I don't own these characters; Disney/ABC does.

13: Front and Center

Emma stared at the dark ceiling of her loft bedroom. It was probably one of her last nights in this room. She was moving out and she wanted to do it as soon as possible. Henry was on the bed while she was on the floor and she could hear him moving around, even though he had gone to bed an hour before her. Something was on his mind.

"Henry, you might as well talk about it or neither of us will get any sleep tonight. Is it what I said about Neal earlier?" Emma asked.

There was a shuffling sound and then Henry peeked over the edge of the bed. "No, it wasn't that. I mean, it's not like I don't know how you feel about him. And, I've heard you, a lot more than Grams and Gramps anyway. I just ignored it, which I'm sorry for since I know it hurt you, but I hoped it would change. I guess not, though, huh?"

She gave him a sad smile. "Sorry, bud, but it isn't happening. But, at least you have us and your mom. Not a lot of kids have that. Hell, I didn't have parents until a year ago." Truthfully, she was not sure she had parents at all. Yes, they physically created her, but she still did not think they were very interested in her life or wellbeing. They played the game, said the right things in front of people, and stuff like that, but their behavior behind closed doors was a different matter, which was why she wanted to get out of here as soon as she could.

He nodded. "I know. It's just… I had all these ideas of what would happen when the Curse broke. I'd get real parents and a real family and we'd live Happily Ever After."

"Why can't you do that?"

He groaned and it sounded like he slapped the mattress. "Because I don't even know what that means. I have three parents, Ma. I thought family always did the best thing for you, but you just sat down and told me and your parents that we've been crushing you. And, I realize… I've been crushing you and Mom. I haven't acted like family to either of you. Maybe I don't know how to act like family."

"You've been through a lot. You were trying to be strong."

Henry blew out a loud breath. "Yeah, and I hurt you and Mom in the process. I don't know what I was trying to do. Mikey was telling me to just appreciate what I had, to love you both and let you love me, and be happy to have everyone I did because everyone isn't that lucky. I blew her off. I wanted to act like with the Curse broke everyone had a fairy tale ending, but that's not true. There are no 'Happily Ever Afters.'"

Emma sat up and leaned on the foot of the bed. "Hey, that's not true. Yeah, no one's happy all the time for the rest of their lives, but people lead happy lives. We just have to find our path and appreciate things as they come to us. Your mom helped me with that."

He sighed. "You like Mom a lot, huh?" He tilted his head toward the ceiling.

"Of course I do." Emma smiled. "You think she'd want to come live with us in the new place?"

He chuckled and looked back at her. "Maybe. If she's like you, probably."

"Like me?"

He nodded. "Yeah, like you."

Her brow wrinkled. "What do you mean?"

He shrugged. "I dunno, just like you. It's not a bad thing. I was talking about it with Mikey and she kept saying that you two like each other and how good that was. I told her it was stupid, like she was being stupid, but I think I was wrong. I was just so happy I gained what I thought I wanted, I didn't think about what I lost."

She tapped his elbow. "You didn't lose either of us, kid."

"No, it's not that."

"You mean your house?"

He chuckled. "No, not my house. But, that sucks. All my stuff. Mom's probably missing all my baby pictures."

"I'm sure she is."

"We have to take more pictures."

Emma smiled. "She'd like that." I'd like that.

Henry crawled back on the bed. That went better than Emma expected. It did not make a lot of sense, but Henry seemed to have figured out what he needed to.

-8-8-8-8-

Emma sat at the desk, looking through apartments on the computer when D'Artagnan walked in. D'Artagnan had a smile on her face, a sort of dopey smile. Emma had never seen such a thing.

"You look… happy," Emma said, unable to hide the suspicion in her voice.

D'Artagnan chuckled. "You sound like I shouldn't be happy." She sat at her desk.

"No, I'm just confused. Why are you happy?"

"I got home yesterday and got to talk to my wife."

Emma nodded. "Oh, so you got laid."

D'Artagnan laughed. "Of course you'd go there." She shook her head. "But, no, I didn't get laid. I got to talk to her. We talked for hours, just getting to know each other and trying to figure out what our next steps were since she does want to be in Mikey's life. I must've said something right, though. She's willing to get to know me, to date me, and see where we can go."

"Oh, nice." She was genuinely impressed.

