I don't own these characters; Disney/ABC does.
Public Service Announcement: there is no sex in this chapter. I thought it would take away rather than add to the chapter.
3: Ohana
"Are you sure you want to do this?" Emma asked as she stepped into the backyard with Regina. The warm air embraced her and put a smile on her face. The weather was kind enough to cooperate with them to have a cookout for Henry's birthday. Emma was ready to try her hand at working a grill, even though her father had already called dibs. She would like to see him to try to call dibs on her in her own house!
"Have the party in the backyard? No, but it's not up to me. You made that clear," Regina said, surveying the landscape one last time. There were streamers and balloons along with a picnic area set up. A small mountain of gifts were stacked on round table.
"Look, if the kid wants simple, keep it simple. It's not that hard, so don't make me the bad guy for backing him up. But, that's not what I mean," Emma replied.
Emma did not get a chance to explain as the doorbell sounded and Regina was off to greet their guests. Emma went to man her station. There were already burgers waiting by the grill, so she got to work. She had watched a few Youtube tutorials yesterday, not wanting to ruin the day, so she felt some confidence in being able to get this done. She could hear her parents come in, but saw her brother speed into the yard, as much as a toddler could speed. Regina had set up a little play area for him and Robbie with a playhouse, slide, and other toys.
"Neal, be careful!" She heard her mother call.
"He's fine, Mom!" Emma shouted.
"Emma!" Little Guy squealed at the top of his lungs. Surely, the people on the moon heard him. Since he started talking… well, screaming really, Emma often wondered if she had been as loud as a child. Henry was not… at least in her second set of memories.
"Hey, Little Guy!" She leaned down to ruffle his hair. Little Guy snickered and pushed her hand away while tripping over himself to get away as he knew tickles would come soon if he did not escape.
He stuck his tongue out at her before escaping to the corner with the little playhouse. Emma turned her attention back to the burgers as her parents came into the backyard, arms full of gifts. Of course they would go all out. But, she was in no position to talk. She got Henry over ten gifts and that was not counting what she bought with Regina. She knew it might come across as trying to buy him, but a lot of it was stuff she would have liked as a child and could not have. She wanted Henry to have everything she could not. To be fair, he has you beat already, both parents, loving home, family that loves him, and he's only just turned thirteen.
"I'm going to get Henry," Regina said from the doorway and she turned back into the house before anyone could say anything to her.
David ambled on up to the grill with a stupid grin on his face. It was a little funny to find out she inherited his grin, too. "Why don't you let me handle this?"
Emma scoffed, focused on her duty. If something went wrong today, it would not be her fault. "Why don't you go get your own backyard and grill?"
His face fell. "Why can't you share?"
"Because I don't want to." Emma stuck her tongue out at him. Any other time, he probably would have laughed, but his shoulders dropped this time.
"How can you deprive your own father a chance to work a grill?"
"I'm sure you have more than enough cookouts in your Cursed memories to hold you over. I don't even have Cursed memories of doing this."
It was David's turn to make a face, twisting his mouth downward as he stuck his tongue out. "That doesn't count. It didn't really happen."
She shrugged that off. "But, at least you have the memory. I don't even have that."
Before he could try to argue, Henry popped up, greeting his grandparents with a hug each. He barely left David's side before Zelena appeared, presents at her feet and Robbie in her arms. She rushed to him, engulfing him in a hug with Robbie in her arms. Henry laughed and Robbie followed his lead.
"Happy birthday!" Zelena grinned. Emma had not expected her to be so happy about it, but Zelena genuinely looked over the moon. Robbie made noises, possibly to mimic her mother.
Henry groaned in the crushing embrace, but a smile never felt his face. "Thanks, Aunt Zelena."
The party was underway and was nice. Regina brought out some finger foods and salads as they waited for the first round of grilled foods. She fed Emma a couple of baby carrots before going to supervise Zelena on how to stack her gifts on the table. Maleficent blew in with Lily not too long after. Emma did not usually mind Maleficent, but today the hairs on the back of her neck stood up as Maleficent embraced Regina. It was not the first time, but there was something that seemed to linger. Emma shook it off.
