Part Thirty-Two: The One With Telling Henry – Part II
Friday
"You kissed my mom?"
Emma blinked her eyes as she looked at Henry, lips slightly parted and feeling her cheeks burn hotter and hotter with every breath she took.
She couldn't help the invasion of thoughts of the things she had done to Regina and how, when, and where her lips had touched every inch of her skin.
They were burning behind her eyes making her skin hotter from both the embarrassment and the need to be with Regina again.
But mostly the embarrassment.
Regina squeezed her hand, in a weak attempt to bring Emma back to Henry's questioning look and the situation in front of them.
And it worked.
Emma shook her head, willing the thoughts out of her mind before squeezing Regina's hand back.
To let her know that she was there.
"I…" Emma cleared her throat before letting out a nervous laugh "I… Yes. I have"
Henry looked at Emma, his expression surprised.
"You know, when I told you to be friends with my mom that was not what I meant," Henry said.
"Yeah, I…" Emma laughed nervously again "I know, kid"
"Henry, how do you feel about this?" Regina asked, apprehension thick in her voice.
"I don't know," Henry sunk into the armchair "So you two are like girlfriends now?"
Emma tilted her head to the side looking at Henry for a second too long before turning her face to Regina.
They had been together for a while now and she knew their feelings ran deeper than anything else neither one of them had ever felt in their lives before.
Emma knew Regina was the one she was going to spend the rest of her life with.
And yet…
They have never even talked about their titles to each other.
Regina looked at Emma, her expressions mimicking her own.
She blinked her eyes once and then bit her lower lip before frowning.
She was thinking the same as Emma.
Emma smiled at Regina, squeezing her hand softly.
"I haven't actually asked your mom that, but since we are here," Emma said "Regina, would you like to be my girlfriend?"
Regina smiled at Emma, running her hand down Emma's face before pressing their lips together.
"Yes," Regina said against Emma's lips.
Emma leaned forward again, capturing Regina's lips, everything around her disappearing while she was kissing Regina, her heart beating fast inside her chest wrapped around the purest of bliss in a never-ending vortex of love for the woman in front of her.
She had said yes once.
And the idea of her saying yes again, in a different situation spiraled inside of Emma, nesting deep into her heart.
"You know, I'm still here,"
Regina pulled away from Emma before she could even comprehend Henry's words, letting her confused for a second.
She cleared her throat and looked at Henry, her cheeks in a shade of pink that Emma could only find ridiculously amusing.
"I'm sorry, Henry," Regina said.
"It's okay," Henry smiled.
"Tell us what you are thinking, Kid," Emma asked.
"Does she make you happy, mom?" Henry asked looking at Regina.
Regina smiled at Henry, squeezing Emma's hand on top of her thigh.
"She does," Regina nodded "Emma makes me happy in a way I haven't felt in a very, very long time"
"Not even with me?" Henry asked.
Regina looked at Henry softly, her eyes burning with tears.
She let go of Emma's hand and walked to Henry, kneeling in front of him and holding his face between her hands.
"You are the light of my life," Regina said looking into Henry's eyes "You brought happiness into my life the second I held you in my arms and there hasn't been a single second since I brought you to our home that this has changed"
Henry threw his arms around Regina's neck, holding her tighter.
It made something squeeze inside Emma's chest.
It wasn't envy, far from it.
It was just hope that maybe one day, perhaps she could have a fraction of the bond Henry shared with Regina.
"I love you mom," Henry said.
"Oh, honey," Regina said, her voice choked "I love you too. So much"
Regina pulled away from Henry, running her hand over his face.
Henry smiled at her and then looked at Emma, smiling at her too.
"Are you happy with my mom?" Henry asked Emma.
Emma smiled at him, feeling her own tears threatening to fall when Regina looked at her.
Her eyes were glowing, soft fresh tears were falling from the corner of her eyes.
But they weren't from sadness.
They were from the purest hope for their future together.
A future they had only dug the first foundations.
And now they were taking another step further, a step into something that Emma had no idea what to expect but couldn't wait to have with Regina and Henry by her side.
"She does," Emma nodded "Your mom makes me happy in a way I haven't felt in a very long time too"
Henry smiled at Emma, nodding his understanding.
"You make us ridiculously happy, Henry," Emma said "But the kind of happiness that your mom brings to my life, is different, you know?"
"I know," Henry nodded "You two have been together for a long time, haven't you?"
Emma looked at Regina, biting her lower lip, none of them knowing exactly how to answer that question.
"Not that long," Regina said vaguely before getting up from the floor.
She walked to the couch and sat beside Emma, intertwining their fingers together again.
Henry looked at them curiously, squinting his eyes at both of them.
"I woke up many times hearing Emma's voice coming out of your bedroom," Henry said looking at Regina.
Regina's cheeks turned a shade pinker and Emma had to bite her lower lip to suppress the urge to laugh.
"And you always stood way too close to my mom," Henry said looking at Emma.
Emma laughed lightly, squeezing Regina's hand between hers.
"We wanted to make sure things were going to work between us before telling you anything, Hen," Emma said.
"Henry, honey," Regina said gently "You haven't told us how you feel about us being together"
Henry looked between them for a moment and then another, tapping his fingers on the armchair.
"I think it is kinda epic that The Evil Queen fell in love with the Savior," Henry said "But you need to tell her the truth, mom"
Regina tensed beside her, her hand squeezing Emma's hand with force while she looked eyes widened at Henry.
Emma felt fear curl up her spine, and crawl under her skin, digging its claws into her heart.
Emma looked to the side, taking in Regina's expression.
It was becoming harder and harder to breathe, the weight in the pit of her stomach was like empty darkness that was pulling her down, drowning Emma in a sea of guilt.
Devasting her.
She knew the feelings weren't her own.
Emma put her other hand on Regina's face, caressing her cheek and then turning Regina's face to meet hers.
And the second their eyes met, the second Regina blinked her eyes one time when she focused them on Emma, all that feeling disappear.
Vanished from inside of her as if it was never there eating her alive.
Regina smiled at Emma before taking her hand from her face and bringing it to her lips, kissing it softly.
"Are you okay?" Emma asked.
"Yeah, I'm fine," Regina said before turning to Henry "Henry, are you okay with me and Emma being together?"
"I think so," Henry said "I want the two of you to be happy"
"We are happy, kid," Emma said.
"Then I'm happy too," Henry smiled "I guess we are a real family now, all three of us"
Regina smiled at Henry, stretching her hand in his direction.
Henry rose from the armchair, taking Regina's hand, and nearly stumbled when Regina pulled him into her arms.
"Thank you," Regina said, tears falling down her eyes.
Emma smiled, patting Henry's back, her own eyes filling with tears.