"Yeah, so I'm going to be dating my wife and she's going to be hanging out with the kid. Hopefully, it'll be nice. You should try it."

Emma arched an eyebrow. "I should date your wife? Weird way for me to get to know her while she's dating you."

D'Artagnan balled up a paper and flung it at her, smacking her in the head. "No, you should date your wife, idiot!"

Emma's eyebrows immediately drew in close. "I don't have a wife." This conversation was too complex and she had not yet had breakfast. In fact, where was Regina with her breakfast?

"Really?" D'Artagnan's face pinched. "This would be adorable if it wasn't so painful. The woman you share a child with and who's been keeping you sane and cared during these trying times ring any bells?"

Before Emma could call D'Artagnan an idiot and obviously love-drunk from her time with her wife, Regina walked in. She had the usual lunch bag, which she placed on Emma's desk. Emma smiled at Regina, who smiled back.

"What are you doing?" Regina asked as she glanced at the computer screen. It was a rare day when the computer was on in the morning and Emma was not watching YouTube videos.

"Oh, I talked to my parents last night, finally, and told them I'm moving out. So, now I'm just looking at places. We need to get out there ASAP," Emma replied.

"Places for you and Henry?" D'Artagnan asked, moving closer to them.

Emma glanced at Regina. "Well, yeah, I mean, I'm gonna have Henry over…"

D'Artagnan pinched the bridge of her nose and rushed over to the desk. "Okay. How about this, Emma, who do you go to when you need to talk?"

Emma frowned. "I go to Regina because we're friends and she gets me." She smiled at Regina again.

D'Artagnan nodded. "Uh-huh." She turned to Regina. "Regina, whenever you're cooking, what goes through your mind beyond if Henry would like this?"

"I wonder if Emma will like it, but only because I know she needs to eat. Hence, why I make her breakfast and lunch. She doesn't take the best care of herself and will just eat junk food or not eat at all," Regina replied.

D'Artagnan nodded again. "Good, good." Her face did not make it seem like it was good. Her lips were pursed and her brow was furrowed, like she was in deep thought.

"What's going on here?" Regina asked.

"Give me a moment. I have to figure this out without just screaming it." D'Artagnan tapped her finger to her chin and then her face lit up. "Emma, Regina has decided to move into a room at Granny's since I'm going to be dating Nanette and Nanette doesn't have a place to stay anymore and will probably move back into the condo."

Emma blinked and then gazed at Regina. "You're staying at the B and B?"

"Well, yes. I don't want to be in the way as D'Artagnan and Nanette try to build a new relationship while also working to maintain their family," Regina replied.

Emma glanced at D'Artagnan, who had the nerve to be whistling as she looked away. Emma growled at her and then turned back to Regina. "Maybe… um… you could stay with me and Henry once we find a place…" And, it was not until the words were out that Emma realized she wanted that more than anything in the world. Her heart leaped at the idea.

Regina gasped and her eyes went wide, almost like she was scared. Emma's body seized up, her lungs quit, and in any second she was sure her bones would turn to dust. I'm such an idiot! Why would I listen to D'Artagnan? Regina doesn't actually like me like that!

"You'll probably need adult supervision," Regina said with a smile and her eyes were warm.

"Maybe you two could grab a laptop somewhere and look together?" D'Artagnan grinned.

"I wouldn't want to impose," Regina replied.

"No, no, no. It's fine. We should both look. You'd be staying there, too, so it should be comfortable for you as well, right?" Emma hoped she did not sound as nervous as she suddenly felt. She was not this jittery when Regina was actively trying to kill her.

"All right. I'll come by during lunch. I've got a full day changing people back," Regina said.

"Where are you doing that, anyway?" D'Artagnan asked.

"Belle loaned me space in the library. I'll be fine, provided I don't run out of potions," Regina replied. "I'll see you at lunch." She turned and walked away, giving Emma a lingering glance. "Make sure you eat breakfast." And she was out the door.

Emma held up her index finger. "Don't be smug."

D'Artagnan cackled and stomped her feet, like a child. "I'm just happy you didn't give me the other finger. You really need to date your wife. Mikey told Regina the same thing this morning."

"She did not!"

"She did. That kid's bold. As soon as me and Nanette decided to give dating a try, Mikey turned to Regina and said 'now, you need to date your baby mama.' She's lucky she's a cute kid, as I swear Regina was set to explode." D'Artagnan chuckled.

