A/N: Thank you so much to everyone who has read, reviewed, and added this story to their follows and favorites. The experience of writing this story has been amazing and I will miss it tremendously. I hope you enjoy the epilogue.

Mega-thanks as always to my friend and beta-reader Hunnyfresh – this story would not be what it is without you.

Sans blindfold, Regina ascended the spiral staircase that approached the clock tower. Emma followed behind her bursting with excitement and nerves. She was certain her heart would explode before they even got through the first course.

The library was days from reopening and the building was beautifully remodeled. Regina was pleased to see, though, that the clock tower itself had maintained its rustic atmosphere with the same exposed brick and unfinished feeling, although the floor had been redone and the table and chairs were now a permanent fixture. The same type of orchids that Emma had placed on the table on their first date were sitting in a small vase matching the elegant place settings perfectly. The same Christmas lights had been strung around the room providing a dim glow.

Emma pulled Regina's chair out as she finished looking at the surroundings. Emma herself only had eyes for the beautiful brunette across the table. They sat and immediately Emma extended her hand palm up for Regina to place her own atop it, which she did. Emma gave a winning smile and said, "Happy Anniversary".

"Happy Anniversary, Emma. This is all beautiful and so romantic. Although you know, dear, if you wanted to replicate our first date, we really should be doing this in my office."

"Oh no, Madame Mayor. That was no date. That was an appointment."

Regina blushed at the reminder but gave a playful smirk, "I suppose I could concede the point. Although I do recall a goodnight kiss."

Emma beamed at her as her father came in carrying the first course. Immediately, Regina's posture stiffened and her smile dropped. She scowled momentarily at Charming before remembering herself and adopting her best regal mask. He had not missed the look, however and he cleared his throat awkwardly as he set the salad before them. He gave a nervous smile to both of them and mumbled, "Happy Anniversary" before scurrying back down the steps.

"What was that all about?"

Regina's mayoral smile stretched across crimson lips as she replied "I'm sure I don't know."

Emma's lie detector went off like a foghorn but for the time being she decided to let it go so they could enjoy their special night together. She could always bug Regina about it tomorrow until she got a real answer. Instead she poured wine for them as Regina dished the salad, falling into their normal roles. Once they had expressed their love for one another, the domestic habits were quick to follow although it was another six months before Emma and Henry had officially moved in.

"Would you like to toast or shall I?"

"If you'll allow it, Madame Mayor, I would like the honor."

Regina gave a small nod as she extended her glass and waited for Emma to speak.

"To you, Regina Mills. This past year has been a dream come true and I'm honored to have spent it with you. You challenge me and make me want to be the best version of myself. I look forward to seeing where the future takes us."

Emma gave a breathtaking smile as she extended her own glass to clink against Regina's. Their eyes never strayed from one another's as they sipped their wine. Their gaze lingered for a few moments more until Emma exclaimed, "Right! Let's eat, I'm starving!"

Regina gave an affectionate chuckle as they both began to enjoy their salad and share their favorite memories of their year together. Their conversation paused only briefly as their entrees arrived carried by Snow, who attempted three times to say something, but eventually ran out with a tremulous sob. Emma stared after her a moment before declaring, "My parents are really weird."

"I've been trying to tell you that for ages, dear."

When Henry came with their dessert he beamed at them both and gave each one a lingering hug and a kiss on the cheek before leaving the room with a mischievous grin. After they had finished devouring their shared slice of turtle cheesecake he returned with two boxes. Placing a small rectangular box in front of Emma and a larger one in front of Regina he said proudly, "Happy Anniversary, Moms. I love you both," and ran back down the stairs.

Emma's eyes had lit up at the sight of what was clearly a jewelry box. She had never before received jewelry from a suitor and she knew that Regina had exquisite taste. Seeing her gleeful expression, Regina said softly, "You go first."

Emma tore the perfect wrapping off the box in her haste to open it and inside found a beautiful silver chain with a perfect silver swan with a crown on its head. The eye of the swan was a tiny emerald and within the center of the crown sat a small ruby. Along the feathers of the wings were rows of tiny diamonds. She looked up at Regina in awe.

"Regina, this is beautiful."

"Yes, well…I thought perhaps it was time to put away the keychain." Regina's tone was teasing but her face had flushed with pleasure that her gift was so well received. She stood from her chair and walked behind Emma to clasp the necklace. She leaned down and placed a tender kiss on Emma's neck below her ear and then whispered, "It represents us together. Do you…do you like it?"

Emma turned her face and caught Regina's lips with her own, her hand cupping the nape of Regina's neck. "I love it. Thank you."

Regina placed another kiss on Emma's lips before walking back to her seat. Emma looked nervous but excited as Regina began to carefully pull away each piece of tape and folded the paper beside her before opening the box. Inside were two leather-bound books. She pulled out the top and opened the cover to find a picture of them and a handwritten message saying "Our First Year".

