Final wrap up chapter. Thank you for all your lovely comments. I'm glad you enjoyed the story. I hope you like the wrap up. Cheers!
Emma and Regina were laughing across the booth from each other at Granny's when Snow and David came in. The Charmings walked over and smiled down at the two. "Good morning, Emma, Regina," Snow greeted cheerfully.
Emma looked up and smiled. "Hi, guys." She looked briefly at Regina before offering, "Do you want to join us?"
Snow looked at David who just raised his eyebrows. "Sure, that'd be nice," Snow said, sliding into the booth next to her daughter. David nodded at Regina and sat down next to her.
Regina cleared her throat, wondering if Emma really was as ready to be open about their relationship as she had said. No doubt, this would be the moment she found out.
"How's everyone's morning so far?" David asked.
Emma nodded as she sipped her coffee. "Pretty good, as far as mornings go."
Snow furrowed her eyebrows. "You're drinking coffee? You never drink coffee."
Emma felt her cheeks turn pink. "Yeah, well I-didn't get much sleep last night," she admitted, trying not to make eye contact with Regina and failing miserably.
Regina looked down at her own mug and bit the smile back.
Snow and David just looked at each other before peering down at their menus.
"Hey, thanks for letting me use your truck, I'll get it to you after my shift," Emma offered.
David nodded his head. "Sure, no problem. Why did you need it anyway?"
Emma paused just for a moment, fighting back against the urge for concealment. But that wasn't her anymore. "Uh, Regina and I went stargazing."
Regina felt the nervousness from the blonde, but was so proud of her honesty and openness. Regina smiled shyly when both Charmings looked at her in surprise.
Snow stuttered before saying, "Sounds like fun!"
Emma just looked at her parents, trying to gauge their reactions. Although a bit embarrassed, they didn't seem appalled or withdrawn. They smiled at each other and at Emma and Regina. Suddenly feeling brave, Emma decided to go for broke. She cleared her throat and sat up straighter in her seat. "So, just to get this out in the open-in case Henry hasn't already told you-" she looked at Regina who was giving her an encouraging smile. "Regina and I-are together. As in, a couple."
Snow smiled broadly, so proud and honored that Emma had finally trusted them with the truth. "Emma, that's wonderful! I'm so happy for you." She reached over and gripped Emma's hand. "For both of you!"
David smiled and nodded at Emma and looked at Regina who was shrinking in the corner. David nudged shoulders with the mayor, catching her attention. When she saw his goofy grin, she couldn't help but smile back.
Just as they were all smiles and laughing together, Henry came busting through the diner door, smiling at his family in the booth. He pulled up a chair as they shared the first morning meal as a family. Regina looked around at her family, something she never thought she would call these people. But they were, and as her love for Emma blossomed, so did her affection for the Charmings. Regina thought this just might be her happy ending. Almost.
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Regina rubbed her sweaty palms together, anxiously waiting for them to hurry up already. She was pacing the floor until finally Emma caught her on her way by and settled her into a chair. Emma looped her arm over Regina's and intertwined their fingers. She gave Regina that playfully annoyed look and shook her head.
Henry was slumped in a chair playing some game on his phone while Snow and David sat together, Snow's head on his shoulder. Three year old Neil had fallen asleep in David's arms.
Suddenly the door opened and in walked the social services officer carrying a car seat. Emma and Regina both leapt to their feet, excitement boiling over the top. The man smiled at them as he placed the car seat on the desk. "Well, ladies, here she is," he said quietly as Emma and Regina crowded around the car seat, the Charmings and Henry close behind. Regina felt tears welling up as she peered down at the tiny baby, fast asleep and tucked into a soft pink blanket.
Emma lost her breath as this dream of hers and Regina's just became reality. They had been trying to adopt ever since they got married over a year and a half ago. The oohs and ahhs came from all parties as Regina reached down and traced the tiny face with her finger. Emma squeezed Regina's shoulders as she squealed quietly into the woman's ear. The baby stirred, causing Regina to shush Emma.
Regina reached in and undid the clasp, gently pulling the baby into her arms as she had done with Henry all those years ago. Only this time, she was far from being alone. Her family surrounded her, kissing and fussing over the bundle in her arms. She looked happily into Emma's eyes, who kissed her in joy.
"Well, what are you gonna name her?" Snow asked.
Regina gently bobbed the baby up and down and looked at Henry. "We told Henry he could pick."
Emma looked over at her smiling son. "So, what's it gonna be, kid?"
Henry crossed his arms. "This was hard. It wasn't easy to find something old school, like from The Enchanted Forest and fit for royalty, but also modern and fun at the same time. But, I think I came up with the perfect name." They all looked on in anticipation. "Victoria. Tori for short."
They all smiled at him and nodded. "Tori. I like it kid," Emma said as she looked down at the little princess.
"Victoria," Regina said sweetly as she peered down at her new daughter. Snow and David stood back and watched the family proudly. Snow pulled her phone out and opened the camera. She held up her screen, sighing at what she saw. Regina smiling down at the sweet baby with Henry looking over her shoulder. Emma held Regina in a tight embrace, and kissed her gently on the cheek. As Snow snapped the picture, she thought to herself that this, indeed, was the sweet beginning to their happy ending.