A/N: A very special thank you to ariestess for both prompting with the first sentence and the quick edit. Any mistakes are my own. Enjoy!

Noah's first tooth was enough to drive her to the brink of insanity, but Regina proved the calmer head.

"You see, store bought items are only so useful," Regina says, cradling Noah in her arms as she massages his gums with her index finger. "Sometimes all a child needs is a mother's touch."

"That's nice," Olivia sighs, stretching out on the couch as she watches the other woman amble across the living room, "that you think of him as your son already."

"Oh, I didn't mean -" Regina pauses, eliciting a whimper from the baby. "You're his mother, Olivia. I adore Noah, but you and I have only been -"

"I know," she smiles, though her son's renewed agitation is clear as he wiggles and whines in Regina's arms. "We've only known each other a few months, but whatever we are, however you want to define our relationship, that doesn't matter to him."

Regina doesn't respond, choosing instead to focus on Noah. She rocks him gingerly, shushing gently as she begins to massage his gums once again. Olivia's words churn in her mind, and though she avoids the sergeant's glance, she knows she's being watched.

"I see the way you look at him," Olivia adds softly, "and you are so much better at this than me. I don't know what I would've done tonight if you hadn't swept in."

"It's simply a matter of experience," Regina responds coolly, her eyes still averting her partner's. "I'm not an expert, just a mother. Like you, and you'll learn, with time."

"I tried to read some of those parenting books but they're just so -"

"Dull?"

"I'd rather look through security footage," she groans, "or tackle the mound of paperwork on my desk."

Finally, Regina looks up, a buoyant chuckle rising from her throat.

"Well, I'll admit I did read quite a few myself when Henry was little. They're rather informative, but I would've been lost if not for Ms. Lucas."

"I'm glad you had someone to help you, being a single mom is hard." Olivia tilts her head, her gaze is scrutinizing, and Regina involuntarily bites her lip. "but I get the feeling there's more to the story."

"I... resisted her advice at first," she admits, looking down to find Noah's desperate attempts to keep his eyes open, "but I came to appreciate it in time. I suppose it's my turn to pay it forward."

They fall into a comfortable silence. Regina focuses on the sleepy child in her arms and Olivia simply relaxes, observing two of the people she loves most in the world. Neither woman has expressed their feelings; an unspoken agreement prevents the words from being exchanged. Olivia knows, though, somehow, that what they have is real. Between the two of them and their sons, they're family.

"Come here," she says, patting the couch cushion.

"He's on the brink of sleep," Regina protests as she continues to sway slightly.

"Come anyway," she insists.

Of course, Regina ignores her.

"I have an incredible urge to kiss you right now." It's enough to pull Regina's gaze away from Noah, and Olivia certainly doesn't miss the way her eyes widen with desire. "But I'm too exhausted to get up. So bring our sweet Noah and get over here."

And so, finally, Regina does as asked, settling comfortably next to her partner. Olivia drapes an arm over Regina's shoulder, pulling her in for a slow, tender kiss. They part slightly, foreheads resting against each other, eyes closed as they take long, calming breaths. The undeclared I love you tingles across their skin and pounds in their chests.

"Thank you, Regina," she breathes, receiving a contented hum in response.

Olivia pulls away after a short while, bringing her free hand to stroke Noah's hair. His eyes flutter and she smiles before leaning down to plant a kiss to his forehead. When she rises, Olivia finds his eyes are closed and Regina's eyes are shimmering, a small smile on her lips. She settles back against the couch and Regina rests her head on Olivia's shoulder.

The three of them remain in silence. Time passes, and before they know it, Noah's mothers join him in the land of dreams.