Emma woke up to her lovely boyfriend tapping her shoulder with a smile, he gently leaned down and kissed her cheek nuzzling his nose against her face. "Mhm...hook what time is it?" She husked, reaching out blindly for her phone.

"It is ten past eight my love." He smirked, kissing the side of her neck and setting her morning coffee down on her side table. Emma gasped and her eyes sprung to life. "Shit shit shit!"

"Emma what is it!" Hook jumped from the bed, looking at his girlfriend in a startled manner. "S-sorry...Regina is going to have my ass."

"Mhm damn it I rather love that ass." Hook joked. Emma rolled her eyes, scrambling around and shoving her white tank top inside of her jeans before grabbing her signature leather jacket. "Hook I'm serious. I have ten minutes to make it to the mayoral office for our weekly meeting." Emma grumbled, rushing past hook and toward the front door.

"Emma Swan wait!" Emma stopped in her tracks just before grabbing the handle and looked at her pirate with lots of love. "Yes?"

"Here...I put your coffee in a Togo cup." She groaned at the cup and smiled, "thank you so much."

"I know you hate this stuff but it'll keep ya awake aye?"

"This is true. Lord knows I need all the caffeine in order to face her majesty..." hook laughed and laid a gentle kiss to Emma's forehead.

"I would say good luck but you know-"

"Yeah yeah.." Emma ran out the door, it shutting rather aggressively behind her.

Emma showed up to the mayoral office maybe two minutes behind schedule but to Regina that was two minutes to long. "Mhm look who decided to grace me with their presence." Regina mumbled with a bored tone, glasses perched up on her nose as she went over some paperwork for the new playground the town was building.

Emma scoffed and sat down opposite the queen, "yeah well...I come bringing gifts?" Emma set down and oat milk latte in front of the queen, her heart warming up at the gentle smile that earned. "Well you definitely won back some points."

"Well hook tried to make me some this morning and uh...well let's just say it had to be done."

Regina's face changed just at the mere thought of that filthy pirate but she quickly covered it up, "yes well...he's a pirate dear. I'm sure rum is more his speed." Emma laughed and gave a sharp nod at that fact, taking a bear claw out of her goody bag and holding it between her teeth. She grabbed out an apple muffin and set it in front of Regina.

"Oh and a muffin? You must be in a very bribing mood!" Emma scoffed, taking a huge bite out of her bear claw and crumbs flew everywhere.

"You could at least try to eat like an adult. What kind of example are you setting for our son."

"Yes your majesty..." Emma did an over exaggerated bow and picked up her copy of the reports. Over the past few months Emma and Regina had actually grown rather fond of one another and a friendship was brewing! They were a few joking remarks from inviting each other out for girls night at this point.

"So Emma...you didn't quite meet your quota for this month. Why is that?"

Emma chewed the bear claw stuck in her teeth before taking a generous swig of her latte, "there's just not a lot going on this month. With Leroy on bar restriction for this next month and no flying monkeys running about...the town is just pretty quiet."

"Understandable..." Regina mumbled, flipping quietly through her pages. "Mhm...I wanted to run something by you." Emma nodded, stuffing the rest of her bear claw in her mouth and smirking at the disgusted look on Regina's face. Regina slowly took her glasses off and set them aside. "Henry is...fifteen now and he's starting to uh...let's just say he's starting-"

"Regina just spit it out already." Emma grumbled, clearly looking worried and just needing to hear what was going on. "He asked me if he can go out on a date."

Emma snickered and shrugged her shoulders, "that's it?"

"Emma dear do act like you're actually at all concerned."

"But I'm not..."

"What!" Regina shrieked, crossing her arms over her chest.

"Awe you look cute when you're all frustrated."

Regina blushed and looked down at the floor in embarrassment, "I do not! You'll do well not to say that again..." she mumbled, clearing her throat. She quickly collected her thoughts and sighed. "Emma I'm worried. He's still my baby. He's only fifteen!"

"I was out doing far worse than asking my mom if I can take someone on a date at his age...I say we...if it worry's you that much we start out slow. Let him go to a movie with the girl! We will pick him up and drop him off."

Regina listened carefully and slowly nodded her head, "yes uh...I agree to those terms."

"You agree to those terms." Emma mocked in a fancy accent, "Regina we're in Storybrooke Maine...not the Enchanted Forest."

"Oh shut it Swan..." Regina giggled and threw her now crumpled up napkin at Emma's head.

"Jesus woman! Killer right hook." Regina rolled her eyes and looked back down at the budget, "now can we get back to these important topics please?"

