After tossing and turning for the better part of the night, Regina woke up early in the morning to someone moving downstairs. She had gotten tops two hours of sleep during the entire night. That's why she aimed for the bathroom, in hopes of not hitting a door frame on her way there.

A quick shower and brushing of her teeth led her to her closet where she picked yet again one of her comfy t-shirts and leggings before heading down. She had loosened up in the last few years and felt free to wear whatever she wished in the safety of her own home.

Yawning she padded downstairs and in her half asleep state she didn't notice that there was something missing. There was no music.

Entering the kitchen she stopped in her tracks. There was a woman in her kitchen, a very specific woman.

In seconds green eyes locked with brown and a wide smile spread on the pale lips. "Good morning Gina! I'm making breakfast! I hope you're hungry!"

Oh shit.

Regina stood in the doorway, unable to move. When she had woken up from her restless sleep, this was not what she expected to see. Not even close.

Emma was moving around her kitchen like she had always been there, like it was all in her daily routine. And it hurt Regina's heart to remember that once it had been. When things had been good, Emma had been around Mifflin nearly daily.

It seemed like the blonde was completely unaware of the brunettes stupor as she kept chattering as she was making what looked like pancakes.

"I thought I would make pancakes. I know you secretly like them even when you always remind people about healthy diet. They are also Henry's favorite, I mean the kid loves anything with even a slightest bit of sugar in it." she flipped another pancake in the pan. "Also I have never heard Zelena turn down food."

"Emma.." Regina whispered, trying her hardest to gather herself. Emma turned in the mention of her own name and smiled widely at Regina, which made the brunette falter. She had so many questions but nothing made it past her lips.

"Yes Regina?" Emma asked, cocking her head slightly to the side, making her look like a tiny golden retriever.

Regina felt silly that the blondes presence alone could affect her in such way. When exactly did she turn into this blushing school girl with a crush? She had been in love with Emma for ages but suddenly it was so hard to keep inside.

She didn't have time to form a question because that was the moment Henry walked into the kitchen. He didn't seem at all bothered that his blonde mother was in their house, making breakfast. He slumped into one of the chairs in the kitchen island and laid his head on the table, letting out a big yawn. Both mothers looked at him quietly, waiting for him to comment.

"Ma, could you please continue making those pancakes please? I'm absolutely starving."

That made Emma laugh as she retook her place next to the stove, pouring more patter into the pan. Regina watched the scene unfold, getting surer and surer that this was all a dream. This is what she wanted. These domestic mornings with her son and his other mother.

She hesitantly took the seat next to Henry, careful not to jostle the balance. Emma and Henry were chatting like this was any other normal day and without them noticing Regina pinched her own arm to make sure she was actually awake. The pinch stung like a bitch so this must be real. Her heartbeat was getting faster and she grew warmer as the moment sank in. She felt really happy. She was aware that it might not last for long but at the moment it was enough.

And it didn't last long.

"Well, well, good morning." said the voice from the doorway. Regina closed her eyes for a second before turning to look at her sister. Zelena was holding baby Robyn in her arms, staring right at her sister with an unreadable look in her eyes.

"Good morning, I made pancakes." Emma offered, none the wiser about the suddenly tight atmosphere that had filled the kitchen.

"I could smell them all the way to my room. Henry, would you be so kind and put Robyn into her chair? I need to talk to Regina about something." Zelena smiled at her nephew who eagerly walked to greet Robyn.

"Oh and the formula is in the-" Zelena started but Emma interrupted her, waving a bottle.

"I got it Zelena, don't worry." Emma smiled and waved at baby Robyn who waved enthusiastically back.

Regina had gotten up and moved closer to her sister who swiftly pulled her from the room. Once they were safe distance away from kitchen, Zelena turned to Regina, clearly angry.

"What the hell Regina?!"

Regina tried to look offended, but she couldn't quite muster that up. That had been her first thought this morning when discovering Emma in her kitchen making breakfast, but if she was honest with herself or with her sister, it felt really nice. Which is why she kept her mouth shut and tried to avoid eye contact.

"Regina." Zelena hissed. "Why are you doing this?"

That made Regina's head snap up and fire burn in her eyes. Oh she was not gonna be blamed for this. "I am not doing anything. I didn't invite her here this morning." Regina whispered, now just as angry as her sister.

"You promised more time together! I don't wanna call you out on this, but this is a mistake. She is with Hook, you cannot go destroying yourself over someone like her! She's not worth it!" Zelena was losing her patience and from the look on Regina's face, she knew she had stepped over the line.

