I know we're all waiting for the Charmings and Blue and Henry to disappear, and they will soon. But first, date night with all the couples with no interruptions, no kidnappings, and no author interference. Even Hook finds himself a surprising drinking buddy who might become something more. But that's the next chapter. This chapter is just a ton of dysfunction.

Regina wakes up that morning with a hand dangerously close to somewhere unexpected. She opens her eyes and turns her head to find Emmerson wrapped around her body like some sort of marsupial. He breathes onto her neck and has his leg tucked between hers. Regina wants nothing more than to rock her hips and relieve the pressure that's been building for the last several days, but she feels like maybe they should go on a date first.

Unfortunately, her mind shifts when Emmerson flexes his fingers, and Regina's reminded of where his hand is. Regina reaches behind her shoulder and tugs on his ear.

"Hey, Em? Baby? I need you to wake up," she whispers.

Emmerson barely moves, squeezing his hand unintentionally, and Regina swallows her moan. She exhales and looks down. Emmerson's hand is a lot bigger than she remembers, and that makes things worse on her end because now all she wants to know is if-

"Nope, do not go there," she mutters.

Regina pries Emmerson's fingers away from her breast and intertwines their fingers. She scoots forward and turns around, hovering over Emmerson's face. Regina kisses his cheek, jaw, and nose before she gives in to a little temptation and places an open-mouthed kiss on his neck. She bites down, and Regina yelps as Emmerson flips their positions. Regina finds herself more than a little turned on as he grinds his hips against hers. She waits for his brain to catch up with his body, and when Emmerson stops, Regina lets out a breath she didn't know she was holding. Emmerson blinks.

"Gina?"

"Who else would you be grinding on this early in the morning?"

Emmerson looks down, then back at her.

"Did you call me baby?" he asks.

"If you are not going to get me off, then get off of me," Regina says.

"That- you would want that? From me?"

Regina has a smart remark on the tip of her tongue before she changes course and says, "Very much so. But I know we are not there yet."

Emmerson nudges Regina's head to the side with his nose. He kisses the outer shell of her ear and whispers, "I want you too."

Regina's ears pick up on a door slamming in the hallway, and she knows Emmerson hears it too because he quickly slides off her and pulls himself up against the headboard. Regina's eyes fall to the tight abs on display from his risen shirt. She regrets letting him sleep in her bed because as much willpower as she boasts about, the reality is she has none when it comes to Emmerson.

"You're staring," he mutters.

"Because you are exceptionally handsome," Regina says without thinking.

Emmerson ducks his head and adjusts his shirt.

"Thank you," he whispers.

Regina smiles and picks up a pillow. She throws the pillow at the door just as it opens. Isabella yelps and manages to catch the pillow before it hits her face.

"Hey!"

"Good morning," Regina greets.

"Why did you throw a pillow at me?"

"Because I felt like it."

"Do you know it's like nine a.m.?"

"Your point?"

"Aren't you going to work today?"

"I am the Mayor, dear. I go to work when I want."

"Oh, I see. You took the day off."

"Why are you even here? Should you not be out causing mayhem and destruction?"

Isabella throws the pillow at Emmerson instead of Regina. Emmerson deflects the pillow at the last minute and glares at her.

"Do you really think I'm stupid enough to throw a pillow at my Mother?"

Emmerson rolls his eyes and gets out of the bed.

"I'm not sticking around for a one-sided pillow fight," he says.

"Where? Can I go with you?"

"Jesus. You're like a puppy."

"Was that a yes?"

Regina snorts and props her head.

"You need to wear something comfortable if you are," Emmerson says.

"Can I wear flannel and Doc Martens?"

"None of that is comfortable!"

"That's homophobic."

"It's too early for your shit, Bella."

Isabella gasps and points at Emmerson.

"Mom, Emmie cursed."

Emmerson physically recoils at the nickname and says, "Never call me that again."

"Why, super awesome future step-dad?"

Regina lazily flicks her wrist, and another pillow crashes into Isabella's head.

"Quit throwing shit at me!"

"Stop being an ass."

"But Emmie-

"Rosalie, get your mate!" Emmerson huffs.

"Isabella is not my problem until after two p.m.," Rosalie says, passing them as she goes downstairs.

"Which means I'm all yours today, Step-Dad!"

Isabella ducks the next pillow and sticks a tongue out at Regina. Emmerson turns around, and Regina blows him a kiss.

"I may join you for breakfast at Granny's since I know that's your first stop."

Emmerson glares at her and stomps out into the hallway. Isabella waves bye to Regina and closes the door behind her. Regina smiles genuinely once she's alone, but her smile falls as she stares at the ceiling.

