A/N: Let's glimpse into the Swan-Mills family back in the real world.

As the week started again, life across the town slid back into its normalcy. Those few days indoors, unable to leave without risking one's health became the first topic of conversation each time a new person entered the room. It had been an event, a blip in their lives. For most people, as Emma discovered, it had been a few days to do those unfinished jobs around the house or to make those neglected phone calls to elderly relatives. Or even to get started on the great American novel. But now the world was turning again and things were back to 'normal'. Well, except for Emma, Regina and Henry.

Emma's colleagues didn't know the details about the woman's separation but they had been aware of the split back in November. And on that Monday morning, even those who didn't work too closely with the blonde could tell something had changed. The woman positively radiated happiness. So as those conversations about the shelter in place days unfolded, Emma would reveal that she'd found herself locked down with her wife and son and that the time had allowed them to start reconciling.

It felt a little premature, Emma realised, to be telling everyone just a few days into their reunification. There was still work to be done, therapy sessions to be attended, trust to be rebuilt. Yet she couldn't help herself. And frankly, she couldn't hide her happiness.

"Someone got laid," August said as he leaned on the doorframe of Emma's office.

"Jealous?" Emma teased, leaning back in her chair and grinning.

"Of you? Yes! Have you seen Regina? Your wife is smoking hot."

"Ok, and that's where this conversation ends," Emma laughs, forgetting how much her boss talked about how attractive Regina was. The subject had been off limits for months given the state of their relationship but now it appeared to be fair game once more. She knew August was just teasing and that he'd never make a move. Plus there was the whole lesbian hurdle which he'd never clear. "How was your time in lockdown?"

"Not as good as yours clearly," August chuckled. "I don't think I've seen you so happy in a long time."

Emma couldn't help but melt a little at that. In fairness, she couldn't remember ever feeling this happy and in a strange way she was proud that it showed on her face. "I'm really happy, August," she admitted.

"Good, I'm happy for you. Tell Regina I said hi. And when you guys are ready for an evening out together, I'd be happy to babysit my favourite eleven year old."

That eleven year old had no qualms about telling his friends at school that his moms were back together either, announcing it to everyone who asked about the past week proudly. He had been reticent to tell people about the split several months earlier but his subdued mood had led to his close friends asking what was wrong eventually. He'd whispered the confession, blinking away tears, and then hastily changed the subject.

Now, however, with his parents seemingly on the right path, he was ready to shout it from the rooftops. Where he drew the line was at the confession of what he'd heard on Friday night. No child needed to hear those sorts of noises coming from their parents' bedroom and it sure as hell wasn't something he was going to share with his friends. While Henry's generation had a progressive attitude to sex, sexuality and relationship, there had been one or two lewd comments from some of the boys in his year about how hot lesbians were. That was not something Henry wanted to think about in relation to his moms, nor encourage as a topic of conversation.

"So, does that mean you won't get two Christmasses like you did last year?" Roland asked, reaching across and taking a handful of Henry's chips as the boy finished explaining to his best friend that his moms were getting back together.

"Yeah, I guess so but I don't care. I'd rather have my moms living in our house than two Christmasses."

"But you got two sets of presents, two lots of chocolate and stuff," Roland frowned, clearly struggling to understand what could be better than that.

Henry, however, would have given up Christmas for the rest of his life if it meant his moms were happy and together again. He didn't tell his friend this because clearly Roland wouldn't understand. But what he did understand was that Henry's good mood meant he was willing to share his recess snack. And that was something Roland could definitely get on board with.

Regina's students noticed the difference in their lecturer as soon as she entered the room. It looked like she was walking on air. A few of them exchanged raised eyebrows as the woman brought up the presentation and started that day's class. No one said anything; they didn't have that kind of relationship. But it was clear to everyone in that room that Regina had had a great time sheltering in place with someone.

"Tell me everything," Kat said, grabbing Regina's wrist as the woman walked out of the lecture theatre later that morning.

Regina rolled her eyes at her best friend but permitted Kathryn Nolan to tuck her arm into Regina's and led her towards the brunette's office which was on the other side of the building.

"What do you want to know?" Regina asked. "Because if you're still looking for the meaning of life, I've told you I'm going to need a few more years to come back to you with an answer on that."

Kat squeezed the bicep beside her and sighed. "While I don't doubt that you'll be able to crack that one eventually, I was actually referring to the insane sex you had while the rest of us were cooped up, gasping for fresh air surrounding by toxins."

Glancing around, Regina wondered if any of her students had overheard the woman's brash comment but the corridor was almost deserted and those who remained were unfamiliar to Regina. "I'd hardly say you were gasping for air, dear. You live further from the plant that I do. Please don't exaggerate."

"Fine, I wasn't dying but I wasn't having orgasms either. At least, not ones which resulted from another person being in my bed."

"Kat, seriously," Regina exclaimed as she unlocked the door to her office and all but shoved the tall blonde inside. "Can you please not talk like that. We're professors here, remember? We can't be talking about sex while we walk around. Our students could hear."

"And you think our students don't know what sex is? Regina, they're college kids. Don't you remember how much sex you were having at their age."

"That's not the point. I don't want them thinking of me in that way."

"Sweetheart, you do realise they already do, right? You're hot! The boys all want to get into your pants and so do half the girls. Plus they know you're married; you never stopped wearing your wedding ring. And they know you have a son so they know you're not celibate."

"Um, you do know that Emma and I didn't conceive Henry together, right? Or do I have to explain lesbian sex to you."

Kat's eyes lit up. "Would you? It's been so long since I've had a woman in my bed. In fact, if you're free this weekend, do you want to come to the Rabbit Hole with me? I could do with a lesbian hookup."

