The three arrived back at the woodcutters cottage and Regina silently magicked a curtain up around her Mother, so she didn't have to look at her. "Better?" She asked Emma who nodded in relief. She was talking about having Henry back rather than her Mother, but either applied in this situation.

Henry stared at the curtained off box in the middle of the kitchen frowning. "Does she have to stay here?"

Regina squeezed past the box and rolled her eyes. "Unfortunately, yes. Until your grandparents get here. Ignore her. Did someone mention pizza night?"

Henry cheered right up. "Yeah, no offence to Gramps but I don't really like trout. It tastes like river."

Regina laughed and pulled out a sack of flour and a bowl. "I like trout but you're right, pizza is much nicer. You're looking too skinny. We've only been gone a day and look at you!" She pinched his arms exaggerating. He was going through a growth spurt and at that dangly stage. Nothing to do with his recent dietary changes but she'd use any excuse to spoil him.

Emma grinned and sidled up next to them behind the counter. "Are we doing personal pizzas or one big one?"

"We should do personal ones and see whose turns out the best." Henry challenged and they all grinned.

Regina poofed another two bowls in front of them and felt a warm buzz in her stomach at the familiar scene. She could almost picture them back home in Storybrooke doing this in her kitchen. Her eyes momentarily flicked to the elephant in the room and her smile faltered. Almost perfect.

"Well we all know mine's going to be the best."

Henry and Emma pulled in a sharp breath. "Ooh! Ma! She doesn't know!"

"What don't I know?" Regina stopped filling her bowl for a moment and hand went to hip forgetting it was covered in flour.

Henry chuckled and kept his lips sealed. Emma grabbed the bag of flour and got a glint in her eye. "Wanna up the stakes?"

The brunette knew she was about to get royally thrashed. She considered, looking between her son and lover and their cheeky knowing grins. An eyebrow quirked. "What do you propose and who will judge?"

Emma pondered for a while about what exactly she wanted right now. Realistically, she already had everything she wanted and anything else wouldn't be appropriate to suggest in front of their son. "Hmm, how about whoever wins gets to choose the movie? And Henry can be the judge. You always say how he has excellent taste."

Regina nodded. "That sounds fair. Seal it with a kiss?"

Henry turned away for a moment chuckling.

'What are the real stakes?'

'Ladies choice?''

Alright. Blind stakes it is.'

They broke the kiss and Emma chuckled. "Sucker!" She measured out her flour and poofed a glass of warm water on the counter next to her adding a sprinkling of active yeast.

Regina gasped in amazement. "Oh, okay! So when the stakes are high, the magic comes out?" She huffed and poofed an electric mixer on the table defiantly. She knew how competitive she looked but had a feeling she'd need to pull all the tricks out of the bag if she was to win. She had to make at look like she was at least trying.

Henry was screeching between them. "No way!"

Emma shrugged dismissively. "You're gonna need more than that." She slowly poured a little of the mix into the flour and combined it with such a delicate hand, Regina just stood there watching with curiosity. She added a pinch of salt and kneaded the dough expertly.

Regina switched on the machine smirking to herself as it buzzed at an annoying volume. She flicked her wrist and a shower of tomatoes fell on the table. Emma laughed hard as a couple fell into her bowl. "Ooh, kid, she's feeling the heat!"

Henry set his dough to the side with a wet towel over the top like his Ma had shown him a while back. He was grinning so hard that his cheeks ached. "I can't with the tomatoes!" He grabbed a few for himself and started chopping. Emma did the same and set her bowl to the side, happy she'd pounded it enough.

The room was quiet as they all concentrated on making the perfect sauce and Regina's food mixer finally switched off. Emma caught Regina's eye. "I need oregano and basil. Fresh, please."

Regina quirked an eyebrow. "Why would I help you? Get it yourself." She poofed the very things Emma had asked for in front of her and chuckled as she began finely chopping the oregano. Emma shook her head at the competitiveness.

"Fine." With a deep breath, she concentrated and tried summoning the things she wanted. It worked and she fist bumped Henry. "Score!"

"About time, dear." Regina quipped. She wasn't really that bothered about winning but she enjoyed challenging Emma and it was taking her mind off the other issues they'd faced that day. She smirked to herself as an idea formed in her mind. It was silly and completely over the top, but that was her style. She bit her lip trying not to laugh and give herself away. She spelled her face to be sure. She doubted she could hold it together without magical botox rendering her facial muscles motionless.

Once they were happy with their sauces, they each retrieved their doughs to begin rolling out. Regina watched in amazement as Emma went full on and spun it around her finger. "Are you kidding me? Where did you learn that? You can barely reheat leftovers without burning them!"

