After hours of wandering, they made their way back to the camp where Mary Margaret was watching their supplies.
"Anything?" she asked hopefully.
They all shook their heads, and Regina held up Henry's jacket.
"Just this," Emma told her mother, who frowned and let out a disappointed sigh.
"I'm sorry," she said softly, looking over at Emma, choosing to ignore her companion.
They were no longer holding hands, and they stood far enough apart not to cause any suspicion. That night, they made a small fire - so as not to attract too much attention - and sat in a circle around it, talking about memories of Henry and how sweet he was, and all the things they missed about him. Regina was quiet for most of the conversation, not wanting to make idle small talk with Snow or her husband, or the pirate, or Emma's ex lover.
The longer the conversation went on, the more quiet she became, until finally, her father spoke up.
"Emma, are you alright?" he asked, the usual well of kindness in his words.
"Yeah. Fine. Just tired. Disappointed, I guess."
"Why don't we all turn in?" Snow suggested, reaching over and grabbing her blanket.
They all nodded, except Regina, who was staring at the fire. Sucking in a deep breath, Emma took her hand and scooted closer to her as the rest of them got ready to sleep. Waiting for the right moment, Emma's breath became rapid and shallow, until finally, Mary Margaret looked over at them. Just as she saw her mother's mouth open slightly, she turned to her lover.
"Goodnight," she said, loud enough for the rest of them to hear.
Then, her lips found Regina's.
"What is going on?" Snow demanded to know.
Emma looked up at her mother, not releasing Regina's hand. Unlike Emma, the brunette was fully prepared to let go, but the other woman refused to unlock their fingers of loosen her grip on Regina's hand.
"What do you mean?" Emma asked casually, trying not to smile, but also feeling her heart palpitate with nervousness.
Her face was growing warm with panic, but her voice did not betray her emotions.
"I mean what the Hell are you doing with her?"
"I'm kissing her, Mom," she said, sounding like a rebellious teenager.
"Are you two-"
"Lovers? Yes."
"Oh, my God..."
"Is that a problem?"
"Her, Emma? HER?!"
Emma just forced a smile and gave Regina's hand an encouraging squeeze, knowing that she was just as anxious for the moment end and go back to pretending everything was normal. She couldn't help but wonder what it would be like when all this was over. Would they still be together? Would Emma forget her once they were back in Storybrooke? Would they live in the same house? Tuck their son in at night? Cook him breakfast together? Regina snapped out of her daze when Emma's mother spoke again.
"This has to be a joke."
"It's not a joke."
Finally, Regina interjected, with something Emma never would have expected.
"I'm not going to hurt her."
Snow went silent. It was all she could do not to throw up, so she closed her mouth and left it that way the rest of the night, until they were all under their own respective blankets.
"Emma," Regina whispered.
Emma smiled and draped her arm over Regina's waist, happy not to be hiding her feelings from her family any longer.
"Yes, love?"
"Thank you."
With one last kiss, they fell asleep in each other's arms.