A/N: Here is the second update of the day, as promised! :) It took me almost all day to write due to interruptions, and I know, it's not as long as the last update, but it's still a goody. Happy reading!


"Ugh." Mary Margaret woke with a headache that morning as she entered her living room, fingers rubbing hard against her temple.

"Good morning." David smiled, setting his coffee cup down for himself against the breakfast table while the other was handed over to his wife. "Coffee?"

Mary Margraet gracefully accepted the cup, taking a much needed sip and humming in agreement. Her eyes, once they open they spot David dressed in his uniform. "Are you going to work?"

"Yeah," David sighed, placing down his folded up newspaper. "Graham called me, seems I'm needed even when I'm not needed, so, it's just for a few hours."

"Good morning." Belle's voice, followed by Belle herself came walking toward their breakfast table and taking a seat. She looked just as hungover as Mary Margaret felt.

"Good morning. We have coffee." David stood, walked over to the kitchen and reached for a new clean cup before placing it before Belle. "By the looks of it, you could really use it."

"Thank you so much. I don't usually do this kind of thing, I'm so embarrassed." Said Belle.

After placing a little sugar and cream before Belle. "Nothing to be embarrassed about. It was a fun night. Definitely will be feeling that in my leg later."

Mary Margaret's brow furrowed as she waited for David to place his jacket on to pull him over by the hems. "Um… Who is that?" She whispered.

David glanced at Belle before looking back at his wife. "That's Belle."

"Who's Belle?"

"Regina's friend. She spotted us at the dance last night, invited us for drinks." David grins. "Boy, and you said you weren't drunk last night."

"I wasn't." Mary Margaret glared, the bags under her eyes not being the only thing deceiving her.

"I gotta go." David placed his cap on before giving his wife a kiss on the cheek. "Bye- oh, and uh," he turned to Belle, who was far more interested in reading the newspaper, but just in case, he whispered. "While you're alone with her, don't mention anything about Regina and Emma, you know."

"Oh!" Mary Margaret nodded, straightening her husband's tie quickly. "I won't. Have a good day at work."

"Bye." David gave his wife another kiss, but on the lips this time before waving to Belle. "I'll see you around, Belle. It was nice meeting you."

"You, too." Belle smiled and waved. She placed down the newspaper once Mary Margaret came back from walking David to the door.

"So…" Mary Margaret breathed. "Breakfast?"

"I'll help." Belle stood up, too quickly judging from the plunging she felt in her head. She gave the feeling to wash off for a minute before heading toward the kitchen with Mary Margaret.


Regina's eyes opened to a brand new day. She wasn't as hungover as she thought she would be, but slightly. But the room spinning wasn't what woke her, but the smell of freshly cooked breakfast. And when she turned to the side where the nightstand was, she spotted a fresh glass of orange juice already placed there with a small piece of paper that read: Drink Me! Followed by two pills placed right up front.

Emma never failed to surprise her.

"Good, you're up." Emma grinned, carrying a breakfast tray in her hands as she's walking over to the bed where Regina is. She leaned in carefully, enough to place a quick kiss to Regina's lips. "Good morning."

Regina places back the glass of orange juice on the nightstand after having taken the pills. "What is all this?" She asked Emma, seeing the tray of breakfast being placed over her legs as she sat up.

"This is what you call 'breakfast in bed.' Remember, now that you're with me, a lot of new but exciting things will happen to you." Said Emma, taking a seat tight at the edge of the bed. She was still wearing her pajama bottoms along with one of her black tank tops that Regina appreciated so much. "Now, I would have made you my famous chocolate pancakes that you loved so much before, but unfortunately August only had a few eggs left in his fridge and a few strips of bacon. No toast."

Regina spotted a single rose placed by the plate. "Emma, this is too much." She looked at Emma with a smile.

"Oh, come on. It's never too much." Emma waved her off. "It's nothing else but what you deserve."

Regina picked up the rose and held it close to her nostrils. "Well, it's beautiful. Thank you."

