A/N: Alright, so I was so inspired and happy with all your previous reviews from my previous/last update that I decided to gift you with the next chapter, in which things... get very interesting and a bit of drama unfolds. I really wasn't planning for this chapter to head into this direction at first, but once I got going the ideas just came pouring in and I couldn't stop. I hope you enjoy it. Happy reading and don't forget to drop a review. The more you do, the faster the updates! :)


They flew back to London that same night, Emma woke up early, despite them going to bed a bit late. She couldn't help it. Her body was like clockwork. However, before getting ready for her early morning workout session with Graham, Emma pulled up a chair that was in their bedroom, placing it quietly beside the sleeping form of her fiancee- she still couldn't believe the woman had said yes. Especially after expecting her to freak out and maybe run for the hills on the first flight out of there. But she didn't. Not once. In fact, Regina was the happiest Emma had seen her. But her most favorite sight of her was to watch her sleep. Not in a creepy way, rather in a more artistic point of view way.

The body was at a total rest, same as the brain and muscles. And Regina had a body to envy. Her skin looking absolutely flawless, wrapped up in the white bed sheets. Glowing with the stream of sunlight entering through the bedroom window. Her hair a bit messy, but not really. Her arms resting underneath her pillow, propping her head upward a tiny bit as she laid comfortably flat on her stomach, her bare breasts hiding just underneath. The scar above her lip gathering a special kind of shadow and light combination from the angle of her position.

Yes, Regina's sleeping form was definitely Emma's favorite to drink in every morning.

Her sketchpad rested on her thighs, along with a pencil, which she held between her teeth while she reached for the brunette's camera, which was at her reach near one of the bookshelves. Click! She snapped a picture of the brunette's sleeping form, a grin forming on her lips, already picturing Regina's surprised expression once she would discover it within her camera. Next, she quickly placed the camera back in its place, flipping through a couple of pages on her sketchbook until she stumbled upon a blank one and began to draw her.

After Emma was done and gone out of the room, about an hour or two later, Regina woke, groaning herself awake. Totally oblivious as to what had happened earlier in the bedroom while she slept. Her body aching in a good way, even in places she didn't know she could ache.

"Good morning." A smile formed on her lips, her hand stretching out, expecting to land on the form of the woman she was madly in love with, but instead, her eyes snapped open to an empty spot on the bed, followed by a sketch of her sleeping. "Emma?" She called out, her head lifting from her pillow.

Her eyes drank in the life-like sketch of herself, her body propped on one elbow. Her brow creased at reading the blonde's beautiful cursive note she had scribbled on an empty spot of the drawing.

You looked so beautiful sleeping, I didn't dare wake you. At the gym, come find me!

Regina chuckled to herself, shaking her head, because of course Emma had a gym. What type of rich person didn't?


After dressing in a pair of casual jeans, and one of Emma's flannel shirts, tucked right into the waist, with the first two buttons undone, she headed down the stairs and roamed around the castle, luckily running into Sidney.

"Good morning, Ms. Regina." Sidney smiled, giving her a curt nod.

"Sidney." She nodded, a matching smile of her own, "You wouldn't happen to know where-?"

"The gym is?" Sidney smiled, giving her a knowing look, he motioned down the hallway to the left, "Head down this hallway, all the way down to the far end, last door on the left. She's expecting you."

"Thank you, Sidney."

"Oh, Henry is with Ms. Ruby, eating breakfast. Shall I serve you?"

Serve? Regina still couldn't get used to that, she shook her head, "That's quite alright, thank you. I'll serve myself. Oh, but could you please, do me a small favor?"

"Anything, ma'am."

"Could you please tell Ruby that I wish to speak with her once she's done eating?" She asked him.

"As you wish." He nodded, walking away but not before bowing his head her way.

With that being said, Regina headed down the hallway to her left, all the way to the end, walking in slowly into the spacious open room where a catchy remix played out through the speakers on the ceiling. Her eyes taking in the sight of Emma sporting a pair of black leggings and a black sports bra, her hair picked up in a messy ponytail, strands of blonde hair moving along with each movement her body took- along with… Graham's… the man wearing nothing but a pair of sweatpants, barefoot and shirtless. Totally shirtless!