"Thank you for having me and Lily, Henry," Maleficent said, giving Henry a hug after Regina.
"It's okay. I know you and Mom are close and I'm glad for it. We all deserve a family," Henry replied with a grin.
Emma agreed with that, so she did not say anything about Maleficent standing suspiciously close to Regina. She also did not cause a fuss about Lily being there. While she and Lily would never be the best of friends, Regina was close to her and Maleficent. Well, she was getting close to Lily along with Maleficent. Emma had not really inquired why, as she did not want it to seem like she was policing Regina's friends. That was serious BS alpha behavior and she refused it.
"All right, so I've got hot dogs, if anybody wants," Emma announced as she began unloading the hot dogs into the pan.
"They better be burnt!" Henry rushed over for the first one, which Emma felt was fine since it was his birthday.
"I hope that one is burnt enough for you." Emma pointed to one still on the grill. It was almost black all over. Henry let her know earlier how he liked his hot dogs and she aimed to please.
"Perfect." Henry held up two thumbs.
Emma grinned and was more than happy to watch as everyone downed a hot dog. Regina gave her a smile, as if saying she did good. She felt more confident as she watched the burgers and then Regina came, adding different pieces of chicken to the grill along with a few kabobs. Emma was happy to work and focused on the meat, but noticed Regina with Maleficent out of the corner of her eye. There was nothing too sketchy about them, but they seemed to be sitting a little close and Maleficent was leaning in. Emma shook it away.
No need to get jealous, Emma. Regina loved her and, if she wanted to be with Maleficent, she had decades to do that. Was Maleficent even an alpha? Did it matter? Well, Maleficent certainly knew Regina was an omega since she knew Regina back when Regina was married to the King. What if…?
Emma really wanted to stop her train of thought, but her brain was too quick for her. What if Lily was Regina's daughter with Maleficent? Maleficent being an alpha certainly made sense, but she quickly shook that thought away, as it did not make any sense. Regina said she had never conceived before Henry and Emma believed her. So, cool out. Let Regina have friends and don't act like a stupid, jealous alpha.
Emma checked back in mentally just in time to catch the chicken from burning. It was a good thing, too, as David was hovering by, clearly ready to step in if she messed up. She waved the tongs at him.
"Dad, why don't you go bother someone else? I got this," Emma said.
David laughed. "I don't doubt it, but you might need a break and I could jump in for a few minutes."
"I just started. I got this."
"Ma, can you burn another hot dog for me? Please!" Henry looked at her with big eyes.
"Of course. You're only turn thirteen once, so you have to gorge on hot dogs… I think." Emma shrugged. It was something she would have enjoyed at thirteen.
"Yes!" Henry pumped his fist. "You hear that, Mom? I can eat all the hot dogs I want because I'm thirteen!"
Emma's eyes went wide. "Dude, how about not shouting that to the world? Do you want your mom to punish us both?"
Henry snickered, but ducked behind Emma as Regina gave them both her patented stare with an arched eyebrow. They were saved from a verbal reprimand as Ruby arrived with Granny and Dorothy. It was all fun and lighthearted until the last guest arrived. The tap of his cane echoed as Gold made his way through the house to the backyard with Belle on his arm. Regina was behind them, having to answer the door for their arrival.
"Well, isn't think cozy?" Gold sneered as he took in the other guests.
"Grandpa, you made it!" Henry threw open his arms and riding a high of a happy birthday, actually hugged Gold. Emma doubted anyone else in history would be so brave.
Gold did not look pleased with the embrace, awkwardly patting Henry on the back and stepped away as soon as possible. Belle saved the moment, visibly gushing and going in for a hug. It was a little weird, as she and Henry were never super-close, but she seemed tickled. It might have something to do with just being included in a family. Emma knew the power of that. Hell, everyone there probably knew the power of that.
Well, everyone except Gold maybe. He sat there like they were holding him hostage while everyone else was trying to have a good time. He appeared especially offended whenever Zelena said something. He had some nerve. Emma decided to put a halt to that before Gold ruined her son's first birthday with his whole family.
"Regina," Emma said, waving her over from the congenial chatter around the picnic table.
