"Got everything you need?" Emma asked her as she zipped her suitcase.

Regina nodded as she zipped her own suitcase. Held back a low groan. Unfortunately, yes, she did indeed have everything she needed. And how she wished that she did not. Her readiness only cemented the fact that their train ride had come to an end. She sat down on the edge of the bed and felt utterly crestfallen. Why couldn't their train ride have continued for another few days? Or a few weeks? Regina didn't feel like getting off the train. Not yet. It was too soon. Reality was knocking on her door again, and she was not ready for it. She was not ready to be poked and prodded by doctors and nurses. She was not ready to have her throat cut open. It was safe to say that she was nervous. She dreaded the stay in the hospital. And she dreaded being sedated before the surgery. It reminded her of her stay in the psychiatric ward where she had to be sedated before the doctors could even touch her. Her panic attacks had been so severe, tranquilizing medicine had been necessary. The first time that had become abundantly clear to everyone was a few hours after she had been admitted to the ward and she had ended up slapping one of the doctors because it felt like he had been assaulting her rather than helping her. Regina had felt awful about it afterwards, but the doctor had been incredibly kind to her and assured that it was alright.

Emma's fingers wrapped around her hand and gave it a soft squeeze. "Are you ready to stay in an awesome hotel with me, babe?"

Regina nodded and flashed Emma a grateful smile. Bless her for approaching things like this. Of course Emma knew how nervous she was. But this wasn't just about her, Regina reminded herself. This was about Emma too. She was not having a surgery, but she was nervous too. Nervous about seeing her adoptive parents for the first time since she was seventeen. Regina would be by her side the entire time. She would support Emma in every way she could.

They grabbed their suitcases and left the safe, confined space that was their sleep cabin. Regina was going to miss it. A lot. She was happy that they were traveling home by train too. Hopefully, she would manage to stay awake for as long as she could so she could get the chance to soak up the experience.

In the hallway, the other passengers were swirling around their seats like nervous flies. Regina had never understood that culture. Why was it necessary to be on edge when leaving a train? The train wasn't going any further. There was absolutely no reason to be on edge. At least not about getting off the train. She looked out of the window and thought about the surgery again. Thought about the mask going over her nose and mouth and making her fall asleep. Thought about waking up. To what news? Good? Bad? What if the surgery wasn't gonna work? What if she would be stuck like this for the rest of her life? Unable to speak. What if their trip had been in vain?

Her hand was taken, and Emma began to draw lazy circles. That felt nice. Very soothing. Regina exhaled. Turned her head and flashed Emma a smile. She had probably sensed that Regina's thoughts were drifting in a not too pleasant direction.

"Do you think Henry is impatiently waiting to see us again?" Emma asked.

Regina nodded and smiled again. Henry's latest texts certainly suggested to. And SHE was most definitely looking forward to seeing HIM again!

"I mean, of course he's impatiently waiting to see ME…."

Regina shoved her girlfriend. Not very harshly, of course. Just to tease.

Emma laughed softly. "I'm going to miss that sleeping cabin."

Regina silently agreed with that and had a feeling that her smile was growing a bit more mischievous.

"And I'm going to miss that nightgown of yours," Emma said casually. But the way she licked her lips was definitely NOT casual…

Regina smirked. That was indeed a pretty nightgown. A VERY pretty nightgown. She was gonna miss it too. And the way Emma practically had ripped it off her body. That had been unbelievably sexy.

And unfortunately, it was also something that wasn't gonna happen again for the next six weeks. SIX WEEKS. Six weeks where she wasn't allowed to be intimate with her girlfriend. Just how the hell was she supposed to get through that? It wasn't FAIR. Not when Regina barely had discovered how much of a sexual being she actually was. How much she truly enjoyed sex…

Regina frowned and felt very discouraged all the sudden.

Her hand was squeezed gently once more. "Don't worry, beautiful. Six weeks isn't a lifetime," Emma softly assured her.

Funny. Regina could have sworn that it was just that. A lifetime. Well, at least a smaller one. She raised an eyebrow and politely disagreed with her partner.

The train ride continued, and Regina sensed that Emma snuggled closer to her. She didn't mind that one bit. But she knew that Emma's ex-girlfriend had found this particular behavior to be clingy. Never again. Regina automatically wrapped an arm around Emma's shoulder to show that she was there and supported her. Of course she knew what this was about. Getting closer to Toronto meant getting closer to Emma's adoptive parents.

"Why does your hair always smell so good?" Emma teased her.

Regina let out a soft rumble and found her phone. She typed a teasing answer: "are you still drunk, miss Swan?' and showed it to Emma.

"No," Emma denied and failed at sounded affronted. "You just smell really good, okay?"

Regina rumbled once more and shook her head.

"You always do," Emma continued, ignoring her protests.

Regina gave her a little squeeze. Just because she could.

"I can't wait to take the train back to Vancouver with you and Henry," Emma said as she nuzzled her cheek against Regina's blazer. "We're gonna have so much fun!"

