Oh my God guys, we only have three chapters left of this wonderful story! Thank you so much Courtney for being with me all the way!

As Regina pulled up to the house the sight that greeted her was slightly alarming, but oddly reassuring at the same time.

Cora was sitting atop the bench in the garden alone, and looking tired. As if she had had a long day. She was also seemingly pondering something serious. Still, that was her and Henry's spot for the odd times when Cora decided to come along with them for the weekend.

It was the same bench Cora and Henry had shared on the occasional summer night when Regina was little, and it was amazing for her to see her mother making use of it again. It made her think her mother was actually trying to change.

As she studied the older brunette, she figured her mother might be missing Henry. It was.. an almost heart warming feeling. Of course she was missing her husband. The two were married years before Regina was even born.

Regina quickly snapped back to reality when Belle screamed. Regina chuckled when she realized it was because they were almost in the pasture, and Rocinante had noticed a big pile of apples laying there.

Huh, mother remembers daddy's ritual? Regina thought to herself with glee, before she pulled the horse to a stop. He neighed and stamped with his hooves to show his disappointment, but obeyed.

"Patience, boy." she said when Belle helped Regina climb down off the carriage.

"Didn't Henry always do that?" Belle asked, a bit out of breath, and pointed to the apples in the pasture.

Regina nodded as she took off the reins, then patted Rocinante's neck and led him into the pasture. He immediately ran to the pile of apples, and began his feast. Regina couldn't stop smiling.

Soon after Belle and Regina had arrived back at the cottage, Ruby and Emma arrived as well. They were a bit tipsy, but it hardly showed.

"Hey, sexy ladies!" Ruby yelled and Emma slapped her sister's arm with a laugh.

"Why, you little..." Ruby growled with laughter in her voice and was just about to chase after Emma, but unfortunately, gravity got the best of the redhead.

Seemingly out of nowhere, there was a big hole in the ground. Ruby tripped and faceplated into the grass, then the fishing rods flew in different directions, as did the bag with bait and the empty beer cans.

Regina winked mockingly at Belle, who just rolled her eyes.

"She's as graceful as always." Regina teased but Belle didn't even reply. She ran, instead, over to her girlfriend and helped her up to her feet.

"Hello there, clumsy." Belle grinned and laid her arms around Ruby, then dragged her close as she pressed her lips against Ruby's pouting ones.

"Hi, babe." Ruby replied and shook her head as she saw Emma stride over to Regina.

Belle cast a quick look after her, before she met Ruby's eyes again.

"Wow. She looks really happy." Belle mockingly gasped.

"Yep!" Ruby grinned. "She looks like a teenage girl in love..." she stated, as her eyes found the other couple. Belle found herself just staring at Ruby. I swear, Ruby, you are perfect for me! I really hope you say yes!

Emma wanted to kiss Regina and tell her about how much she had missed her, but she froze.

Cora was just standing meters away, and even though she wasn't facing their direction, Emma was tentative.

Regina sensed the blonde's anxiety, and surprised her by dragging her into a sweet kiss.

"But.. I.. Your.. Your mother?" Emma frowned and Regina just shrugged.

"So? She probably wants to change, or else she would have had you incapacitated by now." Regina chuckled and Emma rolled her eyes

"Yeah, but I don't want to push our luck, you know? Also, if she can accept you being gay, and you being with me, I don't want her to think of me as a horny freak."

"Oh dear, just don't use those words around her, and I think you'll be fine." Regina reassured her, and swung her arm around her girlfriend, then kissed her neck.

As the evening approached, Belle had showered and fixed her hair. Ruby stopped in the doorway and gasped slightly as she saw her girlfriend.

"Hey, sexy.." Ruby grinned and Belle turned around then met Ruby's sparkling eyes and felt her heart skip a beat.

"Hi, Rubes." Belle smiled and received a gentle kiss.

"You look… breathtaking." Ruby stated and let her fingers brush against Belle's breasts. "You always look amazing in this dress."