Regina came over without even a questioning look, like she knew what was up. "Yes?"
"Should we talk to Gold? I mean, he looks like he's about stab Zelena with a plastic cup." Emma tried to keep her voice was low, but she took a glance over at everyone to make sure they did not suspect something was up. They seemed like they were actively entertained by the wild tale Dorothy was spinning with Zelena chiming in every few seconds. Apparently, Oz was an exciting place.
Regina cut a glance over to the table. "That might be for the best. I suspected we'd have to talk to him after we sent that invitation."
"I still think that was stupid." Gold was not known for being understanding or reasonable, after all. Even if he did not know Henry was not related to him yet, it was only a matter of time and he would undoubtedly react poorly.
"I am very aware of what you think, but Henry still considers Rumple his grandfather and for all we know Rumple might still consider Henry his grandson, even as the truth slowly leaks out."
Emma gnawed her bottom lip for a moment. The truth was getting out a lot slower than she and Regina assumed, like Snow was actually able to keep a secret. The rumors really did not start until people saw them coming out of Doctor Alexander's office, but most of those rumors speculated on Emma being pregnant again. While Doctor Alexander specialized in omegas, she was an OBGYN, so she had beta patients as well. The only other thing that got people talking was Emma's appetite.
She finally understood what Regina meant about her appetite increasing. She ordered twice as much lunch when she went out and it never occurred to her, even when Ruby made jokes. Now, there came whispered comments about her "eating for two." There were going to be a lot of people disappointed she was not showing in six months. Was Gold sold on those lies or did he have other suspicions? Not that it mattered since his immediate problem seemed to be Zelena.
It was not hard to believe Gold still blamed Zelena for his son's death. Funny, how he never took responsibility for anything that happened to Neal, but he was willing to hate Zelena with an intensity Emma could almost see for Neal's death. Yes, Zelena had a hand in it, but blame could easily be spread around, like so many other things involving this lot. She had learned forgiveness and how to let go around these folks. It made her feel better inside. She doubted Gold would be so kind, though.
"I'll bring him inside and you can come in after," Regina said.
Emma nodded. She checked on the kabobs she had working and then waved her father over after Regina coaxed Gold into the house. She clamped the tongs at David.
"Don't get any ideas. I just need to get something and I don't want these to burn since I plan to eat all of them," Emma said.
David held up his hands in surrender. "I would never get any ideas."
"You are so lucky Regina isn't around for that one. I'm tempted to make fun of you," Emma commented with a smirk.
David chuckled, but practically snatched the tongs from Emma. Emma rolled her eyes, but did not say anything. She pointed to the sauces and things he might want to use, even though she did not think it was necessary as she handled it all of that. He nodded and then turned his attention to the grill. She ducked inside to find Regina and Gold in the dining room. Regina had her arms across her stomach while Gold leaned on his cane. They both glared at each other.
"Am I interrupting a staring contest?" Emma asked.
"No, Rumple was just congratulating me on this grand farce I've put together," Regina replied, glaring daggers at Gold.
Emma frowned as she stood by Regina. "What's farcical about this? Our kid is having a birthday party. He's got his family here."
Gold sneered, bearing his teeth like an angry animal. "Oh, please. Regina, we know this is a farce. I knew what was going on the moment there was talk of you two going to Doctor Aye. Henry's yours, isn't he?"
"Your point? How does that make this a farce?" Emma inquired. It also did not explain why he seemed ready to run Zelena through with the nearest sharp object. He's just a miserable person.
"That boy doesn't belong to my boy. I know Regina's an omega. There's no point for her to go to Doctor Aye, but you, you were with her. You're an alpha," Gold replied.
"So what? Because he's not blood related to Neal you don't care about Henry anymore?" Emma demanded, hackles up. Regina moved just a little bit ahead of her, as if to protect her from the idea that blood made family. Emma spent her entire life searching for the connection of family and it did not matter how the connection came, which was why she was willing to accept everyone at the party right now as the family they wanted to be.
"Don't you dare speak his name while you have his murderer under your roof!" Gold roared, his eyes blazing as he leaned forward, like he was set to pounce.