"Oh yes...sounds riveting." Regina hid her smirk well, a happy swell in her heart filling with every moment this insufferable woman was staying in her office. Wait. Why am I feeling...giddy over this woman. Regina's thoughts were going one million miles a minute as she sat, pretending to carefully listen to Emma's explanation as to why the budget had been changed slightly this month.

"Regina? Hello? Mayor Mills!"

Regina gasped and looked up into concerned green eyes, shaking her head. "Sorry. Sorry I went somewhere else for a minute. What did you ask?"

"Yes clearly...I asked if there would be any room this month in the budget to add an additional cell to our station." Regina looked at Emma with a furrowed brow ready to immediately say no until Emma cut her off.

"Leroy is always in there for one and whenever we get another person in there...they always fight and bicker. It's annoying!"

Regina laughed sarcastically and sat up in her chair, pulling her glasses off. She laced her fingers on the desk and sighed. "Emma you're the sheriff of this town. It's literally a part of your job to deal with fighting and bickering townsfolk. As for the money...no it's not in this budget. That would require an entire remodel. We would have to take down a wall. It's just too much Emma."

Emma grumbled something under her breath and crossed her arms over her chest, looking anywhere but at the mayor who was honestly...making complete sense. "I'm sorry what?" Regina smirked knowingly, an eyebrow raised at the blonde.

"Nothing nothing."

"Alrighty then... meeting adjourned!"

Emma stood up and slowly dragged her feet to the door in an over dramatic Emma Swan kind of way. "Oh and Emma?"

Emma turned around and felt her heart tug as she stared at the brunette giving her a pleased smile, glasses back over her eyes. "Thank you for the latte." She mumbled as she brought it to her lips.

"Of course madam mayor."


Later that day Emma found herself at granny's, sitting across from Hook while enjoying some dinner. He was always a creature of habit which I guess could be comforting but she did sometimes wish he would take her out somewhere...different once in a while. Hook winked at her across the table as Ruby set down their meals. "A burger and fries for you Emma with a chocolate shake and...a fried cod sandwich with a cola for you Hook."

Emma smiled and silently began digging into her meal, humming contently as the food graced her taste buds. "You alright love?" Killian mumbled, wiping his face on a napkin.

"Oh yeah! Good. Just tired I suppose. Busy day at the office." No it wasn't. That couldn't be farther from the truth.

Suddenly the door bell rang signaling a new guest had walked in and what do you know. Regina and Henry! Emma couldn't begin to contain her excitement as she jumped up, waving at the pair. Regina scoffed and smiled, waving back and guiding Henry in the direction of his other mother. "Hey Ma!"

"Hey kid." Emma wrapped him in a huge bear hug, practically squeezing the life from him.

"Geez mom! I get it you got guns." Emma laughed and playfully ruffled his hair before sitting back down. "Sit with us! There's plenty of room." Emma hummed happily before looking over to Killian who was just staring at her blankly, "but my love...it's date night." He said through tight teeth.

"Killian. This is my son...surely there's enough room for him and the mother of my child."

Regina felt her stomach do a complete three sixty at the sentimental statement and cleared her throat awkwardly, "Emma it really...it's okay. We can get breakfast all together tomorrow?"

Henry looked at Killian with distaste, crossing his arms over his chest and staying completely silent. "H-hen would that be ok with you?"

Henry snapped out of his trance and give his blonde mother his best 'I'm completely okay with that. Sounds perfect' smile he could. "Yeah! Then maybe you can help me with operation...ask Wendy on a date."

Emma just laughed and stood up, pulling him in a hug. "I would love that kid. I miss our operations." She wiggled her eyebrow, rubbing his back.

"Yeah me too..." he mumbled, looking over toward hook. The second she got with that man she stopped hanging around so much, stopped coming to regular Sunday dinners, stopped doing their operations. Emma pulled away and could see the disappointment on her sons face, "hey.." she grabbed his cheeks lovingly, refocusing him and smiled when his brown eyes met hers. "I love you Kid."

"I love you too ma." He smiled, leaning into her touch. "Okay little prince. Time to eat yes?" Regina smiled her signature tight lipped smile and nodded at the pair. "Enjoy your...date." Regina gently guided Henry to another booth and Emma was forced to sit back down and continue eating her now cold food.

For the rest of dinner hook tried to start up casual conversation with Emma, but she was just too upset to even reply happily. If she didn't look miserable at the moment she sure felt it. "Aye love. What's going on?" Hook reached his one hand across the table and rubbed hers, pausing when Ruby came over to remove their now empty plates. "Thanks Rubes." Emma smiled, pulling her hand away from hook.

