Emma's sleep is ruined, but in the best way. Neal's back. But what does that mean for Emma and her family?

Mifflin Street

It was gone two in the morning when Emma finally crept into their bedroom, careful not to wake her lovers.

Using magic to undress, replacing them with a silk number from Regina's wardrobe, which she'd seen her buy in New York, she edged towards the bed.

In the moonlight, Regina could be seen coiled into Robin's side, her head resting on his chest, his left arm around her shoulder while he snored softly. She smiled at the sight. Sliding carefully between the sheets and into his right, she pulled his arm around her, trying to mirror her wife's position. She lay her head on his chest, inches from Regina's.

"Good morning Swan..." whispered the brunette, moving her head closer, so not to wake Robin. "What happened? Henry texted me, saying you left Gold's just after you got there. That's five hours ago! I was getting worried."

"Sorry, I was in shock. I saw Neal. Baelfire, not my brother? I guess I needed time to think."

"You left so quick, you didn't take your phone. I tried reaching your mind. What happened ? Where have you been?"

"At the docks. I was just sitting on our bench, tust thinking. It was stunned by what he said. I'm sorry I worried you."

"I couldn't sleep, knowing where you were. What happened?" She kissed Robin's chest. "He just got off to sleep a little while ago. He said he couldn't reach you either, but 'felt' that you were upset. I still can't sleep - let's go downstairs? I'll make us a hot drink."

~oOo~

Five minutes later they sat downstairs at the kitchen worktop, sipping hot chocolate.

Emma smiled when she realised what Regina was wearing. "Something amusing you, Swan?"

"Swan-Mills, actually. And yes. You're wearing my Red Sox top. You look better in it than me."

"That's debatable..." She gave a tired smile back. "I see you're wearing the chemise I bought in New York, which I haven't had a chance to wear yet! But it looks pretty damn good from where I'm sitting." She flirted back, making them both snigger. Regina pecked her lips. "Robin's right, we do seem to have 'grown into' each other, don't we?"

"I wouldn't have it any other way. You taught me so much about clothes, fashion and stuff. Marrying you was definitely my best decision ever!" Emma turned, kissing her once again, this time deepening it with her tongue. Both women moaned contentedly, enjoying the shared chocolate taste.

"Enjoyable though this is, I want to know what happened between you and Henry's father last night?"

"Well…when mum told me that he was back, I just kind of went into shock. I had to go check. So, I poofed straight there."

"I saw. Do you still have feelings for him? I quite understand if you do, especially after Robin and Guyliner came back. I wouldn't judge you."

"No. Well...yes and no, I guess. Yes I do, or did, have very strong feelings for him. I can't quite explain it. Henry has magic now, so I guess what we had, at that time, must have been some sort of true love? But I didn't have what you had with Robin. I think I also felt, I don't know, guilty? It wasn't long after Neal died, that I started dating Killian. Henry was really quite nasty about that last year, when I forgot to visit the grave, yet again! I think I was expecting something like when Killian came back; when I had to tell him I was married to you."

"How did he take it?"

"He already knew! Not from Henry, or anyone down here. He knew about us getting married, Robin, everything. He even told me off for letting Henry go down to the Underworld with us. He was really pissed off about that! I guess what hit me the most, was that, instead of me telling him I'd moved on, he'd already moved on from me."

"That's a good thing, isn't it?"

"I guess. But it just confirms, yet again, how shitty I am at relationships with men. They've all either died, or left me, or both. Perhaps I should've become a lesbian from day one?"

"If you had, you wouldn't have got pregnant, wouldn't have had Henry, Faith or Hope, and wouldn't be with me. Things are meant to be, Emma. And besides, the man we're marrying at the weekend might disagree?"

"Robin's different - he puts up with all my shit, like you do! I'm sorry I worried you." She swallowed down the rest of her drink. "You ready to go back up?" she placed another small kiss on her cheek.

"Hmm…I'm more awake, than sleepy." Regina raked her fingers through the blonde's hair, moving them down her back, over the sheer fabric, before sliding them over her tight buttocks. "Besides, I don't want to wake Robin. So," she gave her a familiar look. "How about we put the fire on in the drawing room, and snuggle up on the sofa?"

