"Regina?" Emma calls through their apartment as she finishes arranging an assortment of cheese and crackers onto a tray for their guests.

It seems Cora taught the young blonde well in the past year, how to properly feed any person that steps into her home. The older woman was constantly filling Emma's stomach to its max potential with all kinds of mouth-watering food. Emma and Regina have been back in New York for two weeks now and she finds herself constantly leaving out food for Regina to pick on.

She misses Cora more than she ever thought possible.

"Reg-"

"No need to shout, dear," Regina seductively taunts in her ear, causing her to jump from the unexpected appearance. Her fiancé places a sweet kiss to her cheek and sweeps right passed her with their baby on her hip. "What happened here? I don't remember bringing my mother home from Sicily."

"Very funny," she deadpans, swiftly lifting the tray of snacks to place in the living room. "Alright kid, you going to be good for me and momma?" She interrogates their five-month-old with the most pointed look she can attempt with his adorable chubby cheeks and bright eyes staring back at her.

"He's always good," Regina quickly defends before she attacks his cheek with playfully kisses, generating the most adorable baby giggles.

A rapid knock against the door, tears through their silly family moment and kick starts Emma's heart. Adrenaline pumps fiercely through her veins as a cold sweat breaks along the back of her neck. She freezes as her nerves get the best of her, but Regina senses her despair right away and squeezes her hand for moral support.

Emma nods, because sometimes they don't need words to communicate. She shuffles toward the front door and takes a deep breath before swinging it wide open.

"Ems!" Her father cheerfully greets her with a wide, toothy grin while Neal smiles shyly next to him. Her dad swoops her up as if she's still a little girl and lifts her off the ground. She buries her face into the crook of his neck and inhales the familiar scent of his strong cologne. "I'm so glad you're home. I missed you, baby girl."

"I know, dad," she breathes and basks in the comfort of her father's loving embrace a little longer.

"Hey Ems," Neal softly murmurs as he shoves his hands into his jean pockets, nervous as ever.

"Hi Neal," she replies as her dad gently places her feet back onto the ground. "Come on in," she invites them politely and steps aside for them to enter. Despite the joyful reunion between her and her father, there's still some residual tension lingering in the air between them. She softly closes the door behind them and takes another deep breath to settle her nerves. "Shoes off," she instructs and rolls her eyes at herself for still following Cora's rules.

"Shoes off?" Her dad chuckles as he obediently slips off his sneakers. "You never used to take your shoes off."

"Sorry, just a habit now," she mutters mostly to herself and attempts to wave off the situation. "So," she sighs heavily and nervously twirls her engagement ring around her finger. "Regina and Henry are right this way in the living room," she motions toward the larger room and steps between her ex and her father to lead the way.

"Great, I can't wait to meet my grandson," David happily states while Neal remains unnervingly quiet.

She can only imagine what is rattling around in that brain of his. This is a big moment and a lot to take in. Granted, Neal has had five months now to become accustomed to the idea of being a father, but now reality is there and he's about to meet his five-month-old son. She can only assume how nervous he is and maybe even upset that he missed out on the beginning of their son's life.

When they enter the living room, Regina is sitting on the couch with Henry in her lap. Their son is facing her and giggling as Regina plays with his hands dramatically. All the brunette's attention is on their son and it would be impossible for anyone not to see the love shining through those sparkling eyes.

"Regina," Emma smiles proudly of her fiancé as the woman peeks over Henry's shoulder and returns the gesture. Regina quickly stands tall and places Henry upon her hip. "I would like for you to meet my dad, David and Henry's dad, Neal," she politely introduces, promoting Regina to extend her hand toward David first.

"It's really lovely to finally meet you. Emma has told me so much about you and her mother."

The corner of her dad's mouth cracks into a sad smile as he thinks about his wife, but he still shakes Regina's hand and puts on a brave face for all of them.

"It's great to finally meet you. You're all my daughter talks about and I'm very happy for you two."

"Yeah, congratulations you guys," Neal chimes in as he pats Emma on the shoulder. "It's nice to meet you," he then says toward Regina and reaches out to shake her hand as well.

"Well, despite you being the ex, Emma has had nothing but nice things to say about you," Regina teases through a small laugh, encouraging the men in Emma's life to laugh along.

"Well, I'm glad," Neal takes a deep breath and suddenly becomes very serious, "I want us all to get along and do right by this little man," he proudly states as his eyes drift toward the bubbly baby playing with Regina's necklace.

"Well, I believe that is something we can all agree on," Regina wholeheartedly agrees as she rests her forehead against Henry's, but he's still concentrating very hard on her necklace. "Henry, this is your daddy," she softly whispers into their private bubble before she kisses the tip of his nose.