Regina shifted, eyes watching Gold like he was an armed bomb, which was not far from the truth. "Is that the issue? You have to share space with my sister? Do you even remotely realize how idiotic you sound saying that to us?"
"You're insane if that's your problem. I'm in a relationship with the woman who cast the damn Dark Curse and caused my parents to shove me in a magic wardrobe to grow up alone in the unknown and also tried to kill me on a couple of occasions," Emma pointed out.
"I'm sitting across from the woman who had me murder my mother to save your pathetic life because Henry views you as his grandfather and she's sitting across from her father's murderer, chatting like it's just another day," Regina added in.
"Lily is holding a conversation with the people who stole her from her mother and tossed her into the great unknown to have her fucked up life. Her mother holding a conversation with those same people, who betrayed her as far as I know. Fuck, I'm sharing space with Lily after she fucked up my chances of a good family and betrayed my trust, amongst other things," Emma said.
"Maleficent is willing to deal with me after I allowed myself to give into darkness, listen to you, and cast the Curse against her advice and kept her captive in her dragon form beneath the library for twenty-eight years. Belle was willing to come despite all of the horrible things I did to her. And, I'm willing to have Zelena in my life despite the fact that she tried to erase me from history. You think you have a monopoly on people who wronged you, on pain and suffering?" Regina scoffed loudly. "The simple fact that I'm willing to share space with you should show you how far all of us are willing to go to have a family."
"And the fact that we're willing to share our son with you should let you know how far we're willing to go for family. You're awfully picky for a guy who killed his own father," Emma said, shoulders squared, just in case.
Gold sneered at her. "What I did with my father has nothing to do with this."
"No, but this all started with you and we're all making an attempt to heal and to show you how open we all are, we're looking to include you in the healing process. You make it seem like because Zelena is here and possibly because Henry is my child, then you don't want to be here. If that's the case, it's on you and you don't need to be here," Regina said.
Gold scowled. "Did you do this just to rub it in my face? To hurt me more? To let me know I don't have any more blood relatives?"
"It would've been a good turn considering the torture you put me through when you thought Henry was adopted," Regina replied. "But, no, that's not why you're here."
"Then why did you invite me?" His eyes accused them of all sorts of terrible things.
"I asked them to," Henry said as he stepped into view.
Emma tensed as soon as she was aware of his presence. She spotted him out of the corner of her eye, keeping a watch on him while keeping Gold in front of her as well. Henry stopped a couple of feet from the situation, showing some learned caution. Thank goodness.
"I asked them to invite you because I still think of you as my grandfather, even if I was wrong in thinking Mom wasn't my mother, in so many ways. For everyone here family is either hard to come by or we learn too late who family is. I was hoping you'd want to stay my family and maybe even become family with the rest of my family," Henry said.
Gold pulled his lips into one of his usual sneers, like Henry just suggested he eat glass and die. "You think I want to be family with the bitch who killed my son?"
Regina growled and pointed at him. "Watch what you call my sister in my house."
"Or else what? You're hardly a match for me and your big bad savior can hardly deliver on any sort of magical support," Gold remarked.
"Yes, but I am here," Maleficent commented as she came into view. "I'm sorry, I didn't know you were having a private party." She moved behind Emma, so she was backup, but also a shield for Henry. Part of Emma, a part she ignored, groused at this.
Gold scowled. He could probably beat one of them, maybe even two of them, but definitely not three of them. Still, this was disappointing. Emma had hoped Gold would accept Henry's offer of family since Gold was very aware of what it was like to lose family. But, blood seemed to mean something Gold.
Gold sucked his teeth and regarded them as if they were lower than something he would scrape off the bottom of his shoe. He rushed off, as best he could with a cane. He was probably going to get Belle to get the hell out of Dodge.
Regina turned to Henry as soon as Gold was out of sight. "Henry, that was reckless."
"What?" Henry asked, as if he did not know.
"Confronting the Dark One is reckless on my level and it took me a lot of years to get this reckless," Emma replied, patting him on the shoulder.
"He has nerve, though, acting like he's too good for us. Okay, yes, Aunt Zelena killed his son, but like you both pointed out, everyone in our family has had a problem with at least one other person and we're all moving beyond that. Family is precious," Henry declared.
