Here is the short story taking place during last week's episode when the curse ended and there was a laughing fit in the sheriff station. Emma apologies to Regina for what she had said.
Unexpected
Hearing a mixture of contagious laughing coming from inside the sheriff's offices, Emma frowns walking down the corridor, approaching the door. Looking through the open doorway, her eyes widen in a shocked yet confused expression. Her mother Snow was leaning against a desk, hand to mouth in an attempt to stop herself, her father David was still in his cell perched on the cot chuckling and Regina was standing in front of Snow holding onto her tummy trying to calm down but failing terribly. One other thing the blonde had noticed was the swords. Why the hell were there swords?
Stepping inside the room slowly, a little uncertain on what to do, Emma raised an eyebrow watching the former queen a moment, fascinated. In the three years she had lived in Storybrooke she had not once seen the brunette let her guard down completely and Emma knew that right now the woman standing in front of her, trying her hardest to compose herself was the real Regina, the Regina Snow knew as a child. Despite the current Evil Queen outfit she still paraded, there was something rather innocent about her in Emma's eyes.
"Guys?...what...what's going on?"
The trio look over towards the confused blonde still trying to catch their breaths. Regina straightens herself but not with her usual poise. "Emma, it would appear that I was trying to kill your mother...again"
Snow sniggers and points to the fellow brunette. "And I was trying to kill her..again"
David stands against the cell door taking a deep breath still with tears in his eyes. "You really had to be there to see it.."
The short haired woman looks over to the regal looking woman. "I got to hand it to you, you nearly had me! Who knew you could use a sword?"
Regina bites her lip. "Well when you spend as long as I have on the dark side you tend to practice a variety of ways to defend yourself or to kill"
Emma blinks pinching her nose. "This has got to be the weirdest conversation I have ever heard..."
Snow smiles and walks over to give her a hug to see if it helps. The blonde hugs back giving a small smile. "Everyone else is out in the street having their reunions if you guys want to join them" Emma looks towards Regina. "Henry is with Granny and looking forward to seeing you..."
Snow and David leave the station heading out to everyone else while Regina walks to the door before being blocked by Emma who stands in front of her. "...however we need to talk"
The brunette sighs and raises an eyebrow. The blonde gulps because of Regina still being in her evil queen attire and finds it slightly worrying when she gives her a stern look but at the same time finding the brunette even more attractive making Emma wonder why anyone would of ignored such a beautiful queen. "You...might want to change first.."
Regina smirks having noticed Emma squirming and raises her hands to change herself back into her previous outfit of her grey pant suit with a white t shirt. "Is this better for you Miss Swan?"
Emma shoves her hands in her jacket pockets. "Regina I wanted to say I'm sorry for what I said"
The mayor looks surprised and tilts her head to the side watching the blonde. "What was that dear? I didn't quite catch that?"
The sheriff looks at her noticing a small teasing smile on her lips and tries to hold back a smile herself. "I said I am sorry. It was never my intention to actually hurt you. Elsa and I could not use our magic without Ingrid's contribution because of the 'love' connection she created and to separate us from that we needed the exact opposite, a pure hatred and I thought if I got you riled you would use your hatred to free us and you did"
Regina bites her lip. "So what you said...wasn't true?"
Emma nods. "I really didn't know who Marion was and I was not with Hook to make you jealous. In fact I am not with Hook...not now anyway. I just wanted you to know that I am really sorry and I hope that the new friendship we were starting to have doesn't end"
The brunette gives a warm smile. "Thank you Emma, I accept your apology"
The blonde grins then gives a nervous look. "So...friends?"
Regina chuckles at Emma's expression and holds her hand out to shake. "Friends"
Emma takes a silent breath accepting the mayor's hand and shaking it. "..good.."
The brunette takes her hand back trying to ignore the warm feeling she felt and looks intrigued gesturing for them to also leave the station. "So what exactly happened with Hook?"
Emma takes a deep breath heading outside. "It was not what I was expecting. I know that just because I live here I should not be asking for the actual fairytale experience like my parents had because that will never happen for me but I thought I would at least be happy. Instead I found myself trying to avoid him as much as possible. I was going to talk to him about it then when I went to let Henry out of your office but then he said some things"
Regina stops walking to look at her. "What did Henry say?"
"That he does not like me being with Hook and he apparently told him that during the curse. I told Hook and he went off on one saying that I shouldn't let a kid run my life"
The brunette looks angry. "A kid? He is your son who I hope you don't think is running your life"
Emma shakes her head. "No but that is what I mean, Henry will always come before my happiness so I told Hook where to go"
Regina calms. "Good you deserve better than that one handed pirate anyway"
Emma looks shocked. "I'm sorry? What was that?"