Regina straightened her back and looked at Zelena coldly. Zelena hadn't seen that look in ages, not since they mended their relationship and it made her stomach drop that she was on the receiving end of that now.

Regina whispered coldly, with the full regalness of a queen she once had been. "She is worth everything Zelena. I'm done discussing this with you. Now if you'll excuse me." she made a beeline towards the kitchen, leaving Zelena in her dust.

The redhead wanted to scream as she had unintentionally ruined the trust she had spend a long time building with her sister. All for being too worried about her sisters safety, but it seemed like Regina had no care for her own well being when it came to Emma Swan. Zelena let out a long sigh and made her way slowly towards the kitchen.

The breakfast was an interesting affair. Henry and Emma were constantly chattering like this was a common scene happening every morning. Regina didn't look at Zelena's way once, even when the older sister tried to make eye contact more than once. She knew she had to apologize, but Regina was so damn stubborn. Emma had made a big patch of pancakes for them all to share, but without two of the Mills' knowing, she made a extra special one for Regina. She had slightly clumsily made a pancake into a crown shape and topped that with apple jam as Regina often preferred it. Regina looked at the pancake confused and then up at Emma, who had slight blush on her cheeks as she just notted. That made Regina's heart feel so impossibly light and she cut the crown carefully into smaller bits.

After breakfast Zelena and Robyn left for their mommy-daughter stroller walk around Storybrooke since it was a beautiful day and wasting it inside was almost criminal. Regina wasn't sure what Emma had planned for the rest of her day and she was almost afraid to ask, but Emma seemed to be happy to provide that information without her having to.

"So me and Henry thought we might go to the beach. And I was wondering, well.. We were wondering, would you want to join us?" the question was asked in a awkward manner that was now almost signature for Emma, topped with her irresistible grin.

Regina's mind quickly directed her towards the possibilities of seeing Emma in her bikini. But that was far outweighed by the chance of a family day. A word family brought to her mind someone, who might be included in this plan as well and it made Regina's stomach boil.

"What about Hook? Is he coming?"

That surprised Emma completely. It seemed like she hadn't even thought of that, but after short deliberation, Emma shrugged and said. "Nah, I want to spend today with you and Henry."

It shouldn't have made Regina's heart do back flips, but god it definitely did. She tried to convince herself that this didn't mean anything, that Emma was gonna go back to Hook tonight anyway. Yeah, Emma just wanted to be around Henry and that meant she felt like she needed to invite Regina as well. Yeah, that's what it was.

Three of them got ready for their beach day with the most calming fashion. Regina packed a cooler full of food, knowing full well that Emma and Henry would be hungry at some point. Henry took Emma to the garage to look for some pool toys Regina had gotten him few years back. Regina could hear their loud talking and laughing all the way to the kitchen and she smiled warmly. Trying as she might she couldn't stop the calmness that settled over her. She wanted to cherish these moments but she also didn't. The more she let herself do that, more likely she was to be in pain later. Well, more pain.

Emma insisted on driving so the family packed themselves into a small yellow bug that somehow had survived all these years in the magical town. Regina was making annoyed comments about the car all the way to the beach but that merely made Emma and Henry laugh, both of them having heard the insults many times before.

The weather had brought out nearly everyone else in Storybrooke as well it seemed. When they arrived the beach was full, but with determination only someone with Swan blood could posses, Emma and Henry topped their arms full of all the things they needed and headed towards the corner of the beach near the rocks. Regina was left to lock the bug and to carry her own beach bag. She was making her way to follow the two when she heard her name being called.

She spun around to see Mal making her way to her, looking anything but a witch she had once been. Regina realised just how much they both had changed and how good their life was compared to the times years ago in the Enchanted Forest. She smiled at her friend and they hugged in greeting.

"Well, well, look at you! You crawled out of that mansion of yours to enjoy the sun with the peasants." Mal laughed and Regina couldn't help but laugh at her friends sense of humor.

"You could say that." Regina smiled and that was the moment when Mal noticed the car they were still standing next to. That made her smirk evilly and Regina tried her hardest to look anywhere but at her friend.

"Enjoying the sun with the wife then it seems." somehow the smirk on the former dragons face seemed to get bigger and bigger, growing just as fast as Regina's discomfort. The word 'wife' made Regina's head snap towards the older woman though and her eyes flashed with something.