"It absolutely is," Belle said, stepping onto the scene with Gold by her side. "Which is why Rumple is going to apologize to you and try to embrace this amazing gift you've offered him." She glared at Gold, who did not say anything.
"Don't force anything on him, Belle," Regina said.
Henry nodded. "Yeah, if he doesn't want it, he doesn't want it. Our family is voluntary."
"Demented is what you mean to say," Gold snapped.
"But, more than what you have. Did it ever occur to you that you're actually the common denominator to all of this? Your Curse is the common denominator. You're throwing stones from a glass house," Regina said.
"You're just looking to erase your crimes over the past few decades and maybe your family will lie to you, but we both know you're the monster between us," Gold had the nerve to say.
"That you built from scratch for your own purposes. Well, the purpose is done. I am free and forgiven for the most part. Can you say the same? Who, besides Belle, will ever offer you comfort and security? Who, besides Belle, will ever offer you forgiveness?" Regina said with a curl to her lip.
"Mom," Henry said, probably wanting to stop whatever this was.
Gold tapped his cane on the floor. "You think this is forgiveness?" He made a show of looking around. "You're nothing more than a mascot to these people for the moment and eventually they'll crumble away from you just like everything you touch."
"Rumple!" Belle scolded him.
"Gold, just remember, you come at her, you come at all of us," Emma warned him. If he dared to hurt her lover, she would rain down Hell on him.
"And we won't be kind or gentle with you," Maleficent added in.
Gold had the nerve to vanish, without Belle. What an asshole. Calling him a douche was an insult to douches. Emma's thoughts were taken from Gold as she realized Maleficent's scent had changed. It was almost as if she was producing the alpha protective pheromones, brought on by the adrenaline rush of confronting Gold. That did not make any sense and Emma shook it away, even though she had to consciously stop herself from gnashing her teeth at Maleficent. Stupid alpha. Calm down.
"Belle, you're still welcomed amongst us," Regina said. This could be her being generous or it could be a contingency plan. With Regina, it could be a little of both. Emma would make an effort to make sure Belle felt welcomed regardless.
"Please, stay. Mom made my favorite cake! It's huge and delicious and awesome," Henry insisted with a grin.
Belle snickered. "Well, how could I pass that up?"
Henry beamed, took hold of Belle's hand, and led her back to the party. Emma looked between Regina and Maleficent, waiting for one of them to make a move for a reason she did not want to contemplate. Regina fell to her side and swept her back outside with Maleficent right behind them. Something inside of her settled and she went back to working the grill.
"I think I did a pretty good job for a sub," David said with a laugh.
Emma forced out a chuckle. "I'll bet."
The party went on and went well. Gold's threat did not even loom. Regina made a strawberry short cake for Henry's birthday with a Spiderman design, which he loved. It looked professional and it amazed Emma that Regina could do this without magic. But, then again, thirty years of practice was more than enough. What the hell made Regina take up baking and cooking as a hobby? It was so omega, especially during a time when Regina wanted to be seen as an alpha, as THE alpha.
But, then again, considering how any professional chef was probably an alpha, it was not too far-fetched. Regina's cooking could be seen as professional. So, maybe it was not really in opposite to her alpha facade.
Thoughts of alphas turned her attention back to Maleficent. Could she be an alpha? Emma had always had suspicions, but never thought too heavily on it. Before she got lost in that thought more than she needed to, Regina placed a huge slice of cake in her hand. Emma could not help diving into it, knowing it would be delicious. It melted in her mouth. After that, they got to watch Henry start in on his mountain of gifts. His grandparents, mother, and aunt all went out for the same reason. "This is our first real birthday with him."
"Let's just open one from each guest to avoid being here all night," Regina told Henry.
Henry nodded. "Okay. Good." He turned his attention to the gift pile. He grabbed the one that was so obvious. It was definitely from his grandparents.
"He's not licensed for a sword," Emma pointed out as Henry gripped his broad sword at the hilt. His face went red a few seconds later, straining to hold the weapon up.
"And why would you get him one so large?" Regina asked.
