Regina walked into the mansion after a very long day. So many people wanted so much from her, and it was starting to add up. All she wanted to do was be able to sit and relax with her girlfriend and their son.

Speaking of girlfriend…"Emma?" Regina called. She knew that Emma had the day off, so where was she? Regina climbed the stairs leading to their bedroom, hoping that Emma would be ok.

"Hello?" Regina said. She peeked her head into the bedroom, but saw no signs of Emma. Shrugging, she headed into the bedroom, not noticing Emma hidden behind the door.

"Boo!" Emma yelled, jumping out from behind the door. Regina screamed and fell back against the wall.

"What the hell Emma?" Regina exclaimed. "What was that for?"

Emma laughed. "Relax Regina. I was bored, so I decided to have a little fun."

Regina slowly sunk to the floor as her breathing sped up. "Regina?" Emma asked. "Are you ok?"

Regina shook her head. "I don't like surprises," she whimpered. Emma mentally hit herself. There were still things that she was learning about Regina, and it looks like surprising Regina was something to add to the "Do Not Do" list.

"I'm sorry love," Emma said, crouching down to Regina's level. "I didn't know that it would scare you like this, or I wouldn't have done it."

Regina slightly smiled. "I'll be fine," she said. "Just give me a few seconds." Emma nodded before scooting to sit next to Regina. Regina rested her head on Emma's shoulder and relaxed. Within several seconds, her breathing returned to normal.

"So why don't you like surprises?" Emma asked.

Regina shuddered. "Don't worry about it," she said. "Let's just go to bed." Emma sighed before standing up. Regina could be stubborn when she wanted to. Nothing could make her speak if she didn't want to.

Regina had just gotten back from a wonderful riding lesson. She knew that once she came inside, her mother would make her do her lessons.

Regina walked inside, and was greeted by her smiling mother. Regina immediately hesitated. Her mother never smiled.

"Mother," Regina said. "Is everything alright?"

"Everything is perfect, darling," Cora said. "For once you've done something right."

Regina looked at mother, very confused. She hardly ever did anything right in her mother's book. So what had she done? "Mother?" Regina asked.

Cora smiled wider. "The king is downstairs, Regina. And he is proposing to marry you!"

"What?" Regina asked. Her? Married? To a king? "But I-"

"Shush darling," Cora said. "Surprise."

Regina sat up quickly, gasping for air. She looked over and was relieved to see that Emma was still fast asleep.

Getting out of bed as quietly as possible, Regina headed downstairs. She needed to get away from everything and just think. She felt guilty for not telling Emma why she really hated surprises, but she didn't want Emma to think less of her for being scared of something so silly as surprises.

"Regina?" Emma called, walking into the kitchen. Regina spun around and saw her girlfriend rubbing her eyes tiredly.

"Emma," Regina said. "What are you doing up? You should still be sleeping."

Emma shrugged. "You got out of bed," she said. "It woke me up. Why are you up?"

"Nightmare," Regina said. She went to leave the room, but Emma reached out and grabbed her wrist. She was wide-awake now.

"Talk to me Regina," Emma said softly. "I want to help. Let me in."

Regina sighed. "My mother surprised me one day with the news that I would be marrying Leopold. I've hated surprises every since."

Emma pulled Regina into a hug. "I'm so so sorry," she said.

Regina shook her head. "You couldn't have known," she said. "You're the first person that I've ever told that story to."

Emma squeezed her tighter. "I promise to never surprise you like that ever again."

Regina kissed her tenderly on the lips. "I love you," she said.

"I love you too," Emma said.