I'm so glad that so many of you guys found the last chapter so funny! I was laughing as I wrote it. Anyway, happy 4th of July to all of my US readers!
The sun was beginning to set, and Emma couldn't wait. She had spread out a large blanket on the lawn in the backyard, with plenty of food and some sparklers. Regina thought that this celebration was ridiculous, since most of the town wasn't even born in this world, but Emma had worked her magic and a celebration was being planned.
"Remind me again why we're doing this?" Regina asked as she pulled an apple pie out of the oven.
Emma sighed happily at the smell. She loved Regina's apple pie. "Because even though you weren't born in this country, the kids were."
Regina rolled her eyes. "If something catches on fire because of sparklers, I blame you."
Emma laughed. Both women turned as they heard the sound of feet running and giggling. They laughed as Lola went running by, Ava hot on her trail. "Lola, I have to put these bows in your hair! Come here!"
"Poor Lola," Emma said. "I wouldn't want to wear bows either."
"Well she's definitely your daughter," Regina teased.
"Says the woman who carried her for 9 months," Emma countered. Regina just laughed.
"Mommy help!" Lola shouted, running into the kitchen. She ran behind Regina, hiding behind her legs.
Ava ran into the kitchen, panting as she held little bows that looked like flags. "She won't let me put these in her hair."
Regina chuckled and held her hand out for the bows. Ava handed them over, smiling at Regina before leaving the room. Emma rolled her eyes. Ava and Regina were way too close personality-wise.
"Mommy I don't wanna wear those," Lola whined.
Regina knelt down to Lola's level. "Don't you want to look pretty for the fireworks? The bows complete the look!" Lola looked skeptically at Regina.
"The bows are itchy," Lola said. "I don't like them."
"What if your ma wore them too?" Regina asked. Emma froze.
Lola smiled. "Then I guess it would be okay."
Regina smirked up at Emma, who glared back at her. She scooped up Lola, walked around the counter, grabbed Emma's hand, and took her two tomboys upstairs to put in their bows.
"I can't believe that you put a bow in my hair," Emma pouted.
Regina chuckled before leaning over to kiss her cheek. "Oh the sacrifices that you make as a parent."
Emma smiled. She sighed happily as she watched the kids running around the backyard. Henry and Ava were chasing Lola, and all three had sparklers.
Regina wrapped her arm around Emma and pulled her close. Emma smiled before leaning her head on Regina's shoulder. They sat for a few minutes in silence before Emma felt Regina sigh.
"What's wrong?" Emma asked.
"Nothing," Regina said. "I'm just amazed. I never thought that I'd be here. That I'd be this happy."
Emma sat up and kissed Regina gently. "I feel the same way. But I'm so glad that I'm here." They smiled at each other before jumping as Lola ran over and plopped down in between them.
"When do the fireworks start?" Ava asked. She and Henry walked over and plopped down in front of Emma and Regina.
"Should be anytime now," Regina said. She smiled as the fireworks show began. The kids all laid down on the blanket, getting the perfect view of the sky as fireworks of all sizes and colors went off.
Emma leaned over to Regina. "Doesn't seem so ridiculous to celebrate this day, now does it?"
Regina rolled her eyes affectionately before smiling. "Fine, it's not ridiculous."
Emma mock gasped. "You mean, I just proved you wrong?"
Regina laughed, pushing Emma playfully. Emma just laughed and pulled Regina in for a kiss as fireworks went off above them. "Best 4th of July ever."
So I have something that I wanted to run by you guys. There are some authors that have their own "universes" in which they have their own plots and characters and such. What do you guys think about a "Connected" universe (that has Regina and Emma connected obviously) and then another universe that involves the Swan-Mills family, including Ava and Lola? Each universe would have their own stories and sequels and such. Yay or nay?