~oOo~

A few minutes later, they'd magically produced a roaring fire in the hearth, sealed the room, and were now cuddling together under blankets on the sofa. Regina lay back, pulling Emma on top of her. As they did so often, Emma positioning herself between her wife's thighs, lowering herself down full-length on top , so they could gaze into one another's eyes. Regina, as usual, wrapping her ankles behind Emma's calves, pressing her hips up into her. "Hmm…somebody's not wearing underwear?" Emma drove her groin down hard against the other woman's. "Seems you're not either?" Without another word, Regina seized her head in her hands, pulling her mouth onto her own.

When they separated , Emma started to slowly work her way down, kissing the cotton over the brunette's nipple, before, heading lower, Regina stopped her.

"No. I want to see you. I want to look into your eyes. Come up."

Obeying, She eased herself slowly up her body again, before sliding off and onto her side. The two women now laying side-by-side, pressed together. A moment later, Regina gasped when she felt Emma's fingers work their way into her shorts, before roaming over her folds.

"You know, I like it when you wear my things. Makes me feel closer to you."

Regina reciprocated, letting her hand drift under the chemise to cup Emma's mound, before letting a single finger drift between the already wet lips. "I wear them because they smell of you. Even after a wash, I can tell your scent. I'd know it anywhere!" Emma raised her knee to let her get better access. Regina mirrored her, their other arms holding them together, as the pair started to stroke one another faster, in tandem. It was gentle, comforting, and it wasn't long before Regina felt her body starting to shake, delivering a single, small yet satisfying orgasm, Emma following only seconds behind, as they held each other tightly.

Once they'd stilled and calmed, Regina slowly climbed off the sofa, turning to take her wife's hands. "It's nearly three and we need sleep. Come on…"

Within minutes, the pair climbed silently back into their bed, either side of their fiancé, still resting on his back in the middle and appearing to be sleeping soundly.

At least that's what they thought, as they rested their heads once again on either side of his chest. However, a low voice rumbled. "Feeling better after that, miladies?"

"We thought you were asleep!" Whispered Emma. "Sorry we woke you."

"It's difficult to sleep when your mind's picking up the feelings of two sexy women orgasming downstairs."

Regina gasped in surprise. "You heard us?"

"Didn't hear you - I 6felt you! The experience was more than stimulating. But unfortunately, it means I'll probably now get bugger all sleep myself thinking about it! Still, never mind. You probably both need yours now..."

Emma, moving tighter in to him, slid her right hand into his boxers, to discover a fairly prominent erection. "Hell, you're as hard as a rock!" she whispered. Regina slid her left hand in to check for herself, finding Emma's hand and intertwining their fingers around the impressive stem. "Oh my. Emma, you're right!" Robin moaned as the pair grasped him more firmly and moved their hands up and down as one.

"Ooh...that's nice! I thought you two were supposed to be sleepy?" he groaned. "You really don't have to…"

"I want to!" breathed Regina. "Now shut up and enjoy it!"

Emma lightly bit a nipple on his exposed chest. "Robin. remember when you were recovering after hospital...in the guest room? When we…relieved you, when you couldn't get up?"

"How could I ever forget?"

"Well, lie still. This might be our last chance till Saturday night!"

Early The Following Morning - Gold's Mansion

Neal was the first to rise. His first morning back in the land of the living, and he needed to do something. Anything!

It wasn't even six yet. As the rest of the house slept, he made himself a pot of coffee and searched through the pantry for something to eat. He was absolutely famished. You don't get hungry in the afterlife! He saw various items in the cupboards that were far too healthy for him. Porridge, granola, fruit. "Jeez, isn't there anything you couldn't find off the floor of a birdcage in here?" he muttered to himself. "Must be living with Belle and Ariel! Far too many healthy options, no real food!"