She quietly watched how familiar they moved together as a pair. Emma in a push up position, Graham standing behind her, grabbing a hold of her legs, raising them all the way up above his shoulders. And after Emma did one push up, he quickly squatted after and so on.

From the looks of the sweat that had built up on their skin, glossing over her muscles and his- because yes- Graham was just as well built as Emma was- she guessed they had been at these workouts for a while. Graham was slightly more built, given that his body built up a lot more muscle mass. He wasn't bulky but just right.

While Emma? She was perfect. Regina found herself enjoying the sight of her girlfriend- er- fiancee so concentrated, her back and shoulder muscles standing out just as the ray of the sunlight hit them as she moved up and down. Her abdominal muscles tightening just underneath her.

"Hey!" Ruby hissed, walking her way up to her best friend, "I've been looking all over for you, where-?" Her head turned to see what Regina was so concentrated on, her blue eyes growing impossibly wide at the sight before her. Of two impossibly hot people. Working out. Together.

And just as they finished their first fifty seconds, Graham and Emma switched places, Graham now in a push up position, while Emma held his legs up over her shoulders, performing a squat after Graham performed a push up. Both their arm muscles standing out just right.

"Oh… sweet… Jesus…" Ruby muttered, her breath getting caught in her throat. Her eyes feasting, literally on Graham's sculpted arms, and back, and abs, and… well, everything else that was visible to her eye.

Next, both best friends watched as they switched it up, Graham sat on the floor, his upper body raised up along with his legs, while Emma carried a weight ball in her hands and stood in front of Graham with her back to him. The blonde leaned back, feeling his hands catch her by her lower back, her legs lifting up in the air, his arms lifting her up while his legs and hers did a couple of bicycle movements. Emma switched the weight ball underneath her legs.

"My dear Lord, and here I thought tango was like sex on hardwood. But, this is upping the game, huh?" Ruby asked, looking over at her friend, "I may have to convince Grahammy bear here to workout with me sometime." She quickly turned back to glance at their little workout routine.

"No kidding." Regina muttered, her brow raised. Sharing a knowing smirk with Ruby.

And just as Graham and Emma moved towards a wall, both performing a handstand and doing a couple of upside down push ups. They made it look so easy, but judging from their muscle structure on both their biceps and back, it took a lot of practice to master. Which, obviously they had no problem with.

Now, Ruby nor Regina realized it, but as they watched in awe, completely mesmerized, their heads slightly began to tilt to one side at the same time.

This wasn't the first time Regina had watched Emma working out. On the contrary, it was her favorite sight of the blonde. She gladly would accompany her to the gym just around the corner from her apartment in New York when she could. It was most definitely a sight that could always turn her on in a heartbeat.

Thank God for cold showers.

"Agh!" Emma laid flat on the floor, done for the day. Her hand stretching out, being pulled back up to her feet by Graham, who handed her a towel to wipe off her sweat. "Good workout, Graham! As always, I am grateful." She smiled, playfully clapping the man's shoulder.

Ruby finally cleared her throat, causing them to finally look their way.

A smile spread across the blonde's lips, while Graham's cheeks turned a slight pink color.

"Baby," Emma hung the towel over her neck, walking her way up towards Regina, "How long have you been standing here?"

"Oh, long enough to get some good eye candy in," Ruby smirked over to her, winking, her eyes moving towards Graham, who walked right past them after excusing himself. "Does he really walk around shirtless like that?" She asked, looking at Emma once again.

Emma smirked, "Only when we work out together. Maybe you can join him next time."

The sight on Ruby's face indicated that she completely melted from her insides, a choke sound leaving her throat, "Are you kidding? Where do I sign?" She ran off, running right back, "Oh, I'm gonna just…"

Emma chuckled, "It's fine, Rubes. Go. But take it easy on him, he still needs to drive us around later."

"You know me, Em. I make no such promises." She winked, leaving the room.