Once they were alone she refocused and decided she was gonna let him have it. It needed to be said. "You may not come between me and my son." Her tone was serious and she pointed her finger at the table for added effect. Killian sunk back against the booth and let out an exasperated sigh, "I didn't realize that what I was doing. Nor that you felt that way."

Emma sighed, taking a deep breath. "Yes well...when my son comes up to me in a diner and wants to have dinner together. I'm sorry but you can't just shoo him away." Emma raised an eyebrow and leaned herself slightly over the table as she spoke at him.

"Emma." Killian shook his head and ran his hand through his hair, shrugging his shoulders. "As a couple...we need to be allowed private time. Date nights. Other things." He winked trying to be playful but this was so not the time.

"I understand that Killian, but I don't see my son hardly enough and I wouldn't consider Granny's a date night. We're practically here every single day. It's just another night eating out." Killian scoffed and grit his teeth.

"What this isn't good enough for you?" He growled, his hook digging against the table.

"Killian I won't argue with you here." Emma crossed her arms over her chest and tilted her chin up, looking down at him. "Emma...I'm sorry love. I don't want to fight. Let's just go home yes?"

Emma shrugged and shook her head no. "I actually was going to ask Henry if he wanted to get ice cream. You go on without me. I'll be home later." Emma felt slightly bad for not extending an invite to the pirate but at the same time...she was pissed off at him! He could stew in this for a little bit. "Will Regina be there?" His face almost looked...jealous? But she couldn't begin to understand why. Was it because Henry didn't live with them and was with Regina? Or maybe because Regina and Emma have to spend a lot of time together as it is?

"Of course she will be Killian. It's Henry's mom."

"Right...right. Well I'll see you in a bit?" Emma just nodded and smiled softly as Killian kissed her forehead, paying the bill at the front and then leaving the diner.

Emma made her way over to Henry and Regina's booth, smiling brightly at the pair. "Mhm what a splendid surprise...hello Miss. Swan." Regina hummed in mock sarcasm.

"Don't listen to her." Henry rolled his eyes, moving over for his blonde mother. "She's really excited to see you too." Regina gasped and blushed against her will, "don't feed her lies son! It'll go to her head." The brunette quickly joked, changing the mood.

Emma laughed and reached over the booth, nudging Regina's shoulder. "Will you two come get ice cream with me?"

"Oh Hook won't be joining us?"

"Nah.." Emma sighed trying to look indifferent. "Just the three amigos."

"Ma never say that again."

"I second that Henry." They all shared a happy laugh and Henry took a big slurp of his Coke. "Wow! Moms gonna let you drink a Coke...and have ice cream!? She must be in some mood." Emma mocked, smiling up at the queen.

"I never did say we would join you." Regina said in an all too serious voice, immediately realizing she may have wounded the blondes feelings by the immediate saddened face. "But we will. Yes I could go for a sorbet right about now." Regina sighed, trying to act like she wasn't just saying anything to make the blonde smile again. It worked immediately anyway.

"Oh come on Regina!" Emma giggled, "why not try some actual ice cream."

"Because ma... it's not healthy. I'm far too young and beautiful to die from diabetes." Emma broke out in a fit of laughter at Henry's incredible impression of his mom.

"Henry Daniel Mills! Are you mocking me?" She tried to sound serious but the huge smile on her face gave away exactly what she was feeling.

"I mean if you're gonna mock someone...do it right at least, and he did it perfect." Emma laughed, gently rubbing her shoe against Regina's calf. The laugh on her lips immediately died at the intimate gesture and got caught in her throat. The touch was gone as soon as it came, "Regina you alright?"

"I-oh yes. Ready to go?"

"You sure you're not gonna finish your salad? There's still a lot left mom!"

"Not if I'm also going to eat sorbet." Emma and Henry looked at one another, rolling their eyes playfully. "Emma you are teaching my son horrible manners.

"Um our son and I'm not teaching him anything. That's genetic." Emma smirked, giving Henry a cute high five. Regina scoffed, trying to hide her smile as she paid the bill. "Come along you children..."


"Mhm strawberry my favorite!" Henry smiled happily, nodding his head at his large ice cream cone.

"Henry did you seriously need two scoops?"

"Come on mom! It's a special night."

"Henry. It's Tuesday. A normal Tuesday what do you mean?"

Emma laughed at Regina's honest confusion, licking her own strawberry cone that began dripping. "I think he just means us all out here together...it's nice." Emma hummed and took a seat at the picnic table outside of the ice cream shop.

"It is nice." Regina agreed, sitting directly next to Emma while Henry sat across from them.

"Okay ma...operation Wendy. How we doing it!"