And then she remembered his book laying on the passenger seat of her bug.
"Hen, I have something for you," Emma said.
"What is it?" Henry asked.
"It's in my car," Emma said "I'll go get it"
Emma rose from the couch and walked to her car, picking up the fairy tale book.
But the second her fingers touched the cover, Emma felt a jolt of electricity pinch her fingers, very similar to the jolts she used to feel when her fingers brushed Regina's when they first met.
Except this one left her with a sour taste on the back of her tongue.
Emma dropped the book on the passager seat, shaking her fingers in the air.
She looked curiously at the book and then laughed to herself, shaking her head.
Of course, the book didn't shock her.
She had probably hit her elbow on the metal of the car without noticing and the shock wave ran to her fingers when she touched the book.
Emma picked up the book again, holding it with both hands.
She waited and waited and waited while looking at the book, waited for the jolt of electricity, waited for the sour taste again, but nothing happened.
Emma closed the door of the car and walked back inside the house.
"Regina?" Emma shouted.
"Kitchen," Henry answered.
Emma walked to the kitchen, smiling when she saw Henry and Regina sitting on the island, eating ice cream straight from the container.
"My book," Henry said excitedly.
Emma put the book in front of Henry and then walked behind Regina, kissing her cheek before picking up the spoon full of ice cream from her hand.
"Where did you find that?" Regina asked.
"It was under my car when I left the diner yesterday," Emma said.
"That's strange," Regina frowned.
Henry opened the book, running his fingers along the pages.
Emma wrapped one arm around Regina's collarbone, reaching for more ice cream, her heart finally at peace now that she had finally come home to her family.
Saturday
Regina woke up slowly, her body wrapped in a cocoon of warmth and soft breath tickling the back of her neck.
She took a deep breath in, inhaling the apple blossom and wildflowers scent, the scent that no longer belonged to just Emma, the scent that had forged and become one.
Their scent.
Regina smiled softly, opening her eyes at once.
Emma was still sleeping behind her, her arm wrapped around Regina's waist and her leg half stuck between Regina's legs.
Regina couldn't think of any other way to wake up every morning.
Because this right here was what she wanted until she took her last breath on this earth.
Regina turned on their embrace to face her, Emma grunting softly behind her while she was moving.
She ran her hand on Emma's face, smiling softly at the content noises Emma made even in her sleep.
Her heart was so full of happiness.
So full of hope.
So full of love.
Things with Henry the night before had been better than what she had expected it.
There was this deep part inside Regina that thought he would never accept the two of them together.
A part that kept whispering in her heart that she could never have at all.
That for her to have one she would have to lose the other.
And then the whisper had become louder and louder and then turned into fear carved in the deepest of her heart.
She was so scared to tell Henry.
But she was more scared of never having this.
Of never having the chance to love Emma freely.
Of not having her family finally complete.
Regina kissed Emma's lips softly, snuggling closer to her body.
That would be no more rush in the morning.
No more climbing up and down the ladder outside her window.
No more pulling away from Emma in public.
Emma was hers just as much as Regina was Emma's.
And it was time to surrender completely to the feeling.
Emma stirred in front of Regina, sinking her fingers into Regina's skin.
She took a deep breath in and then smiled softly, her eyes slowly blinking open.
"We told Henry," Emma said, her voice still thick with sleep.
"We did," Regina smiled, running her hand on Emma's face again.
Emma closed the half-inch that separated her from Regina and pressed her lips against hers.
"Good morning," Emma said against Regina's lips.
"Good morning," Regina smiled before pressing her lips against Emma's again.
Her heart beating in peace inside her chest, dancing softly at every low moan Emma made.
"Henry took it well," Emma said when she broke the kiss.
"He did," Regina nodded "I was so scared of telling him before and now I just feel like a fool. We could be doing this for so long"
Emma lifted her hand to Regina's face cherishing her cheek.
"Don't be," Emma said softly "We needed that time for ourselves before sharing with anyone else"
"It's true," Regina said.
She brought Emma's hand to her lips, kissing it softly.
"Last night I felt your fear," Emma said looking into Regina's eyes "When Henry called you The Evil Queen"
Regina looked at Emma feeling the air get caught in her throat.
Her heart started to beat fast inside her chest so nauseatingly fast that for a moment, Regina thought she was going to feel sick.
The weight that had settled in her chest was almost unbearable.
Emma ran her hand over Regina's cheek, her eyes never breaking contact with Regina's.
"We should talk to him about this," Emma said "I don't want him to call you evil ever again"
Regina swallowed dry, suppressing the urge to cry.
"It's okay, Emma," Regina whispered.
"No, it isn't it," Emma said "The Evil Queen, Regina…"
But Regina didn't let Emma finish her sentence.
Because she couldn't bear hearing Emma calling her by that name.
She pressed her lips against Emma's, pulling her body closer and letting herself get wrapped around Emma's warmth again, letting her scent reach her racing heart and letting her love dissipate the weight in her chest.
She let that feeling of bliss take over her body, that feeling of having Emma near, of feeling her skin touching hers, her lips kissing her lips, her love blending with hers, she let all of that anchor her heart and her soul to that single moment of having Emma in her arms.
Every moment spent with Emma was precious.
And Regina would never waste a single one of them.
Regina pulled away slowly, nuzzling her nose against Emma's. She kissed Emma one more time, that soft moan that escaped Emma's lips lighting something inside her heart before pulling away again, running her face gently over Emma's face.
"This weekend is about you and me and Henry," Regina said "This weekend is about our family and nothing else"
"Family?" Emma asked, her eyes searching Regina's.
"Yes, Emma Swan," Regina smiled "You and Henry are my family. And I want us to start living as one"
Emma smiled at Regina a soft tear falling from the corner of her eye. Regina cleaned that tear with her thumb and then leaned forward, kissing Emma's eye.
"I never had that," Emma whispered "A family"
"And how do you feel about having one with me?" Regina asked.
"This is more than I ever dare to dream of having," Emma said looking into Regina's eyes "I thought I wasn't the type, I have always told myself that love and family were more trouble than it was worth. Until I met you. Everything changed when I met you"
Emma reached for Regina's hand on her face, kissing her palm softly, another tear rolling down her eye and wetting their hands.
"It was you from the moment I saw you running out of the mansion that night when I brought Henry," Emma said "You are the reason I stayed. I always knew Henry was safe with you. I never really doubted that. But leaving you behind, walking away, and never seeing you again, I couldn't do it. There was always something pulling me to you, something telling me to stay. Something telling me that I have found my home"
"Emma," Regina whispered, tears running down her face now.
Emma dried Regina's tears with her thumb before cherishing her cheek with her palm.