"Mal, would you stop? She is not my-" but before she could finish her sentence, Mal threw her head back in uproar of laughter. Regina looked at her dumbfounded, unable to understand what had gotten into her friend. It took Mal a good few minutes to calm down enough but when she finally did, she got suddenly serious.

"Regina... You can try to fool anyone, try to fool her, but you cannot fool me. I know you and I can see how much you love her." when Regina opened her mouth to argue, Mal raised her hand to silence her before continuing. "Your secret is safe with me, but for the love of god... Tell Emma."

"Mal..." Regina felt suddenly broken, the lightness of the last few hours leaving her in a big swoosh. "I can't do that to her. She is with Hook. She is with him because she loves him and decides everyday actively to be with him. I cannot ruin that for her. I cannot ruin what we have now, Henry would never forgive me." tears were quickly gathering into her eyes and she tried to will them back.

Mal looked at Regina, feeling her heart break for her friend. She pulled Regina into a hug which the other woman returned a second later. Looking over Regina's shoulder she could see a furious looking blonde stride towards them with a steel in her eyes. A smirk was already pulling at her lips again as she whispered into Regina's ear. "If she actively chooses to be with him everyday, ask yourself this... Why is she here with you today?"

Regina opened her mouth to answer but she was interrupted by the sound of clearly agitated blonde. "Umm, Regina?"

Mal watched in amazement how in only few short seconds Regina transformed from the teary eyed, clearly heartbroken woman into a queen who let not emotion slip if she so chose. What the brunette woman couldn't hide though was the immerse happiness that seeing Emma caused. Her eyes light up and the rigidness from her posture was suddenly gone.

"Yes?" she asked gently smiling. Mal's eyes widened when she saw how Emma's annoyance melted away only to be replaced with the same kind of gentle smile Regina was sporting. It looked like the world had disappeared from around them and they were the only ones even here. Oh god.

"Henry and I found a perfect spot near the rocks if you'd..." she sounded suddenly quieter, more timid and uncharacteristically shy. "... if you'd want to come and see?"

"I'd love to."

Regina's smile was brighter than the sun that was shining over the beach. Emma started to slowly back away, kinda beckoning Regina to come with her and the brunette started to follow after her like in daze.

"So, I'll call you later Regina?" Mal said mostly to herself, quite sure that neither of the women were no longer listening to anything she had to say. Emma shot her a dirty glare, already slipping her hand lightly around Regina's waist to guide her towards the so called 'perfect spot'.

"You are each others perfect spot, I swear to god you are both idiots." Mal muttered while shaking her head. She wanted to do something to help her friend who was clearly in agony and completely unaware that her feelings so obviously weren't one sided. But what could she do? If she somehow messed this up, Regina would murder her and everyone else in this town as her broken heart was surely gonna burn them all. But if she planned this well, she might be able to give the women a little nudge. She knew she couldn't do this alone though...

Regina had to hand it to Henry and Emma. The place they had found was absolutely perfect. It was shielded enough by the high rocks so that they would be getting some privacy as the entire town really was at the beach with them. It was also perfectly positioned to catch all the rays of sun until the very evening. They had a full day ahead of them, sun to enjoy, food to eat and the best company possible.

By the time Emma led Regina to their secret place, Henry had already done most of the organizing. He had opened this massive umbrella he and Emma had found from the garage. He remembered it well, even though it had been years since they had last used it. His mom had always packed it with them whenever she took him to the beach. And Henry had always loved swimming so they had used it a lot. Still it was as good as new, working perfectly without a single fluff of dust on it.

Under the umbrella there were the coolers and few bags containing all their towels and plastic silverware that Regina had insisted they needed. He had already gathered some of her swimming toys, including a big rubber shark. Emma had also brought a volleyball and a Frisbee from her place, full on ready for a beach day.

"Hi moms!" Henry greeted smiling widely and waving his hands around to gesture to his masterpiece. "We are all set up!"

Two sets of smiles were send his way and he quickly busied himself getting the plastic shark ready so he could go swimming as soon as possible. Meanwhile Emma could feel Regina shifting beside her. Looking at the brunette woman, she asked quietly:

"Is this okay? Do you like it?"

Regina turned to look at Emma as well and her breath got stuck in her throat. The sun was giving Emma a halo, shining from just the right angle behind the angelic hair. Regina had noted that the blonde had let it open today, small waves making her look a lot like she did when she first arrived to town. And for the first time in what seemed like ages, Emma had that fire burning behind her eyes. She seemed... happy, carefree, just like she should be feeling. Regina had to shake herself from her thoughts, because Emma's brows had started to frown as concern was making its way on her face.