Belle got goosebumps from the touch, and felt her nervousness just disappear. She knew Ruby was the one. She had always known.

"Thanks, baby. I wanted to look special for tonight." Belle replied and continued to apply makeup to her face. Ruby raised an eyebrow and wondered what her girlfriend was up to, but decided not to ask.

"Well, I guess I should wear something nice too then." Ruby chuckled and laid her arms around Belle's waist then placed a gentle kiss against the back of her neck.

"I love you, my beautiful bookworm." the two smiled at each other through the mirror.

Belle shivered when Ruby kissed her neck and whispered into her ear that she loved her. Ruby did this often, but Belle reacted like it was the first time every time.

Maybe they weren't old enough in other people's eyes, to have such strong feelings for each other.

Some people would even say they didn't know what the word "Love" actually meant, but they had never, and would never, care about what people thought.

Belle had loved Ruby as long as she could remember, and they had always been close.

Even though she had been close to Regina as well, she and Ruby connected on a completely different level.

It was impossible to say how or what made their relationship so special, but you could see it in their eyes. Even a blind person could see how much they loved one another.

Cora was in the kitchen preparing lasagna, Henry and Regina's favorite. It had been ages since she last cooked a meal, but she wanted to do something special for her daughter. Something that showed her love and support.

Cora knew it was gonna be a hard and long road to walk, before Regina would trust her again, and she knew the best way to get a bit closer to Regina, was to somehow connect with Emma.

But that was probably gonna be Cora's biggest obstacle. Emma was protective of Regina and her unborn baby, and that made Cora both proud, and afraid in some way. It would probably be best to just leave them be, but she had to try!

Emma reminded Cora of Henry in so many ways. She had a big heart, and would go through fire for the ones she loved. In a way though, Emma reminded Cora of herself.

Emma had been pushed away by the people who were supposed to care, and as Cora had turned that experience into behaving like a cold hearted ice queen, Emma had just become suspicious and frail.

Cora was determined to make Emma trust her, she just didn't know how. She figured though, honesty would be the best rout.

All the scars from the past, and the treatment she got because she had feelings for a girl, had messed Cora up, and she had not processed it well at all.

Instead, when Henry died, she turned into her own father in some way. She had not been as abusive as him of course, but that didn't matter.

She had struck Regina, and forced her to push her friends away. Henry had been so close to those two, that it hurt just as bad to see them as it did to see Regina.

In the end she pushed away her own daughter, but hopefully not for good. Cora shook her own head, and put the lasagna into the oven with a big sigh.

She knew her behavior after Henry's death had made Regina think her own mother didn't want to talk at all about her father.

That wasn't the reason. No, but Cora had never told her why she had been like she had.

The real reason she had not wanted to hear or talk about Henry, was that she had lost the biggest reason to live, when he had taken his last breath.

She owed her life to Henry, because if he hadn't shown up that day, Cora would have probably taken her own life.

She hadn't told him that though.

When Cora lost her post as a mayor she had found another job that kept her away from home, sometimes for months at a time.

She had abandoned her daughter when she needed her the most. Cora groaned at herself and past mistakes as she took a sip of her wine.

Cora had tried to find someone else to have in her life. She really didn't want to be alone. No one had even come close to Henry. In all honesty, the notion of trying to replace him made her queasy. That's what it always felt like. It always seemed forced.

So instead, she just started working more and more, to run away from her loneliness. Henry's fortune was copious, so she didn't have to work, but she couldn't live with her sadness.

So she chose to run from it, always using work as an excuse. She had always tried to be a part of the rich and snobby community, just to belong to something. After all, doesn't everyone want to be a part of something bigger? To belong? To fit in?

Somewhere along the way it went to Cora's head. She started to look down on the people who didn't have much, and deny that she had been one of them.

People were scared of her and she began to see her money as her best friend. Everything was supposed to be a certain way, and she was always thinking about what other rich people thought of her.

But with Henry, she didn't have to think or be a certain way. When it was only him around her, she could relax.