"Yeah, I keep trying to find one prettier than you, but I've come to the conclusion that that's just impossible." Emma playfully shrugs, stealing a slice of bacon as she pops it into her mouth and chews.

The brunette smirks and shakes her head. "I meant the gesture of troubling yourself by bringing me breakfast in bed. No one's ever done that before."

"That's a crime." Emma's eyes took in the beautiful sight of Regina in the morning. "I'm guessing Chief Irons isn't much of a cook then, huh?"

Regina scoffs through her chewing as she shakes her head in response. She waits until she swallows and says, "He's never cooked a thing in his life. Of course, why does he have to when he has me or Sidney to do it for him." She stabs her eggs with the fork and takes another bite. "Now that I think about it…" Regina stares off in thought before she's looking at Emma again. "I don't think he's ever had a kind gesture toward anyone in his life."

"What about Audrey?" Emma asked, carefully watching Regina eat.

Regina sighs. "I think Audrey is the only thing- dare I say- that he truly loves. But he never… No, he never spent his time hugging her like a father should. I was always there when she would scrape her knee, or cut herself trying to help me cook something for her father." She sees a small smile emerge from Emma. "I gave our daughter all the love in the world. I always figured that with age he would change a little toward her- toward me-" Regina chuckles and rolls her eyes at how ridiculous that sounded coming out of her lips.

"Was he always abusive toward you?" Emma had to ask. She wanted to know. Anything that hurt Regina or made her happy, she wanted to know about it.

Regina frowned, her fork clanked against the plate as she shifted in bed. "When I was forced to marry Leopold he was not kind. He wasn't abusive in the very beginning, I'd like to think it was because he took a little consideration of my age at the time. But, ever since I married him, I had a feeling, it was always clear how things were going to be with him." She brushed her fingers across her hair to comb it through. "He's always been a man of order, of discipline, and correction. Sidney was always around, I liked him instantly so I had him teach me everything he knew around the house. The first mistakes I would make, Leopold would brush them off, but as I grew older that started changing."

Emma's inside twisted into knots, into hatred for Leopold White as she listened.

"I remember the first time he hit me when I was sixteen. It was a few months into our marriage. I was pregnant with Audrey at the time." Regina chuckles and shakes her head. "To be honest, I can't even remember why he did it. I think it was because a towel in the bathroom was out of place."

"If you tell me he listens to haunting symphonies every time he forced you to have sex with him, then I have a pretty good idea of the type of movies he would like to watch."

Regina's eyebrows knitted but she couldn't hold back a chuckle. "No. Nothing like that. He's never listened to music much, except for some opera or classical every now and again."

"I figured that." Emma murmurs, reaching for Regina's hand. "I will never have enough words to say how sorry I am that you had to go through all that, Regina. To fight through all the pain he must have caused you. I mean no disrespect but, your mother must have been a real piece of work if she allowed this to happen."

Regina made a sound that was between a scoff and a chuckle. "That she was. I can tell you right now, she wouldn't have been thrilled of me seeing you. And not just because of your age, but because you're a woman. I'm sure she would have gladly told Leopold about this."

"Whatever happened to your mom?" Emma asked.

Regina sighed, taking a moment to answer. "She passed away during a car collision. I used to hate myself because many nights after her death, I would always think to myself: 'I hope she suffered.' It made me feel like a horrible person. But I was angry at her, angry for consenting a marriage that I never wanted in the first place, and for ruining my chances at having something better at such a young age."

"There's still time, Regina." Emma hears another scoff come from Regina. "No, there is."

"You're twenty-five, Emma. Of course you're going to say that."

Emma rolls her eyes. "Yeah, and I've seen women older than you come to my class to learn about photography. Some women are already grandmothers. Who cares, Regina." She gives the brunette's hand a gentle squeeze and scoots closer. "Listen to me, fuck what Leopold has always said to you throughout all your life. You are worth it. You matter, and you are an amazing, smart, beautiful woman. I mean, look at you, throughout all the shit he's put you through, and you are here with me, defying him. What do you call that? Not to mention you've been a terrific mother to Audrey. I mean, when we started going out, I remember she couldn't stop talking about how amazing you are."

