singing Princess Emma scares me."

"Not sure it's scary so much as weird." Zelena rubbed the baby's back trying to keep her soothed and silent. "She's been such a sad faced bore lately."

"This has something to do with the pirate."

"Now you're just making me sick." Zelena scooted across the balcony and made it to the kitchen. "Well no one disappeared so whatever it was can't be that bad and therefore it must be a total snore. I'll leave this one to you sister dear."

Regina watched her prance off. Heaving a sigh, she stood with all the grace she could muster and found both Emma and Snow looking up at her. She smiled tightly, waved, and waited till Emma went back to her flower picking. Regina shot a look at Snow and jerked her head at Emma. Snow held up ten fingers.

Regina hurried to her room in order to make it to the garden in ten minutes.

Emma could feel herself start humming, again.

She tried to swallow it down and keep it from shifting into a song. Her face was still hot from getting caught singing by her mother. Even with her mouth pressed closed, happiness leaked out and she found herself wearing a wide closed mouth grin.

She shifted through the basket of flowers and picked out a sprig of lilies of the valley. It smelled sweet and she rolled the stem between her fingers as she thought of the night before.

Life was not perfect. Emma smiled. Nothing was ever perfect but instead of feeling lost and out of place, she knew where she was and where she was headed. At least figuratively speaking. She was also humming again.

"I thought neither of us were fans of Singing Princess Emma?" Regina's voice cut sharply through the air. "What do you think Snow, a little too Disney isn't it?"

"You know how hard it is to get her into a dress." Snow added solemnly. "Let me enjoy the moment."

"Aren't you both heading home today?" Emma turned to see her mother and Regina exchanging amused looks. Maybe fate had the right idea, putting these two women on opposing sides. When they stood together it was a little frightening. "I wasn't singing, much."

"I checked the dock." Snow ignored her daughter and directed her words to Regina. "No ship of any kind, let alone the Jolly Roger."

"Interesting." Regina also ignored Emma. "I was studying the protections set up by your daughter. You know, making sure it was safe to leave her here. All on her own. While pregnant. With twins."

"Oh my," Snow exclaimed with a hand held to her forehead. "Is my daughter safe from any dangerous, charming and handsome pirates sailing the seas?"

Emma rolled her eyes and groaned.

"Yes, Snow. She is. In fact, ships will pass right by without knowing they're anywhere near the Bottomless Sea, let only this island."

"Are you two done yet?" Emma waited, feeling like a teenager in trouble with her mother and grandmother. She tried to shake the feeling off but it remained as both women blocked her path.

"We could try guessing but it would probably be better if you just told us." Snow reached out and ran a hand down Emma's arm. "You are happier than I have ever seen you in the last four months."

"And no offense but the situation is a bit delicate," Regina added.

"I didn't break my promise," Emma said quickly and wrinkled her nose. "Entirely."

Snow started to ask a question but Robin, Charming, Henry and sons interrupted. Both men and boys came to an abrupt stop then collectively took a step back. Emma could see them debating whether they should proceed or run.

"I need to go get the chalk," Emma said and tried to walk away.

"No." Snow held onto her arm now. "Whatever happen, you've kept your promise but something has changed."

"Mom?" Henry moved to Emma's side. "What's going on?"

"She's happy," Regina blurted out, throwing her hands in the air. Charming and Robin exchanged the same confused look.

"And that's a problem?" Robin looked between Regina and Snow and Emma.

Emma shook her head. "Fine, I'll tell you but I kept my promise and I don't think this changes much." Her hand clenched mashing the flower into pulp. Opening her fist, it dropped to the ground. She opened her mouth to explain but nothing came out.

"I find it best to start at the beginning." Henry told her.

"I saw Killian last night." The words bolted out of her mouth. "I've been tracking the Jolly Roger and I might have kind of spelled every mirror on the ship to spy on him."

Henry piped up. "I helped."

"Yeah, well, the ship was docked in Arendelle for like a week or whatever but he wasn't anywhere on board and so when the ship started to move again…"

"You checked in," Regina finished for her.

"Oh yeah." Emma closed her eyes. "He'd changed. I mean he was Killian but…" She stopped and struggled for words again. The difference in him between when he arrived in Misthaven with Milah and now, the look in his eyes when he left Arendelle. It was the difference between who she was now and who she had been months ago. "He wasn't lost anymore."

"You think he remembers," Snow said softly.

"I thought he might remember." Emma looked away from the curious faces. "Last night, the Jolly Roger was…"

"Close enough to poof there?" Regina's tone was angry. "And how does that not break your promise?"

"I didn't go to make him remember or kiss him and undo whatever this is." Emma glared at Regina then closed her eyes. "I just needed to see him."

"How is he? Does he remember?" Henry's voice cracked a little on his last question.

"He was good, but I didn't ask if he remembered." Emma shrugged sheepishly and lost the fight, her smile beamed. "And he didn't ask what happened."

"Stop talking in circles. Does the one handed wonder remember?"

"Yes, maybe. I'm like 99% sure." Emma rushed the rest of her explanation. "Neither of us actually talked about it. No questions, no asking - do you remember or hey, you know you're looking for yourself?"

"Then how do you know?" Snow asked. "It could change everything."

"Not really," Emma replied.

"She's right, Grandma. If Killian remembers then it'll be easier to talk him into the Storybrooke mission."

"And his other 'wife'?" Charming dared to speak up.

"Yes, he is currently on his way back to her and no, we didn't discuss that either, kind of."

"What did you two do? No kissing, no actual discussion of what the hell is going on" – Regina threw her hands up in the air – "Did you just sit there making eyes at each other."

"I don't make eyes." Emma grinned. "We talked around it all. He figured out I was keeping my distance and I got the message that there's something with him and Milah to deal with before…"

"Before he can come back to you." Robin finished for her. "I have a specific perspective on new loves and old ones, occupying the same timeline."

"Whatever, I know he's work on finding his way home." Emma swayed happily. "I told you we wouldn't stay apart for long."

Charming smiled. "Henry's right, this'll make it easier."

"And nothing has changed." Snow moved to her husband's side and taking Neal from his arms. "We've got research. Charming, Neal, adult Neal – maybe we should stick with Leo?"

"No."

"Fine. And Henry will convince Hook to sail them to Storybrooke." Snow looked to Regina and raised a brow.

"Sounds about right." Regina leaned into Robin. "I think this moves up the talk we had scheduled with the Captain and Tennille. Emma, stay away from the pirate."

Emma glared at her. "Isn't it time for you all to leave?"

Regina rolled her eyes and dragged her thief off.

"You'll keep in touch," Snow asked.

"I promise."

"Okay then." Snow kissed Emma's cheek and Charming placed a kiss on her forehead before heading off as well.

"Kid?"

"Someone needs to tell Grandpa, and Dad."

Emma nodded and waited.

"You're not going to argue?"

"Nope."

"You're going to let me do it?"

"Nope." Emma hooked an arm through his. "Let's get this over with."

The two turned to the far tower. Henry tipped his head against his mother's.

"At least Belle will be there," he said.

"Kid, I love that you think that's going to help."