"You and Henry are my family too," Emma said.
Regina closed the space between them, claiming Emma's lips in a kiss. Emma kissed Regina back with the same intensity, salty tears mixing with their tongues intertwined.
Complete.
Regina's heart was finally complete.
Emma broke their intense kiss slowly, dropping soft kisses on Regina's lips.
"How do we start the morning?" Emma asked pecking Regina's lips "Outside the bedroom, I mean"
Regina smiled against Emma's lips, barely kissing her back when Emma pressed her lips there again.
"The same way we did yesterday," Regina said "Minus the kitchen sex"
"Lame," Emma laughed kissing Regina again.
Regina laughed her whole heart into every single sound she was producing.
The alarm clock started to beep on the bedside table and Regina grunted when she reached for the clock and tapped the button to turn it off.
"Time to wake up?" Emma asked.
"Well, it's Saturday," Regina said "I supposed you could stay in bed a little while longer"
"Do you mean 'we'?" Emma kissed her lips again.
"No, you," Regina ran her hand over Emma's face "I want to go down to the kitchen and make some of Henry's favorite for breakfast"
"Trying to bribe him with food?" Emma laughed softly.
"Absolutely," Regina smiled.
Emma captured Regina's lips again, kissing her softly.
"I'll help you," Emma said.
"No, stay in bed," Regina said "You look quite lovely under my sheets"
"Madam Mayor," Emma said in a false surprise.
She moved on top of Regina, kissing her lips and covering Regina's body with hers.
"What are the chances," Emma kissed her "Of me getting you naked" another kiss "This morning"
Regina grunted, kissing Emma again, her hands already traveling down her covered back.
"Henry will be awake soon," Regina said weakly.
Emma kissed Regina's jaw and then her neck, scrapping her teeth on her flesh.
Regina moaned lowly, her fingers already lifting the hem of Emma's tank top and her nails scratching her skin.
"Emma," Regina whispered.
Emma licked Regina's neck and then pressed her lips on her ear.
"Yes, babe?" Emma whispered.
Regina closed her legs, wetness already pooling on her panties and clit begging to be touched.
She loved when Emma called her that.
It felt intimate when Emma called her babe, a word that would only ever belong on her lips.
Emma lowered her hand to Regina's thigh, her fingers finding the hem of Regina's satin camisole and pulling it up, her fingertips tracing her skin, making her whole body shiver.
"Emma," Regina moaned her name again.
Like a small prayer, begging Emma not to stop.
Emma captured Regina's lips in a kiss, claiming her tongue and moans and breaths.
She slid her fingers inside Regina's panties, spreading Regina's juices on her cunt.
"So wet," Emma said out of breath against Regina's lips.
"Make me come," Regina whispered before claiming Emma's lips.
Emma moved her finger over Regina's clit, rubbing it with circular movements and then applying pressure to the right.
Regina squirmed under her, moaning inside Emma's mouth, her nails digging into Emma's back to hold her there, to not let Emma stop.
Emma applied more pressure, rubbing Regina faster.
Regina could feel her juices pouring out of her, drenching her panties.
"Emma,"
Emma sank her teeth into Regina's neck and then sucked her flesh inside her mouth.
Regina curled her toes on the sheets, biting her lower lip in a weak attempt to contain her moans.
She was so close.
The heat had already formed in the pit of her stomach, concentrating there on every irregular breath Regina took.
Emma kissed Regina's neck up and then sucked her ear lobe, her tongue rolling the delicate skin inside her mouth.
Regina felt that heat again, the cold that burned in her stomach and then made its way down to her clit, filling her with pleasure.
"Come for me, babe" Emma whispered in Regina's ear.
And that simple command was enough to make Regina explode as pleasure took over her body and she came muffling the moan for Emma's name and sinking her fingers in Emma's skin.
Emma kissed Regina's face gently, her lips lingering softly over her skin. She pulled her fingers from inside Regina's panties, resting them on her hip.
Wetting her skin.
Regina moaned softly, her body lazily coming back from the state of pure pleasure and bliss.
"We should make this a morning tradition," Emma smiled over Regina's cheek.
"Yes, please," Regina smiled, her hand reaching for Emma's face and cherishing her skin before kissing her softly.
"So, tell me, dear," Regina purred "How do you want me to repay you?"
Emma smiled cheekily, bending down to kiss Regina again but before their lips could touch, her stomach growled.
Loud.
Regina laughed lightly and pressed her lips quickly against Emma's.
"Breakfast?" Regina asked.
"Yes, please,"
Regina kissed Emma again, before getting up from the bed, Emma whining behind her…
In the kitchen, Regina tightened the robe around her waist before opening the cabinets and refrigerator, pulling out the contents to start making breakfast.
She decided to make oats and banana pancakes, mushroom omelets, bacon, and buttery toast for breakfast.
Regina started with the pancakes, mixing the ingredients in a bowl, her lips humming softly to a song.
Her body was in a state of bliss Regina have never experienced before, like her own soul had finally anchored with her heart, both of them existing in peace.
She was happy.
She was genuinely happy.
She had found love and love had found her in return.
With Henry and Emma Regina finally had everything.
Regina smiled when she felt arms snaking around her waist, Emma's scent enveloping her completely.
Emma kissed her neck, one kiss and then another before pulling her robe to the side and placing a kiss on her shoulder.
Regina moaned softly, putting the bowl on top of the sink.
She turned around in Emma's embrace, wrapping her arms around her neck and then capturing her lips and kissing her slowly, savoring her tongue, purring at every touch of her fingers.
"Am I going to be subject to this every day now? Because I'm only ten"
Regina pulled away from Emma abruptly, feeling her cheeks burn.
Emma laughed as she looked at her, her cheeks a shade redder but posture completely relaxed.
"Morning kid," Emma said lightly.
"Morning," Henry said taking a seat on the island.
"How did you sleep, sweetheart?" Regina asked trying to push Emma away when she came closer.
But it was impossible.
Mainly because she had no desire to push her away.
Emma wrapped one arm around Regina's waist and pulled her into her body, kissing her lips quickly before letting her go.
Regina almost felt like her heart would explode with love, love for her family finally together.
"I slept okay," Henry said, rubbing his eyes.
"How can I help you?" Emma asked.
"Mix the eggs for the omelets," Regina smiled before returning to the pancake bowl.
They worked side by side, making breakfast together, sharing a kiss or two under Henry's grunts of protest behind them.
But Regina didn't worry about them.
She knew Henry's protests weren't for the fact that they were together and simply because he was a ten-year-old boy who didn't want to see his parents kissing.
Which was something that he would have to get over it.
Because Regina wouldn't let a single day go by without her kissing Emma anymore.
