Disclaimer in Chapter 1

Chapter 15

Emma is sitting out the back of Cora and Henry's house. On the back patio thinking back to simpler times. The day of Regina's 18th when she ambushed Regina with water balloons. The spot a few feet away where she told Regina she loved her for the very first time. The window she jumped from when Emma was grounded and not supposed to be at Regina's, but Ingrid came looking for her when she wasn't in her room. The memories of picnics and barbecue shared between both families through the years. She wanted to go back to then. Back when it was all she could do to get to spend time with Regina each day. The times Regina used to sit in this very spot and time Emma's runs when she was training for her track meets. She's worried. Afraid for her mother and Evie. She knows Cora is trying to protect her and Regina but Mal's recklessness scares her. She doesn't know what Mal will do when pushed. She's worried about how deep Mal's delusion of being with Regina are. It was the hardest thing she ever did that night, but her mother had been through enough. Emma had saw it all that night. Everything that he did to Ingrid. He was never going to stop hurting her. He was pure evil. When Ingrid adopted Emma, he wasn't around. They had been separated for a year. He came back after Emma had been with Ingrid for about a year. He promised he was a changed man. Showed her all he had done to change his life. He had a job now and had his drinking under control. One thing he wasn't ready for was to be a daddy. Emma never saw him that way. She never liked him from the moment she laid her eyes on him. She was always good at reading people even at such a young age. Then after a few months of him being back things started to get nasty until that fateful night he nearly killed her. Emma doesn't realise that tears are running down her face as she thinks about it all. About her wonderful mother who deserves so much more than what she has. Yet what Ingrid has she is incredibly happy with. The chair beside her is pulled out and she looks up to see Cora standing there handing her a glass of wine and giving her a concerned smile. She sits with her own wine and doesn't say anything. She places her hand on Emma's which was resting on the arm of the chair after a few minutes.

"When Regina told me that you were going out, I was so happy. She had this beaming smile on her face when she came home from the movies after being out with you. I was worried after the whole thing with Robin that she would go back into her shell and she didn't. The reason she did it was you. You were with her every step of the way in the aftermath of it all. His trial. Her court appearance you never left her side. When Regina came in the door that day two months after her attack, she said that you had asked her to be your girlfriend, but I already knew. I had accidently witnessed your first kiss.

FLASHBACK

It had been two months since Robin's attack. He had been sentenced two weeks ago. Emma asked Regina to go on a date with her two days ago and now here they were. Emma had it all planned out. All through the trial she had been planning that when it was all over them that she would make Regina and her first date very special. It was summer, so the weather was warm. She took Regina to the local park where there were gazebos. She had one set up with fairy lights and music. In there she had a picnic basket full of all of Regina's favourite foods.

"Oh Emma, its magnificent," Regina said as she finally got a look inside.

"Let's sit," Emma says as she helps Regina take a seat. Emma presses play, and the music starts. She opens the basket and starts taking all the food out. Regina is amazed at how much attention Emma plays. She literally has every food imaginable for Regina.

"Emma you must have spent a fortune on all of this," Regina says looking at the spread of food around them.

"It's totally worth it," Emma says as she hands Regina a mountain dew. They just talk after that. Never allowing the fact that this a date rather than just the two of them hanging out like they always did. It was fun, and light hearted and wonderful. They finish up Emma insisting that she tidy everything that this was Regina's night to enjoy. She packs everything away into her back pack. They start the walk back to Regina's. the atmosphere has shifted slightly between them since they started the walk home. There are more shy smiles and coy looks. Regina reaches and tangles her baby finger around Emma's. Emma's heart leaps at the touch. There is tension but there is also excitement. As they walk their fingers have now become interlinked completely. They walk towards the back of Regina's house as she was going in the back door. Cora was in the kitchen leaving a cup in the sink. She notices the two teens standing on the porch facing one another. They are holding hands. She realises this may be the moment she thought was coming. They are still talking but neither one of them wants to let go. It is so cute. She knows she should walk away but she can't help it. Emma makes her daughter so happy. She is so proud of the woman her daughter is becoming and for her to have someone as caring as Emma beside her. Emma reaches a hand out and pushes a strand of hair behind her ear. She gently rubs her cheek and retracts her hand.

"I better go," Emma says.

"Nuh uh," Regina says puling Emma's hands and bringing them closer to each other.

"You owe me a kiss Swan," Regina says. Emma blushes slightly, but she moves with confidence towards Regina closing the last bit of space between them. She plants her lips on Regina's gently. It's tender and sweet. Their lips part as their tongues meet for the first time. They explore each other's mouths. They pull apart, but foreheads still pressed together.

"Holy cow," Emma whispers "that was incredible."

"You can say that again," Regina says, "will you text me when you get home."

"Yes, babe I will," Emma answers as she pecks Regina's lips once more.

Emma heads home bursting with excitement as to how it went. Regina cannot keep the smile from her face.

FLASHBACK ENDS

Emma laughs slightly at the memory. She was terrified, but she wanted Regina to think she knew what she was doing.

"I was so happy that you were together," Cora says "you are not in this alone. We are your family and we will help you. I promise you nothing will happen Ingrid," Cora says as she turns so that she can look Emma in the eyes.

"You became my daughter to the way you always protected my Regina," Cora states.

Emma is crying now, and she stands to hug Cora.

"I love you Cora," Emma says and for possibly the first time in Cora's life she is left speechless.

"I love you too Emma," Cora responds. Cora is now more determined to make sure Mal gets exactly what is coming to her. They walk inside the house together where they find Regina and Henry sitting looking at Henry's laptop.

"Hey," Regina says, "everything ok?"

"It will be," Emma says with a new-found positivity knowing that she had all these people around her that love her. Her family.

"it sure will," Regina says smiling at Emma.

"What have you been doing?" Emma asks

"I am just writing up my statement to resign from the senate race," Regina says.

"WHAT!" Emma exclaims.

"I never wanted it. I am happy being Mayor here. It was Mal's idea. I thought I wanted it, but I don't. Having time to step back away from the race my heart just isn't in it. I wanted to do something meaningful with my life and I thought this might be a way, but I found something else. I just registered my charity the Regina Mills Foundation. I have taken some of dad's charities over such as the support for abused women. I am going to use this charity to support things that will help Storybrooke and some surrounding places I have visited. That and being Mayor should keep me busy," Regina says with a wry smile "not sure I will have time for much else in my life after that."

"Well damn and here I was going to ask you on a date but seen as your calendar just filled so much, I guess I shall leave it," Emma says as she heads for the door.

Regina chases after her.

"You wouldn't do that to me Swan?" Regina pouts.

"You know its unfair to use your pout for evil," Emma says taking her in her arms.

"Its so wonderful to see you two back together," Cora says "but you both need rest. Big day tomorrow Operation take the bitch down starts. I need everyone on their top game."

Both women laugh at Cora as they take to the stairs to get some sleep.

Tomorrow would be a big day for them. There was still a niggle with Emma that it may not go that smoothly, but she had her family around her to support so she was just going to have to trust that.