Emma winked. "Wanna tell her, kid?"

"Really?"

Emma nodded as she caught the dough and dropped it down onto a stone.

Regina just stood there gaping with a rolling pin in hand.

"Ma used to work at a pizza restaurant in New York."

Regina discarded the rolling pin on the table and crossed her arms over her chest. "Well that is cheating. Bets are off."

"Na, ah! We sealed it, remember?"

Regona scowled. "Okay. I'll play." She ladled out her sauce on the dough and pretended to think. "Oh, I almost forgot the cheese." She poofed some in front of her and began grating it but kept an eye on Emma. She watched as the blonde raised her hands in front of her and summoned her magic. A quick diversion spell and she replaced the item summoned with something else. She was shaking with mirth but her face remained stoic as a loud moo rumbled through the kitchen.

Emma opened her eyes and saw the scene. Henry was doubled over howling with laughter and banging his hand on the surface. Her jaw dropped as she made eye contact with the startled maid milking the huge cow currently occupying the kitchen. "You have got to be kidding me!"

"Oh my God, Ma what did you do?" Henry howled.

Emma started laughing now and the milk maid stood up looking terrified. "I'm sorry. I just wanted cheese. Regina, a little help, please?"

Regina had tears rolling down the side of her cheeks and she clutched her stomach. She quickly waved the enchantment from her face and roared in hysterics. "You're face!"

Emma realized she'd had a hand in that. "You messed with me? Oh, my God, you dirty cheat!" She was trying to be mad but the cow mooed againand all three of them doubled over unable to catch a breath.

"Reg-in-hahaha! Send the poor woman back, for God's sake!"

Regina steadied herself against the counter top and tried to concentrate long enough to return the woman and the clueless cow. It took a good five minutes for any of them to stop chuckling, by which time the pizza making was almost completely forgotten. Emma walked over wiping her tears of mirth away and hugged the brunette. "A cow? And a milk maid? You are too much!"

"It's been a while. I needed a good laugh." She kissed Emma and read her thought.

'So where is my cheese?'

That was it. She was howling again and that set Emma off. "I'm serious! Where did you send it?"

"I diverted it. It's behind you next to Henry's bowl."

Henry grabbed the block and chuckled handing it to Emma. "Wow that was so funny. Mom, you're funny!"

Emma grabbed it and started grating it. More giggles caught her off guard every minute or so. Once the pizza was in the oven, she threw a dish cloth over her shoulder and shook her head at the brunette. "I was trying to work out how I messed up so bad. That freaked me out. I was about ready to quit magic for good!"

Regina put her pizza in the oven and sidled over to the blonde draping her hands around her neck. "I'm sorry, I couldn't resist! You're doing great with magic. Don't you dare quit on me. I told you before. You have to learn to have fun with it."

Heney interrupted their private moment. "Do you think I'll get some magic? It'd be pretty cool to learn a few tricks."

Regina ruffled his hair. "Maybe. You'll just have to wait a few years and find out for yourself. In the mean time, don't even think about messing with it!"

"I won't. But maybe you can teach me some fun stuff?" His eyes pleaded.

"I'll think about it. Don't be in such a rush to grow up." She planted a kiss on his head and started cleaning up the mess they'd made of her kitchen.

Emma bumped his hip. "Yeah, kid. Adulting sucks most ofthe time. Some days it's like a billion math tests in a row."

"Eww."

Emma got to wiping down the surfaces and Henry grabbed a broom sweeping up the flour and other small bits they'd knocked off the counter in their hysteria. Regina washed up the dishes and they all felt it. This was what their life would be like once they got back home. Each wore a faint smile on their lips knowing the missing pieces of their family were all back where they were meant to be.

"So what movie are we watching, Ma?"

Regina gasped and batted him with the dish cloth. "She hasn't won yet! Don't write me out of the game so quickly!"

Henry chuckled and nodded at the oven. "Yeah, she has. Yours is burning."

"What?" Regina ran to switch off the oven and thick smoke filled up the kitchen. She poofed the burning remains ofher creation away and quickly moved to open the door to let out some of the smoke. The rest she blasted. Her eyes narrowed on Emma laughing to herself as she pulled out a perfect looking pizza and placed it on the counter.

"I think Iwanna watch Minions." She grinned knowing how much Regina had hated the movie. One of her most vivid memories of Regina with a younger Henry was sitting through that movie a gazillion times cringing about it's educational value and portrayal of villians.

Regina came up to her menacingly and got in her face. "Did you think you could destroy me that easily, Savior? I know you messed with my knob."

Emma licked her lips. They hadn't done this for a while. Not since Storybrooke, and it sent a tingle down her spine. "And why would I do that if I already knew mine was better?"