As he sat nursing his second large coffee, he heard heavy steps coming down the stairs. His son appeared in front of him, wearing wild hair and a dressing gown. "Henry, Good morning!" he stepped over to pull his boy into a hug. "I couldn't sleep. Sorry if I woke you?"

"You didn't - I couldn't sleep too well either. I guess knowing you're here…"

"What say we go get ourselves something to eat? Is granny's still going? She always used to do a decent fry…"

"She died a few years ago, dad. But Ruby and Dorothy run the diner these days. They're open at seven."

"I met them yesterday! Unfortunately, I think we scared the shit out of her son with that lightning! Let's go over there and get something for breakfast your mothers definitely wouldn't approve of." He grinned. "I said I'd meet Emma there at eight anyway? You can bring me up to speed on everything, before she gets there?"

"Sounds great; I'll go change. But shouldn't we tell grandpa before we go?"

"Henry, if you were lying in bed with two women, after the day he had, would you want to be disturbed?"

His son laughed. "I guess not. Do you think you're going to have any problem with grandpa and grandma? I saw them in the hospital and they didn't seem to happy…"

"I truly couldn't give a damn, Henry! I'm here for you and papa only. I didn't mean to be curt with Snow, but she just made assumptions. I'm not going to disturb any wedding!"

"Do you still have feelings for ma? I heard what you said yesterday, but…"

"Henry, I meant every word! I'll always love Emma for making you, but I guess I stopped being in love with her when Zeus showed me the mirror, which showed her going on a date with Hook, less than a fortnight after I died. She got over me so quickly, I guess it helped me get over her! That, plus letting you go to the Underworld was just plain crazy…"

"I guess. I must admit I was pissed off when she went after Killian. She never tried doing that with you. She blackmailed grandpa to get there too; said she'd tell Belle his darkness had returned! I saw it in the book…"

"You've still got that storybook, huh? Well, having magic makes you do stupid things, Henry. It's all that power and realizing you can control and manipulate things. That's why politicians are insane…"

"I guess. You know I have magic too now, right?" he asked cautiously, hoping his father wouldn't think less of him. "It came in last year. Mum threw me in a locked jail cell for being cheeky. I got angry, my magic came in and I kind of destroyed the place!"

"You did? What happened?"

"Grandpa Gold fixed it. He repaired the jail and threw both my mums back in there, sealing it. He showed me how to let them out; which I did…eventually!"

Neal laughed loudly. "That must have been hilarious! I can't imagine those two locked up in a cell. Though they probably deserved it. Are you all good with them, now?"

"Yeah, but they still don't like me being too close to grandpa, as they still don't trust him. But he's been great. He not only taught me how to control the magic but also gave me quite a large endowment to help set me up. I owe him a lot, dad, and the trip we just went on was great. Six weeks across Europe! Anyway, enough about me. I want to talk about you. What's the deal with you and Persephone? I saw the way she was looking at you. You seem quite close?"

"It's complicated. She is a goddess, so normal rules don't apply. However, if you're going to ask me questions like that I need to know about your love life first! Dad's privilege!"

Henry groaned. "God, not you too? That's all mums seem to ask me about these days! Who am I dating? Am I taking precautions? Anyone getting serious? It never ends!"

That made him chuckle. "Yeah, and it never will, right up until you're married and giving them grandchildren! It's only because they love you, Henry, and they want the best for you. Listen, I may have issues with Emma, but I think the two of them did a great job raising you. One day I'll thank Regina properly. Now, have you got cash on you? We don't carry that sort of thing in the Underworld, so, what say you buy your old man a slap-up breakfast?"

Mifflin Street

Emma groaned loudly when the bedside alarm went off at seven, Regina recoiling under the duvet. "Gina – I thought you switched it off? Rob's taking them in…" she mumbled.

"He is. He's up…" she groaned, trying desperately to get back to sleep. She knew it was unfair on Robin, taking care of the children but felt too, too tired. "But you said you had to be at Ruby's at eight."

Emma winced, remembering the reason why. "Oh shit. Neal! I said I'd see him at eight! Bollocks, bollocks, bollocks! I wanna stay in bed -I'm knackered!"