While Emma shook her head, with a smirk to her, Regina's brow raised as she asked, "And where, may I ask, are we going later?"

"You may ask anything your heart desires," Emma nodded, "And there's someone I'd like you to meet."

This time Regina threw a glare her way, "If I find you have an ex girlfriend somewhere, I will fly back home." She warned her, causing Emma to release a small laugh.

"No, I promise you, it's nothing of the sort. He's a really good friend and very famous for his impeccable work."

Once again, the brunette's brow raised, "Swan… Are you taking me to get naked in front of a stranger so he can paint me naked for you?"

The princess laughed, her arms pulling Regina into her sweaty embrace, "No, but…" She smirked, her voice ghosting over plump lips, "That doesn't sound like such a horrible idea."

Regina couldn't help but smirk, despite some of her sweat and stickiness rubbing off on her, she didn't mind being this close to Emma- ever. Their lips ghosted over one another, brushing lightly, aching to kiss each other as they did every morning when-

"Emma." The queen's voice made their bodies part, their heads turn her way. Regina's cheeks burning a red hot color. While Mary Margaret remained with her posture straightened, glaring at her daughter with a displeased look, "I need to talk to you. Privately," Her eyes threw daggers at Regina, "If you don't mind. Shower and come downstairs to the library."

What started out as a hot little session, turned into a winter chill. Regina could sense tension radiating from the queen, even as she walked away from the doorway of the gym.

"Sounds like someone's in trouble." Regina commented.

Emma rolled her eyes, brushing her mother's words right off the atmosphere, "She's always stressed about something. Most likely the party. Don't worry about it." She held onto the brunette's left hand, placing a gentle kiss right on her knuckles, her bottom lip brushing against the sparkling engagement ring.

Regina smirked as did Emma, their eyes looking down at the official symbol of engagement, and back at one another.

"Do you need some company inside that shower, your majesty?" Asked Regina, loving how quickly Emma's soft green eyes changed into a much darker and lustful tone of green.

"You read my mind." Suddenly Regina let out a soft squealing sound, the house filled with her laughter as Emma scooped her up off the ground and into her arms before walking out of the room.


A steamy shower, and a bit of breakfast later, Mary Margaret found herself sitting by the fireplace, enjoying a solo game of chess.

"You asked to see me?"

Her head as well as her gaze snapped up, her brow raised at her fully dressed daughter's more cordial appearance. "Yes. I was beginning to wonder when you would make time for your mother, it seems like since your arrival, you haven't had much time for your father and myself."

Emma's head turned to the side, rolling her eyes, her hands on her hips. "Is this why you asked to see me? To lecture me."

The queen held up her free hand, motioning towards the empty seat, opposite her, "Sit."

The princess hesitated, sensing that this would eventually lead towards an endless lecture, but eventually complied to make her mother happy.

"You do remember how to play, don't you?" The queen asked, cool and collected. Her eyes glancing down at the chess pieces before her and her daughter.

"Of course." replied Emma, cool and collected, calmly moving her first white pawn in place. Her eyes meeting with her mother's proud gaze.

Mary Margaret spoke, looking down at the board, her hand floating above it, "Your father and I used to play." A tiny smirk formed on the corner of her lip, her hand moving one of her black pieces, "We used to have many endless discussions over a great game of chess."

Emma made her next move on the board, "So, what changed?" She asked, meeting her mother's eyes.

The queen shrugged a shoulder, placing her next move, which blocked one of Emma's pieces, "We just never made more time for it, I suppose."

"Maybe you should." She placed her next white piece down, already anticipating her mother's next move.

"Yes." Her hand hovered above the board again, "One should always make time for family. It's important." She placed her move.

It didn't take the princess long to make her next move, blocking her mother's attack, "So, I was right. This is another one of your endless lectures. In case you forgot, mother, this is exactly what made me run in the first place-"

Mary Margaret's eyes locked onto her daughter's, "There's no need to remind me, Emma." She hissed, "I am well aware of why you ran. But, you have to consider…" Her voice tailed off as she made her next move, a tiny smirk to her, "That you also have responsibilities here."