Emma laughed, too. "You really think… do you really think we're like that?" She squinted as she tried to take the information in. It was mind-blowing, but as she thought about so many of her interactions with Regina… What else could it be?

"You two are so in love it makes me sick." D'Artagnan playfully curled her lip and groaned. "Regina didn't stay at my condo last night. She came in early this morning to 'borrow my kitchen' to make you breakfast and lunch, so yeah, you're like that. I'm happy for both of you. Regina deserves someone who will always be at her side and I can tell you're that person, even without her saying you came back on a suicide mission for her. You have her back, all the time, but you're also not afraid to stand up to her. She wants to take care of you and that's obvious, even without saying she swallowed a death curse for you."

The way D'Artagnan spoke on it, it seemed like Emma and Regina had something going for a while and failed to realize or recognize what it was. Maybe Emma had always carried some affection for Regina. How could she not? Regina raised Henry. Emma had spent a decade trying not to think about him, but failed and always hoped and prayed he was all right. Yes, Regina did not do the best job, but she did better than any foster parent Emma had ever had, and quite frankly, better than her actual parents now. That meant something. It carried weight and buried itself deep within Emma's soul, so she always had a piece of Regina. Guess it just grew from there.

"I hope she didn't tell you everything," Emma said. She would hate to find out what D'Artagnan would say about her answering the door in her underwear when she barely knew Regina.

D'Artagnan snorted as she flopped down at her own desk. "She didn't need to. You two, you're not some meant to be True Love. You two struggle against each other and for each other. You went on many journeys, not just one. You're both epic. Your love is hard fought and, apparently, sneaked up on both of you like it was your shadow. There, but you don't notice."

Emma nodded. When did I fall in love with Regina? She could not pinpoint a moment, just places where her affection grew or she fell a little bit deeper. And, then, in Neverland, Regina turned into her person. The one she went to whenever something went wrong, the one who helped her through stuff, and the one she could not do without. And she felt like she was the same with Regina. Regina told her stuff that she claimed she had not even told Archie in his brief stint as her therapist, and she told him things that she barely whispered in her own head.

"Don't feel bad about not knowing. Again, Regina was just as clueless," D'Artagnan said.

"I don't feel bad. I just hope things calm down, so we can figure this out together," Emma replied. One of the reasons she was clueless was because there was always something going on and she was sure Regina was the same. It would be nice to have a moment to breathe. Even though, we're also not masters at self-reflection yet, so we might've missed this for years. And that was a scary thought.

-8-8-8-8-

Regina sighed as she made her way to the sheriff's station to find it empty except for Emma. She looked around and listened. "Where is everyone?"

"D'Artagnan went to have lunch with Nanette — I'm personally sick to death of how cute they already are — and my dad went to have lunch with my mom. I hope that last one is lunch and he didn't just use innuendo on me because ew," Emma replied with a shudder.

Regina chuckled and pulled up a chair next to Emma. "What places have you looked at?" She glanced at the computer as she put down a root beer and her cup of tea. She opened the lunch container she left earlier. Emma immediately grabbed for the tuna sub with lettuce and tomatoes. Regina took one of the carrot sticks.

Emma took a big bite of the sandwich and chewed before responding. "Apartments mostly. There's a couple of open units where D'Artagnan lives. Those condos are expensive as hell. How can she afford that?"

"Well, the fire department used to make more money than the sheriff's department." Beyond that, D'Artagnan's Cursed life involved her making smart investments and earning extra money that way.

Emma's brow wrinkled. "What? Why?"

"We were more likely to have a fire than crime. The next mayor might fix it." Regina shrugged.

Emma smiled. "Really? And who do you think the next mayor might be?"

"I pity the soul."

"Especially if it's you, right?"

Regina rolled her eyes and focused on the screen. There was no way these people would ever do the smart thing and put her back in office. But, then again, much of Storybrooke was populated by people who really had nothing to do with the war. Most of them just wanted to live their lives and not have to worry about almost dying. Wish granted.

"Have you considered a yard?" Regina asked.

Emma raised an eyebrow. "For an apartment?"

"Maybe a house for you and our growing son. Have you ever lived in a house?"

