The next day, when Emma pulled into the driveway of 108 Mifflin Street, Regina was waiting on the steps, holding a bouquet of pink and yellow flowers. When Emma approached, she held them out to her wife and tried to force a smile.

"These... These are for me?" Emma asked shyly, looking down at the colorful bouquet.

Regina nodded, saying, "I miss you," but her wife continued to look away. "Do you want to come inside?"

"Yeah," the blonde replied slowly. "I'll come in for a bit. Just to talk."

When Regina sat down on the couch, leaving her wife plenty of space to sit beside her, Emma took the armchair across from her instead.

"So... How... How are you?" the brunette asked. "How are the kids?"

"I'm shitty. They're fine."

"Emma, I-"

"I'm not here for you to apologize. I've heard that enough."

"Then why are you here?"

"I don't know, honestly. For some sick reason, I guess I wanted to make you feel better."

"Me? But why?"

"Because I love you, idiot!" Emma cried. "Because I fucking care about you. Because I know you're hurting and you miss your fucking kids."

"And you."

"It doesn't matter to me if you miss me."

"Then why come alone?"

"I don't know. I just thought... I don't know what I thought. Do you want me to leave?"

"No! Emma, no. Please, don't. Look, can I get you a cup of coffee? Tea? Anything?"

"You know I hate tea," Emma laughed.

"How 'bout a hot chocolate?"

Emma hesitated, then replied, "Yeah. That would be great. Thanks."

Regina returned from the kitchen with a steaming mug of the chocolate beverage, topped with whipped cream and cinnamon, just the way her wife liked it.

"You know me so well," the blonde chucked, her inhibitions fading, taking a sip and getting some of the whipped cream on her upper lip.

Regina licked her own lips, slightly captivated by the display, and leaned in slightly, telling her, "You've... You've got some... Um..."

Emma swiftly raised her hand and wiped her mouth with the back of it.

"I could have gotten that for you," the brunette offered slowly, a blush rising to her cheeks.

"You think I'm going to let you kiss me? After everything that's happened?"

"No! No... Of course not. I just meant... You know..."

Regina raised her hand and showed the woman that she was holding a napkin, then averted her gaze.

"Oh... Uh... Sorry."

"I think you secretly like making a mess and getting it all over yourself," the blonde's wife said softly.

"That's ridic-" Emma started, then cut herself off. "Alright, maybe. I dunno. I just can't help it. It doesn't matter what I eat or drink. It always-"

"Ends up all over you," Regina giggled lightly, forgetting, if only for a moment, the situation they were in.

They were both surprised at the sound, but then it went silent, until Emma finally asked, "Have you been taking your meds?"

"Yes, of course."

"You seem..."

"Yes?"

"Sort of chipper, despite everything."

"You're here."

"What does that mean?"

"You cheer me up. You make me feel better, just by being around."

"That's silly. How can you feel better without your kids?"

"I love you too, Emma. I'm not only in this relationship for them."

"What relationship?" Emma suddenly snapped. "The one where you hit my fucking kid?"

"He's our kid."

"Yeah? You think so?"

"Yes, I think so! You've always said-"

"Yeah, well I don't know anymore. I don't know if anyone who hits their kids is capable of being a mother."

This was all Regina needed to hear to burst into tears, and as the sobs wracked her body, she fell to her knees in front of the couch, covering her face with her hands.

"Emma," she cried. "Emma, I'm-"

"Gina..." Emma said softly as she slowly stepped beside her. "Gina, come on. I..."

"No," the woman said. "You're right. You're absolutely right."

"What?"

"I don't deserve to be a mother. I might be capable now, but I don't deserve it." After a long pause where Emma placed her hand on her wife's shoulder, she said, "I think you should take them and I think you should go."

"What?!"

"You're right. I can't... I'm not... I'm a horrible mother. I don't deserve them, or you."

"You know what?" Emma said, standing up. "I never thought you'd be one to give up on your kids. Then again, I never thought you'd hit them, either."

She left before Regina got another word in, leaving her wife on her knees.