Regina heaved her chest. Minions was too high a stake to back down now. A tongue darted out and licked along her lipline. "You have no idea what I'm capable of, or how far I'm willing to take this."

She stepped away and poofed a piping hot Domino's box onto the countertop. Henry groaned as she lifted the lid and the smell wafted to his nostrils. Emma rolled her eyes. "That doesn't count. That is in serious violation of the magical code of conduct."

Regina chuckled as Henry took a slice from the box and made appreciative sounds. "Please, all's fair in magic, dear. We are not watching that blasted movie!"

Henry took a slice of Emma's pizza and moaned even louder. Emma grinned now. "Sure about that?"

Henry spoke around mouthfuls. "Ma's is still better. It's the sauce. Sorry, Mom!" He grabbed another slice of each and headed up the stairs. Regina had redecorated one of the rooms to mimic her lounge back home.

She took a slice of Emma's pizza, her eye twitching. "It can't be that good. He loves Domino's." She took a bite and her eyes rolled back in her head with the burst of flavors. "Okay, what's your secret? That's amazing!"

Emma chuckled. "I might tell you after the movie." She ran up the stairs as fast as her legs could carry her knowing the Queen was going to be pissed. She couldn't wait for this torture to begin.

Movie night in the fake room was a blast. Emma could tell Regina was loathed to sit through the movie again and even more so when she figured out exactly why Emma had chosen it. She couldn't believe how low the supposedly pure Savior would stoop to make her suffer through this nonsense. A plan was already formulating in her mind for next time she crushed her.

Henry was asleep before it ended. The long nights and fresh air in the enchanted forest wore him out and Regina poofed him gently into his bed before returning to Emma in the lounge. "Can we switch it off now he's asleep? I think you've proved your point."

Emma shook her head and pulled Regina into her arms. "It's nearly over. Can we just pretend for five more minutes?"

Regina turned around and faced her stomach to stomach. She'd hoped with all the fun, Emma would be in higher spirits but she could see it was still weighing on her. "Talk to me."

"I just want this back. All of it. It was perfect before."

She tucked a stray hair behind the blonde's ear. "It still is. We'll get there again."

"You know it isn't about us anymore. It's literally everyone. I feel like the longer we stay here, the more shit keeps getting dragged up from the past." Her expression was pained and she tried to control her breathing.

"How can I look at them again the same way knowing what I know? How can I trust they won't throw Henry through a portal at the first opportunity? It wasn't a one off. It wasn't just me." Tears pricked at her eyes.

The credits rolled and the room fell silent. "They wouldn't. They aren't the same people anymore, Emma. Remember that. You saw the good inme when nobody else did. You'll get there. You just need some time."

"I'm sick of fighting for people and defending their shitty actions. I'm sick of believing the best in them just to be disappointed, yet again. Why should I be the bigger person all the time? I didn't even have a choice in that! It's just my programming, apparently. I'm just the blank slate here to save and serve."

Regina kissed her trying to bring her out of her head.

'You are not! We all have free will. You make your own destiny. And you aren't that pure, dear!'

She broke the kiss and smiled. "My psycho Mother is downstairs right now in a magical box. Believe me, I know what it's like to be let down by family."

That earned her a small smile and she continued.

"It's hard, I know. You want to love them but they keep hurting you. They don't even know they're doing it. How could they? They're just doing what they think is right because that's what they learned." Her tone was serious now and her own issues were playing heavily on her mind.

"The difference between my Mother and yours, is that one loves so deeply that they'd do anything to keep their daughter safe. Even throwing her through a magic wardrobe and cursing another child to ensure her future.The other never knew what love was. The point is, what would you do to save Henry?"

Emma nodded tears now freely running on her cheeks. Regina's were also visibly trying to escape her eyes. "I'd give him his best chance. That's why I gave him up."

Regina nodded and they blubbered together feeling that vulnerability and pain. "And it was the best thing you could have done. Don't ever doubtthat. We're together now. All of us."

A few minutes passed as they just held each other supportively. Emma kissed her tenderly.

'I'm so grateful we have each other. I was so alone for so long. You just get me.''

I feel the same.'

The kiss sparked and the magic healed another trauma they'd each experienced profoundly. There were no words to speak that could do it justice. One thought resontated through them both as they curled up in each other's arms in bed that night.

'Together we are stronger.'

Emma drifted off quickly, exhausted from yet another emotional rollercoaster. Regina took a little longer tosleep but lay there silently holding the woman she loved until her eyes eventually drifted closed.

