A/N: This chapter wasn't what I planned for it to be, but I am quite happy with how it turned out in the end, after all... M.M. can't be their only drama... Happy reading! :)


The next morning, Regina walked along the hallways of the castle, the faint sound of music vibrating through the walls. Getting closer and closer, until she stopped at the empty ballroom, leaning by the doorway, a smile spreading across her lips at the sight of her son and Emma dancing a waltz, while instructed by David as he and Ruby danced the same way.

Henry, in a fit of giggles, having the time of his life. Especially once Emma picked him up and spinned him around playfully, his legs raising up off the ground.

That sight alone made Regina chuckle. She pushed herself off the wall, walking further into the ballroom, where heads turned, "Well, look at you dancing away." She teased her son.

"He's quite the little professional." The king replied, a welcoming smile to him, "Come, join us. As Emma's date for that evening, and now that you're engaged, it's your rightful honor to share the first dance with her."

"Yeah, mom!" Henry beamed.

"What?" Regina's brows raised to her hairline. Her heart suddenly jumped inside her chest, her stomach a bundle of nerves. She could dance other rhythms, but never once did she ever dance a waltz. Daniel and her didn't even have a church wedding, nor a ceremony for that matter. Just a private, small gathering between them and family. This was certainly different territory.

Emma placed Henry down on the ground before taking the brunette's hand and guiding her towards the center of the floor, "It's tradition, I'm afraid." She explained, placing a gentle kiss on her hand.

"Emma." She whispered over to her, "I don't really know how to waltz."

The princess gave her a heart warming smile, with a slight twinkle in her eye, "There's nothing to it. Besides, you have yourself a great teacher."

Regina's eyes moved towards David, who had parted from Ruby and was now extending his hand before her to dance. Her smile grew, feeling Emma handing her over to her father, both with matching smiles.

David held the brunette in place, placing her hand lightly on his shoulder, and his just on her waist, "No, no, no." He instructed, causing the brunette's gaze to look into his instead of at her feet, "You always want to be looking into your partner's eyes. Emma will lead, placing her right foot forward, like so," He placed his right foot forward, right between the brunette's two feet, "And you just follow, stepping back with your left and so on. Like so." His eyes turned to Ruby and Emma.

Just as Emma held out her hand towards Ruby, the slimmer brunette graciously took it, both dancing along to the music playing throughout the empty ballroom, twirling around in fast, familiar circles to the instruments playing lightly to their dance.

"Ready?" David asked Regina, "And we count," He began moving his feet across the floor, leading, "One, two, three… one, two, three…"

Regina's eyes found David's green ones, both sharing matching smiles, her brown eyes looking down at her feet from time to time, seeing how easily they began to move with his teachings.

Henry stood by watching the two pairs dancing, occasionally spinning in circles by himself around each couple.

They spinned, they moved along to the music. Regina was all smiles with how easy it was to pick up the dance routine, especially with the king himself teaching her. She felt more at ease around him than around the queen, if she were being honest with herself.

"You dance very well." David praised her, keeping up their dance with his leads.

Regina chuckled, her feet moving along with the king's steps, "I must admit, I've never waltz before. I'm grateful. The last thing I want to do is embarrass Emma on her big day. Or any of you for that matter."

David smiled, his eyes locked onto hers, "You couldn't possibly embarrass her. I can see how much you mean to my daughter- how happy you make her, and to me that's enough." He paused, "Anytime you'd like to practice, you come find me."

"If only it were enough for everyone." Regina sighed.

He picked up on her stressed, yet sad tone, "Don't worry about the queen. She'll come around. I know she may seem a bit closed, but she only wants what's best for our daughter. She just needs to see- like I do- that you are the best thing for her."

Regina's eyes lit up at the king's words, 'the best thing for her.' Did he really mean that?

"Do you mean that?" She had to ask.

David smiled, "Without a doubt." He moved along to the music, guiding the brunette to another side of the ballroom, meeting up with Emma and Ruby.

