Clarifications on the timeline so far:
August 29th Moving in day
August 31st Emma and Regina talk for the first time
September 5th housewarming party
September 6th Emma makes Regina dinner and they have their talk
September 26th Emma shows Regina the tapes and they get busy
October 3rd they have their first date
October 19th They officially clarify they are together.
October 22nd Emma's birthday
October 24th they go on Emma's date that she planned
Over the next few weeks and months things continued to be good, and got even better between the two beauty's.
After Emma's birthday, they all celebrated Halloween together, this year Henry wanted to go as The Man with the Yellow Hat from Curious George and Harleigh was of course dressed up as a little monkey to play Curious George, a little Curious Georgia if you will. Emma and Regina both took them out trick or treating around town, making a pit stop at Emma's parents house where they really scored all the best treats.
Emma of course checked everything when they got back home and let them have five pieces the first night, which was far too much to Regina but she kept quiet. After taking the kids out, Emma got a sitter, Tink's little cousin Kataleya, the girl was more than happy to babysit for some cash.
So she and Regina finally accepted Ruby's invitation and went out to a Halloween party later that night at that new club in Portland. Halloween was on a Saturday this year, so the club was packed and the music was loud, Emma and Regina were both in coordinating costumes, dressed like a sexy lesbian version of Danny and Sandy from grease.
They danced the night away dressed in red and black leather, Regina can honestly say that she had a good time, her friend Kathrine and her husband Fred drove over to Portland with them. Despite Tink being there trying to annoy her by staying close to Emma, Regina had a good time.
Tink had this annoyed look on her face and complained to her sister Perri the whole night at their cuteness. A good amount of Emma's friends were at the party, so they all exclaimed and congratulated them on getting together throughout the night. Mulan and Tink didn't look pleased at all though, Mulan hid her disappointment though and smiled anyway.
That night when they finally got home, after dropping off Kathrine and Fred and making sure Kattie got home, Regina and Emma were cuddled up in the bed and she finally told Emma about her past hook ups with Tink.
"I wouldn't call it a relationship." Regina stated.
"Did you...ever have her here? Like in the bed?" Emma asked.
"No! Never! Everything always happened downstairs or at her place." Regina shook her head. "She never even spent the night, it was just quick meaningless sex. At least it was for me, she wanted more a whole lot more but I didn't and she did not like that." she scuffed.
"She was really bothered that I'd invited you to the housewarming party, said that you were evil," Emma chuckled. "You must've really put it on her good to have her behaving like that." she teased and Regina rolled her eyes. "Is there anyone else I should know about that may be so dick-matized over you that I may have to beat them down?" she asked.
"You would beat someone down over me?' Regina asked amused.
"I will gladly go to war for you woman." Emma nipped at her bottom lip and kissed her deeply. Regina went to roll on top of her but she stopped her. "Ah-ah, answer the question. You know pretty much everything about any significant ex I've had." she stated
"No there have only ever been one night stands, besides Mallory Drake, no one else is even memorable. She was my friend growing up, she and I slept together a few times in college when she transferred for law school... she was there for me when I was grieving over my father but then... she said some really hurtful shit to me one night and I kicked her out of my place. I blocked her number after that and changed mine and I haven't seen or heard from her since." Regina sighed.
"I'm sorry." Emma pouted and ran her fingers through her hair. She kissed her again and after a while she started giggling.
"What are giggling about?" Regina asked.
"My mother said you had a type too, I guess she was right about that part." she chuckled and Regina blushed, hushing her up with a kiss.
November went by quickly, and on Thanksgiving break everyone's families all got together. Thanksgiving day Emma, Henry and David were out giving food out at the few shelters in town, while Mary and Regina were at her house cooking the dinner. Regina suggested they have dinner at her house and surprisingly everyone jumped at the idea. So that night Regina, all the Swans, even Adam who flew into town, Ruby, Granny, Jefferson and his daughter Grace, and Graham.
All 12 of them joined around two big tables pushed together and enjoyed a very tasty dinner, and ate some really good desserts too. Regina's mother called her that day after week's of only sending emails and texts messages, telling her Happy Thanksgiving and hinting at how she may be coming back to Storybrooke for the holidays.
" Are you spending Thanksgiving with Kathrine again this year, dear?" Cora asked
"No mother...I actually hosted a dinner here at the house this year?" Regina revealed.