Regina's eyes tear up and she shoots out of bed to pace around the room. "Emma, stop it. If you say one more thing about Audrey, I will leave this room." She turns to face Emma, who's standing now. "You talk about me as if all I am is this wonderful person, this woman worth being with, but in the long run I know that what we're doing is wrong. Or tell me, how can it be so right to be in love with your own daughter's girlfriend?" She chuckles. "I mean, when I tell Belle about this, she's going to think I'm insane."

"So, are we wrong? Was I wrong all this time to tell you how I felt about you? Because I don't think so." Emma's jaw sets. "Sure, our attraction might've not happened under the best circumstances, but we both knew from day one what we wanted out of each other. And here we are." She pauses. "You look at yourself as a terrible mother, but what am I, Regina? Certainly not girlfriend of the year. Not when I'm the one who broke Audrey's heart."

How had this turned into an argument of sorts? Neither of them knew. But, it was bound to happen, right? Not everything in any couple could be rainbows and butterflies all around.

"I'm sorry." Said Regina, immediately seeing Emma rush over for a hug, and she embraced Emma like never before. So hard, a few tears managed to escape her.

"I'm sorry, too." Said Emma, her arms wrapping tightly around Regina's form. The thought of her wearing a nightgown made entirely out of silk not even fazing her at the moment.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean what I said. We're-" Regina shakes her head as her voice brakes. "We're not a mistake. I should have never said that. That was wrong, especially when you've done so much." She can feel Emma's hands hold both sides of her face as she looks into her eyes.

"Gina," Emma smiles. "I haven't even begun to do enough for you." She presses her forehead against Regina's and remains there for a moment. "Besides, I knew this would happen sooner or later. It's perfectly normal given the circumstances of our relationship."

"You did?" Regina asked, feeling Emma nod as her eyes were closed too.

"The important thing is that we don't let whatever we say get to us emotionally."

"Is that another wise trick you learned from your perfect parent's?" Regina felt free to smile this time, and Emma chuckled.

"They are far from perfect. Believe it or not, I promise you, they can scream pretty good sometimes." Emma smirked, her arms loosely snaking around Regina's form as she inhaled in slowly, drawing in the woman's rich and sweet scent. "You know, I never told you this, but now that we're dating I think it's fine if I do."

"What?" Regina chuckled, moving away as she could feel the blonde's breath close to her neck now.

"I've always loved the way you smell." Emma whispers close to Regina's hair this time, and somehow, Regina is okay with that. It wasn't like when Leopold would do it. He had this animalistic form of doing that, while Emma's was more truthful.

Regina blinked upon feeling Emma's lips place a very delicate kiss against the crook of her neck. Emma couldn't help herself. "Emma," she said softly. "First of all, I want to apologize if I was a little… Forward with you last night. That's not like me at all."

Emma backed away to look into Regina's eyes. "I know."

"You have to understand." Regina chuckles and tries her best to hide a blush from creeping up her cheeks, but Emma catches sight of it.

"Regina." Emma lifts up the brunette's head so that their eyes are locked in again, and she smiles. "You have nothing to be embarrassed about. I understand perfectly well what you were feeling last night."

"You do?" Regina doesn't mean to sound as shocked as she is.

Emma nods. "Yes. Because I feel it, too. And you wearing that dress last night proved to be quite challenging for me." Her eyes quickly scan Regina's nightgown. "And that nightgown isn't helping either."

Regina lets out a small laugh.

"Is this what Chief Irons gets to go to bed with every night?"

"No. I actually bought this before you picked me up. He doesn't even know I have it." Regina's cheeks turn crimson red this time upon her confession.

Emma's brow lifts perfectly, it matches her smirk.

"Emma… I want to ask for a small request." Regina prepares to say what she couldn't say last night. "Obviously, I'm not ready yet for the next step in intimacy."