"He'll grow into it and we'll practice, so he can get a license when he's old enough," David replied with a proud smile.
"He's got two years to work on it," Emma said.
"Maybe you'll join us." David smiled. "You could use a license, too."
Emma shrugged. It would be a good bonding activity for all of them. "And learn something other than my sweet move of throwing the sword?" There were chuckles at that, even from Maleficent, and Henry moved onto his next present.
-8-8-8-8-
Regina was tempted to use magic for the party cleanup, but needed something to occupy her time while Emma and Henry screamed at each other over his new video game system. They were as rambunctious as always with Zelena adding color commentary to the noise, delighting in Henry's enjoyment of her gift. If they dared to wake Robbie, there would be Hell to pay, even if it was Henry's birthday.
Regina was happy everything went off without a hitch, even with Rumple proving to be the ass he always was. But, Belle stayed behind, so that might be enough to hold off whatever plot he might have waiting. She knew he would nibble at them until he could snap, though. He might even decide to play nice for appearance sakes. Regina needed to figure out what she had to snap back with, beyond the promise of him having to take on her, Emma, Maleficent, and undoubtedly Zelena.
"You know, you could simply wave all this away," Zelena said as she watched Regina dump several items into the garbage before tying up the bag.
"Yes, and then I'd have nothing to do," Regina replied.
"We could talk."
"We could do that now and you could also help."
Zelena sneered and wiggled her fingers. The garbage disappeared. "There. I helped."
Regina glared at her irksome sister. "That bag better before in the trash can and not someone's living room."
"Even if it's Rumple's?" Zelena's eyes sparkled.
Regina frowned. "You didn't." It was possible Zelena did. In fact, seemed highly likely the more she thought about it.
Zelena snickered. "No, but I think he needs it. And before you ask, Maleficent told me what happened. She wanted to make sure I was on board when we needed to band together and destroy the forces of Darkness."
"Is that your dramatic rendition of what happened?"
Zelena smiled and made a flashy movement with her hands. "Of course. How could Maleficent be more poetic than I? My point, when shit hits the fan, we both know I'll be there with you. One, because I don't like Rumple anyway, and, two, you're my little sister."
"And you need help with Robbie."
Zelena sucked her teeth. "I can't help it that you're a more practiced omega than I am."
Regina rolled her eyes. "Yes, that's why I can get her to stop crying with her teeth coming in. The fact that it hasn't occurred to you to make a poultice for her gums is extraordinary."
Zelena gasped, eyes wide, and properly scandalized. "I won't use magic on my daughter!"
Regina smirked. "Oh, so you're learning. You do realize all magic doesn't have to be dark magic, right?"
Zelena arched an eyebrow. "You know a poultice for her?"
"I think I might. I have some books. Come."
"And the party?"
Regina waved her hand and everything was clean. She had something to keep busy with while Emma and Henry did their thing. She and Zelena spent time in her office, researching something safe to use on Robbie's gums when the ora-jel proved to be even too weak for her pain. There were a few things for them to try.
Eventually, Zelena and Robbie left for their own home. Regina went to join her family on the couch. By then, Emma and Henry were in their pajamas. Regina changed her own clothes by magic as she settled in next to Emma.
"Hey, are those my joggers?" Emma plucked at the grey pants Regina had on.
"Yes, I wanted to see why you enjoy them so much," Regina replied and she made a show of wiggling in her seat. "They are worn and comfortable." She was not lying. Emma's wardrobe was about to be her house clothes. It was Emma's fault. They smelled so much like her that it made Regina's insides melt.
Henry let out a loud groan. "Can you two not be gross on my birthday, please?"
"Okay, but we're just going to be extra gross on my birthday to make up for it." Emma shrugged. Her birthday was in ten days.
Regina chuckled, even though she had such plans. "Let's not bring up your birthday. It's Henry's day and I have a special present for him."
"Oh, a present given when everyone's gone. What? Is it a puppy?" Henry asked.
"When I think you'll actually be taking care of the puppy and not me and Emma, we can revisit that idea," Regina replied.
"I can so take care of a puppy, except when it's raining. Then, that's what the backyard is for," Henry said.