Emma's face pinched. "Won't it be too big? I mean, it's just us. And, one day you and him are gonna leave, right?" She did not want to be stuck alone with a big house. Regina knew the feeling.

Regina took a deep breath and grabbed Emma's hand, careful of her sandwich. "Maybe… maybe it's time we face what this is and admit, I'm not leaving once we find some place, our place."

Emma smiled. "I'd like that."

"I'm glad." It should not have been so simple, but it was. Regina's heart thumped and she was light from the response, but also somehow felt the same. Like this was the way it had always been or like it could not have gone another way.

They started a search, a house with a big backyard, and at least three bedrooms because Regina insisted on a guest room. Of course, that implied they would share a room. They had never been on a date together, but were pretty much married.

"When did this happen?" Emma scratched her forehead.

"What?" Regina asked, glasses on as she ate a chicken salad she had to buy from Granny's. In all her planning to make sure Emma ate, she forgot her own lunch, so used to being "home" during lunchtime.

Emma's face scrunched up. "When did we become a married couple and how did we miss it?"

Regina thought about it. "I want to say Neverland, but you came back for me in the mine with the failsafe, so…" She had no idea. She had no idea when these feelings for Emma came, when they grew, or how they were now rooted to her entire being. All she knew was that the idea of not having Emma, of not being around Emma, was torture.

Emma gave her a grin. "Maybe that was my proposal."

Regina chuckled. "Maybe. Much better than answering the door in your underwear."

Emma groaned and put her hand over her face. "I did do that. That was definitely the courting phase. Not the best." Dropping her hand, she left breadcrumbs on her forehead.

Regina dusted Emma off with a smile. "You saved me from a burning building during that phase and our son from a collapsed mine, so you got high marks. Of course, you also destroyed my apple tree, so, yes, not the best as you said, but not the worst."

Emma scoffed. "You did try to kill me and framed my best friend, so I'm not the only one."

Regina looked Emma in the eye, needing Emma to see to the depths of her soul. "And despite all of that, despite you being the child of my worst enemy, I would move mountains for you at this point."

"Same." Emma grabbed her hand and squeezed. "D'Artagnan's not gonna be smug about this, is she?"

Regina sucked her teeth. "D'Artagnan has her own woman to worry about."

"You think they're gonna make it?"

"I believe so. If Nanette likes thoughts of cursed-D'Artagnan, she'll find the un-cursed version better."

"Do you think… do you think we're gonna make it?" Emma looked at her and then looked away.

Regina turned her body to face Emma and put a hand on her cheek to get Emma to look at her again. "After everything we've been through, I think it's safe to say we will be able to handle anything life throws at us." That felt like the truest statement she ever made.

Emma smiled. "Hopefully, we'll be a little less blind to our feelings now."

"I should hope so."

"With that being said, I'd like to take D'Artagnan's advice and date my wife. Wanna go to dinner?"

"Your parents will watch Henry?"

"I'm sure they will."

"Even if you tell them you're going on a date with me?"

Emma shrugged. "Former queen has to be a step up from the boyfriend who framed me, right? And, if they don't think so, I will definitely explain why. I mean, yeah, we had a rough start, but again, you swallowed a death curse for me when it was probably in your best interest to let me die. And, you did raise my kid and all. Those are huge."

Regina kissed Emma's knuckles. "Yes, they are." She really wanted to kiss Emma at the thought of Emma standing up to her parents to be with Regina, but they should probably go on the date first.

Emma grinned as a blush spread across her face. It only made Regina want to kiss her more, but she switched from looking at apartments to looking at houses and that got Regina's attention back to the computer. There were not many houses on the market since Storybrooke was a fabricated town, but due to shifts when the Curse broke, there were enough for them to have a list of favorites. It was less than five houses, but it was still a list.

Regina was gone before D'Artagnan and David came back. She had a few more appointments, turning folks back, making sure the potion worked properly, and then was off to school. Nanette was there for Mikey.

"Hey, I thought we agreed I'd get her?" Nanette asked as Regina stood next to her.

Regina nodded. "I'm here for Henry. I'm hoping he'll talk to me about something he said last night."

"Ah. Good luck."

"Was it safe walking her to school this morning?"

"Yes. I had a few people say some things, but nothing more than that. They don't know us, but they hate us for no reason beyond I love my daughter and my daughter was born. It's terrible. There are horrible people in this world. I don't want to be one of them anymore."