Without her heart loving Emma with everything she had inside.
They finished making breakfast, setting everything on top of the island where Henry had his face buried inside his arms.
"Kid, breakfast is ready," Emma said, putting an empty plate in front of him.
"Is it safe to look?" Henry asked dramatically.
Regina rolled her eyes while Emma chuckled.
Emma walked to the coffee machine, pouring coffee into two mugs before walking back to where Regina was sitting. She put one mug in front of Regina and the other in front of the seat beside Regina.
And just when Henry was lifting his head, Emma smiled mischievously at Regina before leaning forward and pressing her lips with hers.
"Ew, Emma," Henry said "Stop kissing my mom"
"That's the beauty about telling you, Kid," Emma laughed, taking her seat beside Regina "I don't have to steal kisses from your mom anymore"
Henry squinted his eyes at Emma before reaching for a pancake and soaking it in syrup.
And Regina just smiled at both of them, letting that feeling of pure bliss wash over her body, making a silent prayer to let this last.
"Emma, where did you say you found my book again?" Henry asked.
"It was under my car," Emma said, taking a bite of the omelet "The storm probably made it run through the sewers and a few days later, it ended up there"
"There was a new story in the book," Henry said "It was sewn to the pages"
"What?" Emma frowned.
"Whose story?" Regina asked, sipping her coffee.
"Pinocchio," Henry said.
"Pinocchio?" Regina asked surprised.
"I don't understand the story," Henry said, "It says that Pinocchio came with Emma through the wardrobe but… how could he do that if the wardrobe was only supposed to fit one?"
Regina stopped eating, staring at Henry, her mind processing millions of names and faces at the same time.
She remembered the child.
The red-haired boy who belonged to Geppetto.
And as much as she tried to pull by memory, she could not remember ever seeing the child or even what his cursed name was.
"So, Pinocchio came to this world with me?" Emma asked, "Should we start looking for a boy with a really big nose?"
"No," Henry rolled his eyes "There is no magic in this world. His nose wouldn't grow for lying"
"Of course it wouldn't," Emma laughed.
"I don't understand," Henry said "Geppetto and Pinocchio are supposed to be good. They are supposed to be heroes. Why would they lie about the wardrobe?"
"Well," Emma pointed at Henry "I guess heroes are not all that good just like the villains are not all that bad, huh?"
Regina turned her head to look at Emma, a silver line glowing behind her eyes.
Because she could only hope Emma's words were true if one day she had to explain her side of this horrible story.
Emma was in the living room sitting on the couch with Henry sitting by her feet on the floor.
They had just had dinner.
And now they were waiting for Regina to come back with the dessert.
She had spent the whole day with them in the mansion.
A whole day with the first family she ever truly had.
And the whole experience was… beyond words.
Emma could hardly voice what her heart was truly feeling.
How complete her soul felt.
For the first time in her life, Emma was completely at peace.
For the first time in her life, Emma knew where she belonged.
Emma shifted on the couch, smiling softly at Henry, reading his book.
He was focused on that new story again, tracing his fingers over every word.
Trying to make sense of what he was reading.
It was so weird that the book had a new story.
Emma thought Henry was imagining, thought he just had skipped the story. So she asked him if she could see the book and check the new pages.
And he was right.
The story had been added to the book. The line used to sew the pages to the book was fairly new and the pages weren't as yellow as the others.
But who would do that?
And most importantly, why?
"I don't know how you two still have room for dessert," Regina said entering the living room.
Emma looked to the side, smiling beautifully at Regina, her heart beating in that blissful rhythm of peace that only Regina's presence could give to her.
"Dessert belongs in a second stomach," Emma said, taking one of the plates from Regina's hand.
"That's true," Henry said taking the second plate from Regina's hand "Everyone knows that,"
"Well," Regina said, sitting next to Emma "I guess mine is missing"
Emma laughed and then moistened her lips before picking up the spoon.
Dessert was chocolate cake with chocolate sauce and vanilla ice cream.
Emma had been craving to eat that chocolate cake all day.
They baked the cake together in the afternoon.
Well, Henry and Regina did. Emma provided them with light chat while mother and son worked together on making the cake.
It was a family recipe, Henry said.
Regina baked that cake since Henry was a little boy and it was his absolute favorite.
It was almost magical watching them in the kitchen together. The sync they had, the way Henry knew all the ingredients, the way he even corrected Regina to not put the cake yeast before the batter was properly mixed, it was all an experience Emma never thought she would ever have.
One that she could no longer imagine living without.
Her family.
Regina and Henry were all the family Emma would ever need.
Emma took a bite of the cake, moaning when the thick chocolate flavor danced on her tongue.
"Oh my God," Emma said "This is delicious"
"Told you it was good," Henry said on the floor.
"Why are we only eating this cake now?" Emma asked before taking another bite.
"Because otherwise, it would ruin your dinner appetite," Regina said with Henry voicing the exact same words at the exact same time.
Regina looked down at Henry and clicked her tongue while Henry just laughed before taking another bite.
"Heard that a lot, huh kid?" Emma laughed.
"You have no idea," Henry said back.
Regina rolled her eyes playfully, crossing her legs on the couch.
"You want some?" Emma asked between chews.
"No, I'm full," Regina chuckled.
"You can't possibly not eat this," Emma said, taking a spoon full of cake and ice cream "Here, have some"
Regina took the spoon from Emma, eating the delicious cake and ice cream.
"Good," Regina smiled at Emma, holding the spoon between her fingers.
And that smile, that glow in her eyes, that relaxed features.
Emma gasped for air, her heart whispering those words that echoed over and over and over again in her very soul.
I love you.
Emma slid on the couch closer, pressing her lips softly with Regina's.
Such a soft kiss.
And yet, her whole body shuddered, imagining her lips, her touch, her tongue on her skin.
"Seriously?" Henry said "I'm only a child"
But Emma just laughed against Regina's lips pressing them together again.
And when she pulled away, when Regina ran her hand down her face and smiled lazily at her looking deep into her eyes, those words echoed again.
I love you.
"The ice cream is melting," Regina said.
Emma blinked her eyes confused for a second before looking at the plate no her hand.
"Want more?" Emma asked.
"No, it's all yours," Regina laughed, giving Emma the spoon back "I need to watch my figure"
Emma rolled her eyes and took another piece of the cake gathering the melted ice cream with it.
"You are more than fine, Regina," Emma said before eating.
"Thank you, dear," Regina winked at her.
As Henry grunted.
And by the time Emma finished the dessert, she could say she was officially full.
"Do you want me to take your plate to the kitchen, Emma?" Henry asked, getting up from the floor.
'Thank you, kid," Emma smiled, giving Henry her plate.