Neal smiles from ear to ear as Regina pries Henry from her necklace and offers their baby to Neal. "Hey bud," he beams and holds Henry out in front of him. They both stare at one another, assessing, questioning, maybe even judging by Henry's crinkled eyebrows.

"Why don't we sit," Emma offers and gestures toward the couches. "Would you like anything to drink? There's cheese and crackers if you'd guys would like."

"Relax," Regina whispers into her ear as the men take a seat on the loveseat.

"Look at you being hospitable," her dad laughs as he nudges Neal's elbow playfully. "Sicily must have taught you manners."

"Cora might have had an influence on me," she smiles proudly as she thinks about the older woman. "So, water...pop?"

"We're fine, just sit," her dad softly replies, his piercing, blue eyes meeting Emma's and urging her to obey his request.

Regina slips her hand into Emma's and ushers her over to the couch, where Emma nervously perches herself at the edge. She watches carefully as Neal and Henry continue to inspect one another, while her ex makes funny faces and mouths small sounds at the baby.

"So, Neal..." Emma starts off knowing they have to formulate a plan for the future.

Her ex pops his head around Henry's shoulder and smiles kindly. "Yeah, Ems?"

"Have you thought about what you would like to do regarding Henry?" She questions, her fingers subconsciously tighten around her fiancé's.

Regina gently rubs her thumb over the soft spot between Emma's thumb and index finger. Instantly, she's brought back to the night they first met, and the brunette encouraged her to pet that damn horse. Ever since that night, whenever Regina senses that Emma's anxious about something, she does this small action to soothe her fears.

"Yeah, so tell me what you think, I've come up with a plan," Neal begins and shifts Henry to sit upon his lap to face outward toward his mothers. Regina quickly waves to Henry causing the boy to jump excitedly in his father's arms. "He's still so little and I don't think traveling with him is such a good idea. So, with that being said, I'm thinking, I drive here every other weekend and stay at a hotel for the whole weekend. I could keep him Friday night to Sunday afternoon. I mean, in the beginning it doesn't have to be overnight, until he's a little older, and like you two can come along to do stuff until you feel comfortable."

"That sounds great, we were hoping you wouldn't want to drive all the way back to Boston with him being so little. So, this is perfect," Emma quickly confirms as her worries slowly lift from her tense shoulders.

Emma and Regina had discussed previously what they wanted for Henry and his relationship with his father. They wouldn't ever deny their son the opportunity to have a healthy relationship with Neal. They want father and son to spend time together and to form a bond, Henry's just so little right now, so they agreed it's best if Henry stays nearby for the time being. Maybe when their son is five, he can venture on road trips with Neal to Boston or maybe Neal will just move there. Now that would be ideal.

"Alright, Neal stop hogging my grandson," David laughs as he reaches for Henry. "Well, hello little man," he chuckles and stands Henry upon his lap. "You look just like your mother when she was a baby."

"I told you, Emma, he's all you," Regina smugly adds on as she squeezes her hand tight.

"I still see Neal."

"I think he's the perfect combo of both of us," Neal chimes in as he sticks his finger between Henry's chunky fist.

"Look at this guy," her dad can't seem to suppress his laughter as he engages with his first grandson, "he doesn't care who holds him."

"He really doesn't, he's not shy at all," Regina happily replies as she smiles at her son like he's the most precious person to ever grace this planet.

"I'm definitely going to be making some of those trips with Neal. I don't want to miss out on his life and sometimes I miss you, Ems," he playfully teases with a small wink in his daughter's direction inspiring green eyes to roll playfully in return.

"That's great, Henry deserves both of you in his life," Regina answers without any hesitation, because they both know there's never enough love for their little boy.

"So," Emma smiles with every muscle in her face, just so relieved how the meeting turned out, "the zoo," she offers from their original plan, inspiring everyone to happily jump to their feet.

XXXXX

Living in New York has been wonderful to say the very least. Emma had never been to the busy city before, so Regina had taken the liberty to show her around, much the same as she did in Sicily. Every weekend they find new places to visit with Henry and that amount of knowledge that pours from her fiancé is remarkable. She always finds herself mesmerized by the way she speaks when she educates her in the history of something. Every time she explains something to Emma, she still feels that anxious adrenaline tickling through her bloodstream, like the first time Regina escorted her around Catania.