Since he died so suddenly, her whole world fell apart. There she was, expected to raise a teenage daughter alone, and she had never been good at this whole parenting thing.

Henry had been the natural parent. Now she was on her own, and it scared Cora.

On top of everything, Regina just had to be gay. She didn't know what to do, but she snapped. Her own father's way of thinking of homosexuals, came into her head at some point.

It wouldn't look good to have a gay daughter, Cora told herself and that was when the idea that she should marry Regina off to Daniel popped up.

Of course, suddenly a blonde girl named Emma showed up. She had tried to threaten both Granny and the blonde, but neither of them stood down.

Instead, Emma challenged Cora and that had shocked her. Maybe being gay wasn't so bad after all. Maybe she should just care about her daughter's happiness, just as Henry had.

When Cora had read the newspaper and found out what Daniel had done to her daughter, she felt sick to her stomach.

In what way could a man who behaved like that, be better than Emma, who actually loved Regina to pieces?

Now, when Daniel was locked up, Emma was still standing by Regina's side, even willing to help raise a baby that obviously wasn't hers.

Well, the baby is hers now…..

"Do you need some help?" a voice asked and Cora snapped back to reality when she noticed Eugenia standing in the doorway.

The old woman was just the type of person Cora wished she had the guts to be, and that was probably why Cora had been so hard on her throughout the years. She had been jealous. Just not for the reason Eugenia always thought.

"Oh, no thank you, Mrs. Lucas. Just go back in the living room and relax." Cora replied and the old woman nodded as she left.

Cora took another sip of her wine and wished Henry would have still been here.

She would have done anything for a gentle hug from him, and a kiss on her forehead, and his beautiful voice reminding her of what a wonderful person she was.

He would convince her that the past was the only thing making her behave wrongly.

Sadly, Henry wasn't around anymore. And he would never be again. Cora couldn't use the same old tired excuses anymore. She knew she had to grow up at some point.

That thought didn't really help how lonely she still felt now though. And she would give anything for another chance at raising Regina.

She would love if they were closer, but right now all she could do was be honest about herself, and open to change.

Emma was laying in bed, just thinking. She was a bit anxious, and was glad when Regina entered the room. She laid down next to Emma and laid a little box on the blonde's stomach.

"What's this?" Emma frowned and met Regina's eyes.

"Just open it, dear" Regina answered with an eyeroll and an excited smile. Emma nodded, tugging on her bottom lip.

She wasn't used to getting presents, but as she opened the box and saw the little silver necklace, she almost lost it.

It was a little Swan, and on it she read "To My Own Special Swan" Emma looked up and Regina smiled at her.

"Do you like it?" Regina asked anxiously.

"Are you kidding me? I love it! Thank you so much!" Emma grinned and embraced her girlfriend in a right hug. You make me so happy!

They cuddled close, but suddenly a voice made them both flinch.

"Miss Swan, may I speak with you?" Cora asked in a gentle tone, but Emma gritted her teeth as she sat up. Cora.

"Ehm sure? What do you want? To yell at me or like, tell me to go to hell?" Emma snarled.

She didn't trust Regina's mother at all. The small gestures she had made as of recently only slightly humanized her in Emma's eyes.

Ruby met her reflection in the mirror. She had chosen to wear her favourite black jeans and her sheer grey shirt.

She grinned at herself, even if she felt a bit nervous, without even understanding why.

She just knew Belle was up to something, and that always made Ruby a bit nervous.

Mostly because she was usually the reserved one. While Ruby was usually the reckless one always planning something.

The redhead shook her head, and went downstairs to Belle, who was waiting in the hall.

Ruby smiled as she saw her. She looked so immaculate, in her red dress. It really showed off her curves, and her smile alone made Ruby's heart skip a beat.

Everything from her makeup to her beautiful smile was flawless.

"So, I'm ready..." the redhead stared dumbly and Belle nodded as took her hand.

Belle had been down to the beach when Ruby had been getting ready, so she had lit the fire.