Regina smiled and nodded. Despite knowing that she would hardly be much fun on the journey back. She would most likely be knocked out by the painkillers for the most of it.

"We'll be two to look after you then." If Emma was trying to tease, she was failing at that too. Her voice was mostly soft and kind and caring, and Regina's shove was equally soft too. She couldn't wait to be 'looked after' by Emma and Henry…

The lights dimmed, and Regina knew that time was up. This time there would be no going back to the sleep cabin. Unfortunately. This was the final stop for them. So she wiped her eyes discreetly and closed the collection of fairytales Henry had snuck into her suitcase. She put the book back where it belonged and thought to herself that she perhaps should have chosen a happier fairytale instead.

"Did you finish "The little Girl with the Matches"?" Emma asked gently. "Is that why you're crying?"

Regina was quick to shake her head in denial, but she was sure she was smiling sheepishly at the same time. She had in fact been shedding a few tears over 'The Little Girl with the Matches.

"Maybe pick one with a more cheerful ending the next time?" Emma suggested with a soft smile. "We can't have you getting upset."

That had Regina rumbling softly. And the soft squeeze Emma gave her hand assured her that she was not being silly for shedding tears over 'The Little Girl with the Matches'. There was nothing wrong with being sensitive and showing her emotions.

'The train will be arriving at Union Station in a few minutes. We ask all passengers to go to the nearest exit. Please remember all belongings.'

Well, if that wasn't a clue, Regina didn't know what was. She and Emma stood from their seats, grabbed their suitcases and left their cabin.

There was already plenty of people in the hallway. Including the sweet little girl they had seen on the first evening. She waved at Regina, and Regina happily waved back. Seeing kids smile at her always made her day.

"Are you waving at the nice lady, sweetie?" the child's mother asked and laughed. That's very sweet of you, honey. You're making her smile."

"Aww," Emma cooed quietly as she leaned into Regina. "That's adorable."

It was. Regina nodded and smiled without taking her eyes off the little girl. It was hard not to think about what could have been if things had gone differently. She could have been the mother of a little girl. But of course she had Henry. The light of her life. Her little prince. And he was more than enough for her.

Her thoughts were interrupted when the little girl came wobbling over to her, offering her a beaming smile and the sweetest of "'Ello!"

Regina automatically smiled and waved at the small girl. What a charming child.

The girl's mother wasn't at all angry. She was still laughing as she came over to her daughter and reminded her: "stay with mommy, please."

The little girl's only reaction to that was to smile at Regina again.

Regina's heart melted. She stood and wished that she had been able to say something to the little girl when the train slowed down. The Union Station came into view, and she spotted her son in the crowd. He was jumping up and down in what only could be anticipation.

Regina felt a grin spread on her face as she raised a hand and waved. Henry waved back. Then turned her head and said something to Zelena who was standing behind him. She nodded and smiled in return.

"If I didn't know any better, I would say that he's happy to see us," Emma joked with a grin on her face.

Regina silently agreed with that. Henry did indeed look happy to see them. Had he missed them a lot, she wondered. She hoped that he hadn't been upset or anything.

The train came to a gentle stop, and a professional voice over the speaker announced: "'Thank you for travelling with us. We wish you a pleasant stay in Toronto.'"

A pleasant stay in Toronto? Regina couldn't help but rumble with amusement. She shook her head slightly. It was very kind of that professional voice to wish her a pleasant stay, but…

"Gallows humor," Emma remarked, immediately understanding why Regina was amused. "Nice."

Indeed. Sometimes you needed to approach things with just that. Gallows humor. She shrugged slightly. Still felt rather amused.

The train doors opened, and every last passenger immediately developed elbows of steel as they starting pushing their way towards the nearest exit. Regina was half amused, half annoyed. Why on earth did everyone turn into animals? This was the last stop. The train literally wasn't going any further.

Oh well. Regina could play this game too. She forced her way through the crowd, developing her own elbows of steel and giving everyone a taste of Professor Mills.

Emma caught up with her. "Come here," she said as she took Regina's hand. "I wouldn't want to get separated from you like the last time."

Regina remembered that. She interlaced her fingers tightly with Emma's. She wouldn't want to be separated from Emma either, and she smiled as Emma made a point of holding her hand as they left the train. Together. Nobody was getting separated this time.

But where had Henry and Zelena disappeared off to? They were gone. Regina frowned as she tried to orientate herself in the crowded station. This was madness. Absolute madness.

"Did Zelena and Henry just fall down a rabbit hole or something like that?" Emma asked, opting for joking, but she too looked pretty disorientated, and although Regina didn't like being disorientated or see others being disorientated, it was nice to know that she was not alone in her feelings. She shrugged in response and frowned as she glanced around again.

"Maybe they deserted us?" Emma suggested, now snickering under her breath.

Hardly. Regina rolled her eyes at that. She doubted that Zelena and Henry had left.

"Aww, come on. That was an awesome joke," Emma tried to convince her, but Regina wasn't one bit convinced and flashed Emma a 'really?' look.