Deciding that the question was rhetorical, Regina set about firing up her laptop and locating the slides she'd need for her next lecture at the end of the day. Kat, realising she wasn't going to be answered, threw herself into the chair opposite her friend and leaned forwards, hands on her knees. "So, can you at least tell me what happened with Emma?"

"Well, she was dropping Henry back when I got the alert on my phone. I had no choice but to invite her in to stay until it was safe."

"I know. You texted me that the evening it happened. I want to know how you went from the text which said you were trapped in the house with Emma to replying to my question of how things were going saying that you two had slept together and were talking about getting back together. I mean, it was just a couple of days later. What happened? Are you really thinking about taking her back? Or was it just sex?"

"It wasn't just sex," Regina said simply. "In fact, I think I already have taken her back. We're just going to do some more therapy but as far as I'm concerned, we're in a committed relationship again."

Kat leaned back and folded her arms. "Ok, so … am I happy about this? I mean, are you happy about this?"

"Of course I'm happy. I wouldn't be with her if she didn't make me happy."

"I know that," Kat assured her friend. "But, I mean, she made you so sad. When you guys split, I didn't think I'd ever see you smile again. What you and Emma had was amazing, don't get me wrong, but I thought that had gone forever. I didn't think you were in a position to try and build back to that place."

"Nor did I," Regina admitted. "And without this lockdown, I don't think we would be. But being back with Emma for that time gave us the opportunity to really talk. Well, I guess it forced us to talk. You know that she'd always wanted to get back together anyway and somehow we ended up talking about the past and she said how sorry she was -"

"Not that that's new," Kat interrupted. "She'd said sorry before. What changed?"

Regina shrugged. "I honestly don't know if I could tell you. I don't think I really understand it myself. But something big shifted, Kat. I don't think I can explain it but when we were talking, when we were really communicating and being honest, all those feelings and emotions came flooding back. And yes we've still got some things to work through and yes Emma's got some issues which will always be a part of our lives. But I love her, Kat. I never stopped loving her. These few days together just reminded me of how special our relationship is when we're in a good place."

"And you're happy? I mean, really happy?"

"I am," Regina nodded with a soft smile. "And I appreciate your concern. I know this is a surprise. I'm still surprised to be honest. It wasn't what I expected. But it's also meant I've not stopped grinning for days."

"Yeah, well, great orgasms will do that for you," Kat smirked.

"You're incorrigible," Regina laughed. "Although I'm not denying that the sex was amazing. But it's always been about more than sex with Emma. I mean, she's Henry's mom. We've been together for most of our adult lives. I've shared so much with her. She was there for me when my parents died, when I got tenure here, when Henry was born. Hell, she carried Henry! Without Emma, I wouldn't have my son."

"That doesn't mean you have to stay with her if you don't want to," Kat pointed out.

At that, Regina frowned. "Ok, I'm sensing you're not on board with this. What's going on? Are you not happy for me?"

The blonde had the good grace to look guilty when she realised that her friend was hurt by her lack of support. But she couldn't deny or hide the fact that she'd been concerned when Regina had texted her to say that she and Emma had spent the night together. After all, it had been Kat who was there spooning heaps of ice cream into bowls when Emma had moved out, passing Regina tissues and holding her as she wept.

"I'm sorry," Kat sighed. "I am happy for you, I really am. But you've gotta admit this came out of nowhere. I think I'm entitled to be a bit surprised. And a bit nervous, on your behalf. I mean, Emma's an addict, Regina. No matter what she says, she'll always be an addict."

"I know that," Regina replied. "Emma has never pretended otherwise. And we've talked a lot about that. She knows she needs to be more open with me and she is already doing that. Yesterday morning she called me and said she was feeling a bit wobbly. She went to a meeting and I met her afterwards and we had coffee. She told me all about it, helped me to understand where her mind is at, how she's feeling and what the processes are which she'll go through to minimise the risk of her gambling again. I've always known she's a gambler, Kat. That's been a part of our relationship from day one."

"Yeah but on day one she didn't squander your son's college fund."

Regina narrowed her eyes slightly. "No, that's true. But Emma has apologised countless times for that and I believe that she is sorry. I never doubted that she was sorry for what she'd done. And now we're both working on trusting one another."

"What do you mean? I get why you don't trust Emma but why doesn't she trust you?"

"I do trust Emma," Regina shot back, ignoring the question.

"Why?"

Regina pursed her lips. "Because I love her," she replied a little coldly.

"Well, more fool you," Kat muttered.

"Look, if you've got something to say, just say it. I thought you liked Emma. I … I thought you'd be happy for me," Regina said, feeling very deflated and rather defensive. "We're working on our marriage and all we need from our friends is a little support. If you can't give that to me, well, that's fine but I'd appreciate you keeping your thoughts to yourself if they're not constructive."

"I'm just looking out for you," Kat protested.

"Well, I don't need you to look out for me. It's Emma, Kat. I don't need you to protect me from my wife."

"You did six months ago," Kat shot back. "Or have you forgotten the mess you became when you found out that she'd gambled away Henry's college fund? And what's to say she won't do it again? You're a fool if you think she's changed, Regina. Addicts don't change. They just get better at hiding their problems."

Regina stood up. "Get out. I'm not having this conversation with you."

"Fine," Kat said, jumping to her feet too. "But next time she fucks up, and she will, don't expect me to be there to hold you while you cry. If you want to walk back into that relationship and risk your future, and Henry's future, be my guest. But don't expect any sympathy from me when it all implodes again."

By the time the door to Regina's door had slammed shut, the brunette's cheeks were wet with tears. She slumped back in her chair and allowed her body to shudder with sobs as the angry clack of her friend's heels retreated down the corridor. Instinctively, she reached for her cell phone and called her wife.

A/N: Just FYI, I had no idea that the ladies' conversation would descend into the argument it did. I love how my characters can surprise me!