She regretted her shoe choice quickly though, as the two made their way down to the beach towards the fire.

High heels and sand weren't the best combination, and she laughed when Ruby scooped her up in her arms, then carried her down to the fireplace. Ruby put her down and their lips met in a gentle kiss.

"Wow, this looks amazing!" Ruby said as she glanced around. The fire was burning and crackling wildly, and the benches surrounding it were covered in red roses, and held a small speaker. Belle had connected it to her phone, that was playing "Only You"

"Only the best for you, my love." Belle shrugged as they sat down. Her heart was beating like crazy, but when she felt Ruby's hand give her a gentle squeeze, she felt the anxiety leave her body almost completely.

"Belle, you're shaking. Is something wrong?" Ruby asked anxiously as their eyes locked.

Belle tugged on her bottom lip, and suddenly felt how she couldn't wait anymore. She was gonna pop the question.

It was now or never.

"Nope, nothing's wrong" Belle replied and took a deep breath. "Just. Close your eyes for a sec."

"Sure, but I'll kill you if you throw sand or something at me, you know?" Ruby chuckled and Belle rolled her eyes.

"Just close your eyes, you big idiot." Belle stated fondly and Ruby chuckled as she followed orders.

Ruby then felt her heart in her throat. What was Belle really up to? She had never seen her this nervous, but in a way she had never looked more cute.

Ruby grinned to herself, and wondered when she would have the guts to a actually ask Belle to marry her.

She knew they were young, but she had already talked to her Granny about it so many times. There was no one else better for her.

"Granny?" Ruby asked, interrupting the old woman's knitting.

"Yes?" Granny asked with a gentle smile and met her granddaughter's eyes.

"Ehm, I have something I really need to talk to you about.."

"So, spill, or whatever you teenagers say nowadays" Granny chuckled. Ruby remained silent and Granny started to worry a little. "Out with it Red, I'm starting to worry."

"I know you're gonna think I'm crazy, and probably slap me but eh…" Ruby mumbled and took a deep breath.

"I wanna ask Belle to marry me….and I just….want to know what you think about it. I'm too young. I'm crazy, right?" Ruby felt herself blush.

"Ruby you're not crazy. At least not to me." Granny said and laid away her knitting, then moved closer to her granddaughter and took her hands in her own.

"I will always support you, on every decision you make, and you know how much I adore Belle. You and her are soulmates! So what if you're young?

Who says, or has the right to tell you that you have to be as old as me before you get married? Especially to someone you've been in live with your entire life."

Ruby grinned at her grandmother.

She was so wise and so sweet. And she had always been so supportive of Ruby and Belle's relationship.

"Well, I guess you're right." Ruby smiled brightly and embraced her grandmother in a tight hug.

"Well, I know this sounds really ancient, but you have my blessing, Ruby"

Belle took a deep breath and felt her whole body shake with anxiety again. She had made up so many scenarios in her head of what could happen, but deep down she had nothing to worry about.

So with a deep breath, she kneeled down on one knee, then cursed a bit to herself for wearing a dress.

As she examined Ruby's tanned features, she stopped worrying about everything. Nothing mattered.

Only her.

"Okay, you can look" Belle whispered, and Ruby opened her eyes slowly, then raised an eyebrow at her girlfriend who was in front of her on one knee.

"Belle as much as I love you, I don't think eating me out here is such a smart idea.." Ruby joked and Belle shook her head at her.

So typical of Ruby to tell a sex joke. She always did that when she was nervous. Which meant that Ruby was nervous right now, and for some odd reason, it made Belle smile brightly.

She now had all the courage she needed.

"Idiot." Belle chuckled and Ruby shrugged. "Just shut up for a sec, okay? This is gonna be really emotional so…. Just. Just be quiet."

"Sir, yes sir!" Ruby grinned and bit her lip and Belle smiled even brighter.

"Ruby Lucas, you know how much I love you, right? I have always loved you, and I'm so glad I had the chance to grow up with you.