They continued pushing their way through the crowd, looking for Zelena and Henry. A difficult task given how many people there were in the station. All of them determined to do the same thing. Leave the station as soon as possible.

They did not manage to find Henry and Zelena. But that didn't matter, because Zelena and Henry found them. Regina had been on the verge of texting Zelena to ask where on earth they had disappeared off to (Emma goofily had suggested to ask Zelena about the mentioned rabbit hole) but before Regina even had the chance to find her phone, she was nearly knocked backwards by a most familiar little boy in a striped scarf who loudly proclaimed: "mom!"

Regina unceremoniously dumped her suitcase on the ground so she could hug her son. She lifted him so his feet were dangling a few inches above the ground. After a second, she sat him down again and began to sign rapidly. 'The assignment was beautiful, Henry! We are so proud of you!'

Henry laughed and a faint blush rose in his cheeks. "I'm glad you guys liked my assignment."

"You totally made your mom cry, kid," Emma revealed with a snigger.

Regina gave her a shove that was only slightly harder than the previous one. Emma shouldn't be revealing her like that. Then she kissed Henry twice on each cheek. Because she had missed him so much. And because she was so proud of him for writing such a beautiful and creative assignment.

"Yuck!" Henry said half-laughing, half cringing. "Stop kissing me, mom! That's gross."

That made Zelena laugh. Once Regina was done hugging Henry, she was next in line for a hug. A very tight hug, that was. Clearly, she had missed Regina too.

"Was the trip okay?" she asked.

"Yeah, what did you guys do for three days on a train with no wi-fi?" Henry asked as before Regina could answer. He hugged Emma tightly as he continued: "That sounds really boring!"

Boring? Not even in the slightest. Definitely not. Regina gave no answer. She just hugged her sister once more. And smirked slightly.

Unfortunately, Zelena saw it, and not only could she read between the lines. She rolled her eyes. "Christ almighty, did you even think about the other passengers?"

"There were other passengers?" Emma asked, doing an almighty good job at appearing surprised as she looked. "Seriously? Did you know that?"

Regina too did her best to feign innocence but had a feeling that she ended up looking more amused as she shook her head. The other passenger's had not ranked very high on her list. She had been more focused on the pleasure.

"God, you two are awful," Zelena huffed. But Regina was pretty sure there was a gleam of amusement in her eyes.

The conversation went above Henry's head, though. "You guys are weird. Why are you being weird?"

Emma laughed and gave him another hug. "We're not being weird, kid. Not at all. So, you're taking the train back to Vancouver with us?"

Clever of her to steer the conversation elsewhere, Regina thought to herself.

"And abandoning his amazing aunt," Zelena interjected with a snicker that probably was intended to be a huff.

"Yep," Henry confirmed. "Operation choo-choo!"

Operation Choo-Choo, huh? Regina rumbled in amusement as she reached out and ruffled her boy's hair.

"Anyway, we should get going," Zelena said, practical as ever. "I've booked us a taxi that'll take us straight to the hotel. I can imagine you two would want to be rid of your suitcases."

Indeed. Lingering on the station was quite silly. Regina nodded and picked up her suitcase. Took Henry's hand. Both her hands were occupied. She couldn't hold Emma's hand. But she made sure to bump her shoulder against Emma's as they left the station. She wasn't interested in loosing her girlfriend on this busy station, and was happy when Emma kept up.

"Want me to take your suitcase?" she gallantly offered.

Regina looked over her shoulder and shook her head. No, she could carry her own suitcase, It was no problem at all.

"Are you sure?" Emma asked sweetly. "I don't mind taking it, you know."

Yes, Regina was well aware of that. And if this hadn't been a station, she would have kissed Emma. In a way that would make Henry go 'ewww'….

The hotel room was nice. Not too big, not too small. But just right for them. The size of the bed was decent. Big enough for her, Emma and Henry. He was sandwiched between them, giggling as Emma mercilessly poked him in the ribs.

"Moo-ooom!" he complained, trying to sound like he was in distress. "Emma keeps giving me a hard time! Do something."

Not a chance. Regina rumbled at his dramatic antics and shook her head. She didn't have to help him. She was much too busy watching him and Emma be goofy.

"Your mom's totally on my side, kid," Emma smirked as she tickled him in the ribs again.

Henry whined. But then retaliated. By poking Emma in the ribs. This had clearly turned into a tickle fight between them.

"Regina! Your son is giving me a hard time!" Emma laughed and was clearly trying to imitate Henry's whining. "Kid, stop tickling me! I conquer, I conquer!"

Regina scoffed at their childish antics. She definitely was much too refined to participate in them, thank you very much.

"You think we're acting like babies, don't you?" Emma laughed.

Yes, indeed. That was exactly what she was thinking.

"But you like us anyway, don't you?" Emma asked, reaching across Henry and touched Regina's shoulder lightly.

Naturally. Regina smiled and nodded.

"I've missed you!" Henry proclaimed, and Regina immediately reached out and ruffled his hair gently.

"We've missed you too, kid," Emma said, doing the same as Regina and ruffling his hair.

