A/N: Look who's back! Hope you guys enjoy this – well, as much as you can, no spoilers – and let me know what you think! Also, I promise I'll be finishing this fanfiction this month, and then maybe I'll have time to go over it and find all those nasty mistakes! Please, let me know your thoughts! (P.S.: Looking for a beta again!)

Wandering soul

Wandering mind

Wondering what's gone wrong with me

And try not to try

(Joy Williams)

Emma felt her stomach hurt, but decided to avoid to think about it. Knocking on Henry's door, "Can I come in?", she didn't wait for a reply and went directly to seat on the edge of the boy's bed.

He was lying still, and for a second she thought he would be fast asleep, however, the small nod of his head signaling his permission gave him away. Sitting now upright, Emma could see eyes smeared with tears and redness. "Hey, baby, talk to me."

"I don't know what to say, mom." His tone was somber. "I mean, was it all a lie?" He pushed. "I really thought we are a family, at last." Seeming to be on the verge of tears again, the blonde hugged him tightly.

"Shhh, it's okay, don't cry. I know I made a big mess this time, and you've ended up getting hurt, but you know I never meant for this to happen, right?" Strong hands were doing soothing circles around his back, red cheek still pressed against her left shoulder, "I am so sorry, Henry-", sighing, and trying to make sense somehow, she continued, "It isn't a lie, at least, not everything…"

"But, I don't understand, mom, I thought you were happy with Gina." Brown eyes, so similar to the ones of her lover, and now wife, made her consider for a second how could it be possible that Henry was not Regina's biological son.

"I am, or better, we are, Henry." She pressed a kiss on the crown of his head. "This isn't a lie, we love each other. Just- well, Regina needed this to stay in the country. So we stretched the truth a little to make it look like we were together longer than we actually are, so technically-"

"Ma, I am not a policeman. Just be honest with me, tell me what is really going on."

Pleading eyes made it impossible for her to continue. Gathering her thoughts, finally, she conceded. "Okay, Henry, I know sometimes I want to sugarcoat things for you, because you're my son and I am always trying to protect you, no matter what."

He was right, he needed to know the truth from now on, otherwise, she could jeopardize their relationship instead. "The only reason I haven't told you before is that I knew it would be too big of a burden for you alone, and the fact that you couldn't speak to anyone about it… I didn't want this for you."

The boy continued to be silent and encouraged her to continue. Sometimes, he seemed older than he actually was, and the thought scared Emma just a little bit. "So, the truth is, Regina and I, we are together, but we weren't when we got married." She let the truth settle in for a few seconds.

"I mean, I loved her from before, but we weren't in a romantic relationship, you know what I mean?" He nodded. "So, Regina needed this to stay, and I think it is safe for us to agree that we didn't want her gone, and since this is not really legal, we had to keep it a secret. It was a big risk for us both to get caught, not to mention anyone else involved could also have to answer for this to the authorities. So, at the time, it made sense for us not to tell anyone."

"So, no one else knows?" The blonde agreed. "What now, that grandpa and grandma and the rest of the family know?" He seemed genuinely concerned since his grandmother was not famous for keeping secrets. "What will we do?"

Emma sighed again, asking herself the same question. Truth is, she didn't have the time yet to think about their next move, let along time alone with Regina to talk things through. Her family, after the very intense conversation in the living room, went to sleep, with promises of leaving early the next day so they could have some privacy. The first thing she did was to come and talk to Henry, but she had absolutely no idea of what they would do next. She just hoped she could think of something. Soon.

"Honestly? I don't know where we stand, yet. But whatever it is, Henry, we will face it together. As a family." She hugged him again, trying to convey any sort of comfort to the boy, even though she didn't experience it herself. "It may have started as a lie, but now it isn't, we are all in this together and we will get out of this situation together as well." Blue eyes didn't really know if this was intended to soothe him or herself all along. It seemed to work, though, since Henry buried his face again on her and hugged her tightly, softly whispering 'okay'.

Turning off the light, she pressed her lips on his temple once more and wished him a good night's sleep. "Mom?" She heard in the dark.

"Yes, baby?" She stopped close to the door, waiting for his answer.