"Emma, what is this?"

"Keep looking."

As Regina turned page after page she found the book filled with memories of their first year together. Emma had painstakingly glued in movie ticket stubs and theater playbills. She had put in photos of the two of them enjoying a picnic on the beach with Henry, bowling with the whole Charming clan, laughing at the diner with Ruby, and all manner of other activities, some special and some completely mundane. In every available space where there were not memories pasted in, Emma had written lyrics to all of their favorite songs.

By the time Regina reached the end, silent tears were streaming down her face. She looked up at Emma in awe to see her nervously smiling in response. Regina gave a watery smile before looking down into the box and pulling out the other album. Confused, she opened it to find three words written on the inside cover and the rest of the book completely blank.

"Happily Ever After? But it's empty."

Emma rose from her chair and knelt down in front of Regina, taking delicate hands into her own and gazing into Regina's wide eyes.

"I prefer to think of it as full of potential. This last year has been the best of my life. I finally found the family that I've wanted since I was old enough to understand what a family is. You have made me happier than I ever knew I could be and if you'll let me, I will spend the rest of my life trying to make you as happy. You are my true love and my happy ending. I love you with all that I am. Regina Mills, will you marry me?"

Regina's eyes were swimming as she took in the sight of Emma glowing before her, her face full of hope. Emma pulled a small velvet box out and extended it to Regina, opening it to reveal a beautiful green sapphire exactly the shade of Emma's eyes set in a white gold band. Regina gasped as she gazed at it and wondered how Emma knew that she found diamond rings impersonal. After a few moments she realized she had failed to respond and Emma's hopeful smile was rapidly becoming panicked before she said, "Yes."

"You will?" Emma squealed.

"Of course I will," Regina wiped her streaming eyes as she extended her hand for Emma to place the right on her finger. "Oh Emma, it's perfect."

Emma beamed at her and then lunged forward to catch her lips for a breathtaking kiss. Regina pulled her closer and deepened the kiss before suddenly starting to laugh. Emma broke the kiss off abruptly and pulled back. "What's funny?"

Regina said nothing but continued to laugh hysterically for several moments before she calmed herself down and said, "It's…it's nothing dear. This just explains so much."

Emma frowned and said, "Explains so much about what?"

"Your parents knew that you were proposing tonight, didn't they?"

"Yes, of course. They helped with the planning of the evening, why?"

"Well, you see. I met with dear Charming last week to request his permission to ask for your hand."

"You did?"

"Yes, I did. And he acted very upset that I would ask. He said that he felt he had done as much as anyone could expect by accepting us and that I could not ask for more. He stormed out after that."

"He did?"

"He did."

"And you just left it at that?"

Regina looked up guiltily at the ceiling.

"Regina…what did you do?"

"I may have employed Pongo to wreak havoc with Perdita and the puppies."

"You didn't!"

"Well, they're not going to hurt him. They've just left him some special presents in his shoes for when he gets home tonight. And he may want to wash his clothing."

"Oh, Regina."

"I thought he was judging me unworthy to be with you! What would you have done?"

"I guess some mess in his shoes isn't exactly as bad as a sleeping curse. I'm a little surprised you let his lack of permission stand in your way."

"Who said that I did?"

"But…"

Regina stood to reach into her clutch and pulled out a small velvet box. She knelt before Emma so that they were facing each other and took Emma's hand in her own, placing it over her heart.

"Emma Swan, you are the most infuriating, intoxicating woman I've ever known. Before you came into my life, I had known only loneliness and heartache for so many years I believed I would never be whole again. When Henry brought you to Storybrooke, I reacted strongly to the threat you presented to my relationship with Henry. Once you chose to stay I feared the threat that you presented to my heart. If I allowed myself to have feelings for you it would mean upheaval of the world that I created. But when you took the chance to bid in the auction, my world was changed regardless of my fear. From that point on, the thing I feared losing most was not Henry or the curse, it was the way you made me feel. I never want to be without that feeling again. You and Henry are my family and my whole world. And I plan to protect you and love you in this life and the next."

Without another word, she opened the box and showed Emma a white gold band with an amethyst stone the exact shade of her magic surrounded by a circle of diamonds that resembled the necklace Emma never took off. Emma gasped and then surged forward, pulling Regina's body flush with her own where they knelt on the floor and kissing her fiercely. She was unable to communicate with words the depth of the emotion she felt and found that this was her only means of expression. When the need to breathe became impossible to ignore, she pulled back. Both of their cheeks were wet with tears and it was impossible to say whose they were. Regina reached down and put the ring on Emma's shaking hand then kissed the knuckles underneath.

"Hey you guys, can we come up yet?" Henry's voice called out from the staircase.

Emma laughed and rested her forehead against Regina's giving her one more tender kiss before calling back, "Get up here, kid," and standing, extending her hand to help Regina up.