Regina was tired. And a bit nervous about the reason for their stay in Toronto. She wasn't all that aware when Henry mumbled something under his breath, but she WAS aware enough to see Emma tap his lips twice and Henry grinning before tapping his lips like Emma just had.

What on earth was that about? Regina curiously glanced between her son and her girlfriend. Right now something was definitely going on. Something that she wasn't a part of for whatever reason.

"Something on your mind, babe?" Emma asked. Her voice was innocent enough, but… something was afoot.

Regina shook her head but raised an eyebrow. She hoped that this would make Emma let her in on whatever secret she and Henry had.

But the only thing happening was Henry sniggering. In a way that probably was supposed to be innocent.

Naturally, this did not lessen Regina's confusion. And now she was actually starting to grow annoyed too. 'What are you up to?' she demanded.

"We're not up to anything," Emma replied, and had this been any other day Regina would have been impressed because she understood her. But now she was annoyed and wanted answers.

"Right kid?" Emma continued, looking to Henry for support. He nodded. But still looked mischievous.

'I don't believe you,' Regina signed with a frown. Definitely didn't believe them at all.

"You think we're lying?" Henry said, feigning sadness. "Thanks a lot, mom!"

Regina scowled. Henry laughed as he got up from the bed and disappeared into the adjoining bedroom. So she wouldn't get any answers from him. She would have to try Emma instead. Grabbing her phone, she quickly typed: 'Out with it. What are you two hiding from me?'

"We're not hiding anything, babe," Emma innocently proclaimed.

Regina didn't believe her one bit, and she shook her head as she typed. 'I don't believe you.' Then she turned the screen towards Emma.

Emma read the message. Then laughed. "It's nothing, babe."

Regina put the phone away for a moment as she looked at Emma. Studied her face. Deep down, she knew that Emma was playing around. Henry too. But still, a twang of uneasiness had crept into her mind, and she let that shine through as she wrote: 'I wasn't aware that we're having secrets from each other now.' Once done, she turned the screen towards Emma so she could read the message.

Emma's response came immediately. "Oh, that's totally not fair!" she groaned. "You can't give me that look, Regina!"

Regina didn't stop giving Emma 'that' look. She needed to know what was going on so she could squash the slight uneasiness that had crept into her mind. She did not like secrets. She did not like whispered conversation she wasn't a part of.

Emma slid closer to her then. Pecked her jaw. Then nuzzled her nose against it. Kissed it again. "Okay, you're right. Henry and I are keeping something from you," she admitted.

Exactly as suspected. Regina lifted an eyebrow.

"There's something I wanna ask you," Emma continued, looking at her now. "After you've had the operation. I don't wanna overwhelm you. That's why I'm waiting until after your operation."

Oh. The uneasy feeling disappeared and was replaced with genuine curiosity, because what on earth could that be? She typed on her phone again. Not to ask what it was, but to inquire: 'is it something good?' she turned the screen towards Emma and had a feeling that she already knew the answer.

"Mmm," Emma confirmed, pecking her jaw again. "It is."

Oh. 'Okay. In that case I won't ask again.' Not even when she was nearly dying of curiosity. She could live with not being in the knowing. As long as she knew that it was something good. She turned the screen towards Emma again.

Emma chuckled softly upon reading the answer. Then cupped her cheek tenderly. "But just for the record…. I would never keep bad secrets from you. If something was wrong, I'd tell you. Right away."

Regina already knew that. Of course. 'I know. Forgive me. I'm just being silly.', she typed then showed Emma the message.

"You're not," Emma said quickly. "You're nervous about the operation, isn't that right?"

Mmmhmm. 'Very nervous.', Regina admitted and turned the screen yet again. There really was no reason to sugarcoat how she felt. Emma constantly reminded her of that.

Emma was there for her in her natural gentle way. "I'll be right there all the time," she assured. "I'll be there when you go to sleep, and I'll be there when you wake up again. And then I'll have the time of my life nursing you back to health afterwards. Seriously, you have no idea how many different types of soup I'm gonna cook for you!"

Regna mock shuddered. She did not want this to turn heavy, and she didn't want this to be all about her only. They weren't just here because of the operation. She dodged Emma's kiss. Not because she did not want to be kissed (she always did!) but she had something on her mind. Something it was important for her to get into the open.

'And I hope you know I'm going to be there for you during the meeting with your adoptive parents,' she typed quickly. 'I know that's gonna be hard on you, and I don't want my operation to overshadow that.' Satisfied with that, she turned the screen towards Emma.

Emma's reaction was rather delightful. "God, I love you," she said plainly after having read the message. She leaned in and kissed her (Regina absolutely did not dodge it this time) "so, so much!" she emphasized between kisses.

Regina was well on her way to become slightly lightheaded, but alas, they were interrupted.

"Oh man, why do you guys have to be gross all the time?" was Henry's comment when he came back from the bathroom.

Regina felt Emma snigger against her lips. Clearly not sorry at all.

