A/N: Thank you all for your reviews, as always, I am eternally grateful. All your follows and reviews are what keep me writing! :) Forgive me if I take long to update this one for a few days, I've been re-writing my first story that I ever posted on here and I will post it up again, this time well written and with a little extra scenes that aren't in the movie. And as a surprise, I bring you two new chapters! (14 & 15). One reviewer asked me for some romance, which I was happy to deliver on ch. 15. Happy reading! :) Don't forget to review.


Mary Margaret found herself waiting at an empty table, the room quiet. Breakfast had been served, but there was no one there to have it with. Her eyes soon spotted Sidney, carrying a tray of served food, coffee and orange juice, walking past the dining area.

"Sidney." She called him, waiting for the man to take a few steps backward and into the dining room before speaking again, "Where, may I ask, are you taking that?"

"It's for the king, your majesty."

"The king?" She asked, brow raised.

Sidney nodded, "Yes, he asked to enjoy his breakfast in peace this morning in his study."

"My daughter?" She asked him.

"The princess is with him at the moment."

"You may leave." She dismissed him with a wave of her hand, standing up soon after and walking out of the room.


Regina was engraved in a phone conversation with her mother just as Ruby burst into Emma's bedroom.

"She said what?!"

Regina pulled her cell away from her ear at her mother's shout, slowly putting it back into place, listening to her ranting on, "Calm down, mother."

"Calm down? Regina, no one talks to you like that and lives to tell about it, not even I raised you to be so rude!"

"I know…" Her voice trailed off.

"Give me the address. I'm flying over first thing tomorrow." Her mother's voice demanded over the phone.

Regina stood from the bed, her suitcase placed beside her on the mattress with a few clothes already packed up, "Don't do that. Emma and I handled it last night, besides we both reached the decision that it's best to leave and stay at a hotel until this ball is done and over with so we can fly back to New York."

"Now, dear. I've always taught you to stand up for yourself, but also for what you believe in. Royal or not, I say you don't give this woman the satisfaction to keep humiliating you."

"That's exactly why we are leaving-"

"Listen to me, Regina. Leaving would entail that she's won, because that's exactly what she wants, she wants to drive you away and have the satisfaction that you are out of Emma's life forever. You can't possibly allow that."

Regina sighed, rubbing away at her temple, "That's another thing. It's like everything is a cat and mouse game to her. It doesn't matter how much she sees Emma and I together, she will never come to accept me into the family."

"Then, you simply play harder, dear." There was a brief pause, "You are not just Emma's girlfriend anymore, you are her fiancee, the woman she wants to spend the rest of her life with. You have as much right to be there as anyone else, even if you have to plant yourself to the dirt ground like a root. I know it's probably a headache, dear, but that's family. Now the ball is only days away from happening, what's the harm in waiting it out? Think of the king, you said so yourself, he seems to like you."

Regina's head turned to the sound of the door opening, seeing Ruby bursting into the bedroom, asking her if they were really leaving before she turned her attention back to her mother, "I'll call you later, mother. Ruby's here."

"Say hello, send Emma my love, and for the love of God, think about what I said."

"I will." She nodded, her eyes trained on Ruby.

"I just spoke to Emma downstairs. What the hell happened last night?" Ruby asked as soon as the brunette hung up the call and tossed her phone on the bed, her eyes scanning one of the suitcases, "Are we really leaving?"

Regina nodded, "It was Emma's choice and I agreed."

"But, we can't leave! I just had the most amazing night with Graham."

"This is bigger than any date, Ruby." Regina's frustration grew, "I had never seen Emma so angry, or felt so disrespected in all my life. What's worse, she disrespected you and Henry."

"Whoa…" Ruby's eyes grew, "She did what?"

"Exactly. I'm not going to stand for that."

Ruby turned on the balls of her feet, marching towards the bedroom door, only to be stopped by the older brunette in the process.

"Where are you going? You need to pack."

"I am giving her royal highness a piece of my mind." Ruby smeared, "It's one thing to disrespect me. I honestly couldn't care less what anyone thinks of me, and you know that. I never have, but Henry is a different matter."

"Ruby." Regina pulled her back into the room, shutting the door, "I handled it. Resorting to violence isn't going to help matters."

"Neither is taking verbal punches from her, Gina."

Knock, knock, knock! Their heads turned to three, quick knocks just outside the door, soon before them appearing no other than the queen herself. Regina and Ruby's mouths would fall open, but they were too in shock to even see her inside this bedroom to even act on their actions. All they could do was exchange a quick glance.

"You-" Ruby sneered, taking a few steps before her, only to be held back by Regina herself.