"Do you want anything from the kitchen, mom?" Henry asked, looking at Regina.
"No, sweetheart," Regina ran her hand down Henry's arm "I'm fine"
"Alright," Henry said and then looked at Emma "Emma?"
"I'm fine too, kid," Emma smiled.
Henry nodded and then left the living room.
Regina turned to Emma on the couch, reaching for her hand and intertwining their fingers together.
And that touch curled around her hand and spiraled over her skin making a hot fire burn deep inside her.
Ravaging her entire being into flames that burned only for Regina.
"Are you okay?" Regina asked softly, her thumb gently caressing Emma's skin.
"More than that," Emma smiled.
Emma came closer, lifting her free hand to Regina's face, her eyes searching for that connection, for that string of love that bonded them together.
It was burning freely behind Regina's eyes, just as intense as her own love for Regina was, all Emma had to do was look at Regina to see that cord connecting their souls.
To feel her blood roar inside her veins, wanting more, demanding more, needing to be closer.
I love you.
Emma felt her heart race inside her chest, every gasp for air getting more intense the longer she stared into Regina's eyes.
And so she closed the distance and pressed her lips against Regina's, a kiss that would always be a breath of life for as long as she walk on this earth and any other earth with Regina by her side.
Regina broke the kiss, Emma grunting her protest before their lips were even apart. She was only vaguely aware of her surroundings, so lost she was in the feel of Regina's lips moving against hers.
When she opened her eyes, Emma saw Henry standing in the living room, cleaning his throat.
"Kid," Emma said and this time, she could feel her cheeks actually burn.
Henry looked at Emma and then at Regina, biting his lower lip before shifting his eyes to the floor.
"Honey," Regina said softly. She let go of Emma's hand and reached for Henry's arm, squeezing it gently "What's wrong?"
Henry lifted his eyes to Regina, shifting his weight from the tip of his toes to his heels.
And Emma felt a slight fear nest in her heart.
"I was thinking…" Henry started to say but then he bit his lower lip again.
"What is it, kid?" Emma asked.
Her heart was now racing inside her chest.
Henry walked to the coffee table, sitting on the edge, his hands gripping the frame.
He looked at Regina and swallowed dry before continuing.
"Since you and Emma are together now, I was thinking," Henry said.
"Go ahead," Regina smiled softly at Henry "You can tell us anything, sweetheart"
"I was thinking," Henry looked at Emma "I was thinking maybe I don't have to call you Emma anymore"
"What do you mean?" Emma asked confused.
"I was thinking, maybe I could call you mom too," Henry said "Or Ma so as not to confuse with mom"
"Oh," Emma exclaimed like a whisper lint.
She felt her heart race uncontrollably inside her chest, her whole body was shaking, and no air could fill her lungs.
What Henry was saying, what he was asking of her, was real.
Emma swallowed dry, tears prickling behind her eyes.
She knew she was Henry's mother but having him calling her that would change everything.
And God, Emma was more than ready to change everything.
She was more than ready to have her old life ripped from its roots, to let the past be a distant memory, to build a future with her family by her side.
Regina reached for her hand, squeezing it softly.
And that touch brought Emma back, brought Emma to her, brought Emma to her family.
"What do you say, Emma?" Regina asked softly.
"I…" Emma turned her head to the side, searching Regina's eyes.
Searching for any sign of doubt, any sign of discomfort.
Any sign that Regina was not okay with that.
But Emma didn't find any.
If anything, Emma found hope shining lonely on a dark night, illuminating the way home.
Illuminating the path to her family.
"Are you sure you don't mind?" Emma asked.
Regina smiled at Emma, squeezing her hand again.
"Of course, I don't," Regina said "He is our son. And you are more than worthy of the title"
Emma gasped for air, the tears no longer barricading behind her eyes. She turned her head to look at Henry, smiling beautifully at her son.
Her son.
Hers and Regina.
"I would love that, Kid,"
Henry smiled at Emma and threw herself in her arms, hugging her tightly.
And Emma hugged him back just as strongly, Regina's hand finding hers behind Henry's back.
Family.
Henry pulled away from Emma, smiling softly at her.
"Do you want to watch a movie, Ma?" Henry asked.
"I would love that, Henry," Emma smiled back.
"Mom?" Henry asked Regina.
"A movie sounds great, sweetheart," Regina smiled.
The three of them walked to the tv room, Regina's hand intertwined with Emma's, pulling her with them.
Keeping her standing.
Emma's legs were shaking, and if it wasn't for Regina's touch, Emma wasn't sure if she would be able to walk.
In the tv room, Regina sat next to Emma, her head laying on Emma's shoulder and Henry laying on Regina's lap.
She hardly paid much attention to the movie.
All she could feel was that warmth spreading from the center of her heart to every limb of her body, that feeling of pure unstoppable happiness that refused to apologize as it took her completely.
That feeling of hope for the future she longed to have for so long.
Emma let all these feelings take over her.
She let them take her guard down, she let it break every brick she had built around herself over the years.
And then she let herself surrender completely to that feeling.
She would never be alone again.
With Regina and Henry, Emma had finally found her family.
Two hours later, Henry was softly snoring on Regina's lap, her fingers running gently over Henry's hair.
"He fell asleep," Emma whispered, looking at Henry.
"We should put him to bed," Regina said.
"I'll carry him,"
Emma removed her arm from around Regina's shoulder and rose from the couch. She carefully picked up Henry from the couch, adjusting him in her arms.
"Kid is getting heavy," Emma laughed lowly.
"I know," Regina rose from the couch, rubbing Henry's back "I can hardly carry him anymore"
They walked together out of the tv room and then up the staircase to Henry's bedroom.
Regina pulled the sheets to the side and Emma deposited Henry gently on the bed before both of them tucked him in.
There was no need to change him out of his clothes. Henry had spent the whole day in his pajamas.
Regina kissed Henry's forehead, whispering goodnight to him and Emma did the same after her. They both walk away from Henry's room, Emma taking Regina's hand between hers and guiding her to her bedroom.
Regina had just closed the door when Emma pushed her body against the door, claiming Regina's lips in a kiss.
Feeling that kiss echoed in every pore of her body.
Emma pressed her forehead against Regina's, her irregular breath mixing with Regina's, becoming one.
"Thank you," Emma whispered "Thank you for giving me everything"
Regina smiled at Emma, running her face softly down her face.
"You are the one who gave me everything, Emma," Regina whispered.
But Emma knew that wasn't true.
It was Regina. It had always been her.
From the moment she adopted Henry to the second she let Emma in.
Emma smiled sideways at Regina before bending down slightly and picking Regina up in her arms.