Honestly, neither was Regina. Once they broke apart, she flashed Henry an amused grin.

"I'm complaining to Zelena," Henry dramatically proclaimed. "I'm telling her I wanna fly back with her instead of taking the train!"

"Sorry kid." Emma wasn't even trying not to laugh. "We promise we won't be gross on the way home. Right, Regina?"

Indeed. Regina nodded and tried her best to appear somber.

"You better not be," Henry warned. Was he trying to scowl? If so, he really wasn't doing a good job at all. It looked suspiciously like he was smiling.

Emma looked like she was about to ask him something, but before she could get the chance, there was a soft knock on the door and Zelena poked her head inside. Without having been invited. Regina scowled slightly, but she didn't get a chance to address her older sister's 'rudeness'. Zelena spoke first.

"Emma, there's someone waiting downstairs in reception for you," she said.

"There is?" Emma asked surprised etched onto her face as she raised an eyebrow. "Who?"

"She claims that her name is Ella," Zelena revealed with a chuckle.

In response to that, Emma let out a sound Regina never had heard her utter before. A shriek. An actual shriek. A true, genuine response to seeing her best friend. Regina found it to be delightful.

Once done shrieking, Emma turned to Regina. "Wanna come downstairs and meet my best friend?" she asked eagerly.

But of course. There was nothing Regina wanted more. In a moment. When she had made sure she looked presentable. She rose from the bed and walked over to the mirror. She fixed her hair slightly. Grabbed her scarf and tied it around her neck in an elegant bow.

"You look beautiful," Emma assured her, and Regina was silently impressed. Even when jumping with excitement to see her best friend, Emma still took her time to assure her. Not many partners would have done that. Most of them would most likely have asked Regina to hurry. But not Emma. Never Emma.

Regina checked her hair one more time. Just to really make sure that it wasn't sticking up. She didn't want to look like a mess when meeting Emma's friend.

But now her hair wasn't sticking up anymore. Perfect.

Emma's best friend was blonde, roughly the same height and she had a very friendly smile. She looked nice. Very nice. Regina could immediately tell that she was a good person. Of course she was. If she hadn't been a good person, Emma wouldn't be friends with her. End of story.

It was so sweet, watching Emma rush over to her and envelope her in a tight hug. "Oh my god, it's been way too long!" she exclaimed.

"It has," Ella agreed, returning the hug, and joking: "I might have to move to Vancouver!"

"You totally should do that," Emma said with a chuckle. "It is really, really good to see you, Ella."

"It's good to see you too, Swan," Ella said, and Regina felt her eyes on her. She had kept in the background to let Emma greet her friend, but now it looked like it was time for her to announce herself properly.

She glanced at Emma. Put a hand on her shoulder to signalize that she needed a translator for this. It seemed to rude to whip out her phone and type on it. She preferred eye contact when introducing herself to someone new. She needed Emma to be her voice.

"Yep, of course!" Emma said briskly, easily understanding what Regina was silently saying.

Regina made sure to sign slowly as she wiggled her fingers so Emma could get a chance to understand her.

And Emma had absolutely no problem with understanding her. "Hello Ella. My name is Regina. It's very nice to meet you.", she perfectly translated, and it was impossible not to notice that slight gleam of pride in her eyes.

"It's nice to meet you too, Regina," Ella said sincerely as she outstretched her hand. Not at all taken aback by Regina's way of communicating. No doubt Emma had told her about it. But still, there was a difference between knowing about it and see it executed in real life.

They shook hands and Regina made sure to smile. She wanted to make sure that Ella knew that she really was happy to meet her.

"So, you're the woman who makes Emma sound all sappy and cliché when she talks about you," Ella laughed, and Regina nearly tilted her head. Was her eyes deceiving her, or was Ella struggling to look her in the eyes?

No. No, of course not. That was a silly thing to think.

"Thanks a lot for selling me out, Ella," Emma mock sneered. "You're a real champ."

"I know right," Ella teased. "That's one of the many reasons you've totally missed me."

That made Emma stop mock sneering. She gave her friend another hug. "You're right. I've missed you, Ells."

Regina had gotten an idea. She waited until Emma was done hugging her friend. Then she claimed her partner's attention once more. Signed slowly.

Emma was one big smile as she repeated the question Regina had just silently asked: "Would you like to have coffee with us?"

"That would be really nice," Ella said, sounding both surprised and happy. "But I don't want to impose or anything..."

Impose? What nonsense. Regina was quick to shake her head, thereby firmly indicating that Ella was not imposing at all.

"Have coffee with us," Emma chirped in. "And you have to meet Henry and Zelena!"

"Did I hear someone say my name?" for once, Zelena had chosen the exact right time to show up. Henry was right behind her.

"I did," Emma laughed, motioned for Zelena and Henry to come closer. "Come and meet Ella properly."

"I think we've already been introduced," Zelena said as she smiled at Ella. "Hello, Ella. It's nice to meet you. Properly."

"Likewise," Ella returned the smile. Then turned her attention to Henry who was now standing by Regina's side. "And you must be Henry."