"I need a shower," she mutters. "A very cold, very long shower."

Bella grabs Emmerson's hand as they walk down the street to Granny's. In a pair of skinny black jeans, a purple crop top, and unnecessarily high heels, Bella is tall enough to look Emmerson in the eyes. Emmerson tugs at his Sheriff's uniform and runs a hand through his hair.

"If you want, I can shave it down a little more."

Emmerson blinks at Bella, and she holds up their hands.

"When I touch people, and if I'm actually paying attention, I can read their emotions. You're hesitant because you're afraid if you go any lower with your hair, Mom won't like it, but you're uncomfortable because it's still too long. I'm saying that if you really want to go lower, I can shave the back and sides down a little more. Charlie was shit with a razor, so I had to learn."

A strand of hair falls between Emmerson's eyes at that moment, and Bella feels more than she hears his decision. Bella nods and lets the conversation drop. The two make their way up the stairs to Granny's, and Emmerson opens the door. Ruby points them to a booth in the back as she delivers food to a family near the front. Bella slides into the booth, expecting Emmerson to go to the other side, but instead, he slides in next to her. Ruby slides up to them and grins.

"Well, hello, you two," she says. "You seem awfully close this morning."

"It's Step-Daddy and Daughter day," Bella teases.

Emmerson shrugs when Ruby looks at him, and she laughs.

"You want your usual orders?"

"No. I want the pancake special, please, with extra bacon and lots of hash browns," Bella says.

"Got it. Lumberjack Bonanza. What about you, Em?"

"Can I have the same but instead of hash browns, can I have extra eggs?"

"Absolutely. Is anyone else coming?"

"Mom," Bella says. "She's going to want something lame and boring."

"So, that's two Lumberjack Bonanzas, one with extra pork and potatoes and the other with extra eggs, and a chicken salad with a water and a slice of lemon."

"Yep. Sounds about right."

Ruby winks and goes off to the kitchen. Bella touches Emmerson on the shoulder, and he turns to her expectantly.

"You said you needed more house clothes. Did you wanna stay here or go to the other store?"

"I don't feel safe going there at the moment, so here is fine."

"What are you looking for?"

"Shorts that don't have holes in them. Sweatpants. Muscle shirts." Emmerson looks down and adds in a low voice, "A binder or something."

"Okay. I'm going to ask you something, so please don't get mad." At Emmerson's nod, Bella leans over and whispers, "Have you considered…you know, a physical…change?"

"I haven't decided, which is why I haven't mentioned it."

Bella nods and props her chin on the table. "Does it bother you when I call you step-dad?" she asks.

"I'm not sure. It's weird. We're practically the same age."

"The joys of magic," Bella jokes. "But I don't mean to make you uncomfortable. If it does, I'll stop."

"You're okay. We're okay. It's an adjustment period. I went from living in the closet to having a group of people who automatically accept me and want to help me be…me. So."

"I had a moment in college where I experimented with gender and identity. And while it wasn't for me in the long run, I definitely grew to understand it and respect those who break free of that mold we're all forced into at birth. Gender is supposed to be fluid. I'm proud of you for having the courage to live your truth. There will always be people who don't understand, who refuse to try and understand, and it takes a special kind of strength to look them in the eyes and own yourself. You know, I was afraid that Mom would change her mind when she saw me."

Emmerson frowns, and Bella raps her knuckles on the table.

"It's one thing to know your child is gay, but to see them, to see the way they carry themselves or interact with their partner, is something else. I was afraid that once I got here, and she saw me as I am, she would be disappointed in me. Or sad. Something along those lines."

"Regina doesn't seem like the type."

"She isn't, but that's not something I thought about when I was driving alone down that long stretch of road. I kept wondering if I was good enough. I'm not a child anymore. I've lived a life away from her, away from all of this, and I have internal and external scars. I'm damaged in some places, and I'm cracked in others. I just…" Bella stops and sighs. "Nothing, sorry. I didn't mean to turn this on me."

The bell over the door rings, but neither one of them notices.

Emmerson puts his hand on Bella's shoulder and says, "You can always vent to me. Even if you think it isn't something worth getting upset over, you can come to me. I don't know your relationship with Regina all that well or what all you went through together. I don't think anyone does except you two, and maybe your father once upon a time. But I know Regina well enough to know that she loves you. She loves that you're open with who you are, and that will never change. Nothing you do will ever change that love she has for you. And, to be honest, the same goes for me. You and I got a lot of adjusting to do, but I can confidently say I will support you and continue to care for you."