"Ruby." Regina gave an authoritative tone, shaking her head at the other brunette.

Ruby's lip curled up in anger, her eyes glaring at the queen's way, standing quietly behind Regina.

Regina's eyes soon found the queen's once again.

Mary Margaret inhaled before speaking, her eyes on Ruby, "Would you mind stepping out for a moment? I'd like to speak to Regina, alone."

Ruby's eyes searched for Regina's, releasing a chuckle from within her throat, "There is no way I am leaving her alone with you."

An olive toned hand rested on the slimmer brunette's shoulder, "It's fine, Ruby. Why don't you go say your goodbyes to Graham in the meantime?" She nodded, "I'll be fine."

Ruby sighed, seeing there was no way she would be able to convince her friend to allow her to stay, "Fine," She glared over at the queen once again, "But if you so much as insult her or Henry again, you'll have to deal with me. And believe me, I am not as civilized as Regina is."

Mary Margaret's head followed Ruby's frame heading out the door, while Ruby rushed downstairs to find Emma.

"Charming. Isn't she?" The queen asked, a brow raised. Her eyes scanned around her daughter's bedroom, motioning to the chess board that was placed by the window. "This is Emma's favorite game. But, of course…" Her eyes looked towards Regina, who stood by calmly, "I suspect you already knew that?"

Regina gave her a nod, "I did."

"This was my first gift to her. It was my father's, he passed it on to me and I passed it on to my only daughter once she turned thirteen."

The brunette's brow furrowed, more in wonder at the calm conversation the queen tried having with her. So, she spoke with her own question, "I assume you didn't come all the way up here to talk to me about Emma's childhood gift? What do you really want, your majesty?"

The queen's lips pursed, "Straight to the point." She chuckled, "You're right, I didn't come here to talk about gifts. I did, however…" She welcomed herself onto the chair, in front of the chess table, motioning for Regina to have a seat across from her, which she did. "To talk about my daughter."

Regina remained silent, quietly observing as the queen moved her first chess piece on the board.

"It's obvious, she loves you. Anyone can see that."

Regina made her move on the board, her eyes trained on the queen before her, "Except for you, it would seem."

Mary Margaret smirked, making her next move on the board before them, "Oh, I know it all too well. Emma's been going through this phase since she was a child-"

"Except this isn't a phase. She may have been slightly confused, something you should rightfully know as her mother." Replied Regina, placing another one of her black pieces on the board.

The queen's smirk was gone, "Be as it may, it's obvious she's never going to come out of it." Her eyes pierced the brunette's before her, "And to be truthful… I am never going to accept you to be a part of my daughter's life. Emma is far too good to waste her time on someone like you."

Regina glared back, not backing down for a moment, even her eyes stung to the queen's words, "On that, we agree. Because you're right. Emma is far too good. Her heart is so big, she deemed it right to still come back and make you happy on this ball and reclaiming her title. Just for you. She's too good, she highly believes there's still hope for you to be the mother that you once were."

Both women made their set of moves on the chess board throughout their conversation.

"Don't pretend that you know me just because you're dating my daughter." The queen sneered.

Regina's brow raised, "Oh, but I do. I know you perfectly well, your highness. You see, Emma and I have this unbreakable trust between us, just like our bond, that she's told me everything there is to know about you and her father." She made her next move before continuing, "In fact, Emma told me about this one fond memory she has of you, of you teaching her the mastery of archery. She remembered that a couple of days ago when she was teaching my son."

"That's another thing. It's not so much you being a woman, pretending to be in love with my daughter," The queen spoke, making her next move, taking one of the brunette's pieces yet again, "because you can say all you want," She chuckled, "You may wear that ring on your finger, and flaunt it, but do you honestly think you are ready to face what comes from marrying into royalty?" She shakes her head, "You're not."

"And Emma knows that." Regina makes her next move, "I won't say that the very thought of it frightens me- it does. You're right. I don't know the first thing about running an entire kingdom."

The queen chuckled, arching a brow.

"But, I can learn. Because just like I would accept whatever baggage comes with Emma, including you- she accepts mine as is."

"My dear, Regina…" Mary Margaret smirked, "I hope you aren't trying to assure me that you have been more than honest with Emma. Because I know there is more to you that meets the eye, more to you than possibly Emma knows about, and I promise you, I will find out. One way or another." She moved her piece, a smirk spreading across her lips, "A queen always wins."

Regina watched her stand, her eyes staring up at her.