"Is Regina… I mean, is Gina still going to be my mom?" For a second, Emma had to think about what he meant by that. Seeing the confusion on his mom's features, the boy quickly added, "Like, adoption stuff?"

Releasing the breath she didn't notice she had been holding, she smiled carefully, "Of course! I am pretty sure she'd be honored to. Nothing changed. Okay?"

"Okay." She closed the door behind herself and just wished everything was as simple as this.

Regina paced around the room, nonstop. Since everyone decided to finally retreat themselves for the night, she's been anxiously coming back and forth, trying to figure out what to do to get out of this situation she got herself -and Emma - into.

Guilt was creeping over and she couldn't breathe right. Of course, Regina, you had to ruin the one good thing you had in your life, right? And now, not only Emma is involved in this huge problem, but her family as well.

The look on her parents-in-law faces, well, if I can still call them that, that is, was unforgettable. The sorrow, the disappointment, the regret… It was all too much to handle. Now, she had to be a sensible adult and get them all out of this trouble. Emma cannot take the blame for my problems, that I know.

She knew it wouldn't be easy, though. Knowing Emma as she did, the blonde wouldn't let her take all the blame. In fact, being the idiot she was, the chances were that she would try to be the hero of this and get herself in a lot more trouble. And she couldn't let this happen.

So the psychologist tried everything. Deep breaths, counting, placing her hands on her chest, anything that could possibly calm her down so she wouldn't let Emma notice how uneven she truly was. Get yourself together. This is highly unbecoming.

She knew she just needed a bit of time to figure something out, more specifically something that would allow her to save her family and take responsibility for her own actions. Emma cannot know. Emma will never agree. She will take the blame unless I take it first.

Of course, she also knew, how the Swans would take it, so she knew she had to keep it a secret. They had a big event planned for New Year's at Emma's hometown in Maine, so it would be best for everyone involved if she would keep a low profile until then, plus, the party would be a goodbye, even if they weren't aware of it. God, I will miss them.

Emma made an effort to not make any unnecessary noises, she knew Regina hated to be disturbed if she was already asleep. Closing the door, she searched for any sign in the room that would indicate if the brunette was still awake, even though the lights were off. Reaching for the bedside lamp, she turned it on in a swift move, only to see the psychiatrist looking directly into her eyes, but silently.

"Geez, Gina, you scared me." The blonde breathed.

"No reason to be scared, dear, it is just me." Something was off, she could tell.

"Yeah, but, I thought you were asleep already-" Emma stated, already getting out of her clothing and putting on her pajama's pants. "And with the lights off? What were you doing in the dark?" It was rather cold that evening, and even with the heater on, she was relieved to get under the cover.

"Just sorting out my thoughts, really. Nothing to worry about." Hazel eyes were glassy, and Emma couldn't help but notice she'd been crying too. "How was it with Henry?"

"Oh, okay, I guess?" The distraction worked for a second, "He's fine." The blonde could feel something was amiss, yet she couldn't really pinpoint what exactly. "He had some questions but I think he understood it in the end."

"Wonderful, then." The brunette, for a second, felt like crumbling down and crying her heart out to the other woman, however, she knew better. If Emma could sense how she truly was, she would be so scared, and Regina couldn't add this to the equation. She had to be strong for Emma.

"Gina… should we, I mean, should we talk?" The younger woman was unsure, yet she had the feeling that her wife wasn't being herself. "I know this night was a lot to take in, but still… maybe, should we talk about it?"

"What do you want to talk about, dear?" Her voice was slightly strained, and she scoffed to cover up. "We are both tired, Emma. It is what it is. Tomorrow is a new day, and I am sure we will figure something out." Turning to the side, back facing Emma, Regina prayed silently the other woman would buy it.

Emma's strong arms embraced her from behind and her lips rested for a second on the nape of her neck, and she whispered softly, "Sure, honey." The room was filled with tension and unsaid words, however, both women knew better than to push it. They were more than exhausted, and perhaps, the blonde had some hope in what Regina just said. She wanted to believe so. There's always tomorrow. Tomorrow we will figure this out