"Oh Emma, it's beautiful here. I have lived in this town for over 30 years and I have never known there to be a place like this." Regina gestured around, her eyes getting stuck on her son who was still trying to work his way around the swim toys.

"I thought you might like it. I know you don't much enjoy when there are larger amounts of people, so this works for that as well." Emma smiled, taking Regina's hand lightly as she pulled her towards Henry's set up.

What Emma didn't know, was that her touch set Regina's entire arm on fire. Regina was suddenly very aware of every single bit of skin that was touching Emma's. It's not like this was the first time they touched each other, but it was one of the rare times after the engagement. The word engagement was like someone had thrown icy water on her. It made her remember things that she would rather forget in order to fully enjoy the day they had ahead as a family.

Regina blobbed down on the towel that was waiting for her on the ground. She considered burying her face into her hands as she so wished, but she knew she would alarm both Emma and Henry. And she wasn't about to ruin today. What she did though, was busying herself as her mind kept raging on. She was unsure should she be worried that her mind was going on such tailspin on rather regular basis. She went from being the happiest person on earth to feeling so low and broken in the matter of seconds. Is it gonna be like this forever, Regina couldn't help but to think as she watched how Emma had gone to help Henry to get the shark ready.

"Mom, I'm going swimming!" Henry announced as he dashed towards the shore. Regina could feel the familiar squeeze of her heart as she saw Henry enter the water. She was always so worried for her son, and he knew that swimming was one of the 'even worse' things for her. Which is why she really appreciated Henry letting her know he was gonna dive in so she could keep a careful eye on him.

"Hey Regina, I'm gonna join the kid. Are you coming with us?" Emma informed her as well as she jogged over to her and started pulling of her clothes.

Regina tried her hardest not to stare, but as yellow bikini was discovered underneath the summer get up, Regina couldn't help herself. As if it wasn't enough that Emma Swan was an amazing friend, and even better mother, but she had to be so damn gorgeous as well. The blonde seemed to remain completely oblivious though as she kept rambling on about the beach and the sea. The brunette woman wanted nothing more in this very moment than to pull Emma to her and kiss her senseless.

Her inner musings were interrupted as Emma repeated the question. "Will you come with us?" The entire question was asked in such a sweet hopeful voice that Regina had no other options.

"I will."

The next few hours were spend purely in the water. Emma and Regina took turns pushing Henry around on the massive plastic shark and the laugh that Henry let out was so contagious that the mothers couldn't help but join him. Henry and Emma also challenged Regina to try to stand on her hands and stick her legs out of the water. They should have known better than to challenge a Mills into anything as Regina refused to stop until she made it. That left her holding her nose in agony as the salt water always made its way in as she was rolling to get right way around. That was when Emma wrapped her arms around her in a surprise hug and soothed her sweetly. Regina had no idea how, but her nose was definitely feeling a lot better afterwards.

Henry made a first inquiry about food around that time and Regina led the other two to the coolers as she spread out the most wonderful set of picnic food ever seen. Henry and Emma ate with great gusto and were heading back towards the water before Regina stopped them, reminding them both that they had to wait at least an hour after food. Both made whiny noises, but made their way back under the umbrella to lay down for a while.

Henry had packed some comics that they all read happily, swapping stories and opinions on which superhero would be the best. Regina and Henry ended up having an argument on opinions, but they were both smiling wide because they had had the same conversation so many times it was ridiculous.

It was getting closer to the evening as Regina was reading under the umbrella as Emma and Henry had made their way back to the ocean a good while ago. She was turning page in her novel but stopped as she heard a slight vibrating sound. She looked around for her phone but quickly deduced that it wasn't hers. Looking over at Henry's phone that was laying on his towel and realizing it wasn't his either, she set out to find Emma's phone.

The phone was pushed deep into the pocket of the blondes jean shorts. Regina tried to get to it quickly and answered without checking who was calling. And she definitely should have done that.

"Emma's phone, Regina speaking."

The line was quiet. Regina was patiently waiting and just as she was about to ask who was it, a deeply angered voice asked. "Regina, what are you doing with Swan's phone?"

Regina closed her eyes and wished for the gods to turn back time so she would never answer the phone. She took a few calming breaths before answering the question she was asked. "Well, I'm answering it as she is otherwise occupied." she wasn't gonna make this easy for Hook in any way.