Bella turns red and looks down at the table.

"This isn't about me, Em," Bella mutters. "I was supposed to be helping you."

"And you did. We have all day together, and I can tell this is just the tip of the iceberg. What are you afraid of, Bella? Truly?"

Bella looks down, and Emmerson grabs her chin. He lifts her head and looks her in the eyes.

"Why are you afraid of…." Emmerson trails off when it hits him. "Oh."

Bella turns away, and Emmerson exhales. Though it physically pains him to say it out loud, he scoots closer to Bella and puts his hand on her shoulders.

"I think Henry's too far gone."

"But what if he isn't? I see the way she stares off into space sometimes, the way Mom winces whenever she walks past his room, and I know she still wants him back. And I get it, you know? I would be a bigger asshole than I already am if I pretended not to get it. But what if one day, she wakes up and realizes that I'm not good enough? That Henry is a better-

Emmerson yelps as he's dragged out of the booth, and Bella panics when Regina slides in beside him.

"Mom, when did you-

"Stop talking and listen. Because I will only say this once."

Bella clamps her mouth shut. Regina leans over and looks Bella in the eyes.

"I will always pick you. I would rather feel the pain of losing Henry a million times over than ever experience losing you again. Yes, that is an awful thing to say, but it is a hard truth I had to come to terms with," Regina says softly. "I will not live another life without you in it. I swear this on my magic."

Bella gasps as Regina's eyes flash purple, and the vow is set.

"Mom! You can't- you should-

"What's done is done." Bella is speechless. Regina cups her cheek and smiles. "You are more than enough. More than worth it. I am blessed to call you my own. And this I also swear on my magic."

Bella feels the magic settle into her skin before Regina kisses her forehead and settles into the booth. She picks up the menu.

"Now, what did you order for me?"

Bella smiles, tears still in her eyes, and says, "Chicken salad with water and a lemon."

"Oh, that sounds lovely."

Rosalie lightly pushes Emmerson into the other side of the booth.

"You know, having your new best friend drag me to the floor was unnecessary," he huffs.

Regina shrugs and says, "It would have happened sooner, but I had to stop her from killing someone."

"Again?" Bella asks.

"What do you mean again?" Rosalie asks.

"I assumed it's happened before."

"You know what they say about assumptions."

"Mom, Rose is threatening me."

"I am not threatening you," Rosalie grits out. "But if you want me to, I will."

"Kinky."

Rosalie and Emmerson both scowl when David appears at their table. Bella huffs and rolls her eyes.

"You idiots are always ruining something. Dinner. Breakfast. A walk in the park. I swear, had I know you were this annoying, I would've burned that damn movie years ago. Snow White, Princess of the people. Bullshit."

David frowns at Bella before he turns to Emmerson.

"Emma, can I have a word with you?" he asks.

"No, thank you."

David huffs and leans down on the table. "Listen, your mother and I know you're having a hard time adjusting, but this is unacceptable. You need to stop this-this rebellious phase and come home. Henry needs you. Your mother needs you. And we all need you to start acting like the Princess you are."

"He's more like a pillow princess," Bella mutters.

Regina elbows Bella. Bella pouts.

"Emma, can we please talk about this somewhere else? I don't feel comfortable."

"You could always leave, Shepherd," Regina drawls.

"How about you shut up for once in your life, Regina? This doesn't involve even you."

Bella twitches.

"David, I don't want to talk about this. I don't want to come home. I'm happy where I am. I'll be remaining at Regina's where I'm loved and respected," Emmerson says, watching Bella warily.

"Love? Regina doesn't know anything about love! She's a selfish, evil, manipulative witch!" David exclaims.

"Watch the way you speak about my girlfriend," Emmerson warns.

Regina and David both react in shock.

"Girlfr- you can't be serious!" David yells. He turns to Regina and growls, "The hell did you do to my daughter?"

"I did nothing to him that he did not want."

David grabs Regina's arm, and Bella jumps on the table and tackles David to the floor. She grips his uniform and scowls.

"Do. Not. Touch. My. Mother."

The entire diner goes still. No one moves. Granny pokes her head out of the kitchen. Ruby shakes her head, and Granny goes back to cooking.

"Now, you will listen to me very carefully," Bella says coldly. "You-

David suddenly slams his head forward, and Bella's nose cracks from the impact. She loses her grip on him momentarily before she shakes off the hit. Rosalie audibly growls, and Bella laughs. Blood streams down her face, and she grins down at David. Bella wraps her hand around his throat and squeezes until he starts to turn red. Bella leans over to whisper in his ear.

"I ever see you around my family again, I will kill you. Slowly."