Henry bounded up the stairs and stared around for a moment in silence, Charming and Snow coming up to stand behind him. After a few moments silence Henry burst out, "So did she say yes?"

Regina held out her hand in response to show her ring on her finger. Henry ran over and hugged them both around the waist screaming, "Yes! Now we're all a family!"

Snow wiped her tears away with pale fingers as Charming put his arm around her shoulder and cleared his suddenly choked throat. They watched their little girl glowing in the arms of her son and the woman she loved and thought that maybe now they could finally have the peace they'd always desired.

Emma broke away from the family first to walk over and embrace her mother, extending her own newly adorned hand to show the perfect ring Regina had selected. Snow and Charming hugged her tightly to them and then walked with her over to mother and son. Snow pulled a surprised Regina into a tight hug and whispered, "Now we are family as I always hoped we'd be."

Regina found herself strangely choked up by the sentiment as Snow released her and Charming extended a hand to her. "Regina, I…I'm sorry about the other day. I was under orders not to spoil the surprise. Congratulations."

"Quite alright, Charming. And for my part, I'm sorry about your wardrobe. Perhaps this is an opportunity to step away from flannel."

"Wait, what?"

But Emma stepped in to stop the situation escalating at that moment, "So now we just need to set a date and you can become Mrs. Regina Swan."

"Oh no. I don't think so, Mrs. Emma Mills."

"Mills-Swan."

"Swan-Mills."

"You have to have the last word in every argument, don't you, Regina?"

"It's not that I have to. It's just that I do."

Emma gave an affectionate chuckle as she put her arms around Regina's neck and pulled her close, saying "Don't ever change, Regina Swan-Mills."

Regina smiled broadly, liking the sound of her name and Emma's joined in that way before she playfully swatted her and said, "Not yet, Miss Swan. If you want to call me that, you'll need to put a ring on it."

Emma looked at her, shocked. "First of all, I think I just did. And second of all, did you really just quote Beyonce?"

"Darling, you know I use your iPod when I run. It's quite catchy."

"You never cease to amaze me."

Regina gave a playful smirk and leaned close before huskily murmuring, "Good," and pulling Emma into a kiss that completely erased the memory of their son and Emma's parents' company. At the sound of a forceful throat clearing from Charming, whose ears were beet red, they pulled apart reluctantly and turned to face their audience.

"Why don't we take Henry for the rest of the night and you can…um…continue your celebration," said Snow uncomfortably.

They both gave Henry a tight hug and kissed his forehead before saying goodnight. After Charming and Snow descended the staircase with their son, Emma extended her hand to Regina and when their hands were joined, pulled her in front of the clock face to dance together in the moonlight.

Beneath them Storybrooke slumbered but for the three people making their way down the street who stopped to turn and watch the slowly revolving figures above them. Unconsciously, Charming and Snow twined their fingers together as Henry beamed up at his mothers' silhouettes and said, "I know they think this is their happy ending, but really it's mine. I always wanted to have my whole family together."

"I think maybe you should think of it as a happy beginning, Henry. For all of us," Snow replied as Charming ruffled messy hair with his free hand.

"Yeah, you're right! Maybe I could have a brother! I better ask my moms."

Snow and Charming exchanged an amused glance above his head before Charming chuckled and said, "I think that maybe you should ask them tomorrow, though. Let's go home."

SQSQSQSQSQSQSQSQSQSQSQSQSQSQSQSQSQSQSQSQSQSQSQSQSQ SQSQSQSQSQSQSQSQSQSQSQSQ

"Regina?"

"Hmmm?" Regina did not lift her head from Emma's shoulder where it rested as they gently swayed to music all their own.

"What made you decide to bid on me? In the auction, I mean?"

"What makes you ask that question now?"

Emma shrugged, "I've always wondered."

Regina paused thoughtfully before lifting her head to meet green eyes.

"If you'd asked me at a number of different times, the answer would be vastly different. In the moment it was an impulse. I had the notion that you and I both had been pressured into roles we were unprepared for. I saw myself as a young girl forced to become queen as I watched the men bidding for you. After we started dating, I thought that perhaps the alcohol at the gala allowed my strong physical attraction to you to overpower my careful defenses. But I don't think that any of that explains it fully, although all of it may have played a role."

"Then why did you?"

"I think that even then that a part of me knew that I was protecting my family. I loved you long before I knew it and I couldn't bear the thought of you being with anyone else. Especially not after seeing how hopeful and elated you were when you won my auction. Nobody had ever looked at me that way before and I could not let you down."

Emma contemplated this for a minute before saying, "Are you sure it's not just because I'm such a hot piece of ass?"

Regina chuckled and shook her head, saying, "Ever the romantic, aren't you, my love?"

"That's why you love me."

"That's one of very many reasons."

"Regina?"

"Yes, Emma?"

"Let's go home. It's time to get started on happily ever after."

A/N: I hope you enjoyed. Any parting words?