"Nice to see you're picking up Robin's course language, Emma! Well you shouldn't have got his motor running this morning, should you? I didn't get to sleep till gone four. I ache all over…"

"Me? I wasn't the only one giving him a blow job at three in the morning! That's what started it…"

Less than four hours earlier, Regina and Emma had given Robin a little treat, which resulting in waking him up fully. The trio had gone on to have a frenetic hour of sex, despite being less than three hours till they had to get up. After, Robin had agreed to take the short straw, being better at rising early (in more ways than one!).

"Hmm. Still…nice, wasn't it?" breathed Regina, stifling a giggle and earning a tap on the arm from the blonde, who reluctantly climbed out of the bed.

~oOo~

Downstairs, Roland was now at the cooker, making pancakes, while Honour and Robyn helped their father feed the babies, as they sat in high chairs. "Thanks girls. You're a great help."

"You look tired, papa!" said Margot, wiping muesli off Faith's mouth. "Are you okay?"

He smiled across at her concerned look. "I'm fine, my darling," he answered between yawns. "I just woke earlier this morning and couldn't get back to sleep." Woke up to two horny fiancées banging me senseless! He thought to himself. "You have your breakfast, we'll change these two and then we'll be off. Your mothers are having a lie-in. I think they-" but he stopped when he saw a befuddled Emma walking down the stairs.

Roland dropped a small batch of pancakes on the dining table as Emma crept into the kitchen, seizing the coffee pot. "Mornin' ma! You look like crap!"

"ROLAND! Language? That's no way to talk to your mother," Robin chided as the sleepy bed-haired blonde in her dressing gown filled her cup.

Emma didn't seem concerned, just smiled sleepily. "Yeah, you're right Ro, I do! I didn't sleep too well. Sorry Rob, one of us should've come down to help. Gina's gone back to sleep."

"Don't worry, love. You come here and get some food. I'll sort these out. Go back to bed if you want?"

"I can't. I've got to be at the diner at eight to see Neal."

"Uncle Neal? You're going to see Neal – mama, can I come?" Honour loved her uncle.

"Not that Neal, Honnie. Henry's dad!" she groaned, having downed most of her cup as the girls looked confused.

"But Henry's dad's dead! We visited his grave, didn't we, daddy?" said Margot.

"We did, Margie, but Zeus sent him back, like he did with me and Killian. He's alive again, so Henry wants to spend time with him. Your mum's going to see him this morning."

Honour and Margot looked at each other, bewildered, a worried look on the red head's face. "But he was your True Love? Does that mean you're going to go and live with him from now on, like daddy did with us?"

Where did that come from? "No, Honnie, of course not! Your mum and I are married, and we're marrying your dad this weekend! I'm never leaving you all. Neal is part of my past, but you're my family now - all of you!" she particularly looked at Robin, worried he could possibly be thinking something similar. Robin intervened.

"Mama needs to see Neal, girls. He was a very brave man who died to save a lot of people in this town, long before you were born. He's Henry's papa too, and I'm sure he's missed him lots." Emma saw even Robin had a concerned look about him. That's when she realised she hadn't told him.

"Rob, he already knows about us! He'd already been told about you, me and Gina. I fact, he spent more time telling me off for something else. He's moved on too…"

Robin knew how that felt! He stepped in front of her. "It's OK. You should go talk to him, Emma. Everything's fine. We love you and we're here for you." He whispered the last words before lowering his head and placing a kiss on her mouth. "Eugh!" groaned Roland in disgust, while his little sisters just smiled.

The Diner

"Now that's what I call breakfast!" sighed Neal, happily, as a huge plate of food was laid in front of him by Ruby. His order had been very specific. A fried breakfast with double bacon, eggs, tomatoes, sausages, mushrooms, beans and fried bread, plus a large mug of black coffee. "Thanks Rubes. A breakfast fit for a man back just from hell!"

"Put too many of those down you and you'll be going right back there!" quipped Dorothy from the counter, as Ruby laid the second huge plate in front of Henry. "Anything else, guys?"