"Yup," Henry confirmed.

'Yup'? that was no way to speak when introducing yourself to someone. Regina scowled slightly as she tapped Henry's shoulder once. A reminder to be polite.

It worked. "I am," Henry amended and outstretched his hand. "It's nice to meet you, Ella."

"It's nice to meet you too, Henry," Ella smiled. "I've heard so many things about you. About all of you."

"Good things, I hope," Zelena drawled. "Now if you would excuse me, I think I'll find out whether it's possible to have tea instead of coffee."

"You're not in England anymore, aunt Z," Henry commented.

Pardon? Regina tapped his shoulder again and reminded him in Sign Language to mind his manners. She had no idea what had gotten into him right now, but he was giving much cheek.

"I am minding my manners, mom!" Henry vehemently defended his actions. "I just said she wasn't in England anymore."

With that, he ran after Zelena up the stairs (did he want tea too) and Regina lifted her hands to illustrate that she was giving up. Then she signed again.

Emma laughed so much she barely mustered the translation: "I apologize for my son's manners."

Ella chuckled at that. "He's a very sweet kid. Exactly like Emma has told me."

"I'll have you know that I've told Ella a lot about you and Henry," Emma revealed as she looked at Regina.

"If ranting about Regina counts as an actual conversation," Ella interjected, smirk lurking in the corner of her mouth.

"Uhmm, let's go and get that coffee, yeah?" Emma said quickly, motioning awkwardly.

Regina and Ella shared an amused glance as they both followed Emma….

Exactly as expected, Ella was a very nice woman. She was funny and it was nice to sit and hear her and Emma exchange memories and catch up. Obviously, Regina was included in the conversation too. All the time. Ella asked her questions, Regina signed the answers and Emma delivered said answers verbally. It worked perfectly, and Regina truly felt like it was a proper conversation. It didn't matter that she couldn't talk.

Later when Emma was saying goodbye to her friend, Regina opted for staying back in the lounge. After having said her own goodbyes, of course. She felt like Emma should be allowed to say goodbye to her friend in private. She busied herself with writing a message for Emma when she came back. 'It was a pleasure to meet your friend. Ella is very nice.'

After a moment and a bit more laughing from the lobby, Emma returned to the lounge. She sat down next to Regina on the couch, and Regina quickly showed her the message she had just written.

"She was happy about meeting you too," Emma smiled. But then quirked an eyebrow: "but she did admit that she found you intimidating at first..."

What? Regina raised an eyebrow.

"You didn't notice?" Emma snickered.

Both Zelena and Henry who had joined Regina in the lounge laughed.

Regina shook her head and frowned. In what way could she possibly have been intimidating? She had been smiling the entire time. And she hadn't even said anything, for god's sake. She had been called intimidating before. But only by those who had heard her speak. Many people had found her deep voice to be intimidating.

"It's okay," Emma laughed, rubbing her arm gently. "You can't help it. It's your eyes."

Henry snickered while Regina mused about that for a moment. Okay, her eyes were pretty dark, she would admit that. Still, she scoffed. Chose to go along with the joke as she typed on her phone: 'should I perhaps wear contact lenses, then? I could buy some lovely blue ones...' it was pretty hard to maintain the scowl as she showed Emma the message. She couldn't picture herself with blue eyes.

"I don't think that will be necessary," Emma assured after having read the message. "You know how much I love your eyes..."

Oh. That was sweet. Very sweet. Regina couldn't help but smile softly at the compliment.

"You guys are getting gross again," Henry informed, somehow managing to simultaneously sound like a disgruntled ten year old and a disapproving grandfather.

And of course Zelena felt committed to cackling like she was damn Wicked Witch of The West or something.

"We are not!" Emma protested. "The only thing I did was literally just complimenting your mom's eyes..."

"... And mom is giving you googly eyes." Henry stated plainly and rolled his eyes.

She is not-" Emma started but stopped talking once they made eye contact. Regina flashed her a grin. Not at all ashamed of giving her girlfriend 'googly eyes' as Henry put it.

"Told you," Henry grinned. Ever the wiseman.

"That's enough, Hen." Zelena had suddenly decided to supportive and not a pain in Regina's ass. "Let your mom and Emma be in love in peace."

Henry gave a cheeky snigger, and Regina suddenly realized how late it was getting. She gave Henry's arm a slight tap. And when he looked up at her, she lifted her hands and signed: 'it is bedtime.'

"But I'm not tired!" it had to be an automatic response. The fear of missing out. Henry looked like he was about to fall asleep while sitting up.

So Regina shook her head overbearingly. 'it is getting late, and it has been a long day,' she calmly reasoned with her son in Sign Language.

"Ooookayyyyy," Henry said, surrendering quickly exactly as Regina had expected him to. She also had expected him to sprint up the stairs, but he didn't do that. Instead the tips of his ears turned slightly red as he said: "could you maybe... tuck me in? Just tonight, I mean.

Regina was quite surprised, but nonetheless very happy as she nodded eagerly and rose from the couch.