"And I've told you I can wait. There's no need to rush, we can go at your pace." That was true. Besides, while she waited on Regina to take that next step, Emma could always take care of it herself like she had to last night as she took that cold shower.

"Yes, and I appreciate that." Regina smiled, her hand reaching up for a golden strand of Emma's hair to brush it behind her ear. "But, last night, dancing with you and having the best time I could have possibly had together, it proved to me that I do- someday- want to take that step with you." She pauses. "But before I do that, I feel like maybe you helped me familiarize myself in knowing how the rest of it is supposed to feel, compared to what my husband has shown me… Maybe that'll help me feel ready. Entirely. Someday."

"I'd be more than happy to do that, Regina." The corner to Emma's mouth tilts into a small smile. "Anything you feel comfortable with trying, anything you don't like doing, we can talk about it, anytime we're together. You know, the beauty about dating another woman is that we know perfectly well how we like being pleased. Not that all guys are inconsiderate as Chief Irons, but it's different with two women."

Regina smiles, and her arms tighten around Emma's waist as their lips meet in a quick chaste kiss. "We should get going." She sighs. "I really need to see Belle and know why she was out here."

"Good idea." Emma parted from the brunette's embrace, but their hands remained holding onto each other as they parted. "I'll let you get changed first."

"Okay." Said Regina, feeling Emma's hand slip out of her grip before the door closes.


"Regina, Emma." Mary Margaret smiled right through her hangover, ushering them inside. "Come on in."

"How's the hangover, mom?" Emma asked, earning herself a playful smack on the arm by her mother. "Where's David?"

"Oh, he left this morning. He was needed at work after all." Said Mary Margaret, walking into the living room, where Belle sat an ice pack behind her neck and her head against the breakfast table.

"A cop's duty's never done." Said Emma, her eyes falling on Belle, who was clearly still very hungover.

"Belle." Regina called out, having decided to wear a pair of jeans and her blue shirt that Emma loved her so much in.

Belle looked up, the ice pack falling to the floor. "Regina!" She stood up faster than she anticipated, feeling the room spin again and causing her to groan. "I guess I had one too many last night. Mrs. Nolan was nice enough to fill me in." Her eyes moved to Emma. "Emma. It's good to see you again."

"Good seeing you, Belle." Emma gave Belle a kind smile.

"It's very kind of you to bring Regina over to get me, despite you not being with Audrey anymore."

Emma and Regina exchange a quick look, along with Mary Margaret and that tells Regina everything she needed to know. Belle had seen nothing last night, and if she did she clearly didn't remember.

"Listen, Belle." Regina worked up whatever little courage she had. Her heart was pounding inside of her chest again. "I think it's safe to say and admit to each other that we need to talk."

Belle nodded, and looked at Mary Margaret as she said, "You can head out into the backyard. I have a sitting area there, so you two can talk more privately."

"Thank you." Regina smiled at Emma's mother, who smiled back. Her eyes fell on Belle once more. "Shall we?"

Belle struggled a little but was up to her feet and pulling open the sliding door to the backyard. Emma remained near Mary Margaret, and she felt her mother's arm wrap around her in support.

"It'll be fine, Emma. I believe whether or not Regina tells her about your relationship, everything will work out for the best." Said her mother. "Come on, I'll make us all some tea. I think we could all really use some."

Their backyard wasn't big, but Regina wasn't sure why she could imagine a much younger Emma, swinging plenty of times on that tire swing that was still strapped to the one tree right in the middle of their yard. The rest of the yard was covered in flowers and plants, obviously tended by Mary Margaret's green thumb.

As she pulled out a chair, hearing it scrape along the pavement, under the shade from the morning sun, she noticed a cringe from Belle as she rubbed her temples.

"Please. You seem to underestimate how much drinking I had last night." Said Belle, taking her own seat.

"Sorry." Regina sat carefully to not cause the chair from making any further noise. Her eyes trained on Belle. "So… Are you going to tell me what you were doing all the way out here at that hour of the night having drinks?"

Belle groaned as she massaged the back of her neck. Her head tilted from side to side. "It's Bobby."

