"Mom!" the two women heard Henry and Remy approaching.
Regina moved her walker to the side and Emma tightened her grip. The boys ran into their mother's arms and the three tightly hugged one another. "Okay, kids," Emma said, "mom needs to sit down. We're going to the backyard."
Henry moved back but helped his mother when she reached for her walker. He grabbed it for her and went to open the back door while Remy pulled out a chair for her. Emma kept her arm around the woman as they walked towards the back door. Odette came running out the back door and to Emma.
"Hey, princess," Emma lifted the toddler.
"She has so much energy," Snow said while panting and carrying Faline.
"You better get ready for this," Emma told her mother.
Regina couldn't believe how much her little girl had grown up. Odette turned and looked Regina in the eyes before smiling. She started to squirm and Emma put her down. Odette walked over to Regina and put her arms up. Emma helped Regina lift Odette onto her lap. The little girl hugged her mother tightly. Regina looked at her daughter with tears in her eyes, "do you remember me?"
"Mommy," Odette said.
"We've been working on that with her," Henry said, "she calls Emma, 'mama'. She knew who you were, though."
Odette looked at her brother, "Henwy, Wemy, pway?"
"Sure, princess," Henry said, He took Odette off Regina's lap and the three ran around the yard.
Emma looked at Regina and noticed she didn't appear as alert as before, "Regina, are you alright?"
"I'm just getting a bit tired."
"Go take a nap. We'll be here when you wake up."
"I'll lie down in a minute. I want to watch them a bit longer."
Snow looked at her grandkids who were waving at her, "I guess I'm being summoned."
"Don't play too hard," Emma said.
"Hey, I'm playing for two now," Snow joked and handed the baby to Emma.
When Snow was gone, Emma took Regina's hand, "honey, everything's gonna be alright."
"It's hard because the curse and the stroke both have me confused."
"I will do my best to help you."
"I know you will."
"Here," Emma handed Faline to Regina. The woman instantly fell in love with the blonde baby. "You know, we never really broke up."
Regina smiled, "I think my erasing your memory was the break-up."
"Well, that's all behind us."
"Did you...did you see anyone else?"
Emma sighed, "yes, and he asked me to marry him."
"Did you accept?"
"No, because something felt off. It didn't feel right. Did you see anyone?"
"Just your parents," Regina joked.
Emma chuckled, "well, then, what do you say we pick up where we left off?"
"I'd love that." Regina looked down at Faline, "she looks just like you."
"Odette looks just like you."
"We're pretty lucky."
"We really are." Emma leaned forward and held Regina tightly, "don't ever ask me to leave you again."
"I had to."
"I know, but don't do it again. Pay a different price."
"It doesn't work that way."
"Work with me here," Emma sighed.
"Yes, dear," Regina smiled.
"It's been so long since I've heard that."
"Mama!" Emma turned at her daughter's voice. The toddler was running towards them. "Wha bout wunch?"
Emma looked at her mother, "mom! Didn't you feed them at Granny's?"
"Odette said she wasn't hungry yet."
"Well, princess, what are you hungry for?"
"My favewit," she said.
Emma turned to Regina, "you don't happen to have mac 'n' cheese by chance?"
"Sorry, I don't."
"I can go get some," Henry offered.
"Just get a few orders from Granny's and we'll buy some tomorrow," Emma handed her card to her son.
"Tanks Henwy!"
"Anytime, princess."
"I'll drive you," Snow offered, "I'll pick up some from the store while you wait."
"I can go in and get them," Remy offered.
"Great cus I'm tired. Your sister wore me out."
Odette giggled, "she has a way of doing that," Emma said.
"We'll be back," Snow said.
"Thanks, mom," Emma said as the three left.
"I probably should have had them take the girls."
"Why?"
"Well, just to be able to help you more easily."
"Mama, watch movie?"
"Now that I brought," Emma said and sighed. "They're in my bags at the loft. I'll have grandma and the boys pick them up."
"Tanks," Odette said.
"She can watch cartoons," Regina said.
"Yay!" Odette was excited about that.
"Let me help mommy and we'll go to the living room," Emma said.
It was more difficult for Regina to stand this time. The chair outside was more difficult to get out of and she had less energy. Emma had to practically lift the woman out of the chair. "Don't go too far," Regina breathed out.
"I'll be right here."
Emma walked next to Regina the entire time while carrying Faline. Odette ran inside and jumped around as she waited for her moms to catch up. "She has so much energy."
"It's ridiculous, honestly."
Once they reached the living room, Emma helped Regina sit on the couch. "There's a button on the side that reclines it."
"I thought this looked different. When did you get it?"
"After my stroke. I felt it would be easier to nap on the couch this way."
Emma helped Regina recline. "Mommy," Odette came over with the remote she found, "cawtoons?"
Regina took the remote and turned on something for Odette. The little girl climbed up onto the couch and snuggled next to her mommy. Regina smiled and looked at Emma who smiled back. Emma sat next to Regina and Odette with Faline on her lap. It didn't take long for Regina to doze off. About an hour later, Snow walked into the living room and motioned for her granddaughter to be quiet.
"Go get some grub, princess," Emma whispered.
"Yay," the two-year-old said in an excited whisper.
"We ordered dinner too. David is going to pick it up after work," Snow whispered.
"Thanks," Emma said softly.