Henry followed her example. "Goodnight, Aunt Z," he said.

"Goodnight, little man," Zelena said and smiled at him. "I promise I'll be quiet when I go to bed."

"Please be," Henry joked. Then he turned to Emma. "Goodnight, Emma."

"'Night, kid," Emma said and smiled at him. "Sleep well."

"Thanks." Henry trotted over to Regina, and together they went up the stairs towards the room he shared with Zelena. He surprised her again by taking her hand as they walked. She had not expected that, and she immediately wondered what had brought that on. Was it because they had been parted? Her heart ached. Her poor boy.

Coming up to the hotel room Henry shared with Zelena, Regina perched herself on the bed and waited while Henry was in the bathroom getting ready for bed.

After a moment, he came back, now wearing his pajama and smelling of toothpaste. He smiled as he crawled into bed. Regina smiled too as she tucked him in.

"Thanks mom," he said. "You're staying for a little bit, right?"

Of course. Regina nodded in confirmation. Sat down on the bedside again and took his hand.

"I couldn't really sleep," Henry murmured, tips of his ears reddening again. "While you were away, I mean."

Oh, Henry. Regina gave his hand a little squeeze. Then signed: 'do you want to talk about it?'

"I guess it's… the operation," Henry admitted, now rubbing the back of his neck. "I know it's just a small operation, but I can't help thinking about it."

Regina immediately scooted and cupped her son's cheek. She looked into his brown eyes that now radiated concern.

"I know it's stupid," Henry muttered. "And I know the operation only takes two hours, but-"

'It is not stupid,' Regina was quick to sign. 'It is alright to be worried, sweetheart.'

Henry tilted his head. "Are you worried?"

Well… Regina didn't want to alarm her son, but she didn't want to lie to him either. She ended up compromising. 'I am not worried. Perhaps a bit nervous, but not worried. I know that it will be over quickly.'

"I know that too." Henry nodded, but Regina could see that something was still troubling him, so she gently prompted him to get it off his chest.

"It won't be like the last time, will it?" he asked quietly. "I mean… like when you were in the hospital and didn't wake up for a really long time?"

Regina immediately shook her head. 'Absolutely not,' she signed. 'It will not be like that at all, Henry. I promise. This time it's just a very small operation.'

"But it'll hurt afterwards, right?" he asked, frowning as he looked at her.

'A little bit,' Regina signed in response. Now she was lying a little bit, but she didn't want her son to believe that she would be in excruciating pain.

"Do you think the operation will work?" Henry asked her.

'The doctor thinks so.' Regina made a point of smiling at him. Had to turn this into an adventure. Something exciting. Something to look forward to.

"I don't care if you can talk or not," Henry said with a shrug. "I'm just glad that I'm going home on the train with you and Emma. I missed you."

'I missed you too,' Regina signed and felt a twinge somewhere in her stomach. Henry was worried about the operation. That much was clear as day. He worried that the new operation meant that his mother once again would disappear off to a place where he could not reach her. She dropped a kiss on his hair. Looked forward to the operation was over so she could smile at her son and show him that everything was alright now. She hated seeing him this worried. She kissed the top of his head again.

"Can I have my book?" Henry asked, nodding towards the storybook laying on the nightstand.

Regina automatically reached for it and gave him the book. Another fairytale book. Henry opened it and began flipping through it, and Regina wondered if this was her clue to leave.

On a farm long ago, a Mama Duck sat on her nest. "How long must I wait for my babies to hatch?" she said. "I have to sit here all alone! And no one comes to visit me." But what could she do? A Mama duck must keep her eggs warm till they hatch. At last, the eggs began to crack. One by one, yellow ducklings stepped out of their shells. They shook their wings and said, "Quack, quack!" Henry read aloud, and Regina smiled. Not that long ago, she had been the one to read to him, but now the tables had turned. When he looked up at her, Regina motioned with her hand. Motioned for him to go on.

And so he did. "Look at all of you!" said Mama Duck with joy. "You are all so cute!" "Quack, quack!" they said. Mama Duck said, "Come and line up. We will go down to the lake for your very first swim." She counted – one, two, three, four, five. "Oh dear!" she said. "I should have six ducklings!" But one large egg was still in the nest. "Well," said Mama Duck, "it looks like that big egg will take more time." So she had to go sit on her nest again and wait some more.

Regina's smile widened. The Ugly Duckling had not been included in the book of fairytales he had snuck into her suitcase, and she did not mind hearing it again. It was definitely one of her favorite fairytales, and she listened carefully as Henry read aloud about the ugly duckling's hardship. She thought to herself that her ten year old son suddenly seemed very grown up as he sat and read to her. It was very soothing. Some of her own anxiety seemed to lessen as he read. The knot in her chest she had felt whenever she thought about the operation, seemed to become looser. And that was a good thing. She didn't want to be all nervous and tense when going to bed. Then she wouldn't get any sleep. And she needed to be well rested for tomorrow.