Emma laughed and sighed, looking at Regina who had a very unamused face on. "Well kid...get her some flowers. A box of chocolates because young woman love chocolate. Maybe not so much your mother...if I got her chocolate I'm sure she'd throw them at my head." Henry broke out into a fit of giggles, nodding fast. All Regina could think about was the fact she brought up getting her chocolate.

"I..like chocolate." Regina mumbled, taking a small bite of her sorbet.

"You do!?"

"In-"

"Moderation. Yeah yeah." Emma smirked and winked at the brunette to let her know she was kidding.

"Okay ma so...flowers and chocolates. Then what?"

"Well..ask her what movies she's into. Then ask her if possibly she'd wanna go see one with you sometime!"

"That's it?" Henry looked baffled. Surely there was more to it than that.

"If she likes you that's all it takes kid."

Regina smiled at how confused their son looked, shaking her head at him. "Your mother is right darling. That's all it takes...if she likes you."

Henry nodded thoughtfully like he was mentally noting this and licked his ice cream once again, looking up with a warm smile. "Roland!" Emma and Regina both turned around on cue, noticing the cute little dimply boy walking their way with his forest loving father in tow.

"Emma. Hey Regina!" Robin greeted, smiling brightly once Regina made eye contact with him. Gross. Emma pretended to gag toward Henry making him giggle. "Roland you're gonna get some ice cream too!"

"Yeah Hen! I gots savins'" Roland hummed holding his five dollar bill in the air. "Here come on...I'll help ya pick something out."

Robin waved at Henry and smiled his way, silently thanking him. "What are you two ladies up to.." Robin sighed, sitting down on the same side of the bench with them, very very close to Regina. Emma couldn't understand why she suddenly felt uncomfortable and just didn't really like how he jumped in on their family time.

"Oh just...taking our son for ice cream." Regina smiled weakly, taking another bite of her sorbet. "Yeah he's trying to ask this girl out so...I'm helping him." Emma laughed and nodded her head.

"What! That's amazing. Well he should ask me for some pointers. Man to man." Emma didn't like the way that settled with her. She frowned but didn't say anything in return. Her entire body going stiff.

Regina could instantly feel the tension in the blonde and decided to speak up, "actually it's all taken care of. Emma gave him some great advice!" Regina hummed, noting Emma's soft little smile. Why am I feeling so inclined to be nice. Regina thought, finishing her kid size sorbet and reaching behind them to throw it out.

"I-oh okay. Well if he needs any extra help." Regina gave him a tight lipped smile and nodded in appreciation. "Actually Reg I was wondering if maybe you wanted to go out to dinner sometime this week? With me?"

Emma's ears immediately perked up and she must've had the most serious look on her face because before Regina could even respond Henry came over laughing at his blonde mom. "Jesus mom! You look like you've seen a ghost."

"Henry Mills! Don't swear." Regina gasped, what he said going completely over her head in correlation with what just happened. "Mom that's not a swear word."

"Don't argue with your mother kid." Emma defended her, blushing softly still from what she was almost caught feeling. She got up and threw her cone away, no longer having an appetite.

Robin awkwardly chuckled at their whole exchange and sighed, "so...what do you say?" Regina got up and let out a nervous chuckle, looking over at Henry and then Emma who both gave her blank expressions. Henry didn't hear what he'd even asked so his was just confusion but Emma was just trying to act indifferent.

"I'm sorry Robin...right now isn't the best time with running the town and uh..my son and everything." Lame excuse Regina.

"Oh uh.." Robin chuckled nervously and rubbed the back of his neck, "sure thing. Maybe some other time." Regina gave him an apologetic smile and nodded, stepping back so Roland could approach his father. "Papa! I got chocolate." He smiled, a ring of ice cream around his mouth. "Oh that's great son..." he mumbled, slowly guiding his four year old away from the group.

"Oh that was brutal.."

"Henry!" Emma gasped, giving Regina a small smile.

"So you're just..not into him? That's fine Regina."

"I-I know I should be. He's my soul mate technically...but I've tried to go on dates with him. Months ago...and it just never stuck. It wasn't the right fit." Henry came beside Regina and gently hugged her, "that's ok mom. The right person is out there for you somewhere!"

"For sure Regina." Emma smiled, waiting until she got Regina's eye contact. "Someone is ready to have you as their partner. I just know it." Emma blushed at her own kind words and immediately looked away, embarrassed.

Regina felt just as embarrassed but not because the words Emma said were unwanted but because suddenly she realized they were so wanted. All these years of constant bickering and teasing...Emma's silly little jokes, and don't even mention her adorable smile. Those beautiful long legs...that long blonde hair and her piercing eyes, and - oh my god.

Oh my god I like Emma Swan.