"Really? Well that must be refreshing. Who was all in attendance?"
Regina took a breath, they were finally doing this.
"My girlfriend, her family, Ruby and Granny Lucas were also here, and a few of my girlfriend's friends."
"A girlfriend? Well this is the first I'm hearing of this... Well go on who is she? How long have you two been together? Does she know about your...?" Cora fired off questions.
"Emma...Emma Swan," She revealed but Cora stayed quiet. " Emma moved back to Storybrooke almost three months ago... she moved backed into their home next door with her two kids."
"Two kids?!...Regina you can't be with a woman who has two kids already. That girl is only what? Two years younger than you, and she has two kids?"
"Yes mother, she does. Henry her little boy, he just turned 10 back in August and a little 2 year old daughter named Harleigh, she's the sweetest."
"She named her son Henry?"
"After my father, yes."
"And he's 10 years old? That means she had him at just what? 18? 19? Regina are you really in a relationship with a woman with two kids? Do they even have the same father?"
"I am really in a relationship with her mother. And no the kids have different fathers. And yes Emma knows about me, she's known for years."
"You told her?"
"No Emma and I never really spoke when we were younger but she found out through gossip in the school. I never told you because I didn't want to hear your mouth about it." Regina sighed. "Emma and I started talking and getting to know each other better after she moved back, she and father were really close before he...before he died."
"Yes...I remember looking out the window and seeing her hung over the fence talking to him." Cora rolled her eyes.
"Yes she told me about it all. She and I have been doing well, and her kids are great. She's accepted me from the very beginning. Flaws and all." Regina looked back through the window and saw Emma standing next to Henry who was on a stool as they washed dishes together.
"Well of course she would." Cora stated and Regina looked at the phone shocked, the conversation took a turn. "I simply want you to be happy, dear. I know I played a big part in doing the exact opposite and I am really so sorry for that Regina."
Regina starred at the phone, "...I-It's alright I'm fine now. I-...Mother are you ok?"
"I am hoping that I will be. I'm glad that you've found someone Regina truly...I want us to spend the holidays together. Maybe your sister and her family could come to Storybrooke this Christmas and we all spend it together...as a family."
"I-...well they spent Christmas here last year but I... I'm sure if you mentioned it she'd comeback. Or simply figure where we could all spend it...together." Regina replied a little bewildered.
"That's good. Ok. Would you ask her?" Cora asked
"Yes I can...Mother are you truly alright? Are you sick? You would tell us if you were sick wouldn't you?" Regina asked and fired off questions, she and her mother hadn't always had the best relationship but she was still her mother.
Cora chuckled and on her end from her home in New York, she sat at the table alone.
"Yes dear, if I wasn't I would indeed let you and your sister know." She sighed.
Regina nodded her head along and they spoke for a few more minutes before hanging up the phone. Walking back inside Regina smiled as Emma and Henry turned to her.
"I can take it from here, little prince." Regina patted his shoulder. She had started calling him little prince and he loved it because it was just for him.
"Awesome! I'm so tired I think I ate too much." Henry dried his hands.
"Yeah, four pieces of pie will to do that to you kid." Emma chuckled and he stuck his tongue out at her and walked away.
Regina joined her and Emma bumped her hip.
"How is your mother?" She asked.
"Good? I told her about you and the kids and us. And she said she just wanted to make sure I was happy." Regina's eyebrows furred.
"That's a good thing, baby." Emma nodded.
"Yeah I know, she started to apologize for stuff. And asked if we could have Christmas as a family again. I asked her if she was dying." Regina scuffed.
"I'm sure she's just missing you and probably lonely." Emma scuffed too.
"Well she said she wasn't sick so...yeah... I told her I would mention it to Zelena and then get back to her." Regina finished and the finished the last dish that wasn't soaking.
Emma dried her hands and turned to her and smiled. "Hopefully you can al get together. Family is very important." She kissed her lips.
Regina nodded her agreement and just hoped that her mother wasn't trying to play any games. So she asked Zelena and her older sister agreed and let her mother know that they could have Christmas here.
Regina counted down the weeks till the joyous holiday and was making sure the house was in tip top shape, not that it wasn't.