"What happened, Belle?" Regina became alarmed.

"Well, he's been traveling a lot for work lately, and I just find it so strange. I know," she holds up her hands before Regina can get a word in. "It's probably nothing. But, Regina, every single time he goes on these trips, he's come home smelling like another woman's perfume."

"Really?"

"He keeps saying it's my own perfume, but I've never known for perfume to stick to your clothes for weeks at a time. Unless you empty the entire bottle on yourself, which I never do. And this isn't the type of perfume I'd ever wear. A woman knows these things." She holds up a long index finger and sighs as she throws her head back. "Anyway, I confronted him about it."

"You confronted him?" Regina couldn't deny being surprised because she wished she could confront Leopold someday. Fight back the way she needed to.

Belle nodded, rubbing her temples. "Yes, and let me tell you. I didn't believe I had it in me. I mean for Bobby and I to fight, that hardly ever happens."

"Well, Belle, no one's perfect. Of course you're going to have fights." One thing Regina learned from Emma today, even if she already knew that couples indeed fought.

"I know," Belle's shoulders slump. "I mean, maybe I'm overreacting, and it's nothing. He does take his secretary with him on these trips, maybe it's her perfume. But, what if it isn't? I mean, the other day, I even found a smudge of lipstick on the collar of one of his shirts. That can't be from a hug he received from one of his clients."

"Did you fight before he left for his trip?" Asked Regina, and saw a nod come from Belle. All she could think to do was to reach over the table to reach for her hand. "Oh, Belle. I honestly don't know what to say, except, I hope you're wrong. I know how much you love him."

"I hope I'm wrong, too. When I turned on my phone this morning, it was blown with missed calls from him, and a few voicemails wondering where I was and why I wasn't picking up. But, so what? Let him suffer for a while. If it is true that he is seeing someone else, then let him leave in the fear that he can easily lose me."

Again, Regina couldn't deny becoming shocked. Especially since she had never imagined seeing Belle this way. Angry and worried all at once. "Would you leave him?" She asked Belle.

"If he is having an affair?" Belle nods along with Regina. "In a heartbeat. I mean, I'd be devastated, sure, Bobby's the only man who's been with me through thick and thin as they say, but," she sighs. "Regina, you know me. I'm not stupid, I'm not going to play the role of some trophy wife that he can come home to whenever his mistress isn't available."

Mistress. That word meant a lot. Is that what Emma had become, given that Regina was married? Her intestines turned to the thought of it as she shook her head. No. No, Emma was more. So much more. She told herself.

"Are you alright, Regina?" Belle's question gathered Regina's thoughts.

"I'm fine." Regina nodded in response.

"Is it Audrey? Have you heard from her?"

"No." Regina shook her head. "But I know she's busy with school starting soon and getting everything ready on campus, I suppose."

"Well, you and Emma have certainly remained close after the break-up. You seemed to have become pretty good friends, judging from what I saw last night." Said Belle.

Regina entered into panic mode, but she did her best to hide it, swallowing it down like the lump that had formed in her throat. "Wha- what exactly do you mean?" Her smile that Regina gives off is a nervous one.

"Well, she seems quite fond of you. Like you two, grew close when she was spending all of that time in your home." Belle shrugs, and rakes her hand across her face. "I don't know, ugh… I'm sorry. I didn't mean to surprise you like this and possibly worry you. I just," she groans. "Well, I went to visit you at home and Sidney told me where you were, so I figured-"

"Belle." Regina smiled, a little more relaxed now knowing that Belle didn't in fact see anything between her and Emma. "We're friends. Next to Emma, you are possibly the only true friend I have."

"Oh, I don't believe that." Belle grinned.

"No. It's true." Regina nods and leans in again to take her by the hand. "What I'm trying to tell you is that, you know you can always count on me. For anything."

Belle smiles, and gives Regina's hand a gentle squeeze. "Likewise. And thank you. I really needed to hear something like that today."