"I can't accept you, but I can't ask that you leave either, because you leaving would make my daughter leave. And whether you believe it or not, I have missed her, dearly." She paused, "Enjoy your time with my daughter while you can, because I promise you… ruling is no easy task, and you will fail, and it will be then that Emma will grow tired of you. She may have left to live in New York, but her life is here and you know it."

"You may be right, your highness," Regina stood from her seat, "I may fail, but there is something you should know about me, is that I am a very stubborn woman. And if I have to fight an entire kingdom to be with your daughter- I will." She placed her last piece (the king) on the board which took down her piece, marking a checkmate, a smirk to her.

Her eyes grew wide for a moment, but she regained her composure, her brow arching. Impressed, no doubt, something she would never admit to Regina.

"Well played, dear." Was all she told her.

"I had a good teacher." Replied Regina, thankful for all those times her and Emma played a good game of chess.

"I'm sure you did."

Both their heads snapped up at the sound of another knock, followed by Emma entering the room, panting for a breath, her eyes focused on her mother, "What's going on in here?" She asked her, "What did you do?"

"She didn't do anything, Emma." Regina spoke, again taking the queen by surprise, "We simply had a civil conversation and played a little game of chess." Her eyes shifted between the blonde and her mother.

"Yes." Mary Margaret's eyes were back on her daughter, "I came to apologize for my… behavior. It was uncalled for and I want to apologize to you."

Emma's brow creased, not being able to remember when was the last time she had heard her mother apologize for anything in her life. "You're apologizing?" She asked.

The queen nodded, "That's right. I simply ask that you reconsider staying. You know your father has been looking forward to this ball since you were born, do not deprive him of such honor all because of me."

Emma blinked, but whether this was true or not, she won't stay if it made Regina uncomfortable, "We'll have to talk it over. Would you mind giving Regina and I a moment, please?"

"Of course. Take all the time you need." She nodded, looking over her shoulder, giving the brunette one last glance before exiting the bedroom, shutting the door before the two women.

Emma's eyes were trained on Regina, feeling her body relax once her mother was out of the room. She sighed, taking a few steps toward her fiancee, "Did I hear that right? Did she really apologize?"

"Not to me, not verbally, at least." Regina admitted.

The princess snorted, "Of course she didn't. Asking her to do such a thing would be too much."

"It doesn't matter, Em."

Her brow creased once again, "It does matter, Gina. She owes you that apology."

"Emma." Regina's hand gently rested against the blonde's warm cheek, her eyes locking onto green ones, "She will never accept me. She made that clear. In fact, I'm sure she will be rooting for me to fail. But… I want to believe that we came to some common ground."

"Common ground?" It wasn't much of a question from the princess, but a way of confirmation, to which Regina nodded.

"Yes. She wants us to stay, for your sake. She told me. Besides, the ball is only days away, what would be the harm in getting it over with?" She smiled, "And, I did beat her at a game of chess, so I doubt she will be hassling me so much now."

Emma's head turned towards the chess board, a smirk visible on her lips once she turned back to the brunette before her, "You never cease to amaze me."

Regina's grin grew, loving the feeling of the blonde's arms snaked around her form, rightfully where they always belonged. "If that amazes you, just imagine if I used my powers for evil instead of good." Her brow raised, "I could do some real damage. Snow White eat your heart out." She teased.

A laughter escaped Emma, "I'll have to mention to her that you said that. She'll love it."

"So, does this mean we'll stay for the ball?" Asked the brunette.

Emma gave her a nod, "Whatever my queen's heart desires."

Both their heads dipped forward, their lips slowly dancing in a soft kiss both became immediately lost in.


"So, what's on the agenda for today?" Lily asked her mother, while both were casually enjoying breakfast in the penthouse of the hotel they always stayed in.

"I thought we would go over to pay the Swan's a visit." She replied, without so much as placing the morning paper down.

Lily rolled her eyes, "Again?" She asked her.

This question made the woman tilt the corner of the paper down, her brow arched, "Yes. Again." She placed the paper down to its entirety, pouring herself some more coffee, "Besides…" She picked up her cup, a smirk to her, "It will give you a chance to see Emma."

"Emma wants nothing to do with me, mother. She loves Regina."

Mal brushed her daughter's words with a wave of her hand, "Don't be silly. Emma is twenty seven years old, she doesn't know what love is."

"She won't know it with me either. Besides, I'll be gone soon anyway, remember?" Replied Lily, earning a glare from her mother.

"No, you won't." She held up a finger in warning, "Now, you didn't want to make Emma look bad at that party, I suggested you invite her too, that's fine- I understand. It's in your best interest to be in her good graces anyway. But, I have plans for my dear Queen," She smirked, "Big plans and you have to get a dress for the ball, it's only days away."