The brunette looks over to see the blonde's smile and hits her arm. "Come on it is clearly written Emma, you are Snow White's daughter which means you are entitled to a true love just like I'm the Evil Queen therefore I don't..and well that is evidence in itself"
The blonde looks sad for her. "Okay what you just said is a load of rubbish. It does not matter who my parents are, I shouldn't just be handed the perfect life because I am the product of True Love. Just like you shouldn't not be given a happy ending because of who you used to be"
Regina nods. "Well then Miss Swan you promised me a few weeks ago that you would find me my happy ending and now the Snow Queen is finally gone, you can fulfil that task however, promise me one thing?"
Emma looks curious. "Yes?"
The brunette pulls a face. "Please do not set me up with Leroy..or Sidney!"
The blonde laughs. "I promise they will not even get a chance. Besides I think I may already have a person in mind"
Regina rubs her head. "I can't believe I am leaving my love life in your hands"
Emma smiles. "What are friends for? Next we will be braiding hair"
The brunette shakes her head furiously pointing to her. "You are in no way coming near my hair!"
The blonde holds her hands up in surrender. "Okay okay"
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Stepping into her mansion, Regina drops her jacket and bag heading over to the ringing phone as fast as she can in heels to answers. "Hello?"
"Hey it's me"
Regina smirks and sits herself on her staircase. "Hello Swan. What do I owe the pleasure of your call?"
Emma smiles to herself. "Like I promised, I have found someone and have organised a meet or date...however you look at it"
The mayor bites her lip. "Oh?
The blonde leans back on her couch. "Yes are you able to meet tonight? At 8?"
Regina rubs her neck. "Meet them or you?"
Emma chuckles. "Them Regina, at that fancy place I know you occasionally like to dine in"
The brunette raises an eyebrow wondering how Emma knew that piece of information. "Do I get to know who they are first?"
"Nope it's a surprise and don't worry you will know once you get there"
Regina stands up giving a mini pace in her hallway hesitating. "Okay...I will go tonight. What have I got to lose? Every other aspect of my love life hasn't worked so far"
Emma grins. "Great I will let them know...oh and wear that regal style black dress!"
The brunette scoffs. "Emma I am willing to accept your help with regards to this date but please do not ever tell me what to wear. That is taking it too far"
The sheriff gives a small accidental giggle at the playfulness of Regina's voice but at the same time the brunette is deadly serious. "Sorry I will leave you to it"
Regina gives a soft sigh hearing the giggle finding it cute and puts the phone down. 'What is she doing to me? And how on earth am I going to concentrate on a date when all I can think about is her? I mean Emma Swan of all people why?'xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Walking into the restaurant, Regina could feel her nerves kicking in, partly because if all else fails this 'date' could use this to their advantage and inform the entire town her town that she is not a person you would want to spend your life with. Straightening out her black dress, Yes she had decided that the blonde's choice of outfit was not entirely bad and gave her the extra confidence she needed, Regina approached the waiter who showed the customers to their seats. Upon seeing the mayor, the waiter smiles knowing exactly where to sit her and gestures for her to follow.
Walking through the tables and towards the back of the restaurant to the more secluded part, Regina looked ahead landing her eyes on two familiar faces. Giving a confused look she stops in her spot before reaching the table and stares. There in front of her was Emma Swan in a dress looking rather breathtaking in her opinion, standing with her hands on a small set of shoulders. Henry. Who stood in front of his blonde mother, suited and booted holding a rose with a big grin.
Smiling at her son briefly, Regina looks up to Emma who gives a nervous smile.
"I know I should of told you but..if you..are willing to have us, then..."
Emma comes lost for words so Henry moves forward holding the flower out to his mom. Regina takes it placing a kiss on his cheek and closes the distance between her and Emma. "I have spent the last three years searching for my happy ending and all this time..it was right in front of me"
The blonde gives a small smile. "I told you I would find it..and if you accept this..we can go as slow as you want. It is entirely up to you"
Regina places the rose down on the table and wraps her arms round the blonde's shoulders giving her a hug. "Of course I accept you. You and Henry..are everything"
Henry rolls his eyes. "Well it's about time! I knew it!"
Both women look to their son with a frown. Henry sighs. "Why do you think I told Hook to back off? And mom when you and Robin ended I never once encouraged you to get back with him but to forgive Emma instead, because you guys are meant to be. You're a complete match. Good and Evil not that I am saying you're still evil mom but it all makes sense like light and dark, but most importantly..you're both my moms and I love you and I wanted us to be a family"
Emma and Regina smile at him before giving one another a loving kiss then dragging Henry into their hug.
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Later that night the trio sat together in Regina's mansion watching a movie after a great dinner date. Henry was sat on the floor with Emma while Regina sat behind the blonde crossed legged on the couch.
Braiding the blonde's hair.