Zelena and her family flew into Maine from Texas and Cora flew in from New York. Emma already knew Cora but had never met Zelena.
Regina didn't even know she had a sister till she was a freshman in college, but Zelena knew about Regina. So when she found out her younger sister had been in California where she was, she reached out to. They formed a good bond quickly, Zelena accepted Regina for who she was even going as far as hooking her up with women.
Cora arrived first and Regina and Emma drove to the airport to pick her up. When Regina saw her mother, she saw how she looked a bit skinnier than the last time she saw her. Her hair was placed in a neat ponytail but her hair wasn't as red, and her eyes just looked aged.
When Cora got close enough, Regina stepped away from Emma and let herself be pulled into a hug. She looked so shocked and surprised but she returned the embrace.
"Hello my dear. Oh! You look like you've gotten taller." Cora pulled back and looked her over.
Regina stepped back still a bit shocked. "Hello mother...and yes I suppose I have."
Cora looked to Emma. "And you Ms. Swan you definitely have changed since I last saw you."
"Please call me Emma. It's good to see you again, Ms. Hart." Emma smiled.
"Then I insist you call me Cora." She smiled back.
They left the almost crowded airport and made their way back to Storybrooke. They sat down and ate a meal at Granny's, where Cora met Henry and Harleigh and Emma's parents. The little Swans were honestly a treat to be around, it had been a while since Cora was around children. She had only visited Zelena after she had her daughter, and had only ever done FaceTime calls and sent her birthday gifts since she was born.
Cora stayed in one of the rooms in the Mills house, and Regina showed her all the changes she made. She and Regina managed to have a decent night alone. The next day Zelena and her family flew in and got a rental car, driving from the airport to town.
Regina offered to cook Christmas dinner, Cora never really made the meals for them that was more her father's specialty. Zelena could barely cook but she still managed to help out in the kitchen.
The town was having a concert and Christmas fair, so that week, Regina took Robin to the fair accompanied by Emma and the little Swans. Cora joined them too, while Zelena and her husband spent some alone time together on a date. Regina had fun at the fair when they went, besides the screaming kids running around the open space.
Henry and the two girls were having a blast but eventually he wanted to run off and be a big boy. Regina and Cora had taken Robin to get on a specific ride and Emma and the littles were standing near the foods. She was holding her daughter because apparently she couldn't eat fries and walk at the same time with all these people around.
"Mom can I go try to win some prizes with my friends? Please?!" Henry pointed over to too little boys Emma knew to be Nick and Peter.
Emma pondered on it and Henry wrapped his arms around her side where harleigh wasn't perched on her hip and looked up her with puppy dog eyes.
"Oh goodness Kid." Emma laughed and ran her fingers through his hair. They had to get him a haircut soon. "Fine." Emma started and Henry smiled real big.
"But! You are not to leave this fair. It's 3 now, I want to meet us at the snow cone booth at...mmm 4:30." Emma looked at her watch. "Pay attention to the time." she finished.
Henry already knew the whole speech about strangers and what not. Emma handed him a two $10s and he ran off.
"You think that was a good idea?" Emma looked to Harleigh who she was holding while she ate fries on her hip. Harleigh just shrugged her and sucked the ketchup off of the fry.
Regina, Robin and Cora came back and Robin was in Regina's arms giggling.
"Where's Henry?" Regina asked.
"He ditched us for his friends." Emma ate fry Harleigh offered her. "Don't worry I told him to meet us at the snow cone booth in an hour and half. He'll probably come back before then when he runs out of money."
Regina nodded her head and Harleigh offered her a fry too. She took it and kissed the little blondes cheek, getting a bright smile from the toddler. Cora just stood by and watched the exchange, her daughter was really happy.
Regina had already put up their tree before everyone arrived but didn't decorate it. So together, she, Zelena, and Robin and Cora, all decorated the tree. Over at the Swans, Emma and the kids did the same, Emma wrapped the lights around the tree and the kids laughed at her as she managed to get all tangled in them.
On Christmas Eve, after baking cookies with Robin and helping Zelena put her to bed. Regina brought over some gifts she'd got for the kids and put them under their oddly colored tree. The lights were green and yellow. The kids insisted on going to bed early because there were a lot of presents under that tree and they were just so excited.
