It was decided that Emma would go out of town for a couple of days to think things over. Regina had a bad feeling that the sheriff wasn't planning on returning. Emma was nearly at the town line when she saw Regina standing in the middle of the road. She quickly stopped to keep from hitting her. Emma got out of her bug, "Regina, what the hell?"

"I can't let you leave."

"It's pouring and you're going to get sick."

"I don't care. I can't let you leave. I won't let you."

"Honey, we've talked about this."

"That's the first time you've called me 'honey' in over a month. You wouldn't have called me that if you didn't care for me."

"I am hopelessly and madly in love with you."

"Then why are you leaving?"

"I told you I was only leaving for a few days to think."

"I can't take that chance."

"I promise you that I'll come home in three days."

"Tomorrow"

"Two days."

"Okay," Regina said softly.

"Now, go home before you get sick."

Emma did return to Storybrooke the next day but went straight to her parents. "I couldn't find anything," she told them.

"We could give you something," Snow said.

"Like what? You're still using yours."

"I'd give you my mother's, but that would be awkward."

David walked over with a box, "here are all of the ones we have."

Emma opened the box and something instantly caught her eye, "where did you get this?"

"I had it made for your mother," David answered. Snow looked at her husband and he got the hint, "take it," he said.

"Shouldn't I ask mom?"

"Take it," Snow said, "give it to her. I want her to have it."

"Thanks," Emma hugged her parents and hurried home. She ran into the house and found Regina in the living room.

"You're back," Regina said upon seeing Emma.

"Yeah," Emma got on her knees in front of Regina. She took both of her hands. "I can't imagine my life without you. Well, I can since I had a life before you, but it sucked. I don't ever want to be a part again. I'm so proud of you. I'd be honored if you would be my wife. Will you marry me?"

"You decided that in one day?"

"No," Emma said, "I was leaving to get you a ring, but nothing stood out." She pulled the ring she got from her parents. The center stone was a ruby apple, "I got this from my parents. My dad gave it to my mom, but they want you to have it. So do I."

"Yes," Regina said, "yes I'll marry you."

The next day, Regina had Emma drop her off at her mother's on her way to the station. Cora hugged her daughter and took the arm not holding the cane. "Sweetheart, I wish you would have just let me go to your house."

"I didn't want Emma to come home and see."

Cora helped her daughter settle on the couch, "see what?"

Regina showed her mother the engagement ring, "her parents gave her this to give to me. I was wondering if I could look at your rings?"

Cora smiled, "of course you can. Congratulations, I knew you two would work things out." Cora brought a box with all of her rings over to Emma. "Whichever one you want to give her is yours."

Regina looked through the box and found a ring with a yellow diamond, "this one," she said.

"I think that's perfect. Your father gave me that when you were born. Now, it's Emma's."

Regina smiled, "thank you."

Emma went to pick up Regina after work, "hey, you ready to go?"

Cora stepped out of the room. "Come here for a minute." Regina waited until Emma was seated. She took out the ring and placed it on Emma's finger, "I never in a million years thought I'd find someone to treat me and love me the way you do."

"It's beautiful," Emma said.

"My father gave it to my mother when I was born."

Emma kissed her fiance and helped her to her feet. She hugged Cora and thanked her for everything. When they got home, Emma helped the mayor inside, "my mother asked if we had a date yet?"

"Would you mind waiting a little while? I know this is vain, but I'd like my hair to be longer."

"I don't mind at all. I'll wait for you as long as I have to."

"I'm usually the one waiting for you."

The two women announced their engagement to their children who were thrilled. The couple chose the anniversary of Regina's diagnosis to get married. It was a way to shine some light on a dark day. She was still cancer-free and had recovered from her treatments and surgery. There was just one more thing, Regina wanted to do. With the blessing of her wife and doctors, Regina decided to get pregnant one more time. She gave birth to a baby girl named Stella Cora Mills. Once she had finished nursing, Regina underwent a double mastectomy to try and prevent a reoccurrence. She used magic to heal herself physically from the surgery. Regina had been to hell and back, but thanks to her wife, she never lost hope.