"Give her the phone." was growled into her ear but Regina just rolled her eyes. The least he could do was to ask nicely. Regina could feel her lips stretch into a smirk. Oh how she loved to push Hooks buttons to annoy him.

"She is busy, I will tell her you called." Regina said, hearing him huff on the other end of the phone. She could literally feel how Hook's anger was starting to boil over. And that was making Regina really happy.

"I need to speak to her NOW." he was nearly yelling and Regina was getting more pleased by the second. But what stopped her happiness were the next words that filthy pirate spat at her through the phone. "I want to speak to what's mine!"

Now Regina could have easily handled any ill word Hook could have said about her. It wasn't like she hadn't heard all of it before and she knew how to take it. But the way Hook was laying claim on Emma made her blood boil in turn. The way Hook did it seemed so... dirty, that it actually made Regina sick. And it wasn't enough that Emma was being claimed but Hook made her sound like an object instead of a person.

"You listen to me you slimy waste of oxygen. You leave her alone. She is enjoying herself for once." Regina growled into the phone, her eyes following her son and his other mother who were making a massive sand castle by the shore.

"I still need to speak to her and I have every right to do that." Hook said, and it was obvious he was enjoying rattling Regina up just as much as Regina enjoyed doing the same to him. Regina didn't remember the last time she wanted to kill someone so bad.

"You have no right to her. She will speak with you when she wishes and right now she is spending time with our son." Regina wanted to scream but she knew if she so much as raised her voice Emma would hear her. And she rather not have the blonde witness this conversation.

There was a moment of quiet. As Hook started to talk Regina could physically feel the twisted smile he had in place. "She is mine, not yours, Your Majesty."

Regina felt a wave of sickness wash over her as she ended the call. She threw the phone to the general direction of Emma's jeans and laid her head against her knees that had made their way towards her chest. She wasn't sure was that just a comment or did Hook know something. But if it was the latter... She knew he could make her life a living hell in the most painful of ways.

Regina was too busy cursing her emotions that she didn't notice how Emma had hurriedly made her way to her. Only when she laid her hand on her shoulder, did her head snap up and she came face to face with the blonde. Just a breath could fit in the space between their faces and for a short moment they just looked each other in the eyes, neither in no rush to part.

Emma let out a puff of warm air and Regina could feel it in her entire body. The blonde pulled back a little bit and before speaking. "Are you okay?"

Regina wasn't sure what to say. More than anything she wanted to tell Emma what Hook had said but she couldn't do that now. Not when they had such a wonderful day ahead of them. No. This had to wait.

"Yes, I'm fine." Regina smiled at the blonde who looked a bit less concerned but not totally convinced. "The heat is getting to me a bit. Storybrooke wasn't exactly the warmest place on Earth for 28 years."

That made Emma crack up and blob down to sit next to the brunette. Another slightly sun burnt arm was casually wrapped around Regina's shoulder when the other one was reaching towards the cooler to get Regina some water.

Regina gulped down half of the bottle in one go and took some deep breaths. Emma was still looking at her weirdly but she didn't ask again, knowing better than to push. Change of topic was Emma's way to go about this.

"The kid seems to be having fun."

They both looked up at their son who was trying to mold one of the turrets in the massive sand castle he and Emma had build over the course of the last few hours. A serene calmness washed over them ans they looked over, both content in just observing.

"Thank you."

Green eyes turned from Henry to lock with the chocolate brown ones already gazing at her direction. Regina could swear that her heart always lost at least two beats every time their eyes met. It definitely had meant a lot of missed beats over the years. Emma didn't have to vocalize her question because it was shining in her eyes so Regina elaborated.

"For inviting me."

Another smile broke down on the pink lips and before Regina knew it Emma had them pressed to the side of her head and strong arms had pulled her closer to the blondes side. Regina could feel her own arm disobey every single of her commands as it made its way over Emma's muscular stomach to respond to the blondes one armed hug.

"You don't have to thank me, Regina. I just wanted to spend a day with my family."

Regina could feel her heart break and sing at the same time. Oh god, what had she gotten herself into.

At the same time in the other side of the town, another blonde was picking up a phone. She thanked the modern world for the ability to save phone numbers so she didn't have to memorize them. That would be just way too much trouble.

She didn't have to wait for long until the other person picked up. A questioning hello was the only answer she got but that definitely confirmed she was talking with the person she searching for.

"Zelena? It's Mal. I need your help."

MERRY CHRISTMAS SWEN!
I hope everyone is enjoying their holigays!