The next morning. Emma went to speak with her mother. Who was walking through the castle to go to the grand hall.
"Mom"
Snow turned.
"Good morning sweetheart. How are you and Neal getting along?"
Emma grimaced.
"We're doing okay" she shrugged.
"Oh. Well I have arranged for you both to spend some more time together today"
"Really!" Emma moaned.
"Emma. You have to make the effort. this is your future we're talking about"
"My what?"
"Your future"
"Neal, is not my future mom"
"Maybe not right now but maybe in a few months"
"No way! No not, now ever" Emma said seriously.
"Emma" Snow warned.
"You have always told me that you wish me to find true love. As you did with father but it's not with him mom"
"But how do you know if you haven't given him a chance?"
Emma swallows and thinks, He will never make me feel. What Regina makes me feel.
"I just know. Trust me" she answers sadly and Snow frowns but nods.
The following day.
Neal heads home and Emma resumes her normal routine.
"I think she's spending to much time with the seamstress" Snow says to David, whilst sitting upon the stool of her dresser.
"It makes her happy honey" David says and sits upon the bed to put his boots on.
"I'm just concerned of what influence Regina has on her. That she will pay no interest in finding a husband"
"You cannot rush true love"
"I know but she is getting older now and she needs someone who will help her through the tough aswel as the good times"
"And she will. Do not worry"
"Its hard not too when she pays little interest in royal duties and would rather gossip with the seamstress" Snow says seriously and David chuckles.
"I dont believe they gossip honey. I believe they talk of the outside world and past experiences"
"How do you know that?" She looks to him curciously.
"I have spoken with Reginas father. He is a very nice man"
Snow ponders for a moment.
"Maybe they should join us for dinner this evening" she says to Davids surprise and he raises his eyebrows.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes. If Regina is Emmas closest friend then I think its about time we got better aqquainted"
"Sounds like a good idea" he says a little unsurely.
Snow stands up.
"Ill shall go and arrange it now"
"Okay" David then replies and watches curciously as Snow leaves. Whilst thinking, that maybe his wife would finally get to see that Regina is not a bad influence on their daughter.
That evening, Regina was anxious. She had never been this anxious in her life.
"Regina sweetheart. Calm yourself" her father told her whilst adjusting his Tweed jacket.
"I can't. This morning everything was normal and then Snow comes to see me to invite us to dinner and I can't help but have a bad feeling about it. What if this is to soften the blow of her kicking us out"
Henry chuckled.
"She would do no such thing. They are pleased with your work. I think this is more to do with Emma"
"What!"
"Sweetheart" he took her hands. "Weve all noticed that you and Emma have got close lately and im sure, her parents just want to get to know us better"
"What if they dont like me?"
Henry chuckled again.
"What is not to like. Your smart, beautiful and have a big heart"
Regina smiled.
"You have to say that your my father" she replies softly.
"Doesn't make it less true" he says sweetly.
During dinner, Regina had handled Snows questions well and had made David laugh. However, it didn't go unnoticed the looks she had shared with Emma, during the meal.
David was first to see, that his daughter had look at Regina in such awe, as Regina had spoke to Snow about life in the village and then had seen Regina share an adoring look a little later.
Henry had also noticed but kept quiet and Snow just hadn't paid that much attention, as she was consumed in thought about questions she should ask Regina.
After dinner, Emma walked with Regina and Henry down to the library.
"I'm sorry about my mom" she said lowly.
"Its fine" Regina smiled at her and Emma felt the butterflies again and she wondered, how Regina could make her feel like this.
Once inside the libary. They then sat at the table, whilst Henry scanned the shelfs.
"Did you see you fathers face, when desert came out?" Emma muttered, unconciously reaching for Regina's hand upon the table.
"Yes. I've never seen him so ingorged for food before" she smirks and places her free hand on top of Emma's and squeezes slightly.
They chuckle and Henry turns to see what they are chuckling at, but is surprised to see them holding hands upon the table and he stares momentarily, before saying "What is so funny?"
"It's nothing really. We were just saying how you enjoyed your desert that's all" Regina says and smirks.
"Ah yes. I've never had such a good meal as that before. You must thank your parents again from me Emma" he tells her.
"Sure" she replies, not noticing that Regina had become aware of there hand holding in front of her father and she pulled away and got up. Walking to a shelf and pulling a book out.
Emma frowned as Regina stood. She put her hands in her lap and gripped them close together. Whilst looking down sadly at the table.
Henry however, seemed to notice Emma's change in deminor and went to put his hand on her shoulder and said "Do not worry sweetheart" and she looked up and gaped at him, before watching Henry move away and to to the armchair near the big window.
Her heart then began to thud. Could he know! She thought nervously and when Regina returned to the table, she looked to her lap, not wanting to meet Regina's gaze, in fear of revealing her true feelings in that moment.