"Not my backyard with my garden and the children's play area. But, here." Regina flipped her hand and a manilla envelope appeared in her hand. She presented it to Henry with both hands.
Henry's brow furrowed as he accepted the envelope. He paused the game and opened the envelope with hurried care.. Regina grabbed Emma's hand while Henry opened. She leaned in close to Emma's ear.
"It's sort of an early gift for you as well." She placed a gentle kiss behind Emma's ear.
Emma turned to her. "What did you do?"
Regina smiled as Henry yanked out the piece of paper. His face scrunched up, at first not knowing what he was looking at. The way his eyes lit up as realization dawned on him was enough to fill Regina's heart.
"It has Emma's name on it!" Henry shoved the paper in Emma's face.
"What is this?" Emma backed up a little and eased the paper from his grip. She gasped. "Oh, my god."
"You're on my birth certificate now! Right there!" Henry had to adjust his body to point to the word "sire" on the certificate for Emma to see her full name appeared on it.
Tears slid down Emma's cheeks and her mouth moved, but nothing came out for a while. "I… You…" She grabbed Henry into a tight hug. "I love you, kid. I love you so much."
"I love you, too, Ma. This is the best birthday ever because we're all together," Henry said. He then locked eyes with Regina. "Come on, Mom. Get in here. You make this whole thing possible."
Regina did not argue and worked her way into the embrace. She kissed Henry's cheek and went to do the same to Emma, but Emma turned, as if she knew what was coming. The kiss was simple peck, but it felt like so much more.
"It's like officially being a family," Emma said.
"It's so cool!" Henry pulled back to stare at his updated birth certificate. "I still can't believe I was born in Boston."
"I still can't believe you thought you weren't Regina's biological son considering how much you're like her," Emma remarked and she knocked her head against Henry's temple. "Yeah, just as hard-headed as I thought."
Henry rolled his eyes. "There is this thing called nurture, you know?" He took back his birth certificate, looking at it like it was the most precious thing ever. Emma wrapped her arms around Regina and grinned like a goofball. Regina's heart fluttered from their happiness.
"You still have to sign it," Regina said.
"Oh, yeah. I'll do that when he's not holding it like it's a map leading to the greatest treasure in all the land," Emma replied.
Henry never did let go of the birth certificate. Emma would probably have to sign it in the morning. Henry took it to bed with him. Regina chuckled over it.
"I knew he'd like it, but not enough to go to bed with it. I wonder if he tucked it in," Regina said.
"Like I said, I think it's because it makes our family official. I mean, we know we're a family, but it's like going from a foster kid in a good family that treats you like one of them to being adopted into that family. Not that I'd know how that feels, but I imagine it's like that."
Regina snuggled into Emma. "Just the fact that we all love each other was enough for me, but I'm glad this went over so well with both of you."
Emma gave Regina a squeeze around her waist. "I wish I was there, ya know? When he was born. I wish I was there for you and for him."
"You didn't know, so don't regret."
"It's not really a regret, just a wish. I wish for a lot of things that might seem like regrets, but I don't feel them that way. Like, I wish I met you under different circumstances."
Regina's brow furrowed. "Why? The way we met worked out so well in your favor."
Emma soothed the wrinkle in Regina's forehead with a light caress of her thumb. "Oh, I know. But, I didn't like seeing you sad and I kinda don't like the reason you slept with me was because you were sad."
Regina rolled her eyes. "I slept with you because you were oddly charming. It had nothing to do with my despair. So, never think that."
"Well, I wish the world had taken better care of you. I know I couldn't be around to protect you or shield you from life, but I wish things were different for you."
"Even if it meant we'd never make it to this moment?" Regina asked. Part of her believed if she could save Emma from her life, she would, but another part of her always screamed, "But, Henry!" She wanted to protect both of them and now she could.
Emma shrugged. "Well, I'd just want things to be okay for you. Maybe we'd meet anyway."
"Darling, I think you forget how much older I am than you."
"So? Maybe I like older woman. I'm sure I'm just as cool in a world raised by my parents as I am now." Emma gave her an exaggerated cocky grin.
Would that be the case? Regina doubted it. "I'm not sure it's funny you think you're cool or you think you would be cool being raised by Charming and Snow."