You have always been my best friend, and nobody can make me laugh like you. Even though sometimes you drive me crazy, I can't and I won't picture a life without you in it.

You stood by me when I was in a coma for almost a half year, and that is always gonna blow me away. You always make me smile, and calm me down when I get upset over the smallest things, like when a book doesn't lay on the right place." Ruby chuckled as a tear rolled down her face.

Belle took another deep breath, and reached after the black box behind her back, and when Ruby saw it she covered her mouth with her hands. Belle opened it, and inside there was a ring.

It was the most breathtaking ring Ruby had ever seen. It screamed their names, but Ruby couldn't help but wonder how her girlfriend had been able to buy it, because that wasn't a cheap ring. It must have cost a shit load of cash.

"And I can't wait to have kids with you, and well we already have our dream house, ehm. So Ruby Lucas, will you make me the happiest girl in the whole fucking world, and Marry Me already?" Ruby laughed as she wiped her face again and nodded quickly.

"Yes! Of course!" Ruby said with tears rolling down her cheeks again. Belle grinned and put the ring on Ruby's finger. After she had done that, Ruby grabbed Belle and dragged her into a close yet awkward hug because of their positions.

"I love you!" Ruby breathed out and pressed her lips against Belle's.

Emma and Regina shared a confused look before Emma placed a gentle kiss on her girlfriends lips. She noticed, out of the corner of her eye, Cora almost smiled at the gesture. What the actual fuck? Emma wondered confused.

Cora took Emma for a walk in the garden. The blonde wanted to give Cora a piece of her mind again, but chose not to.

So, instead she was just studying Cora, trying to read her body language. And she jumped when Cora suddenly broke the silence.

"Miss Swan. I know we started on the wrong foot, so to speak." Cora stated and Emma gave her a 'Duh' look.

"Well, that's an understatement.." Emma muttered, and Cora chuckled, making Emma frown.

"Funny, you chose just those words. Mrs. Lucas said exactly the same thing when I talked to her. You are truly her daughter." Emma almost lost her balance. "It's hard to believe you're not truly related by blood."

Cora spoke in such a gentle tone, and she had never referred to Emma as Granny's daughter before.

She had always pointed out that Emma was nothing more than a foster kid, an orphan. What was she up to? Emma took a deep breath, and met Cora's stare fully.

"Look," Emma started. "I don't know what you're after, nor if this sudden change of attitude of yours is just an act….or...or not, but nothing you do or say, can scare me away from Regina and the baby, because I love them. And I will fight for them, as well as for my family." Cora nodded and offered her a patient smile.

"I can see why Regina loves you so much." Cora replied. "You remind me so much of her father." a small tear rolled down the woman's cheek at the realization.

"You have the same spirit as Henry, and the same twinkle in your eye, Emma Swan."

Emma couldn't grip what was actually happening. Cora was so sweet now, but it had just been a few days.

Before, she had been a total bitch. What had changed? Something big must have changed, Emma decided. It couldn't just be Emma's cutting words for Cora the other day.

Or could It?

The blonde continued to ponder, as she followed Cora to a big tomb stone. The blonde snapped back to reality and bit her lip.

"I don't know if Regina has showed you yet, but if she hasn't, I guess she will. This is Henry's resting place." Cora said with a low voice as another tear rolled down her cheek, and Emma gripped her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze, without even thinking about it.

When she realized what she was doing she pulled her hand back, and bit her lip. She turned her eyes back to the tomb stone.

There was nothing overly special about it, but in a way there was. Emma smiled a bit and laid one of her hands on top of it.

"Hey Henry, I'm ehm, I'm your daughter's girlfriend, and I'm gonna raise a son with her soon. We're actually naming him after you.."

Emma bit her lip again, after she took a step backwards, not knowing if she had taken a step too far. She hadn't realized that Cora was watching her closely, with tears steadily leaking from her eyes. Emma read aloud as she examined the tombstone.

"Here lies Henry Mills

A wonderful Husband

Cherished Father

& Truest Friend.

Beloved to all

We will never forget you."