Regina yelped before hooking her legs around Emma's waist, a look of pure need boring into Emma's orbs.
Emma walked with Regina to the bed, crawling on top of her the second she put laid Regina on the mattress.
She had every intention to spend the whole night, showing Regina exactly how grateful she was for the woman she loved more than she ever knew she could.
Sunday
Emma blinked her eyes, waking up slowly with the sound of voices that pulled her out of her slumber.
Voices that were her anchor to the world.
Emma took a deep breath, Regina's scent enveloping her and the sound of Henry's laughter echoing in her heart.
"Maybe I could ask them to come and play here someday," Henry said.
"That would be great, sweetheart," Regina answered, her voice full of joy "You never bring any friends over"
"I didn't use to have any," Henry said back.
Emma shifted in bed, closer to Regina's body.
She put one hand on Regina's waist and then rested her elbow on the pillow, supporting her head on her hand.
Regina turned half her body to Emma, smiling beautifully at her.
And that smile dominated Emma completely.
"Morning," Regina said.
Emma smiled at Regina lowering her head to press her lips with Regina's.
"Good morning," Emma said against Regina's lips.
"Morning, Ma," Henry said.
Emma smiled and pulled away from Regina, watching Henry lying beside Regina, his head resting on her pillow.
"Morning, kid," Emma said back.
Regina shifted in bed to stare at Henry again, running her hands lazily over his hair.
Regina had warned Emma about Henry's usual invasion of her room Sunday mornings.
The night before after their bodies were spent but completely satisfied when all that was left was an ember of that never-ending desire they felt for each other when Emma's eyes were already closing ready to succumb, Regina had gently told her they needed to put on pajamas.
Because Henry always came to her bedroom Sunday mornings.
It was a bit of a ritual of sorts, even when Henry hated her because of the book, that Sunday routine was the only thing that kept Regina grounded.
"Im hungry," Henry said.
Emma looked at the watch on the bedside table, surprised when she saw the time.
It was almost nine in the morning.
"Did I sleep through the alarm clock?" Emma asked.
"There is no alarm clock on Sundays," Regina said "Except for when we were hiding"
"I knew I heard Emma's voice coming from your bedroom," Henry squinted his eyes at both Regina and Emma.
"Sorry, kid," Emma laughed "But aren't you happy that you know now?"
"I'm glad you two are together," Henry said "Maybe now there won't be a final battle after you brake the curse"
"Right," Emma laughed.
But her heart tightened inside her chest at the painful look in Regina's eyes.
Eyes that said so much.
Emma lowered her head, pressing her lips gently against Regina's cheek.
She pressed her lips there, waiting for that look to dissolve.
Waiting for Regina to come back to her.
When that fog cleared Regina's eyes when Regina smiled softly at the feel of Emma's lips on her skin, when Regina reached for her face cherishing her cheek, Emma knew she was back.
"How about we have breakfast at Granny's?" Emma suggested "I don't really feel like cooking"
"Me neither," Regina said after.
"That's a great idea," Henry smiled "I'll go change. You two, hurry up"
Regina chuckled and then turned in Emma's direction. She smiled at her and held her face between her hands, pulling her down and then kissing her lips.
So softly.
And yet, it took Emma's breath away.
"Are you ready to go public, Madam Mayor?" Emma asked when she broke the kiss.
"I'm ready for anything as long as I have you with me,"
Emma smiled and kissed Regina's lips again, feeling something pull inside her chest.
Because there was a part inside her that recoiled at Regina's words as if there was something in the world that could destroy what they had.
One hour later, they were leaving the mansion.
Emma intertwined her fingers with Regina, as they walked to the diner, her other arm casually dropped over Henry's shoulder.
People looked and then double-looked and then turned their heads in their direction.
But Regina never let go of her hand, not even once feeling bothered by the way people were looking at them.
She just kept on walking with Emma and holding her hand as if that was just another Sunday morning in their lives.
Inside the diner, they sat in the first booth next to the window.
Emma sat beside Regina and Henry took the seat across from them, scanning the menu.
"So, you guys are officially out, huh?"
Emma looked to the side, smiling lightly at Ruby.
"Yep," Emma nodded "We are"
"You knew?" Henry asked, putting the menu down.
"Yeah," Ruby laughed "It was hard not to, your mom's scent is all over Emma"
"What?" Henry tilted his head to the side.
"What do you mean scent?" Regina asked alarmed.
"You know, apple blossom forged with wildflowers," Ruby said "You guys have interesting smells. I don't think I ever sniffed something like that from anyone else here in Storybrooke"
"It's your werewolf sense," Henry said "It's coming back to you"
"My what?" Ruby laughed.
"Nothing," Emma shook her head "Henry, we came here for breakfast"
"But this is important," Henry protested.
"No, it isn't," Emma said seriously "The only important thing right now is breakfast because I am starved"
Henry rolled his eyes in a perfect imitation of Regina before sinking into his seat.
And when Emma looked to the side, Regina was staring at Ruby, lips slightly parted.
Emma wished she could say that look made her feel jealous if it wasn't for the way Regina was tensing beside her.
And that fear twined in her heart again, pulling something from her.
Emma put her hand on top of Regina's thigh, squeezing it softly.
"Ready to order?" Emma asked.
Regina blinked her eyes and then turned her head to look at Emma.
"Yes," Regina cleared her throat.
"What do you want, kid?" Emma asked.
"Waffles with chocolate sauce, grilled cheese with extra cheese, pancakes with butter and bacon, and a cocoa"
Regina clicked her tongue at Henry, crossing her arms.
"Mom?" Henry smiled sweetly at her.
"You are not ordering that," Regina said.
"But I'm hungry," Henry said "And it's Sunday. We should go crazy on Sunday"
"I have to agree with the kid," Emma said.
"He can't possibly eat all that," Regina said pointing at Henry.
"But it's Sunday," Emma smiled just as sweetly as Henry did before looking at Ruby "I'll have eggs with extra bacon and pancakes, two bear claws, a slice of apple pie, and cocoa"
"You are not ordering that either," Regina rolled her eyes.
"Yes, I am," Emma laughed "It's Sunday"
"It's two against one, mom" Henry pointed at Regina.
"What about you, Regina?" Ruby asked smiling at them.
"I'll have a yogurt parfait," Regina said "I like my arteries unclogged"
"Alright," Ruby laughed "I'll be right back"
Ruby turned her back to them, leaving their booth. Henry smiled victoriously at Emma as Regina failed miserably at trying to pretend she was annoyed by their orders.
"Don't worry," Emma said lightly "You can steal some of my bacon"
"Who says I want your bacon?" Regina scoffed.
"We all know you love bacon, mom," Henry laughed.
"I do not like bacon that much," Regina said offended.