"I am not going."

"Yes, you will and you will dance with Emma." Mal snapped.

Lily stood from her chair, "Don't you get it? I am not going! I took her to that party, I'll admit it was good seeing her again, but I am not about to destroy her life like you want to destroy her mother's, it isn't right! She's happy with Regina, she won't-"

"Regina." She scoffed, "As lovely as that girl is, she will be gone soon."

"What are you talking about?" Asked Lily, her tone appalled.

As of work of magic, there was a knock at the door, which Maleficent was happy to answer on her own. Lily's eyes grew wide at the sight of Gold entering the room.

"Lilith. You know Gold, don't you?" Mal smiled wickedly, her eyes turning to the man, "I hope you have some good news for me."

Gold held up a thick folder, handing it right to her, "I never fail to deliver what is asked of me, when paid well, of course." He glared.

Mal scoffed, "Don't worry about that, you'll get your money." She said, flipping through the pages, her smirk growing. "Oh…" She chuckled, "Oh, this is too good…"


"Come in." Regina's head turned to Ruby, entering her bedroom.

"Hey. Did you bring those earrings, you know the gold ones with the diamonds I like?" Asked the brunette.

"I did." Regina walked over to her purse, taking out a small pouch, where she kept them as she dumped them into the palm of Ruby's hand. A smile to her, "Another big date? You know, Killian is going to be crushed."

Ruby looked over her shoulder at her friend, a smirk to her, "Killian and I have an understanding, besides, he's like me… neither of us want to be tied down." She looked back at her reflection in the mirror, putting on the other earring.

Regina's brow arched, "I hope you cleared that out with your Grahmmy bear. You've been all over the man since you met him, and now that he is finally giving you a chance to go out with him, it doesn't seem fair for you to break his heart."

"Whoa." Ruby's eyes grew wide as she stared at her best friend in shock, "Regina, I am not breaking his heart. I am offended that you think I will dare to go out with another man while I'm dating Graham. Besides, we aren't dating- this is just a date. You know me better than this."

"I do know you, and I know that you aren't the type to be anyone's girlfriend, Ruby Lucas." She glared.

"That's true." She nodded, "But…"

A frown appeared on Regina's forehead, "But, what?"

"I don't know…" Ruby shrugged, her cheeks shading pink.

Regina's lips parted, her eyes wide, "Ruby…" She smirked, "Are you saying… that you love Graham?"

"No!" Ruby exclaimed, "God, no- no one is talking about love! Ew! And be all mushy like you and Emma? Please." She flicked her hair back in a sexy manner, "Gina, you know that's not my style." Her brow arched at the sight of the brunette's smirk and own raised brow, "It's not! I don't love him."

The brunette chuckled, "Oh, yeah? Then why are you dressed so casually?" Her eyes scanned Ruby's figure, taking in her choice of clothing. A pair of tight jeans, boots, a red blouse that went well with her lipstick, and her black leather jacket. "You never dress casually for anyone."

Her brows raised, "Can't a girl dress casually every once in a while?"

Heads turned as Emma and Henry entered the bedroom, the boy in a fit of giggles, being held by the blonde's arms, his arms extended out like Superman.

"Look, mom! I'm Superman!" Henry giggled.

"Oh, look at you go!" Regina chuckled.

"Good, maybe now you can save me, Hen." Ruby ruffled his hair, heading out the door, waving her good night, "Night all. I gotta run."

Emma's head followed Ruby, heading out the door, her brows lifted as she glanced back at Regina, "Wow. I think she left a trail of smoke from how fast she was rushing out."

"She's late for a date. With Graham."

"Another one?" Emma chuckled, setting Henry down on the floor, "Things are going good, huh?"

"It looks that way." Regina chuckled, "She doesn't want to admit liking him just a little more than she thinks."

"Emma, will you read to me tonight?" Asked Henry.

"Yeah, of course, kid." She smiled, "Any book you want."

"First you have to take your bath, Henry." Regina warned him, "Then Emma can read to you."

"Okay!" He beamed, running towards his bedroom, leaving both women with matching smiles.

"Let me go make sure he takes that bath." Regina's gaze turned back to Emma, when she felt the princess' hand tug on her arm.

"Hey." The princess smiled, pulling her close to her frame, right into the familiar warmth of her arms, "Maybe when I'm done reading to him, you and I can have a date night of our own."

The brunette's brow quirked up, "A date? You and me, huh?" She smirked.

"Mhm." A hum escaped the blonde's throat, feeling a pair of plumped lips press against hers in a kiss.

"I love how you think, your majesty."