"Listen, when you've just spent the last few years among the dead, and you can't eat or feel hungry, you can't taste or smell anything, this is heaven to me!" He groaned in almost sexual delight as the first mouthful of bacon went in. "Mmm, so good!" father and son ploughed into their monumental breakfasts in bliss. As they did so, various people Neal vaguely recognised from his past walked in, some not believing their eyes. Some politely nodded, not wanting to disturb father and son as they ate. Henry told him about some of the things he was doing in Harvard, friends he'd made and recently buying his own flat. Then the recent trip with his grandfather and finally getting on to his more recent trips.

"So, is there anyone special, apart from family, in your life right now?"

"Not really. There's a girl my age back in Harvard. She's studying to be a doctor. But we're casual at the moment. What about you? What about a certain tall goddess?" his son probed. "And please don't deny it - I saw how you were looking at each other!"

He sighed. "Well, we are sort of together, but it means something different to the deities. They often have lots of different 'relationships', but they don't tend to settle together like we do. Perse and I are close, but having something more with non-gods is kinda frowned on. So, while Zeus has a good few wives up there, they would frown on him marrying a human! He also won't like the fact she came down here with me, so she'll probably have to go back soon. We're both slightly dreading it but-"

"So, what's next, dad? You said last night you need to go somewhere. DunBroch?"

"Yeah. Apparently, some problem left by Hades meant there's some magical nasties there. Queen Merida can cope with human stuff but demi-gods? He wants me to go help…"

"But what can you do against demi-gods? It's not like you've got…"

"Magic? Apparently, I have now! It seems I'm supposed to go to Merlin to switch it on! Odd right? There's my papa finally getting rid of his, and I'm getting some now instead!"

"I have too, don't forget. Perhaps I should come with you?"

"I'd like that, but I lectured Emma last night on taking you to the Underworld! Be a bit rich if I now go take you into whatever the danger might be. No, I think for the moment you're best here and at University. Once you've finished, perhaps we could go on a decent trip of our own?"

Before he could say anything, a figure appeared beside them. "Neal? No, it can't be!"

"Mulan!" gasped Neal, excited to see his friend. "It's me! I hardly recognised you!" The former serious-faced warrior now sported a shorter hair, pale grey blouse and a skirt instead of military breeches and jacket. She looked…so different! Then he spotted the children's buggy she was pushing.

"Who's this?" He dropped down to his knees to look at the baby. "Hello, gorgeous – what's your name?" he asked the grinning almond-eyed girl, clearly her daughter.

"This is my little princess, Li! She'll be two in November," Mulan said, proudly. "I'm married now, Neal. You remember Philip and Aurora?" he looked up to see two more faces he recognised step forward. He was slightly confused, unsure what to say for fear of offending them. Had she married Philip? He remembered the guy woke up the princess with a kiss. Had they divorced? "I see your mind's doing circles, Neal," said the Mayor, offering his hand. "We BOTH married Mulan last year," he said, proudly.

"Now that should surprise me, but somehow it doesn't! I remember when we last met in my dad's castle. You three seemed pretty close then. So, a marriage of three people, yeah? That seems to be a growing trend in Storybrooke!" The trio looked at each other slightly confused, before Mulan realised what he meant.

"Oh, you mean Robin and the Swan-Mills one? Yes, they're all getting married this weekend," she stopped herself, remembering his link to Emma "Sorry, I didn't mean…"

"That's all in the past, Mulan, whatever it was we had. I'm just really pleased for the three of you, though. Congrats Phil, it's lucky your girl here looks like your wives and not you, eh!" he sniggered.

The mayor frowned. "You're not the first person to say that! I'm starting to take it personally." Aurora came to his sides, laughing and placing a kiss on his cheek.

~oOo~

The next half hour passed easily. After demolishing their breakfasts, the group hung around them as Neal was asked numerous questions about his time in the Underworld. He recounted lots of stories and drew quite the little audience around their table, including several dwarves, the Briars and the Lucas's. Henry hung back, smiling and laughing with them at his father's unique tales, impressed at what a wit and raconteur the man had become, and realising what he'd been missing all these years. His dad.