"Yes, you do," Henry said "Your favorite pizza is bacon pizza"
"And you order burgers with extra bacon," Emma said.
"And you wrap chicken around bacon and always get the one with more slices wrapped around it," Henry said.
"Not to mention the bacon you hide under the eggs when we are eating breakfast," Emma said.
"And the…" Henry started to say.
"Alright, alright," Regina said interrupting Henry "I admit I might like bacon a little"
Henry burst out laughing, the sound of his laughter echoing in the diner. Emma looked to the side and saw Regina smiling beautifully at Henry, that single smile warming something deep inside her heart.
Emma leaned forward, pressing her lips against Regina's cheek. She let her lips linger there a second and then two seconds longer, contemplating the deepest freedom of being able to do this in public.
To let the world know that Regina was hers and she was Regina's.
Emma pull away slowly, her lips tingling to kiss Regina again when she smiled at her.
"Please don't do that in front of my friends," Henry said.
And this time, Emma was the one who laughed as Regina chuckled.
"Oh, I can't wait to embarrass you in front of your friends, kid," Emma said.
"Mom?" Henry looked desperately at Regina.
"I'll keep her on track," Regina winked at Henry.
"Hey," Emma protested lightly.
And then she reached under the table, intertwining her fingers with Regina's as Henry let out a puff of air completely relieved.
They continued to chat lightly until Ruby came back to their booth, hardly fitting everything they have ordered on top of the table.
It was only when everything was displayed in front of her that Emma realized that indeed, they had ordered way too much food.
But Henry did not waste any time before shoving a mouthful of waffles inside his mouth.
Neither was Regina that discreet when her sneaky fingers fished the bacon out of Emma's plate.
And Emma couldn't remember a time when she was this happy with her life.
Everything was simply perfect.
And that simple acknowledgment made something pull in her heart as a cold fear twined around it, rippling through her.
Whispering lowly and darkly telling her that it wouldn't last.
"You okay?" Regina asked.
Emma smiled at Regina nodding her answer before taking a bite of her bear claw.
It didn't matter what came their way.
Emma would do anything to keep her family safe.
Regina was watching amused both Henry and Emma sunk to their seat, rubbing their stomachs.
They had eaten everything they had ordered.
Mostly to defy Regina and prove she was wrong.
Which she wasn't. She never was.
"You two want to order anything else?" Regina asked sarcastically "I see Granny is putting a fresh batch of muffins on display, perhaps I can ask Ruby for one or two"
"I can't even think about food anymore," Henry grunted.
"I'm so full," Emma said slightly out of breath.
"Well then," Regina clicked her tongue.
"Why did we order so much food?" Henry asked.
"Because it's Sunday," Emma said lamely.
Regina chuckled again, reaching for the coffee she had ordered and taking a sip.
"We should go on a walk," Regina said.
"I don't think I can move," Emma answered.
"Me neither," Henry said right after.
"Which is exactly the reason why we should go on a walk," Regina said "It will help ease the stomach discomfort"
"I think she has a point, kid," Emma said.
"Do I have to use my legs?" Henry asked.
Regina rolled her eyes playfully, taking another sip of the coffee.
"Yes, you do," Regina said "Stay here, I'm going to pay for the check"
"What, no," Emma shook her head, putting her hand on Regina's arm "I'll pay for it. All you had was this coffee and that yogurt parfait"
"And the bacon you stole from Emma," Henry said cheekily.
"And that," Emma laughed.
Regina clicked her tongue at Henry before turning her head to Emma.
"I'll pay this one," Regina leaned closer pressing her lips against Emma's "You pay the next"
"Deal," Emma smiled.
Regina leaned closer again, pressing her lips against Emma's, kissing her smile.
"I'll be right back,"
Regina rose from her seat and walk to the counter, smiling softly when the sound of Emma's laughter reached her ears.
"Hey,"
"Miss Lucas," Regina said politely "Our check, please"
Ruby picked up a piece of paper from her apron pocket and then tapped on the calculator writing down the final number on the paper and then giving it to Regina.
"I'm impressed they actually managed to eat all this," Regina said to herself.
"Yeah, I know," Ruby laughed "But by the end of that grilled cheese half Emma ate from Henry, she was already calling the quits"
Regina shook her head, laughing lowly and looking inside her purse for the wallet.
"She's good to you isn't she?" Ruby asked.
Regina lifted her head, staring at Ruby.
"I think we are good for each other," Regina said honestly.
Ruby nodded at her, rolling a lock of hair between her fingers.
"I think that what the two of you have is different," Ruby said.
"Excuse me?" Regina asked.
"You are the only two people that have this particular forged scent," Ruby said "The only other people I have ever picked up a scent from were Mary Margaret and David but even theirs is just a faint smell. The two of you, it impregnates the whole room"
Regina blinked her eyes one and then another time staring at Ruby.
"What?" Ruby asked.
"Is there any other instinct coming back to you?" Regina asked.
"Instinct?" Ruby asked confused "What do you mean by that?"
"Nothing," Regina shook her head.
Regina opened her wallet, picking up the money for the check, and handed it to Ruby.
"Keep the change," Regina said.
"Thanks," Ruby said back, counting the bills.
Regina walked back to the booth, Henry and Emma still laughing lightly when she approached them.
"Are you two ready?" Regina asked.
"Yep," Emma smiled, sliding out of her seat.
"Where are we going?" Henry asked.
Emma intertwined their fingers together, and the three of them walked out of the diner.
"How about the woods?" Regina suggested.
"The woods?" Henry asked beside her.
"We can take the trail where they are building your new castle," Regina smiled, putting her arm around Henry's shoulder.
"Oh," Henry exclaimed, "I thought that was for all the kids in Storybrooke"
"It is," Regina said.
"Ish," Emma laughed.
"It is," Regina squeezed Emma's fingers between hers.
Emma squeezed Regina's fingers back, pulling her closer and then kissing her cheek.
"So you bought the land from Mister Gold?" Emma asked.
"I had no choice," Regina said.
"You shouldn't make deals with him, mom," Henry said "You know it's not safe"
"I know," Regina nodded "But he already got his share so I don't own him anything"
"Owing him a favor is dangerous," Henry said "You should be careful, Emma"
"What is talking about?" Regina asked.
"I kinda owe Mr. Gold a favor," Emma shrugged.
Regina stopped walking, her fingers gripping Emma's hand with force.
"You made a deal with him?" Regina asked, turning in Emma's direction.
Fear already creeping up her spine.
"I didn't have a choice," Emma said "It was the only way to save Ashley's baby"
"Ashley?" Regina asked.
"Cinderella," Henry answered.
Regina nodded slowly, her heart beating fast inside her chest.
