Hi guys! Probably only one more chapter left in this fic. Thank you so much for reading! Let me know what you think and I hope you enjoy! -hopelesslyhopeful7211

Emma's heart beats fast in her chest as she recalls the last time she was in Cora's presence. Her face scrunches up as she recalls the pain from the smack to her cheek. The pain from the mocking. I'm going to mess this up for Regina even worse. I will always mess this up.

Regina sits in the driver's seat. She had parked in her mother's huge, circular driveway a few minutes ago, but they haven't budged yet. She looks to the passenger seat at the visibly worried blonde. A panic rises in the brunette's chest. Okay. This will be okay. Just…everything will be fine. That's what Emma would say. Even if she is freaking out as well. No, don't think about that.

Regina takes in a deep breath and shuts off the engine. She releases the breath. Still no further movement.

Emma sits up straight now as she hears her girlfriend release the loud sigh. She tries her best to calm herself. I will not ruin this. I will be here to support Regina. I will not run. I will be by her side no matter what and this talk with her mom will not change a thing.

Emma turns and places a hand on Regina's shoulder, "We can do this. Together"

Regina looks back at her girlfriend. She is immediately mesmerized by brilliant emerald eyes. I swear, she can convince me of anything.

"Okay, I believe you"

Emma smiles, "Are you ready?"

The brunette nods her head more furiously than necessary to convince herself that she is truly ready.

The two exit the vehicle and begin to walk towards the door. Emma's eyes dart over the vast, beautiful property. The grass is perfectly trimmed and just the right shade of green. Wow, is that a fountain? Rose bushes and other bright, colorful flowers that Emma doesn't even recognize line the walkway. I wonder if she has a groundskeeper here every day. She looks at the house itself. No, this is a fucking mansion. Holy shit! Large white columns line the huge front porch. The front door seems twice the size of a normal door.

The blonde bumps into Regina's side and they soon take each other's hands to show they are united.

Regina brings her free hand up to knock, but it suddenly flings open before her knuckles could rap on the door. The brunette gasps.

"Hello, darling," Cora directs to her daughter. She nods to recognize Emma's presence. Ugh, this girl. What is so special about her?

"Hello, Mother," Regina greets in a low voice.

"Hello, Miss Mills," Emma throws in.

Cora deviously grins and turns to lead them into her home.

Emma's jaw drops at the beautiful interior. Wow, this is even more extravagant than outside. The front room is vast. A spiral staircase leads to mysterious rooms above. Fabulous, complicated art that Emma has never witnessed lines the walls.

Cora continues to lead them further into the mansion without a word.

Regina looks over at her girlfriend who is currently in a stupor. Perhaps I should've warned her of my mother's lavish lifestyle. She pulls Emma into her, holding onto her waist as they continue to walk.

They finally end up in a giant kitchen with every amenity possible. A man in a tux and bow tie stands at attention in the room, greeting them as they enter. A dining room sets off to the side where a huge oak table that seats 16 easily fits into the area.

"Have a seat ladies," Cora gestures to the dining room, "Coffee?" she offers.

Regina quickly glances at the blonde who nods, "Yes. Thank you"

The two women head into the dining room and take a seat nearest to the kitchen.

They hold hands under the table as they wait.

Emma clears her throat, "Wow, this place is…wow! Did you live here?"

"Yes," Regina replies distantly.

"I think I would've gotten lost in here," the blonde tries to joke and gets a half-smile out of the brunette.

Cora strides into the dining room with a pot of coffee. The servant follows behind her with mugs and creamers on a tray.

He already knows how the Mills women take their coffee, but turns to Emma, "Miss Swan, how do you take your coffee?"

Emma tilts her head, "Uh, lots of vanilla? I guess?" This is fucking crazy. I guess she already told him my name.

He nods, pours the creamer into her mug, and then stirs. After he is finished, he stands at attention near the kitchen.

Cora turns to him, "Thank you, we would like some privacy please"

He nods and exits the dining area.

Cora sits tall and her eyes dart between the two women, "Regina, you called this meeting. How about you begin?"

Regina quickly glances to Emma who gives her a supporting smile. She looks back to her mother, "Yes. We just want to tell you that we find it highly inappropriate for you to be invading into our lives"

The older woman opens her mouth as if she already wants to cut her daughter off.

"No, Mother. Please let me finish"

Cora closes her eyes and nods. She thinks she can boss me around now. How silly. This Miss Swan is not a good influence.

"Thank you," Regina continues, "Mother, first of all, I like women. I know that I wasn't strong enough to tell you before. I know I've denied it before, but I am telling you now. I can't change it and god, have I wanted to, but I can't. With Emma," she squeezes the blonde's hand under the table, "I feel stronger and I'm glad that I can be honest with you now. I love her and we just want to be treated with respect by you. If you cannot accept this then we will be on our way," she leans back in her chair with a feeling of success. At least I got that out in the open.

Emma looks at her girlfriend with pride. She's so brave. I love her so much.

The older woman that sits across from them takes a moment of silence. Thoughts flow freely in her mind. She is telling me she can't change this. I just…I can't understand, but I will try.

Cora finally speaks up, "Okay, darling, I will try to understand"

Emma jumps in, "You know, there's some informational pamphlets and a bunch of books on acceptance too," the blonde notices Regina staring, "I mean, if that's okay"

This girl is testing my patience. Cora takes a couple of breaths and nods, "Okay, Miss Swan"

Emma grins in her small victory of successfully talking to Regina's mother without being degraded or assaulted.

Regina takes control of the conversation again, "This makes me very happy, Mother. And you won't bother us anymore?"

"I'm still worried about one thing. This girl," the older woman gestures to the blonde, "cannot take care of you the way you deserve"

Emma's face falls. Well that was a short lived victory.

This time Regina is the one to take a moment for a couple of deep breaths, "Her name is Emma, Mother. And because of her we have a place together that is acceptable and we are doing well. I'm sorry if it is not up to your standards, but not everyone needs all of this," the brunette points wildly at all the excess amenities in the room.

"Are you saying there is something wrong with all of this?" Cora begins to raise her voice.

"No. This is not the point. Let's get back on track, okay? Will you please respect our wishes to not intervene in our lives?" Regina pleads.

"But I can give you so much more…"

"I will take that as a no," Regina interrupts. Cora's jaw drops. Foolish girl. The brunette stands up from her seat, "If you won't be respectful then don't bother calling me. And no more tricks. You know how we feel now, so I expect you to honor this," she turns around to walk away and Emma stands up to follow, "Goodbye, Mother. I'm sorry we couldn't see eye to eye"

"Regina, you're being ridiculous! She is not good for you!" Cora yells angrily as the two women walk away.

They quickly speed walk their way out of the mansion. Emma struggles to keep up with her girlfriend's pace, but finally jumps next to her when they are outside.

The blonde takes Regina by her shoulders and looks at her with concern, "Are you okay with this?"

Regina firmly states, "Yes. Like I said before this was her last chance and she continues to degrade you"

They embrace in a hug and Emma whispers in her ear, "I'm proud of you, babe"

The brunette smiles and kisses blonde hair flowing in front of Emma's cheek.

They pull apart and Regina stares lovingly into emerald eyes, "Let's go home, dear"


"Text them already!" Belle playfully pushes Ruby.

"Alright, alright," Ruby agrees, flashing a smile.

She types out, "Hey! Would you and Regina like to go on a double date with us? We're fucking bored over here! Haha," she presses send.

Ruby pulls Belle into a quick kiss, "There, it's done!"

Belle giggles, "Cool! I can't wait"