Bella lets go of his throat. She slams her fist into his face, breaking his nose and knocking out a few teeth, and she leaves him on the floor as she stands. Bella resets her nose. Her eyes water and she blinks away the tears. Bella turns around. Rosalie slides out of the booth and heads toward the back. Bella follows Rosalie to the bathroom, where the vampire opens the door and jerks her head. Rosalie's eyes are pitch black, and Bella can't tell if it's anger or annoyance. Rosalie locks the door behind them before Bella finds herself pinned to the wall. Rosalie grips Bella's chin and licks away the blood pouring from Bella's nose.

The act is arousing in the worst way and Bella whimpers. Rosalie's grip tightens, and she tilts Bella's head to the side. Rosalie takes one of Bella's hands and places it under her skirt. Bella's eyes widen, and Rosalie scrapes her teeth along Bella's neck. Bella moves Rosalie's panties to the side. She almost loses her mind when, instead of stopping her, Rosalie spreads her legs wider. Bella runs her finger through Rosalie's folds, shocked by how wet she is, and she huffs when Rosalie clamps her legs shut.

"We are not having sex in a diner bathroom," she says.

Rosalie blurs to the other side of the bathroom and unlocks the door. She winks at Bella before she leaves, and Bella lifts her finger in the air. She licks it clean and groans.

"Fuck. You taste amazing," she says out loud, knowing Rosalie could hear her.

Seconds later, her phone vibrates in her pocket, and Bella takes it out. She opens the text message from Rosalie and snorts.

Rose: Obviously.

Moments before…

David scrambles to his feet and holds his face. He spots Emma and Regina still in the booth, but Ruby blocks him before he can go over there.

"Go home, David," she says.

"Why s'everyone keeping me from my daughter!" he shouts, his words nasally and slurred.

"Your daughter isn't here," Ruby says lowly. "And she hasn't been for a long time. Now, leave."

David steps back when the wolf's eyes glow yellow. Ruby snarls and David hurries from the diner. He nearly runs into some big, beefy kid with golden eyes. David shivers when those eyes focus on him makes his way to his truck.

First, a stop to Whale. Next, to talk strategy with Snow. Their daughter was in danger, and they needed to save her.

"Are you okay?" Emmerson asks Regina.

"Did you call me your girlfriend?" she says.

"I love you. I want the whole town to know you're mine. What better way than saying it here in gossip central?"

Regina's eyes visibly darken, and she turns around. All of them tense when David headbutts Bella, but when Bella laughs, they relax.

"Should I feel bad for not stopping this?" Emmerson asks.

"Do you want to stop it?" Rosalie replies, her eyes firmly on Bella.

Emmerson takes a moment, then says, "Not really."

Bella whispers something in David's ear before she stands and resets her nose. Rosalie exhales sharply. When Rosalie gets up from the booth and Bella follows, Emmerson sighs because he knows David isn't done. Thankfully, Ruby steps in, and whatever she says has David running from the diner. When he's gone, Emmerson flexes his fingers.

"Go to dinner with me," Regina says. "Tonight."

"Where?"

"At my house."

"With everyone there?"

"Obviously not. I think Rosalie is taking Bella somewhere tonight," Regina says dismissively.

"I'll be there."

Rosalie, without Bella, slides back into the booth.

"Did you kill my child?" Regina asks.

"Not in the way you're thinking." Rosalie tilts her head, smirks, and pulls out her phone. She sends a text message and adds, "I merely tasted what was already provided."

"What does that even mean?"

Bella comes back to the table with no blood on her face. She slides in next to Regina and asks nasally, "Momma, can you fix the bone? Rose cleaned up the blood."

Regina sighs and flicks her wrist. An ice pack appears, and she slides it to Bella, who pouts and puts it on her face. Her mood brightens when Ruby returns with their food. Emmerson reaches for the plate at the same time as Bella. He holds them out of reach. Bella glares at Emmerson and lowers the ice pack.

"Give. Me. My. Pancakes," Bella hisses.

"No."

Rosalie waves at Emmett as he sits down at the bar. Emmett salutes and turns back to Ruby. Rosalie hears him order food for Jax and Vincent. Regina taps Rosalie on the arm and gestures to the pepper. Rosalie passes it to her while nudging the ice pack toward Bella. Bella puts it back on her face before she turns to Emmerson again.

"Please?" Bella whines.

Emmerson finally gives Bella her food, and Bella points her knife at him.

"Never ever keep me from pancakes," she warns. "Ever."

"Sure thing," Emmerson pauses and winks, "Step-daughter."

Regina chokes.