Emma was in the kitchen cleaning up from cooking when Regina came over. She was bending over putting trays away when she felt the woman pressed against her backside. Emma smirked and pushed her back, standing up straight she turned and saw Regina's hand hovering in the air.
Looking up she saw the woman was holding mistletoe in between her fingers. She smiled and chuckled.
"Now you have to kiss me." Regina smirked.
And kiss her Emma did, breathless in fact. Regina took her pressed up against the kitchen wall that night, before she went back home and they both went to bed.
Henry and Harleigh dragged Emma out of bed the next morning, but she made them wait until her parents arrived to open presents so she made breakfast instead.
Merry Christmas, mi amor! - R
Have the little ones started opening gifts yet? - R
Merry Christmas, baby! -E
And they're about to my parents just arrived. -E
Ok, let me know when you open your gifts - R
Oh? Sneaky I see. I have your gifts in my room. -E
I really like the sound of those gifts. -R
Actual gifts, goofy. You just had me last night, pushed up against a wall. You're thinking about me again already? -E
I think about you all the time, bebita. -R
I do too. Are you coming over after presents? - E
I will be there as soon as we're done. -R
Emma and everyone gathered near the tree and the kids tore through their many gifts. Mary was set on spoiling her granddaughter apparently. Harleigh sat in David's lap and opened all her gifts, letting out oohs and aah's at all the nice toys and pretty clothes she had gotten.
Henry was zooming through his gifts and punching the air, seeing that he got pretty much everything on his list. There was a big box under the tree from Regina to him and he opened it and found a customized riding helmet. He was really set on being a real cowboy apparently.
When they were all done, Emma took them to the back and Henry jumped for joy at the trampoline he saw in the backyard.
"No way! You actually got it! Thank you Mom!" Henry crushed her in a hug.
"You're welcome," Emma laughed and ran her hands through his hair. "Thank your grandfather for setting it up and hauling it back there."
The kids ran off to jump on the trampoline and Emma watched them from inside, cleaning up the kitchen. Mary walked up to her holding a bunch of wrapping paper.
"There's another box under the tree for you Em." Mary stated.
Emma walked over and picked it up, sitting down she opened the box. Inside the box, was three other small boxes and under those boxes were a bag. Emma opened the three little boxes, two containing a set of necklaces and earrings each and the other contained a flower necklace that held Emma's birth month flower. Under them, Emma lifted up a tote bag she had been eyeing.
"How did she know I-" Emma smiled and shook her head.
Just then there was a knocked at the door, Emma walked over and pulled the door open.
"Merry Christmas, Ms. Emma!" Robin smiled up at her where she was standing in front of Regina.
"Robin! Merry Christmas, honey!," Emma let them in. "Did you get everything on your wish list?" She asked and Robin nodded her head vigorously.
Emma smiled and Robin ran off to join Henry and Harleigh in the back on the trampoline. They watched her run off and Emma turned back to Regina, she was dressed comfortable and had her hair up in a middle ponytail.
"Merry Christmas." Emma stepped in closer and kissed her lips.
"Mmm Merry Christmas." Regina put her hands on Emma's waist before she could pull away.
"I'll be right back with your gifts. One sec." Emma pulled back and went up the stairs. Regina bit her lip, debating if she should and eventually followed her up the stairs.
Regina walked in and found Emma with two boxes, Emma turned around and chuckled.
"Just couldn't wait huh?" She cheesed and Regina smiled and blushed shaking her head no.
She walked the rest of the way and took the woman into her arms, connecting their lips again. It turned deep and Regina could taste the faint hint of cinnamon on the blondes tongue. Emma moaned and wrapped her arms around her neck.
"Mmm...thank you for my gifts." Emma pecked at her lips.
"You are very welcome." Regina ran her hands over her back.
"How did you know I wanted that bag?" Emma raised one eyebrow.
"I may have seen it open on your laptop one night." Regina shrugged.
Emma chuckled and shook her head and backed up. "Well open the ones I got you. Some are from the kids actually and the others are from me."
They sat on the bed and Regina did just that. Regina opened the boxes and the first gift from the kids was a new watering can and a gardening hat they thought she'd really like. Then she pulled out a black reel viewer and looked up to Emma.
"Click the thing and look into it." Emma laughed.
So she did, hoping she didn't look stupid. She pressed down on the lever and pictures of her and Emma started to go by. It was pictures from the many dates they'd had been on over the last few months.