It was a little after half eight when Emma finally walked through the front door. "Coffee please, Rubes." She yawned.

"Hell Emma, you look shagged! Those two proving a bit much for you?" she winked.

Oh, you've no idea! Emma blushed. "I only got about two hours sleep." But god it was worth it!

"They're at the table at the back. They've both had a Coronary Special already. You want something?"

"Just coffee for now. I'm not sure how long I'll be here." Depends on how he acts!

She walked to the back, noticing a small group surrounding her son and Neal. Dorothy was sitting beside Henry on the long back bench, her feet up in Neal's lap! He seemed to be stroking her feet, massaging between the big and second toe of her right foot. "So, slide your finger right in between them and this area affects pain in the middle of your right shoulder. Five minutes should do it!" The Hero of Oz had her head tilted back and her eyes shut, clearly enjoying herself! "Same place on the left foot affects the left shoulder." He sounded like a masseur rather than a…well, whatever he was!

"I'll try it on you tonight, Rory," said Mulan, watching closely. "Thanks!"

"Sorry am I interrupting?" said the Saviour as she approached them. "New career beckoning for you, now you're back?"

"Just something I picked up from a very clever lady in the Underworld. There were quite a few living people trapped down there over the centuries. They suffered. Can you imagine a century-old woman trapped down there? Arthritis is just one problem…" He answered, not bothering to look up at her.

Now she felt awkward, seeing everyone gathered around her former lover. "Neal, can we talk…alone please?"

Neal sighed, and Emma felt saddened at how he didn't even seem even remotely pleased to see her! "Yeah, sure. Dorothy, thanks for the offer - I'd love to come over tonight! Six o'clock – so I get a chance to meet your Nathaniel?"

"Perfect," she said, getting up. "Henry, you're more than welcome to join us. And you of course, Emma!" she added the Saviour almost as an afterthought. It wasn't lost on her!

"Erm, thanks Dot, but I'm a bit tied up tonight!" she looked down at her son. "Henry, would you mind if your dad and I had a word alone please?" he nodded silently, standing up and tapping his father on the shoulder as he moved to the other end of the diner, stepping away and leaving them alone. The Briars got the hint too, stepping up and walking away, finally leaving Emma and Neal alone for the first time in eight years.

"Soooo…you're back?" Emma started, now unsure of herself. Why is it so hard to talk to him, after everything they'd been through?

"I am," he said, not feeling any need to help her. "Though you don't seem thrilled. Do you have a problem with that, Emma?" his brown eyes now focused on hers, waiting for a response and sensing her discomfort.

"Me? No, why should I?"

"Well, normally I'd expect at least a little smile, or a hint of happiness that a former murdered lover and father to her son is now alive again! But you? Last night you seemed almost irritated I'd come back and now, you're as nervous and stern as you were when we were fighting the green bitch. I know you stopped loving me a long time ago, Emma, but I didn't think you actually hated me? I'm beginning to think you preferred me dead!"

"I DON'T HATE YOU!" her yell was even picked up by Henry at the other side of the diner. "It's just a bit of a shock, OK? It's just…this is the last thing I expected…"

"Yeah, I'm sure. Like when you came and found me in New York. It was a 'bit of a shock' then…"

At the mention of that horrible time, all the old memories came flooding back. "You'd abandoned me, Neal! You stitched me up and I got sent to jail. I was pregnant! I still, even now, can't believe you did that. I had no choice but give Henry up for adoption! That was your fault!"

"You still on about that? OK, one thing you do get when you help out the gods is access to a lot of information about the past. You wanna know who tipped off the police? August Booth! You wanna know why I left you? Because he knew who I was and said you had to break the curse! If you hadn't done that, you'd never have known who you really were. You'd never have been reunited with your parents! Is that what you'd have preferred? You'd never have met Hook, Regina or your husband-to-be! You'd never have your daughter! You prefer that?" she was about to bark back but he wasn't done.