By three in the morning, Emma was murmoring in her sleep and stirred Regina from a delicious dream. She felt the woman thrashing about beside her. Her tank top was soaked through with sweat and she immediately knew the effects of the seduction were making themselves known. Emma vocalized and a whisper of Regina's name caught in her throat as her back arched up off the bed. The mayor bit her lip knowing how wet she'd be if the situation between her own legs was anything to go by.

Maleficent's dreams were vivid and all consuming. She'd suffered through them alone many years ago, confused in the beginning as to why they were happening or how to deal with them.

Regina slowly reached under the waistband of Emma's shorts and slipped her fingers over her clit, teasing her entrance. Her fingers were coated instantly and she felt a buzz shoot through her core. She settled on her back beside the dreaming savior and snaked her free hand down to her throbbing center toplay with herself. Her eyes closed and she allowed the images from her dream to come back to the forefront of her mind.

Emma had a lot to learn when it came to magic and users of it. There was only one fairy capable of ever making them feel like this. Regina had tested the theory, ever the scientist, with Tink and a couple of others just to be sure. Maleficent was the only one with this power that she'd met. Until Emma that is. She never loved Mal though. It was purely sexual. She'd taught Regina how to have fun with the magic and awakened her sexually. Not that she was a virgin, just that sex had been quite vanilla until that point in her life. With the King, it was just vile.

The dreams had been a catalyst and defining moment in Regina's life. For a brief time, her nightmares lifted and were replaced by something delicious. She hesitated, much like Emma now, to act on them, but Emma was already much more comfortable with her sexuality and preferences than Regina had been.

She smiled as the blonde moaned louder. Her own wetness dripping now. She increased the motion to a faster and firmer pace.

Emma's eyes flicked open and she bolted up in bed just in time to see Regina bring herself off. She caught the glazed over look inher eye and grinned. "Not just me then?"

Regina shook her head with a wicked smile, handsstill caressing between both their legs. "You won't sleep unless you get it all out."

Emma felt strange and awkward but Regina had reassured her and she knew they were both dreaming the same thing. She kissed her slowly.

'Can you get it?'

Regina growled into the kiss and rolled Emma underneath her. 'With pleasure.'

With a wave of magic, the requested item appeared in her hand. Regina wasted no time pushing one end inside herself, her lip dragging through her teeth as she filled herself. Emma blasted her soaked pyjamas off impatiently and steadied herself on her elbows. She gasped as Regina guided the free end of the large dildo inside her easily. She was so wet it slid in without resistance.

Regina raised one of her knees to find the perfect position before forcefully thrusting her hips forward. Her eyes didn't leave Emma's face as she tried to gauge just how hard she could go. She grinned when the blonde tipped up and her pupils dilated fully.

"What are you waiting for?" Emma husked and Regina ignited. She banged her hips forward feeling the end pound deep within her walls, applying pressure to her g-spot while going harder and doing the same to Emma. The blonde grunted with appreciative moans each time she bashed forward and filled her. The pace picked up and Regina was panting heavily as she fucked her harder and deeper. Her hand had to steady the dildo as both women slipped about, lost in a frenzy and gushing everywhere. Emma grabbed her ass and doubled the pace.

"Harder." She panted and Regina obliged grinning. It had been a long time since she exerted herself in this way and she was a bit out of shape. Defiant as always, she kept going at full speed. Her heart pounding in her chest with every deep push that was surely leaving bruises inside the savior. They went like that for a severalminutes before Regina lost control. She fell forward heaving, her thighs burning, and her insides raw.

Emma was just as breathless and rolled her to the side so she could catch some air. The bed was soaked beneath them, not that they cared. It was a few minutes before either were able to talk. Emma turned her head to face the Queen. "We might have a problem "

Regina looked over her shoulder concerned until she saw Emma's expression. She grinned. "What might that be?"

"Well we're seriously out of shape. Is there a gym in Storybrooke?"

Regina chuckled and poofed the toy back to its hiding place. She took Emma's hand inher own. "Not yet, but I can make one if you really want. Or we could just do this more regularly."

Emma draped an arm over the mayor's waist humming. "Yeah, this is more fun." She smiled and closed her eyes.

An image flashed up in her mind from the dream. "So, that room. I've seen it before. Where is it?"

Regina gently pressed her lips to Emma's and showed her the answer to her question smiling as she read the responding thought.

"Soon. Try to get some rest before the dreams hit you again."

Emma's brow knitted. "How long do they last?" She didn't think she could handle being that hyped up again after their impromptu session. She was already aching.

"Like I said, don't worry about them. Go to sleep." Regina yawned and Emma caught it. They were both asleep within a few minutes. It wasn't long until Emma had her answer and the dreams began their assault, eachmore intense than the last.