"Mind if I cut in?" Emma asked, a smile resembling her father's. Her eyes right on the brunette.

David respectfully stepped aside, while Emma stepped in, taking her girlfriend's figure into her embrace. "Ruby…" He held out a hand towards her, "Would you do me the honor?"

"I'd love to, Your Highness." Ruby smiled, accepting his hand, her body getting into position as they danced.

Sidney walked into the ballroom, clearing his throat and gathering everyone's attention. "Pardon my intrusion, your highness," He nodded, "Princess," He nodded towards Emma, "But, we have visitors."

"Visitors?" David asked, sharing a questioning look with his daughter, "Who?"

"Her Majesty, Queen Maleficent and princess Lilith, your highness. The Queen is attending to them in the visiting room."

David's smile grew, "Ah, wonderful! We'll be right there, Sidney. Thank you."

He gave the king a curt nod before walking out of the room.

"Shall we?" David motioned, "They will want to see you, Emma."

"Is that little Lily?" Asked Emma, remember her well from when they were kids.

David chuckled, "She's not little anymore."

"Since when did they return?" She asked, "I remember her and her mother leaving for Colorado."

"They did. But they've been back for quite a while, at least just until the summer."

Emma smiled, taking Regina's hand in her own, following David out of the room, her head turning to Regina as she felt a light tug on her hand, causing her to halt.

"Emma. Maybe I shouldn't go."

"Why?" Asked the princess, her brow furrowed.

"Yeah, why Gina?" Ruby asked.

Regina's eyes looked over to Ruby then back to Emma, "I think I've met enough royal people for the day. Besides, I don't want to embarrass you- your mother."

"Regina." Emma smiled, placing a gentle kiss right on her knuckles, "There is no way you could ever embarrass me."

"But, you're mother-"

"No buts," Her hand cupped her cheek, her eyes locking right with hers, "You, Ruby and Henry are my family, and as my family you will be introduced. My mother will have to accept that."


Laughter was heard filling up the room as Emma entered, arm in arm with Regina by her side, Ruby and Henry to follow.

"There she is!" David smiled towards his daughter, "Emma, you remember Mal, don't you?"

Emma smiled, parting from Regina for a mere moment, walking up to the older blonde woman, placing a kiss on both her cheeks.

"Of course, she does. As I recall, she practically spent all of her time in our palace."

"Your palace always did have the best hiding spots." Ema replied.

"My, how you've grown." Her hand caressed a flock of Emma's golden locks, "Just look at you. True beauty runs in the bloodline, hm?"

Emma chuckled.

The woman was as beautiful and elegant as the occupants of this palace. Perfect blonde hair, not quite like Emma's, but she certainly looked as if she aged like fine wine. Her skin rich and that of a porcelain doll. Eyes mesmerizingly green, her ruby red lipstick matching her black colored attire along with her sunhat. Not a strand of hair out of sight.

Mal motioned towards her daughter, "Emma, you do remember Lilith, don't you?"

And the daughter was no different. Not a damn flaw in sight as she stepped forth towards Emma. Her eyes green like her mother's, no lipstick, but not that she needed it. Her lips didn't even look chapped with this summer heat. Skin flawless, and hair… brunette… Regina couldn't help to notice, and from the looks of it, it was perfect and in place, despite it hanging loosely over her shoulders.

"Of course." Emma's eyes took in the brunette's changed appearance, "Wow. You look…"

Regina's eyes glared toward Emma in silence.

"All grown up?" Lily smiled, leaning into the blonde, placing a long held kiss right to her cheek.

Ugh, did Regina want to punch those perfect teeth. She probably didn't have any cavities.

"Most certainly." Emma blinked, a matching smile spreading across her lips, "You changed your hair."

"I did." Lily smiled, brushing her fingers through her hair once, "I'm so pleased you noticed."