"You want to know what your mate August also did? I found out the wooden bastard tipped off the police with my description and told 'em I'd try to get to you in prison, so they'd know to expect me! I'd already sold the watches and given him the cash. I sold my bike and the lock-up and gave him the whole lot!"

"But I never got any money! I never even saw him until Storybrooke ten years later."

"That's because he took it and ran. He started pissing it up the wall in Bangkok and Nepal, on hookers and god knows what! He stole it. But I did give it - for you!"

Emma seethed. "How do you even know all this?"

"Zeus, Hera, Mnemosyne and a bunch of others. They've got all the records…"

A silence hung in the air as Emma took it all in. She sighed. "Last night. What you said about Killian? I didn't just get over you, Neal. I did mourn you…"

"I saw. Two weeks, I believe? What was it for the pirate - three years?" Emma squirmed, avoiding his stare. "But I get it. You were sort of interested in him in Neverland, so it wasn't that big a surprise…"

"That's not fair Neal," she looked at him, guilt on her eyes. "He was just…there for me."

"I guess. Still, we had our own time. It was good while it lasted, and besides, we got Henry out of it, right?" he placed a warm hand over her own, that were still clenched tightly together.

"Yeah. Yeah, we did. I'm sorry…" her words almost a whisper.

"Me too. Sorry I sniped at you last night. Don't feel too bad. I think seeing you on that date with him kinda helped me get over you. I haven't been alone either. So, then he died and then…you and Regina, huh?"

"Yeah. Me and Regina. She lost Robin about the time I lost Killian. We both went downhill and eventually found something in each other. You shocked by that? Me and the Evil Queen - me and another woman?"

"Nah, not really. I had a feeling you probably swung both ways! Still, with Regina though?"

"Why do people keep saying that?" she hissed. "I was straight, right up until I got to know her. And anyway, why not Regina?"

"Fairly obvious, isn't it? She spent half her life trying to murder your mother! She killed hundreds who stood in her way. I've no idea what she's like now, but she was a malevolent, unhinged psychopath before. Anyone else doing what she did would be behind bars for life or in an electric chair – no matter how sorry she is now."

"She's not like that now! You have no idea what she faced. Her mother even killed her first lover in front of her! That's got to send anybody over the edge. But she's changed! She's done a lot of good here…"

"Tell that to the poor bastards I met still stuck in the Underworld. Their lives are over. Still, she's probably a bloody saint compared to her mother – now that vile bitch really deserved what she got…"

"Cora? Why, what happened to her…"

"She got judged, of course, like everyone else. The Celestial Court found her guilty of countless crimes and she's spending eternity in pain and suffering. Quite right too! She never regretted what she did, never atoned for it, so the Court gave no mercy."

"Gina does regret what she did! Even my mum and dad have forgiven her. Our son changed her, Neal. If you could only see her with him. There's so much I could tell you about her. Robin changed her even more."

"Yeah, but you're smitten, Emma. That clouds your judgment. Anyway, speaking of Hood, they told me he got sent back here by Zeus too? And Hook? What's that all about?"

"Robin and Regina were an item five years ago. He's her true Love. Then straight after we got back from the Underworld, from trying to save Killian, he was killed by Hades, sacrificing himself to save her. I guess Zeus thought he deserved it."

"'Greater love hath no man, than he lay down his life for those he loves'. Yeah, the gods love that stuff!"

"He also sent him back with stupidly-strong magic. Even Gold would have a problem taking him on!"

"You said he was Regina's true love before? You must've been seriously pissed off he came back?"

~oOo~

Henry watched his birth mother and father talking from the other end of the diner, with a mix of confusion and hope. He knew they'd never be back together as a couple but if they could at least be friends again? The conversation seemed to be tense as they seemed to be settling old scores. She'd even yelled out that she didn't hate him. Not sure what that was about? Over the next half hour, they seemed to calm and settle. At one point he even saw his father draw her into a hug, as we appeared to weep on his shoulder. Henry thought best to stand back and watch from afar.