"I have considered that. You'll be happy…" Emma replied, her hand slowly coming up to the board, placing her next white piece in place, "To know that being here for these past few days, has actually helped me in giving the next step in my life some serious consideration."

The queen's brow raised, a pleasing look on her face, "Truly?" She chuckled as her daughter nodded in confirmation, "By all means, do tell!"

Emma smiled, because she frankly couldn't help it. "Well, for starters… mother…" Her eyes met with the queen's right after she made her move on the chess board, taking down another one of the woman's pieces, "I've decided to finally wed."

Mary Margaret's eyes lit up, her smile growing, not even caring that another one of her pieces was brought down, "Oh, Emma! Thank heavens, you've finally come to your senses!"

Emma's smile grew. She knew her mother didn't even suspect the idea of her proposing to Regina last night. But, she would find out, quick and as painful as ripping off a damn band-aid. No more bullshit.

"There's more," The princess continued, "Congratulations, you're going to be a grandmother."

Her eyes grew wide, her voice caught in her throat, "A-?" Her grin grew larger at the nod her daughter provided her with, "Oh! Sweetheart!" Her arms threw themselves around her daughter's form from where they sat, "A grandmother? Have you told your father the great news? Oh, we must have a dinner tonight and you'll have to invite whoever it is you've decided-" Emma released a chuckle, which caused her mother to stop talking.

"Dinner sounds lovely." She smiled, "Maybe you could cook up your specialty, you haven't done that in years, I'm sure father will appreciate it as well."

"Oh, honey, of course!" Mary Margaret clapped her hands with pure joy, "Anything you want!"

"Good, because I'm sure Regina will appreciate it as well."

"Regina?" The queen chuckled, "Emma, I know they are your guests, but what does that girl possibly have to-?"

"Because mother." Emma stood to her feet, looking down at her mother, "Last night I asked Regina to marry me." She paused, allowing whatever choked up sound it was to come out of the woman's mouth, "And she said yes."

Ladies and gentleman- the ripping of the band-aid…

Another possible choke sound- maybe a sob- Emma wasn't sure, escaped her mother's throat before she was overtaken by not only rage but a disapproving look towards her daughter, who clearly had gone crazy.

"Absolutely not! I forbid it!" She barked, not at all caring who heard her.

"You can't forbid me to do anything, mother-"

"Oh, yes I can! I am your mother- ruler-"

"A title that will soon be mine, in two weeks time." Emma barked back, her hands on her hips.

Mary Margaret's brow raised, "Not if you marry that girl."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Her brows furrowed.

"I think you know exactly what it means, Emma. Don't pretend to be naive." The queen shook her head.

"Naive?" Emma chuckled, shaking her head, "You have some nerve-"

"I have some nerve?!" Asked the queen, her finger pointing towards her own chest.

"Mother, you just sat there pretending like you had absolutely no clue that who I was talking about all this time was Regina. The woman that I love." She walked up to her mother, inches away, "I am an adult, Regina is the best gift that life has bestowed upon me- for whatever damn reason- I'm not sure why, but she loves me, as much as I love her and you may always be queen, you may be ruler, but you know what- while I'm here- so am I, and I demand respect for the woman that will be my wife. From you and everyone else who will attend that damn ball." She paused, catching her breath, "Whoever doesn't like it, they can see themselves to the door. And if you can't…" Her fist rolled up into a ball, "try, for my sake, just try to give her a chance and see what an amazing woman she really is, what an amazing kid Henry is… I will renounce my title so fast, it'll make the entire country of spin. And you will never see me again."

There was a moment of utter silence, shock even, until the queen had to have the last word.

"For God's sake, Emma!" Her eyes grew angrier, "Are you even listening to yourself right this moment? You sound absolutely insane! Insane! Wha- what kind of ruler do you think you'll be presenting her in front the entire ball, announcing your engagement to a woman. Not to mention a woman without-"

"Without a title?" Emma's green eyes stared deeply into her mother's, standing so close to her, she had forgotten just how much taller she was compared to the queen, "In case you've not noticed, mother, I don't give a damn about titles. Regina may not have such title, but she's worked hard to get to where she is in life and she's proven to me that she is capable of so much more. She loved me even before she knew who I truly was."