After Henry had finished reading aloud to her, it didn't take long before he fell asleep. Regina lingered a moment longer to make sure he really was asleep. She didn't want to leave if he still was awake. Not after he just had expressed concern and worry.

But he was asleep. Regina could see his chest rising and falling slowly. She quietly rose from his bedside and kissed the top of his head again in a silent goodnight. He did not wake.

Just as quietly, she left his room and walked back down the stairs.

She found Emma and Zelena still in the lounge area. Emma looked up and smiled when she spotted her. "The kid's asleep?" she asked.

Regina nodded to confirm that Henry was indeed asleep.

"And is he okay?" Emma continued.

Regina found her phone in her pocket and began typing. She was too tired to sign. Listening to Henry reading and watching him sleep had made her very sleepy. And it had been a long day. She had to pause mid-type to yawn. When she was done typing, she glanced briefly at what she written: 'he is now. Apparently, he's been having some difficulties with sleeping while I was away, but we talked about it, and then he read me a bedtime story.'. Deciding that she was satisfied with that, she turned the screen towards Emma.

"He did?" Emma chuckled. "Which one?"

Regina smiled as she typed: 'The Ugly Duckling' and turned the screen towards Emma.

"Good choice," Emma complimented. "He has excellent taste."

Indeed. Regina nodded and pointed lightly to the staircase and back to Emma. Silently asking Emma if she wanted to come to bed.

"Oh yeah," Emma replied, of course understanding what she meant. "I am more than ready to go to bed." she rose from the couch.

"And so am I," Zelena announced, standing up too.

Regina was happy to see that. She didn't like the idea of Henry being alone in the hotel room for too long. Even when he was asleep.

All three of them headed up the stairs. When she and Emma reached the door to their hotel room, Regina turned around and tapped her lips twice to remind Zelena not to make too much noise. Henry was asleep after all.

"I'll be as quiet as a mouse," Zelena assured. "And I'm hoping you two will be too…"

Regina chose not to react to that in anyway. Instead she merely smiled at her sister and signed 'goodnight.'

"Goodnight, sis," Zelena said. "Goodnight, Emma."

"Goodnight, Zelena," said Emma, sounding very much like she was trying to stifle a yawn. "Sleep well."

"I suspect I'll be asleep as soon as my head hits the pillow," Zelena predicted.

Honestly, Regina felt the same way. They parted ways. Zelena disappeared inside the room she was sharing with Henry while Emma and Regina went into their room.

Regina made quick work of her scarf, blazer, blouse, and camisole. By the time Emma turned around, she stood only in her purple bra and slacks.

I think that's the fastest you've ever taken your clothes off before," Emma commented. Her voice was low and slightly rough. She too was clearly sleepy.

Regina offered a slight smile as she reached back and unclasped her bra. Then tugged her slacks off. Once she had changed into a pajama, she headed into the bathroom to take off her makeup, rinsed her face and brushed her teeth. It didn't take long, and by the time she emerged from the bathroom, Emma had changed into the long white tanktop she often wore for bed. Regina thought to herself that she looked very nice in that. Had this been any other night, she would have started flirting. But tonight she most certainly was too tired.

"My turn," Emma declared, giving her arm a soft rub as they passed each other.

While Emma was in the bathroom, Regina slipped into bed and curled up under the covers. This was a very comfortable bed, she thought to herself. The perfect place to recuperate after the surgery.

She frowned. Should she be thinking about the surgery right now? No, she decided. No, not right now. First things first. Meaning Emma's adoptive parents. She wondered how that was going to play out. But no matter what, she would be by Emma's side the entire time. Would support her no matter how it went, and if Emma's adoptive parents said something to Emma… Well, Regina would unleash her 'intimidating' eyes on them! The image of herself giving Liam the middle finger flashed before her eyes. As tempting as it was, she wasn't planning on doing that tomorrow. At least she didn't think so. It took a lot to make her give anyone the middle finger. But if she was provoked enough, well…

Her train of thoughts were interrupted when Emma came back from the bathroom. Regina flashed her a sleepy smile and eagerly patted the empty spot in the bed. The spot reserved for Emma.

Emma immediately climbed into bed and curled up in her arms. Perfect. Just like Regina wanted it. The perfect way to go to sleep.

"Mmm. I'm in heaven," Emma murmured.

Honestly, so was Regina. She rumbled sleepily.

"That was sexy," Emma told her, chuckling lightly.

Regina rumbled again. More amused than sleepily this time.

"That was sexy too," Emma said with another sleepy chuckle. "But then again, everything you do is sexy, so..."

Everything? Hardly. Regina ended up snorting in pure denial.

"Yep, and that too." the bed creaked a bit as Emma turned around. She opened her eyes and looked at Regina. "I apologize in advantage if I end up using your chest as my pillow."

Well. That was not going to be a problem at all. Regina smiled softly at her partner.

"Goodnight, beautiful." Emma wiggled just a little bit closer to her.

Regina gently kissed her forehead and gave her a little squeeze. This was the perfect way to go to sleep. Tonight she refused to think about anything except for Emma in her arms…

To Be Continued….