Emma found a nice job in the heart of New York, a quant dentist office not too far from the hospital Regina works in. Right around the corner from her office building is where they drop off Henry for the day. An older woman, Mrs. Lucas, who insists the couple just calls her Granny, watches Henry for them. Emma and Regina never found a daycare they both found suitable for their son, so Regina's friend Ivy, had suggested Granny.

Granny's granddaughter, Ruby, and Ivy grew up together. Regina said she had only met Ruby a hand full of times, but she seemed nice enough. She claimed that Ruby and Ivy were very similar when it came to their choice of fun and partying, but Ruby is now married and has settled down quite a bit since she had her daughter. So, they entrusted Granny and they are thrilled that they did. She's a lovely woman who takes such good care of their little boy.

"Granny?" Emma shouts through the woman's apartment as she softly closes the door behind her.

"Wait! Wait! Wait, right there, child," Granny enthusiastically yells from down the hall.

Emma chuckles to herself and pockets her keys. "Are you speaking to me or my son?" She teases, even though she adores the way the elderly woman calls her and Regina, child.

"You bite that smart tongue of yours," Granny scolds, prompting Emma to bite down on both her lips to keep quiet.

She waits patiently in the foyer and fiddles with the keys in her pocket. Her eyes scan over all the picture frames hanging on the wall, it's what makes this home so cozy and welcoming, beside the rich aroma of home cooked meals always lingering around.

She grins up at the bright smiles decorating the wall, especially a certain green-eyed boy with only two bottom teeth poking through. This has been Henry's second home for the past four months now and he has already made the family hall of fame on the wall.

"Okay, ready for this?" Granny questions from somewhere across the apartment, tearing Emma's eyes away from old memories.

A nervous buzz of excitement floods her veins and she nods along eagerly, even though the woman can't see her. "I'm ready," she quickly calls out and focuses on the end of the empty hall.

"Alright, here we come," Granny laughs while Emma waits anxiously for her surprise.

Then, all too soon, her baby boy comes wobbling down the hallway with Granny in tow. He's smiling as wide as his face will allow while he awkwardly shifts from one foot to the next. He's like a little zombie, hobbling down the hallway toward her with Granny holding her hands out behind him in case he falls.

"Oh my god!" Her body immediately bends down with her arms open wide. "Look at you, kid!" She beams with so much pride and joy as tears quickly fill her eyes.

That amount of emotions barreling into her chest at the moment is far too much and she knows there is no keeping her tears at bay.

He was just this tiny, little baby she held so close in her arms, but now he looks so big and she has no clue where the last nine months have gone.

"He's been practicing all day for you!" Granny enlightens her as Henry slowly makes his way over to her.

"This is amazing! Is this normal for his age? He's just nine months."

"Every baby is different, but my Ruby was walking at nine months as well. Seems that wild child couldn't wait to take off running," Granny playfully teases.

"Oh, come on, Granny, she's not so wild anymore," Ruby's wife rebuttals as she rounds the corner with her sweet baby girl on her hip. "Hi Emma," she politely greets with her infamous bright smile that always lights up a dull room.

"Hey Belle," green eyes flick toward piercing blue and she smiles at the adorable little girl with dark brown hair and matching bright blue eyes, just like her momma.

"He's been working so hard today, I wish this little one would follow in his footsteps," Belle giggles, her hand tickling her daughter's little tummy to make her squeal in delight.

"Violet will get there soon. She's only one month older than Henry," Emma reassures her as her eyes dart back toward her wobbling son.

He's growing tired and his knees are beginning to buckle, so she reaches out and catches him just in time before his bottom connects with the floor. She swoops him up and peppers his face with loving kisses.

"I'm so proud of you, kid! That was amazing!" She praises, squeezing him tight as he babbles, mama, over and over again. "Momma's going to be so excited to see this when she comes home tonight," she softly coos, scrunching up her nose as she wiggles the tip against her son's nose. He giggles in response, immediately filling her heart with so much love.

"Such a sweet little boy," Granny compliments as she lightly pats his back. "Why don't you come and eat my child, Ruby should be here soon, we can all have dinner together."

"Thanks Granny, but I already have chicken waiting for me at home to cook," she kindly declines, shifting her son onto her hip, his little fingers hastily reaching for her long locks. "Don't forget, Regina and I are in Sicily next week for Christmas," she reminds the older woman even though she's still as sharp as a tack.

"I know, I know," Granny waves off her statement before she grips her face with both hands and squeezes tight. "You have a safe trip, I want this little boy back in one piece, ya hear?"

"Yes Granny, I promise," she chuckles through her smushed cheeks before the woman kisses her forehead.

Granny quickly turns her attention to Henry and kisses his face all over.

"Keep your mommas in line little boy," she teases, producing little giggles from her son.