Mary Margaret's lip twitched in anger, her body turning back towards the chess board, facing her daughter again once she reached it, "Very well. You keep thinking that, if that makes you happy." Her voice is surprisingly soft, too soft for Emma's liking, "I obviously don't want you to leave and I know for certain that your father would be absolutely devastated if you so much as left again." She paused, "I'll play your little game. Let us see how much… Regina," She spat out her name, "is capable of learning about ruling a kingdom."

Emma swallowed the lump in her throat, not out of fear, but more out of anger towards her mother. Because this is the exact attitude she despised- yes- despised out of her.

She no longer wanted to fight, she hated it, it always tensed her shoulders, all the way up to her neck. So, the princess simply nodded and decided to walk away.

"Oh, one more thing, Emma." The blonde stopped to the sound of her mother's cool voice, looking over her shoulder at her, her eyes moving down to her queen destroying her king, calling it a checkmate. "Do well to remember, a queen always wins."

And with that being said, Emma walked away, not bothering looking back at the knowing smirk she knew her mother had right now. She was fuming, raging, nothing could possibly calm her down.

"Emma?" Regina called out, "What's wrong?" She asked, her brows furrowing, already knowing perfectly well that something or someone was responsible for her anger. "What's going on?" She asked again, getting no answer the first time.

This time, Emma shook her head, "Nothing." She smiled a tiny smile, but failed to appear like everything was alright.

"Swan." Regina glared, holding her face in her hands, forcing her to look back at her, "No more secrets, remember? Now, talk to me, what happened?"

Suddenly, the sound of heels just underneath the queen's dress echoed along the hallway, which caused Emma to look over her shoulder and Regina's eyes to glare at Mary Margaret, who just stared right back at them.

"Never mind. I think I have a pretty good idea." Regina glared at the queen (who walked away) not at all giving a shit that she was royalty. Royalty or not- Emma's mother or not- she wasn't okay with her or anyone spoiling her girlfriend's day.

Regina knew, oh, she knew well that Emma had told her the news of their engagement and that it probably didn't end well between mother and daughter.

Finally, after a few inhaled and exhaled breaths, Emma spoke out, "She thinks this is some damn game. She's sure that in due time you will show your true colors, and I will realize that you are only with me for my… title." She spat, chuckling right after.

Regina rolled her eyes, her arms wrapping around the blonde's neck, "Well, she can think whatever she wants, but you and I both know that is far from being true. And if she thinks this is nothing but a game," She shrugged, carelessly, "Let her. I'll play along."

Okay, maybe one thing can make her relax and that was being in Regina's embrace… and hearing her voice… and smelling her scent… okay, okay, three things.

Suddenly, Ruby's words rang in the back of Regina's mind, about not standing down, not giving the queen the satisfaction of seeing her run out of this house. No freaking way. She loved Emma and she would go through hell and back for her in a heartbeat. And if she needed to prove exactly that for her to accept her- she would.

"You're not going to do anything crazy, are you, Gina?" Emma's brow raised, because she knew Regina so well, it scared her sometimes.

Regina Mills was as sweet as a freshly picked, freshly coated candy apple, picked from the very best honey crisp tree, but she was only sweet until she no longer had to be.

The brunette grinned, her thumb lightly brushing against the blonde's cheek, "No, dear. I'm not going to do anything crazy." And she meant it, "She's still your mother and I respect that, however…" And, there it is, "If she so much as puts you in a bad mood again, she will see what Regina fucking Mills is quite capable of."

Pressing a quick kiss to her favorite pair of thin lips, she walked away happily with Emma, loving the feel of her arm draping around her neck. A huge grin quickly overtaking Emma's lips.

"God, you're awesome. I love you."

"What's not to love?" Regina chuckled.


A/N: I think Regina is getting a little tired of MM's s***, don't you? ;) Also, forgive my lack of chess description. In my defense, I don't know the first thing about it lol