"Nah, I'd be so cool. And they'd be all right with you being my mate because I'd be that cool."
Regina laughed. "Now, I love that you think I would want to be your mate if you were raised by Charming and Snow."
"You would because I'd still be made of awesome. So, if you want to be my mate here, you'd want to be my mate there. And, you do want to be my mate, right?"
"You know I do. But, this scenario you're painting doesn't do it for me."
Emma scoffed. "Oh, please, I'd have been a grand adventure for you, like when you went out to meet Maleficent."
Regina waved her off. "That was foolishness. I was lucky it turned out well. You haven't gotten a chance to really see Maleficent's power. That could've gone very wrong."
"So, she's more powerful than you?"
"She was at the time. The magic it takes to turn yourself into a real dragon, not some fancy illusion, is no small feat. You'll notice Rumple never attempts such a thing. I have no desire to do such a thing."
"But, you could?"
"Why, do you want me to?"
Emma grimaced. "No, thank you. Did you hang out with Maleficent a lot? I mean, were you like besties? Because if you were, that takes away cool points and makes me cooler."
Regina snorted. "What makes you think you're cool? My best friend can turn into a dragon. What can your best friend do?"
Emma pulled her close and nuzzled her neck. "Give birth to the best son ever."
Regina sucked her teeth. "You think you're so suave."
"Oh, I am. That was good, wasn't it? See, you're my best friend. Maleficent can't beat that, right?"
Regina arched an eyebrow. "Are you jealous of Maleficent, Emma?"
Emma scoffed and pulled back for a second, as if needing Regina to see how wrong she was. "What? No! Why should I be jealous of her? I got the girl." She buried her nose in Regina's neck and placed a few light kisses there. "Maleficent can't have you."
Regina smirked, wanting to mess with Emma a little. "How do you know she hasn't?"
Emma growled, probably did not even realize it. "Did she?"
"What does it matter? You have me now, right?" Regina asked. She probably should not have started this, especially with Emma so sensitive about her sexual status. She did not want to pull any "alpha" behavior out of Emma until Emma was comfortable with who she was.
"Damn right." Emma snuggled into her neck. "Maleficent should've mated and marked you when she had the chance. Now, you're all mine. You had my pup and everything. You didn't have a pup for her."
"I couldn't have a pup for her. I was with the King at the time. That wouldn't have been smart of me."
Emma pulled back. "Would you have had a pup with her if you could?"
Regina cupped Emma's face with both hands. "You listen to me, you're it for me, okay? You don't have to think about what I might have done with Maleficent if I had a chance. She's my friend, a close friend, but you are the female alpha I will one day mark, mate, and marry. Do you hear me?"
"You sure?"
Regina pulled Emma into a kiss. "I'm more than sure. One day, I promise I will mark, mate, and marry you. In that order possibly."
"What if I propose to you first?" Emma grinned.
"Then married, marked, and mated. It doesn't matter to me, beloved. You're the only alpha for me." Regina meant that with all of her heart.
"So… Maleficent's an alpha? How did she have Lily then?"
Regina shook her head. "You know I don't like to discuss anyone's sexual status, even with you. That's all Maleficent's business. If you're so curious, befriend her and ask her yourself."
"I'm not that curious. I mean, maybe I am because then Lily doesn't make sense, but whatever." Emma shrugged and glanced it away.
"You don't have to worry about Lily or Maleficent or anyone. Now, you just got added to your son's birth certificate on your son's thirteenth birthday. Enjoy it."
"Lemme tell you, that was awesome. Thank you so much." Emma kissed the top of her head.
"So, what do you want for your birthday?"
Emma grinned and yanked Regina down to the sofa. "Can I have you? I'm good with that. Oh, and can you pop out of a cake?"
Regina made a dramatic sigh. "Why did I even ask?" It was a good thing she had her own ideas.
"Because you love me!" Emma kissed her before she could say anything, not that she had anything important to say. Plans were made and set. Emma squandered her chance for input, which did not surprise Regina.
-8-8-8-8-
Next time: Zelena needs Regina's attention, so they have a sister's day out.