The morning sky was starting to lighten up outside. Morning was here and the sun was rising.
Snow would be up soon.
But Emma didn't want to move. She just wanted this moment. Cool temperatures, her daughter sleeping in the cradle and she and her husband lying in bed together after spending their night doing what they did best on cooler nights like that one.
Emma lay horizontally on the bed. Her head rested on her husband's torso, her hair fell in waves across his bare stomach, "What are you thinking about?"
He stroked her hair away from her face, "How much I miss my own bed."
"I have missed my bed for a lot longer than you've missed yours," Emma teased and trailed her lips from his stomach to his chest.
"Mm," he reclined against the pillow and then playfully grabbed her. Emma laughed as he tickled her sides. She grabbed his wrists and pinned them next to his head.
"You won't win that easily, Jefferson," Emma threw her hair back and kissed him, "Not until I've had my way with you."
She gave him a longer more passionate kiss and wrapped her arms around his neck.
The door to the other room opened, "Well, that was the best sleep I've had in a long time."
Emma slid off her husband, grabbed the blanket and pulled it over her naked back before her mom could see her. Jefferson pulled the blanket over his thighs.
"Oh, you slept well?" Emma asked, "Th-thank God."
Snow stared at the two of them and then her smile fell as she realized what they'd been up to. "Oh-."
"Yeah, we were going to hang a ribbon on your side of the door but neither one of us wanted to get out of bed because it would wake Grace up," Jefferson explained.
Emma laughed to herself and put her hands over her eyes. She didn't know whether to be mortified or somewhat thrilled. She never had a mom who came in on her after sex with her man before. Some interactions were better late than never.
"I'll just…," Snow pointed to the door, "Get some…water."
Snow practically raced out the door
Emma fell against the pillow to hide her embarrassment, "Mom's going to blush all day."
"Not as much as I am," Jefferson put the blanket against his chest like a woman would, "She saw me half naked!"
Emma burst into giggles, "Better than 'all naked'"
"Hm," he threw back the covers, "I've been taught never to do things halfway!"
"Jefferson!" Emma grabbed him and pulled him back. He stumbled and nearly fell on her but caught himself before he landed. She smiled up at him as he playfully kissed her.
"Hey," he whispered a few seconds later, "I love you."
It never failed to warm Emma's heart in hearing that. She smiled up at him as he brushed some hair from her face, "Love you too."
He grinned down at her. Emma realized that no one other than her had told him that since he was a little boy.
"Are you two decent yet?!" Snow yelled through the door.
"We were never decent!" Jefferson yelled over his shoulder.
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There was another storm brewing outside. The house was cool again and they had enough food for a couple of days, so they all settled down for the day.
Jefferson sat on the floor with his long legs sprawled out in front of him. Grace scooted around and over them in her own little game. 'Climbing over daddy' was her favorite.
Emma sat on the floor with him and rattled Grace's favorite toy. It was the shell of some fruit with seeds put inside. Emma rattled it to get Grace's attention. She smiled, squealed and dragged herself over to her mother. Emma smiled lovingly at her daughter and lifted her to her little feet. Jefferson moved so that he was sitting on his knees. He held out his hands, "Come one Grace…come to papa."
Grace gave her father a beaming smile and moved forward. Emma held her daughter until Grace let go and she took a step forward.
Everyone held their breath as Grace stared down at her shaky feet.
She moved forward another step and then plopped down on her butt.
Emma flailed her arms for a second and then scooped up her daughter. Grace squealed at the rush that it gave her. Emma hugged her to her chest. Snow wrapped her arms around her daughter.
"Grace walked!" Snow said.
Jefferson wrapped his arms around all three of his ladies and lifted him up…for a second.
He kissed Emma, kissed his daughter, and then kissed Snow on the cheek.
His baby was eleven months old and she was so smart that she was walking already.
"I believe congratulations are in order."
They all tensed when they heard the voice. Emma's heart started to race and they all slowly turned around towards the door.
"Rumpelstiltskin," Snow snarled.
The Imp gave a flourish of his arms and giggled, "Do I get a welcome dinner?"