XXXXX

Emma's feet shift between her toes and her heels as she glides across the kitchen floor, dancing to the beat pulsating through the room. With one set of tongs in hand as her microphone, she sings to Henry, who's bouncing up and down in his highchair through a fit of giggles.

She doesn't hear the front door open, but she definitely hears the sound of Regina's keys clashing against the glass table in the foyer. Her heart sores from her fiancé's proximity alone and she wonders if she'll ever stop feeling this way whenever Regina is near.

"Momma's home," she whispers to her son, but he's already hyper from their dancing to pay any attention to what she just said.

"Well, aren't you two the cutest?" Regina happily greets them, sashaying effortlessly across the hardwood floors as though she's floating on thin air. "Hi, my sweet baby boy," she softly coos, sweeping his brown strands to one side and kissing his forehead.

Once Regina has shown their son enough attention, Emma grips her elbow and hastily tugs her into her arms. Regina stumbles a little bit from the sudden movement, but Emma's quick to catch her. The brunette gasps, but Emma's lips capture that adorable sound as she steals a passionate kiss from her loved one. She deepens the kiss, plunging her tongue into her fiancé's mouth and bending her backwards in the process. Regina moans softly in response and finally drapes her arms around the blonde's neck.

However, their kiss is quickly broken apart by the loud clatter of a plastic plate smacking against the floor. They abruptly break the kiss and turn their heads to discover Henry staring at them with a very stern expression upon his face. He looks as though he's about to yell at his mothers for their public display of affection, and Emma and Regina can't help but laugh at their son.

Through a small chuckle, Regina untangles herself from Emma's embrace and attempts to reprimand their son.

"Henry, we don't throw our plates," she sternly reminds him as she reaches for the discarded baby plate on the floor. She gently sets it down in front of him again as he watches her every move intently. "That's not nice, the plate stays here." His green eyes are locked onto hers and Emma can practically see the wheels turning in his head.

Her fiancé turns back around to face her, provoking Henry to pick his plate up again. "Henry," Emma warns, inspiring Regina to spin back around on her heels. The moment she faces Henry, he places the plate back down gently. Regina smiles in return and spins to face Emma again, provoking their son's twitchy fingers to pick up the plate again. "Henry Daniel," Emma firmly states again, but he doesn't drop the plate, no instead, he slowly holds his plate over the edge of the highchair as his hostage.

Regina spins back around and glares at their son. He pauses and Emma wonders what the hell is going on in his mind right now, because he looks dead serious.

"Henry, be nice, put your plate back down," Regina strictly, but calmly, instructs their baby. He slowly moves the plate back in front of him, prompting Regina to nod curtly in return. Her beautiful brunette leans forward to recapture her lips, only inspiring their son to throw his plate to the ground once again. "Henry!"

Emma laughs, but quickly places her hand over her mouth, so Henry doesn't think this is funny and urges him to continue with this type of behavior.

"It seems your little prince doesn't want the Queen to show any type of affection to anyone but him," Emma lightly teases as Regina huffs and puffs her annoyance, bending down to pick up the plate again.

Regina places the plate back down on his highchair and sweeps his hair to the side again, her fingers delicately and affectionately trailing down his chubby cheek before she softly grasps onto his chin. Enchanting brown eyes bore into amused green ones in a challenge while Emma sits by and watches patiently to see who will cave first.

"Henry, that's not nice. No more throwing plates, I mean it."

Henry stares back at her and they both know he understands what his mom is saying. He just glares, ready to defy her once again to prove his point that only he deserves her full attention at all times. Emma's waiting with her arms folded across her chest for her fiancé to crack, just as she always does when it comes to this tiny human who so blatantly has Regina wrapped around his finger.

Regina bends down and Emma's lips crack into a smile. Here we go. "I love you, my sweet boy," her fiancé professes with a loving kiss to his forehead. Regina quickly spins around and smiles with pure excitement buzzing through her limbs. "So, I have a surprise for you."

"Well, I have a surprise for you," she counters, rushing to Henry's side to lift him from the highchair.

"Can I go first?" Regina enthusiastically questions.

"It has to do with our son..." Emma taunts playfully in front of her, knowing she won't be able to resist his precious face.

"Alright, you go," her fiancé laughs and gestures with her hand for her to continue.

"Okay, can you scoot back a little?" Emma asks while Henry reaches to yank on her hair. One, perfectly sculpted eyebrow raises, perplexed by the request, but Emma simply narrows her eyes and Regina quickly obeys. "Okay, bend down."

"Emma-"

"Drop to your knees."

