Disclosure: I do not own OUAT or any of it's Characters. This is AU. All mistakes are mine.

I apologize for the delay with the new chapters. Just needed a little more inspiration and motivation for the plot. I hope you enjoy and I will be posting a few more chapters this evening! Happy New Years! -xoxo

--

Emma's POV

I pull up just as I see Henry's class exiting the building. I'm definitely getting better at this being on time thing.

"Hey, Kid! Hurry up, we're holding up the line." I shout as I hear the mom behind me honking to keep moving. I'm seriously resisting the urge to flip them off.

I pull out of the parking lot as soon as he shuts the door. "Seatbelt, Hen."

"I know, I know."

He seems off but I'm not sure. "How was school?"

"It was fine."

Okay. Now I'm sure. Usually, this is where he'd tell me all the stories about his day. "Henry. What's up? You okay, bud?"

"I'm fine."

"You sure? You've barely said three words, which is very unlike you. And I can feel you burning a hole in the side of my face."

"Okay. Fine. You're right. I'm just- I'm conflicted ...Okay. Say you wanted to clear the air with… someone. You aren't mad at them or anything, it's just...I don't know...I really hope it works out, I want it to. What would you do? Would you just see how it goes and hope it works out or would you confront them? Did that make sense?"

"I think I know what you mean. I would personally confront the person, in a calm way. It's better to put all the cards on the table. That way they know where the line is. And if they accidentally crossed it, then give them the chance to fix it. Now, did that make sense. If not, ask your mom...she's better at this sort of thing."

He looks like he's really thinking hard in the passenger seat. I'm actually a little worried. "Henry. Is everything okay at school? Is someone bothering you?"

"What? No. Sorry. I think I get what you mean."

"Okayyyy. Glad I can help."

"Thanks. So...You and Mom. You really like her? Like...you LIKE LIKE her."

"Yeah, kid. I really do. I don't know why I didn't see it until now. Why? Are you still okay with us dating? You come first no matter what. We agreed on that, so if you aren't-"

"NO. No, it's not that. I don't know why I didn't think about it before, either. I mean it makes sense. The evil queen and the savior. Even though she's not evil anymore but you were suppose to bring back happy endings and maybe you're her happy ending. I hope so. I don't think she can handle another heartbreak. So I guess what I wanted to say was, please don't hurt her, Emma. I don't think I could forgive it if you did. Grandpa Henry is gone so it's up to me to protect her."

I love this kid. I know he still sometimes calls me Emma instead of Ma. But I can tell he's using it to make his point. He just gave me the big brother/dad speech. I pull up into my driveway and throw the bug into park. I turn to him so he knows I mean every word. "Henry. Believe me when I say, I would never hurt her on purpose. I will never forgive myself if I hurt her. Also, I get what you're saying with your theory but please let us be us, ourselves. Just Emma, Regina, and Henry; a normal family. We make our own decisions, our destiny. Not the book. The book tells stories, tales of our history. But not the future.

"But I mean it Henry, I really do care about her. I know you told me to keep her safe in the past but a part of me did it for me. I don't know what it was but I felt a connection. Our pasts...we were both misunderstood. And in a way, I think she understood me just like I understood her. We were different, outcasts. I promise you Henry, I will do everything I can to never let her feel that way again. Please, believe me."

He looks at me with a giant grin on his face. "I believe you, Ma. I just wanted to make sure. I think this is the happiest I've seen her. I just don't want to see her get hurt again."

"I know, kid. I don't want to see her hurt either. You know...she makes me really happy, too."

"Good you deserve to be happy, too. And I'm sure grandpa will give mom the talk as well. That's why I had to do it for her. I hope you understand."

"You're a great kid, Hen. I'm so happy Regina has you." I feel my eyes start to fill up. Regina really did an amazing job with him. She really was his best chance at life. "Okay, enough of this. Let's get inside and start on dinner."

I already got groceries to try and recreate a Salmon & Quinoa dish I had once on one of my fake dates as a bail bonds person.

We unload the groceries and dive in to prepping everything.

"Wait. So, the person you wanted to 'clear the air with,' was that me?"

"Maybe…" He looks so guilty avoiding eye contact as he refuses to break eye contact with the salmon in the oven. And I burst out laughing.

The timer on the oven goes off, alerting us that the lemon zest seasoned salmon is ready. The quinoa is ready as well, at least, that's what Henry said since he was in charge of that part. It all just needs to be plated.

Knock Knock*

Right on cue. "It's unlocked." I hear the door open and shut. "We're in the kitchen."

"Hello, you two. This smells delicious." She pecks me on my lips, "hi," she whispers and proceeds to walk around the kitchen island to where Henry is sitting on a barstool. He was just finishing the last of his homework. She drops a kiss to his head.

"Hello, honey. How was school?"

"It was good. Nothing exciting. I think I'm finally starting to get algebra. Oh and I learned this new soccer skill during break. I forgot to tell you that Ma! I'll have to show you this week."

"I can't wait to see it! I better up my game." I plate up the dinner in shallow bowls for the three of us. Dinner is ready. The filet of salmon sat upon a bed of quinoa with a raspberry vinaigrette drizzled on top.

"I'm surprised. I didn't think you could actually cook but you've proved me wrong the last few days." She closes her eyes as leans forward to smell. She looks up at me with that coy grin. Nothing too big but just enough to see just a hint of the crows feet at the corners of her eyes. Fucking sexy as hell.

I cough to cover up my staring. "Well, I guess I just never found the right women to impress."

"Oh really?" Regina says at the same time as Henry snorts and says, "Smooth, Ma." Making us all laugh.

"C'mon, Kid! You're supposed to be my wingman."

Dinner was light and fun. Gone was the awkward silence when Henry used to force us to have weekly dinners together. Sure most of dinner was spent with Henry telling us more stories he hadn't yet covered from is camping trip and trying to explain his new soccer trick. The difference was instead of Regina and I trying our hardest to ignore each other we were sneaking glances here and there as Henry had most but not all of our focus.

Together we cuddle up in the living room. Henry is sprawled out on the couch, after picking the movie, while Regina and I share the love seat with her head on my shoulder and our hands entertained. The opening credits to Croods display across the projector I had installed for movie nights like these.

SQSQSQSQSQSQ