"Oh Emma...this is beautiful." Regina said adoringly.
She looked into the box again and there was some perfume Emma had got her and pair of Ugg slippers and some candles because Regina loved candles. Regina placed everything back into the box and pulled Emma into her lap.
"Thank you," she kissed her lips. "I love everything."
"Yeah?" Emma smiled and pecked her lips.
"Yes..." Regina leaned back and took Emma with her back with her, running her hands over Emma's thighs. "And I love you."
Emma pulled back from and looked down at her face, smiling she brought her hand up and pinched Regina's lips.
"Say that again." Emma smiled, she needed reassurance. Regina chuckled at her stunned look and pulled her impossibly close wrapping her arm around Emma's waist, she brought hand up and cupped the side of her face, she looked Emma right in the eyes.
"I am in love with you, Emma Swan." Regina reinstated, she leaned in and pecked her thin lips. "I. Love. You." She said between each kiss.
"Oh thank god." Emma let out a playful breath of relief as she attacked Regina's lips. She pulled back and her eyes looked a little misty. "I'm in love with you too Regina...Gods, for the longest time, I didn't want to mess anything up."
"Never." Regina shook her head. "Admitting it only would've made me love you more." She rubbed the tip of her nose on Emma's cheek. "I'm in this for real with you."
Emma looked at her with so much love in her eyes, and kissed her passionately. Man she really wished the house was empty right now. They rolled around the bed and Regina kissed her till she was breathless.
Five days went by till it was New Years Eve, Zelena and her little family retuned to Texas but Cora stayed in Storybrooke for New Years. Emma's parent hosted a New Years party at their new home by the lake, and it was a pretty nice turn out.
Henry was outside running around chasing his friends Nick and Peter around with sparklers. Emma was holding Harleigh and holding a sparkler in her other hand, the girl like the pretty flaming lights but from a distance.
Music was blasting and people were inside the house and outside the house, eating food and chatting, playing games. David set up this really big screen outside to project the count down on and there was a scheduled fireworks later happening on the lake.
There was more than enough food this time around, thanks to Ruby's friend Tiana. She catered the party and even made 9 dozen of her famous powdered beignets.
By 11:58 everyone was full and standing outside surrounded around the screen. Henry held his party hat down on his head and ran past people to get to his family and the count down started, everyone shouting along.
"10! 9! 8! 7! 6! 5! 4! 3! 2! 1! HAPPY NEW YEAR!" Everyone shouted.
Emma and Regina shared a sweet kiss, as Henry jumped around. He turned around and jumped into Regina's arms and they all shared a loving embrace, Henry's arms wrapped around both of their necks. Regina tickled him in her arms and he laughed trying to get away.
The music started playing again and the fireworks started. Regina and Emma both hugged their parents and drinking and laughing along with friends as the night carried on. When the kids started to get tired around 2 AM they finally decided to call it a night.
Emma and Cora were in the front seats of the truck and Regina and the kids were sitting in back knocked out by the time the pulled up to the house.
Cora looked back and saw how Henry and Regina were leaning on one another, he had his arms wrapped around Regina's arm and Regina had her arm over him. Harleigh had her little body turned to the side in her car seat, reaching out with her right arm hand on Regina's face.
"They really treasure her I see." Cora chuckled and Emma looked back laughing too. She took out her phone and snapped a photo of the three.
"They look up to her so much. If we didn't end up dating I'm sure they would have still managed to have her wrapped around their fingers. That fence wouldn't have stood a chance." Emma joked and cut the truck off.
"I'm happy she allowed me to spend this time with her. Getting to see her like this...it's all I have wanted for a while now." Cora admitted.
"If it wasn't me...I'm positive she would have found someone to love her. There's someone out there for everyone. I'm just glad it was me you know." She looked at Cora and grinned. "I'm so grateful that despite everything she still wants to love me."
"Love her even when she doesn't or even when you don't...hold onto her tight and don't let her go. If I can ever give you any advice it would be that. I learned my lesson the hard way." Cora smiled sadly.
Emma looked back and starred at them adoringly. She felt her heart pound at the thought of going through everything with Regina. She wanted to be with her for a very long time, through the good and the bad.
Yeah she definitely wasn't letting go.