The sliding door parted open and Emma's head poked out, holding a cup in each hand. "Hey." Seeing Regina smile, she steps out and places each cup in front of each of the women. "My mom made some tea, she thought you both might enjoy a cup."

"Thank you, Emma." Belle quickly reached for her cup and took a sip.

"Thank you." Regina smiled the most beaming smile as she looked up at Emma.

"Your parents have been nothing short of amazing, let me tell you." Said Belle, taking another sip. "This tea is fantastic. All that's missing is one of my books to read."

Both Emma and Regina smile in response.

"Maybe since you're here, you and I could stop at a bookstore before you have to head back." Said Regina.

"Mm, that would be great." Belle perked up through her handover and all, setting her cup of tea down on the table. "You and I could drive back afterward. Did you bring your car or-?"

Both Emma and Regina frown as they share a quick look.

"Uh, she was," Emma spoke up. "But, uh it wouldn't start, so she took a cab here."

"Oh." Belle frowned as she looked at Regina. "Well, it's a good thing I'm here then, that way we won't be heading back alone."

"I can take you." Emma quickly offered, causing both women to turn her way.

Regina didn't want to leave. She still had days alone and she wanted to spend them with Emma. This wasn't part of their plan.

"Oh, Emma, that's sweet but I wouldn't want to inconvenience you." Said Belle.

"I can't allow you to do that, Emma." Regina shook her head, giving the blonde a pleading look.

"I'm offering. Besides, there's no way I'm going to have you two get into a cab alone." Said Emma, nodding toward Regina. It amazed Regina how well she came to understand Emma's body language. Somehow with that one nod and that one look in her eye, she just knew that everything was going to be okay.


"Emma, this wasn't part of the plan. I was supposed to spend some time with you, not go back home." Regina followed Emma into August's apartment, all the way into the bedroom and watched her gather up both their suitcases. "What are you doing?" Her brow furrowed.

"What does it look like? I'm gathering up my stuff, too. I have enough clothes to come along and-"

"Whoa, hold on a minute." Regina chuckles. "Come along? What are you-?" Regina's grin grew as Emma carefully wrapped her arm around her waist and pulled her in. Her lips were captured by Emma's in a kiss.

"You didn't think I was going to drive you all the way over there and not stay with you, did you?" Emma grinned at the shocked look on Regina's face.

"Oh, you are a quick one on your feet, Ms. Swan."

"So I've been told." Said Emma. "Look, I know it's a slight change in plans, but so what? What matters is that we're together for the remainder of the time that Chief Irons will be away."

"But, I was supposed to be here with you-" Regina frowns.

"And I really appreciate that. It means the world to me, which is why I want to return the favor." Emma gives Regina a kind smile. "Besides, I don't care where we are. All I care about is to be with you."

"I want to be with you, too. But, what about your parents?"

"They'll understand. Besides, it's only for a few short days. If you'll have me." Said Emma, and Regina couldn't help but smile.

"I'll have you anyway I can have you." Regina replied, leaning in for a kiss until Emma's lips melted against her own.

Regina did not mention anything to Belle about her relationship with Emma. But, after talking to her today about something so personal as her marriage, Regina had a feeling she could be trusted to know the truth.


After saying goodbye to Regina and Belle, Mary Margaret decided to hold onto her daughter in a tight hug a little longer.

"You be careful on the road, and call me when you get there." She told Emma, giving her another kiss against her cheek.

"I will, mom." Emma chuckled as she felt two more kisses given to her by her mother. "Mom, mom," her eyes looked over at Regina and Belle who were already waiting in the car, a smile on their faces that made her cheeks turn crimson red. "Mom, it's only for four days. I won't be gone an entire year."

"Oh," Mary Margaret released her daughter from her embrace and straightened her jacket. "I'm your mother, Emma. I'll always worry."

"I know, mom." Emma smiles. "I promise I'll call."

"You better."

"Say bye to David for me, okay?"

"Always." Because she was her mother, Mary Margaret placed another kiss along her daughter's cheek and waved goodbye until she saw the yellow bug disappear farther and farther away into the road.