Regina glared at Ruby in silence, who did an eye roll.

Maleficent groaned, "Why on earth would she change the color of her hair, is beyond me. But, she seems to enjoy it." She shrugged rather carelessly for her daughter's sense of taste.

"Well, I remembered you mentioning you liked brunette's." Lily winked her way.

This was more than Regina could handle, clearing her throat, and grabbing a hold of Emma's arm, who turned to look into her glare.

"I'm sorry, I'm being rude." Emma smiled Regina's way, her eyes finding Lily's once again, "This is my fiancee, Regina Mills."

The queen shifted uncomfortably, while Maleficent's mouth hung open with the impression, as well as Lily's as she stepped forward, her eyes shifting towards both Emma and Regina.

"Fiancee?" The brunette's brows hit her hairline, a smile tugging at her lips, her hand extending towards Regina, "Wow. Well, this certainly is a surprise. How do you do?" She asked, shaking the brunette's hand.

"Quite well." Regina forced a smile, shaking the girl's hand and pulling back in an instant.

"My word," Maleficent chuckled, her eyes on Mary Margaret and David, "I can see why you've kept her hidden."

"This is Ruby." Emma motioned towards Ruby, who stepped forth, shaking Lily and Mal's hand with an even stronger grip than Regina's.

"I'm the best friend." Ruby grinned.

Mal pulled her hand away, massaging it lightly with her right, "She certainly does have a strong grip, doesn't she?"

David smiled, "Yes, Ruby sure is one of her kind."

Ruby's cheeks became pink, winking over to the king, while Mary Margaret, and even Maleficent and Lily turned to glare at him in surprise for his comment.

"David." The queen muttered under her breath.

"What?" David asked, clueless.

"And, hello," Lily smiled, bending her knees to be at Henry's level, who was clinging to Regina's hand and waist, "Who's this handsome little one?"

Henry moved forward, a smile to him very much like Regina's, "I'm Henry!"

"Henry? Such a strong name for such a handsome boy."

Regina rolled her eyes, more mentally than physically.

"I'm Lily." She smiled at the boy, giving him a quick kiss to the cheek, "And I would very much like to be your friend, if you allow me to."

"You're pretty." Henry beamed, his cheeks a deep red as he was suddenly pulled back by his mother.

Lily chuckled, "He is just adorable!" She beamed, standing back to her feet.

"Well…" Mary Margaret smiled, feeling a little uncomfortable with the way Emma had introduced Regina and her family, "Now that we've all been properly introduced, let's not all stand here. How about you stay for dinner?"

"Oh, that's kind of you to offer, but we wouldn't want to impose, dear." Said Mal, her eyes moving to Regina.

While Lily's kept their focus on Emma's.

"Please, Mal." David spoke, "You'd never be imposing, we insist you join us. It'll give us all time to catch up" He smiled sweetly.

"Yes, do stay…" Mary Margaret's eyes focused on Lily and Emma, "It'll give old childhood friends to… catch up. Why, I'm sure Emma would like that, wouldn't you, dear?"

Regina's eyes turned to Emma, wishing she would say no. But, she knew better.

"Of course." Replied Emma.

"Well, then, I guess we'll stay." Mal smiled.

"Wonderful!" Mary Margaret placed her hand on Lily's arm, "Emma, be a dear and why don't you take Lily on a stroll? Catch up?"

"Oh, well," Emma's hand found Regina's, as well as her eyes, and smile, "I promised them more riding lessons today and maybe more sightseeing."

"Well, I'm sure, Lily wouldn't mind tagging along to that." Mal smiled, "That is… if your fiancee here doesn't mind, of course." Her eyes moved towards Regina, the corner of her lip tilting up into a tiny smile.

Emma's head looked over to Regina, a smile to her.

"Of course, she doesn't." Mary Margaret blurted out just as soon as Regina was about to pen her mouth, a sarcastic smile to her. She walked on over to the brunette, "Do you, dear?"