Eventually, the former lovers rose from their bench and walked back towards their son. Even Neal seemed to have shed a couple of tears, judging by his red eyes. They stepped close, an arm behind each other's back. They looked admiringly at their boy. "Emma, how the hell did he get so big? My dad's a shorty, and I'm only five ten! Hen, what are they feeding you on? I thought university food was beer and pasta?"

Henry chuckled. "Well, mum's dad's six three and I'm only six four; you make me sound like a circus freak!"

Emma mouth split into a huge grin as she moved in to hug him. He automatically pulled her in to his arms. "Well, I think you're just perfect!" It was the first time he'd seen her so happy for days. He looked over his shoulder at his smiling father. "So, are we all good now? You two, I mean…"

Emma looked up at him. "Yeah Hen, we both had a lot to say, and we cleared the air. We're good now..."

"She's right, Henry," Neal pulled himself into the hug, wrapping his arms around both. "Although we'll never be a couple together, we both love you and will still be a family for you. When you need us."

The bell above the front door clanged, as the three hugged tightly together. Over Neal's shoulder, Emma saw a tall, long-haired blonde woman walk in. A stranger. She wore a flamboyant long pale blue gown, almost like a roman toga. Her hair draped over her shoulder, she strode in confidently and towards them. Emma's senses tingled, realising this woman had immensely powerful, but different, magic!

The stranger looked up at them. She was beautiful. Stunningly beautiful! Her rich blonde hair framing the clearest of skin, and the most perfect warm brown eyes. Emma felt rather intimidated by the vision. She felt Neal separate himself from their group hug.

"Hi babe!" he said to the stranger, moving towards the stranger who now smiled warmly at him. "Neal," she breathed, before he placed a soft kiss on her lips. "Seff, let me introduce you. You met Henry, my boy, last night. This here's Emma. She's-"

"The Saviour. Yes, I recognise her from the visions. Hello, Henry." The Author stepped forward, nodding slightly before kissing the back of her hand. Emma felt confused at the scene.

"Emma, this is Persephone, Guardian of the Underworld and a close friend. She's come with me to help me get acquainted with everything. She's-"

"A close friend?" Emma couldn't stop the words coming out, but the woman knew what she was getting at.

"Neal and I are lovers, if that is what is what you are wondering?" The goddess said it simply and unashamedly. Neal gave a shy smile back. "Though I will be heading back, and Neal will continue his life here…"

Shit, he really has traded up! She thought, looking over the woman, I've never seen anyone so hot. As she looked again at the goddess's eyes, she saw her smile back. "Why thank you, Mrs Swan-Mills, I'll take that as a compliment. You're rather easy on the eye yourself. I understand you will be getting married again very shortly. To one rather attractive famous outlaw?" she fluttered her eyes at the blonde.

"Erm,yes…sorry," Emma mumbled, embarrassed at having been caught eyeing up the woman. "It's not every day I meet a goddess! Yes, we're getting married to Robin this Saturday."

"Such a handsome man. I'd like to meet him, before I go back. I have some news for him about his passed wife. A lovely lady. She made quite the impression on us." Persephone stood rather close to Emma now, making her feel a little intimidated as she was clearly eyeing her up.

"Perse, must you flirt with everyone you meet?" Neal sniggered. "You're making Emma feel awkward."

"What can I say? I like what I see..." she batted her eyelids, making Emma feel a hot flush. In another time and another life Emma could imagine being willingly seduced…no, fucked senseless…by the vision in front of her. Straight or gay, she couldn't imagine anyone refusing this woman. "Though I think her first lover was head and shoulders above the pirate…" She turned to place a quick peck on his lips. "Shall we go back and see your father? I also came to tell you Merlin's arrived."

"Yeah, let's do that. Emma, good luck with the wedding. I'll see you around. You coming, Henry?"

"Not just now thanks, dad! I'll stay a little with mum. My other mum's coming over, so I need to spend some time with them. See you at grandpa's tonight, yeah?"

Neal nodded pulling his son into a quick hug before stepping back and taking Persephone's hand. "Shall we?" A moment later, a short swirl of mist whisked them out of sight. Emma stood, her mouth open.

"What the hell just happened then?"

~oOo~