"There are horrible people in every world. I also don't want to be one of them." She wanted to be someone Henry and Emma could be proud of. Someone who could look young-Regina in the face and earn a smile rather than scorn. People made it hard, but with Emma and Henry by her side, she could make it.

Nanette smiled and nodded. Their attention was drawn to the school as the bell sounded and children flooded out. Mikey spotted them immediately and rushed over to her mother, who did not hesitate to hug her. Regina was ready to melt from the heartwarming scene, but then her son called her and she turned just in time to get caught up in his tight embrace. She sighed as she hugged him back, her insides turning into warm goo.

"You're not angry with me for coming up here?" Regina asked.

Henry grinned up at her. "No. I'm done with that. I don't want to lose any more time with you."

Regina smiled and rubbed the top of his head. "Then, will you come with me to Granny's? I think I need some ice cream."

Henry chirped and then he looked at Mikey. "Oh, you're not going with Mikey?"

Mikey grinned. "Me and my mama are gonna go to my friend's house. They weren't too thrilled when Regina was with me, even though I told them she's cool, but they're fine with my mama."

Nanette smiled. "We were good friends under the Curse, so hopefully, we can continue that."

"Good luck," Henry said.

"You, too," Mikey replied with a wink.

Nanette and Mikey walked off and Regina was left with Henry. They started their journey to Granny's in silence. Henry glanced at her every few seconds.

"Something on your mind?" she asked.

"I'm sorry for all of this. Mikey tried to tell me how my actions were hurting you and Emma and I ignored her. I was selfish," he replied.

She smiled at him. "I forgive you."

"You do?" Henry blinked, like he did not expect that. "Even after the way I treated you for saving my life?" He raised an eyebrow, like he could not believe that.

"I was once selfish for a very long time. It goes along with you trying to be strong. I'm just glad to know why you were acting the way you were. I thought I had done something wrong or that my actions as the Evil Queen were enough for you to stop loving me."

"I never stopped loving you, Mom."

That was news to her. "No?"

He gave her a look she reserved for Emma. "Of course not. You're my mom. I can't turn it off, even though when I was investigating the Curse, sometimes I wished I could. But, you're my mom and I love you, always, even when I'm acting selfish."

"And I'm learning to love better each and every day. I'm trying to be less selfish."

He grabbed her hand and held it. "You're doing a good job." That made her smile.

They walked like that to Granny's and ordered ice cream sundaes. Ruby, back to her human form, did not say anything, but she smiled at them. For a moment, they again enjoyed the silence, savoring a spoonful of ice cream when their sundaes arrived and then Regina decided it was her turn to talk.

"Your mother asked me out on a date," Regina said.

Henry nodded. "I'm glad."

She blinked, not expecting that. "You are?"

"Yeah. Mikey was trying to tell me how I already had two perfectly good parents who loved me and loved each other and my family was sitting right in front of my stupid face, her actual words of course. She said I was too blinded to see that, too hung up on what the world thought was 'normal,' and it made me hurt both of you. I tried to force Ma on a date with Dad for crying out loud. That's just awful. Then, I got scared something might happen to you last night and I hated how I left things with us. We're everything I want. I was just too stupid to see it."

"You're not a stupid."

With a smile, he shook his head. "Not according to Mikey and since she was right about everything else, I have to assume she knows her stuff here."

Regina held up her hand. "No, my son is brilliant." Then, it registered to her what he said in full. "Wait, Mikey told you Emma and I are in love?" That was not really surprising, but when had she told Henry that? How early did Mikey see it?

"Yeah. She said you guys just didn't realize it. I thought she was crazy, but it was because I wanted Ma to be with my dad. It went back to me being selfish because I could see Ma doesn't even want to be around him and I pushed her until she said awful things. Making it worse, I ignored everything she said and hurt her, just like I ignored you and hurt you. I had this stupid fairy tale in my head." He knocked against his temple with his left hand.

She grabbed his hand and offered a small smile. "It's not stupid to want a family."

He looked down. "No, but it's definitely stupid to throw family away and be mean to them for no reason. Not to mention, I was upset you were hanging out with Mikey, like you were throwing me away, even though I was throwing you away. I was just a mess." He shook his head.