Regina's eyes moved from the queen, to Emma, and lastly Lily, her insides turning inside out as she spoke. "We'd… love for you to join us."

Smiles but as well as tension radiated within the room. Killian was one thing, at least Ruby could keep him occupied enough to not worry about him wanting or even attempting to steal Emma's attention from her. But she certainly didn't know how she would deal with this Lily character. Especially when her and Emma were childhood friends, and she knew- oh, she knew- she had the hots for Emma.

Not that she didn't trust Emma to do the right thing, but if this Lily so much as dug her claws into her, just a little bit… how could Regina possibly ever compete? Especially when Lily was so well brought up, so elegant, poise, and not to mention well mannered.

She was doomed.


Regina sighed as she entered her bedroom, she gave Emma the excuse that she would rather change before their day began. And she did, she went with a simple attire, jeans, boots, and a white buttoned up shirt, (Emma's to be exact), while Ruby followed her into the room.

"Can you believe her? Just putting me on the spot like that!" Regina hissed, removing her shirt, and stepping into the closet. "She didn't even give me a chance to speak for myself."

"Tell me about it, this house is survival of the fittest. And don't even get me started on Emma's little friend." Ruby stood near the bedroom window, glancing downward, "I have to warn you, Gina, you have to up your game. I know girls like that, any chance she gets she will stick to her like a leech."

"Emma knows better, Ruby. I have to trust her to do the right thing if that happens." Her hands began to button up the shirt, tucking it inside her jeans.

Ruby's eyes found Emma and Lily's figures just outside by a car, sharing a conversation she only wished she could eavesdrop on. She chuckled in response, "You can still trust Emma, but as future queen of this palace, you have a right to claim what's yours. And, if I were you… I'd work fast."

Regina's brows furrowed, watching her best friend glued to the window through the mirror in her bedroom while she ran her fingers quickly through her hair. "What are you looking at?" She asked her, moving towards the window.

Ruby's eyes remained focused on the blonde and brunette's shared conversation and laughter.

Regina's jaw clenched with jealousy.

"You see? Already she's making her moves on Emma."

Regina glared, scoffing, "Not everyone is as sexually active as you, Ruby."

Ruby snorted, "Please. Everyone is as sexually active as me. I just have no shame in letting it be known, and I'm woman enough to admit it."

Regina smirked, shaking her head, her eyes finding Emma and Lily just outside the window, a few feet below them.

"Do you remember when you started going out with Daniel, what did I say?" Ruby asked.

"Don't do it, the guy's a loser?" Said Regina.

Ruby nodded, "Yes, but after that." She paused, watching her friend, "Remember I told you that as soon as he would get you pregnant, he would want to marry you just to make everything seem fine and that he would always take care of you…"

Regina nodded, rolling her eyes at the memory. It amazed her how well Ruby knew people even before they knew themselves.

"And what happened?" She asked the brunette.

"I know, Ruby." Regina nodded.

"You became pregnant and married all in a flash. Then he divorced you." She paused, "And remember Robin-"

"Alright, okay." Regina hissed, "Let's not go there. Get through your point, red."

"My point, Gina, is that, listen to when I tell you, keep Emma near and dear by your side." She turned the brunette's gaze towards her own, her hand cupping her chin, "Ten bucks, this Lily will offer for us to do something crazy tonight, like going dancing, and if she does… you'll need to turn into that leech- a blood sucking vampire if you must- and let her know who Emma belongs to. Now, Emma may love you, no argument there, because she does. But as much as I hate to admit it, Lily is a very attractive woman, to which Emma has taken notice on. Lily will feed on that the first chance she gets. She doesn't care about that rock on your finger. Girls like her need another type of confirmation and warning when it comes to getting them to back off."

Regina stared back out the window, her insides twisting and turning to the sight of Emma and Lily's matching smiles, and the way the brunette's hand seemed to find its way down her bicep and entire arm.