"What was the deal?" Regina asked.
"It was nothing, really," Emma brushed it off.
"Tell me," Regina said firmly.
Emma looked into her eyes, confusion shining behind her eyes.
Regina didn't blame her.
She knew she was being too invasive but she couldn't bring herself to care.
Not when that fear was already running down her skin. Not when the dread was like a roar in her blood telling her to keep Emma safe.
"He bought her baby," Emma said "He gave her a sum of money for the child but she did not want to give the baby to him. She wanted to keep it. So he offered me a deal," Emma shrugged "She could keep the baby if I owed him a favor"
"What favor?" Regina asked.
"He didn't tell me," Emma said.
Emma took a step closer, running her free hand down Regina's face.
And that simple touch calmed Regina's heart, made the fear recoil like smoke in the air spiraling into nothingness.
Made her blood stop burning inside her veins.
"Don't worry," Emma said softly "If he asks me for anything illegal, I'll throw his ass in jail"
"If he comes to you for that favor," Regina said, "You tell me"
"Okay," Emma nodded.
"No, Emma, promise me," Regina pleaded "Promise that no matter what, you will come to me"
"I promise," Emma smiled and then tilted her head to the side "Come on. Let's continue our walk"
Regina nodded, letting Emma pull her gently to resume their walk.
Henry filled the rest of the walk to the woods with an easy talk, one that took Regina's mind out of the deal Emma made with Gold. Whatever that man wanted from Emma, he would not have it.
She would pay the price if she had to.
She would not let any harm come to Emma.
The burden was hers and hers alone.
"Oh look," Henry said.
Regina looked to the side, to where Henry was pointing. The castle was almost done and looked like a small replica of her own castle back in the Enchanted Forest.
"Can I go look?" Henry asked.
"Yes," Regina smiled "But don't hang on anything"
"Okay,"
Henry ran in the direction of the unfinished castle, leaving Regina and Emma alone on the track.
And the second they were alone, Emma simply wrapped her arms around Regina's waist and claimed her lips in a kiss.
Every swipe of Emma's tongue against hers, every brush of her lips against her lips made that pure need for Emma echoed through her whole body.
Her knees were weak.
Her skin was on fire.
Emma sunk her fingers into Regina's waist, pulling her impossibly closer.
And every inch of Regina's body was silently pleading her for more of that touch, more of that kiss, more of Emma.
Emma broke the kiss, pressing her forehead against Regina's.
"Fuck," Emma whispered out of breath.
"What?" Regina asked concerned.
Emma pulled away from Regina smiling sideways at her before pressing her lips against her ear.
"I want to run my tongue on every inch of your skin," Emma purred into her ear "And then make you melt in my mouth"
"Fuck" Regina whispered.
Emma smiled, scrapping her teeth on Regina's neck.
"Emma," Regina moaned lowly.
Emma smiled against her skin, blowing warm breath on her neck.
But Regina's whole body shivered.
"Emma, Regina,"
Emma grunted against Regina's neck, dropping her forehead on Regina's shoulder before taking a step back.
"Sheriff," Regina said politely.
"What are you guys doing here?" Graham asked.
Emma took a step closer to Regina, intertwining their fingers together.
"We are just taking a walk with our son," Emma answered.
Graham lowered his eyesight to their joined hands before laughing lightly to himself.
"There is no guy," Graham nodded "I get it now"
"And we are good?" Emma asked seriously.
"I'm happy for the two of you," Graham said "You are good for each other"
"We are," Regina smiled looking at Emma.
"What are you doing out here, Graham?" Emma asked.
"Just doing my rounds," Graham said "I like to cover the trails too"
"Oh," Emma frowned "Seriously?"
"It's a small town," Graham shrugged "I get bored"
Henry ran back to where they were, crashing his body against Regina's.
"Can we go home now?" Henry asked.
"Yes, we can," Regina smiled, running her hands over his hair.
"I should continue with my round," Graham said.
He looked at Regina longingly, something like regret burning behind his eyes.
"Take care of her, Emma," Graham said his eyes never leaving Regina's.
And Regina felt something tighten inside her chest, guilt for what she did to Graham letting its mark there.
But even if things had been different, he would never be the one.
Her heart would always belong to Emma.
Even if she lived a thousand lives, Emma would always be the one her heart would seek.
"Always," Emma said tonelessly.
Graham nodded politely at Emma and then resumed his walk up the trail.
And Regina let herself be pulled by Emma, tightening her grip on her hand and on Henry's shoulder.
Because they were the two halves of her heart.
And they would always guide her home.
They arrived at the mansion over one hour later, Regina's feet complaining loudly about her choice of shoes.
"My feet are killing me," Regina said, opening the door.
"Emma offered to carry you, mom," Henry said.
"Yeah, I know," Regina laughed pushing the door open.
"I could totally carry you back here," Emma said, entering the mansion.
"Indeed," Regina nodded "But what about your back?"
"Im sure you could rub something on it later," Emma winked at Regina.
"Ew, Emma," Henry made a face "That's my mom,"
Emma laughed lightly, messing Henry's hair.
"We should do this every Sunday," Henry said happily.
"I agree," Emma said after "It could be our first family tradition"
"Family tradition?" Regina smiled at her "I like that"
Regina took a step closer to Emma pressing her lips with hers.
"We need rules," Henry said.
"Rules?" Emma asked.
"Yep," Henry nodded "If this is going to be our family tradition we need to minimize mom's influence in what we order"
"Excuse me?" Regina arched an eyebrow.
"I have to side with the kid, babe," Emma said.
"No, you don't," Regina said outrageously.
"We need pen and paper," Henry shouted going up the staircase "Rule number one, mom can not interfere with what we order"
"I do not agree with that," Regina shouted back.
"How about this kid," Emma said.
Henry paused in the middle of the staircase looking down at Emma.
"Your mom can not interfere with what we order," Emma laughed at the way Regina clicked her tongue "But we have to eat everything we order"
Henry put his hand under his chin, considering his options.
"That sounds fair," Henry said.
"Well then," Regina said "If I can't interfere with Sunday's breakfast that means I have control over the whole week"
"You already have that mom," Henry said resuming his walk up.
"Indeed," Regina smiled mischievously at Emma "But now that will include you too"
Emma hooked her arms around Regina's waist, pulling her into her body.
"Are you sure you can handle me for a whole week?" Emma asked.
Regina ran her hand down Emma's face, smiling when she pressed her lips against hers.
"A week," another kiss "A month," another kiss "A year," another kiss "A lifetime"
Emma smiled at Regina a silver line shining behind her eyes.
But Regina just kissed her again, taking her breath away and any insecurity Emma might still have for their future together.