She released his hand and ate some of her now melting ice cream. "You're allowed. You've been through a lot." She knew all about being overwhelmed and going off the deep end.

"Yeah, but I could've talked about it."

She could not help smiling at him. "You're talking about it now. And, you're only eleven. You're allowed time to process and come to terms on your own."

He smiled. "You're making this really easy."

"As your parent, I want your life to be easier than mine. I'm not here to throw unnecessary obstacles in your way, especially when you've come to understand what you did, why you did it, and you're trying to make amends."

"Thanks." He sat up a little taller. "Oh, and thanks for saving me in Neverland."

She could not help laughing at that. "No need to thank me. I love you, Henry. I'll always do everything in my power to save you."

He nodded and ate a big spoonful of ice cream. "So… where are you and Ma going on your date? Here?"

"I should hope not. Not that I would mind." She really would not, which was a testament to how much affection she held for Emma. "It was only just brought to my attention that I love her and I'm always just happy to spend time with her."

She did not expect the bright smile that conquered his face. Neal might not have cast the right spell to find the truth, but it came out. And, it was good.

-8-8-8-8-

Emma did not think of herself as a romantic, but she wanted to pat herself on the back for her date idea. It was a simple walk through the park at night. Regina pressed up against her side, enjoying the night air. They got to what Emma liked to think of as "their bench" and they sat down to eat a simple meal she packed, tuna melts and chips.

"Sorry I didn't make anything better," Emma said, their thighs pressed together even though there was more than enough bench. She thought it was nice, but she was dating a freaking queen. This had to seem so cheap.

"This is fine. It sets a nice mood for us. It's peaceful. And, it's our bench." Oh, wow. Regina thought of it like that, too. "And, somehow, the food tastes fine," Regina replied before biting her sandwich.

Emma laughed. "You really do love me, huh?"

"I am sitting with you in the cold dark, on a park bench, and eating a cold tuna melt with processed potato chips, and I'm possibly the happiest I've been in life save when I held Henry for the first time. I think that answers the question."

Emma smiled and put her arm around Regina, who leaned against her. Yeah, this was great. She might have to buy D'Artagnan a "thank you" gift.

"This is perfect," Regina said and Emma was not sure how she did not float off of the bench from such high praise.

And that was the date. They just calmly existed in the same space and it was nothing short of beautiful since Emma did not get much of that lately. And then the way Regina curled into her once they were done was everything and more. They could have done it forever, but it got too chilly and they both had work in the morning. Regina still had some people to change back to human and she was going to actually campaign in the final days of the mayoral race.

Emma walked Regina to her door at the B and B. She thought there would be an awkward pause where Regina would decide if she deserved a kiss or not, but that did not happen. As soon as they got to the door, Regina's lips were on her. Emma melted at the feel of her lips and then her tongue slipped past Emma's lips. Emma was not sure how she stayed on her feet as their tongues caressed each other. It was like electricity passed between them, but somehow also like sinking into a tub of warm water. Her world both flipped upside down and tilted until it was right. It made all the sense and no sense at the same time. When they pulled away, they were both out of breath and staring at each other in shock, but she could see down into Regina's soul.

"I should probably go," Emma said, even though she did not want to. She cupped Regina's cheek and caressed it with her thumb, maybe for the first time. She could not be sure. Regina was soft and warm and perfect under her finger. Her mind was blank, but also consumed with Regina, who was everything she wanted and needed.

"You should." Regina nodded. "Your parents and Henry expect you back." But, she pressed her face into Emma's palm.

Emma whimpered, not at all in favor of leaving this moment ever. "You're right."

"Call me to let me know you made it home safely."

"I will."

"And, one more thing." Before Emma could ask what, Regina kissed her again. Emma yelped in surprise, but surrendered immediately. She chased Regina's lips with her own, losing herself in the sensation. She was not sure how or why, but they broke apart.

"You're not making this easy," Emma said with a sigh.

Regina smirked. "I never want it to be easy for you to leave."

Emma groaned and tore herself away from Regina's presence. She practically glided home and nearly fell into the loft. Her parents and Henry were in the living room waiting for her, like she was a teenager out on her first date. It was kind of cute.

"So, how did it go?" Henry asked.

Emma grinned. "I'm definitely in love."

-8-8-8-8-

Next time: the end (as a short epilogue).