"Didn't you just say, I'm a Queen? I shouldn't bow before you, I'm a bit more refined," Regina seductively scolds with her chin held high and a smug smirk gracing her face.

"Hmmm, I remember a certain Queen dropping to her hands and knees pretty quickly last night..." she teases in a low salacious tone.

"Seriously, Emma? In front of our son?" She deadpans with the most unamused facial expression.

"He has no idea what we are talking about. Now, drop to your knees," she orders again and watches happily as brown eyes roll before her fiancé falls to the floor graciously, like the Queen she is. "Good girl."

"Emma," Regina growls in a tone she knows all too well, and if the blonde knows what's good for her, she'll shut her trap.

"Okay. Okay," Emma scrambles to the floor as well and stands Henry up on his two unsteady feet. "Ready?" She quirks up one eyebrow and glances in her fiancé's direction through her thick eyelashes.

Her flawless face is glowing with anticipation and excitement as she slowly nods. Chestnut eyes are concentrating very hard on their son as he readies himself and balances. Emma's hands slowly release his sides, but she still hovers around him, unsure if he will collapse or walk.

Henry stands for a few seconds, staring at the ground like he's trying to decide if the floor is safe or made of lava. His head pops up and then he sees his other mother's eyes, shimmering with love, pride and joy. His right foot pops out and lands roughly before his left repeats the same action. Emma's hands are still on either side of him in case his knees buckle, but her eyes dart to Regina's to discover them slowly filling with happy tears and Emma's heart explodes with unconditional love.

Henry finds his courage through his other mother's love and continues taking each step slowly toward his brunette mother. He walks, fully proud of himself, until he lands in Regina's arms and she hugs him with every ounce of love she has. She scoops him up and sways from left to right, cradling his head as she plants rough kisses against his temple.

"What a big boy you are," Regina praises as she stands from the floor. "Did you just walk? Momma's so proud of you," she gushes, proceeding to hold him tight, like someone might steal him away. "When did this happen?" She inquires as her glossy eyes flick dancing green orbs.

"Today, he walked to me through Granny's hall when I went to pick him up," she explains, meeting her family across the kitchen and running her fingers through her son's hair.

"Oh good, I thought I was missing out on something," Regina nervously gasps as her lips linger against their son's head.

"No, never. He just learned today," she reassures her and leans in to kiss those pouty lips.

Regina eagerly returns the kiss behind Henry's back, but their son notices right away.

"Ma-ma-ma-ma," he babbles and pushes Emma's face roughly away from Regina's.

"Not cool, kid," Emma scoffs, ruffling his messy hair. "So, what surprise do you have for me?" She happily questions before she turns her attention back to the dinner she was preparing before, hoping it didn't burn.

"I was going to surprise you, but then I thought you'd probably want to be a part of it so..."

"What did you do?" She playfully scolds, pointing and snapping the tongs at her.

Regina flashes her most giddy grin, showing off her pearly white teeth in the process. "I may have invited some people to Sicily with us..."

"What?" This quickly catches her full attention, forcing her to turn the knob down on the stove to low and spin around to face her fiancé. "Why?"

"Well," Regina hesitates and swallows thickly as she readjusts Henry on her hip. "I thought we could maybe...get married next week..." she offers weakly, sounding more like a timid question than a brave statement.

"What?"

"Okay, just listen," she quickly rushes to Emma's side and slides her free hand into hers. "I was thinking we could get married on that cute little beach we always went to, at sunset. I invited your dad, Ivy, Neal and Tamara. Granny thinks she's too old to travel and Ruby and Belle don't want to take Violent on a plane just yet, but everyone else is coming. I think it would be perfect to wed where we first met and besides, I know how much you love Sicily."

"Your parents know already?" Emma skeptically investigates while her heart hammers murderously against her chest like it's trying to escape, probably just running toward Regina.

"Yes, of course," her fiancé confirms as her thumb sweeps across the tender spot on Emma's hand that's just for her.

"My dad's coming?" She reiterates with a stern look because none of this could happen without him.

"Yes, he wouldn't miss it."

"And he can afford it?"

"Emma, please," Regina whines, meaning either her parents helped David pay for his ticket or he scrounged up the money somehow.

Emma's mouth curls down into a frown just thinking about this amazing woman, so eager to marry her and announce her love for her. She didn't think this astounding person could ever like her, let alone love her, but there she is, standing in front of her with her baby on her hip, begging to make their love official and filling green eyes with tears.

Emma's fingers glide across her face and pull her even closer. "I cannot wait, I love you so much," she confesses just before her lips softly meet Regina's.