***Author's Note: I can't imagine that I will get too many complaints for this but I have to post this chapter a day early because tomorrow night I will be out at the annual Christmas party for my company. I probably won't be home until much later than I want and I have a final exam on Saturday morning. (Fun! Not really) Anyway, this is the chapter that most people have been waiting for-Emma Swan finally coming to her senses! Let me know what you think. The two-part finale will be posted next week-get excited!***

Emma considers Ruby's advice many times throughout the day but ultimately thinks that heading back to New York for a few weeks will be the best thing for her to do. She loves New Year's Eve in the Big Apple, probably more so than most people that have lived there or the ones that still do, and she really thinks the crowds of people, the noise, and the celebration will be a great distraction. At the very least, it will be the kind of distraction that she really needs to take her mind off of Regina.

Minutes ago, she received a random text message from Killian asking if she is at home. She confirms but tells him that she is going to be busy the rest of the evening just in case he has plans to come by to see her. By now, she assumes that Regina has told him already that she is taking a few weeks off. She is nearly done packing her bag when she hears a loud knock at her door. She walks to the door, looks through the peephole and groans inwardly. She does not open the door for him but instead just starts speaking through the door. "What do you want, Killian? I told you that I was going to be busy." She says to him, slightly irritated that he decides to come by even though she had tried to deflect it.

"I can't imagine what it is that you're busy with. It's not like you have a lot of things to pack. Regina told me that you are taking a few weeks off." Killian says through the door.

Emma groans. "Killian, I'm seriously asking. What do you want? I'm really tired right now and I wasn't expecting company."

He sounds frustrated and upset when he bangs on the door again. "What I really want is for you to open this bloody door!"

"I said, I'm a little busy at the moment. I want to leave for New York tomorrow morning. I'm sure that whatever it is that you want to talk about can wait until I get back."

Killian could not believe what he is hearing. "You're an idiot, Swan! A real, huge fucking idiot. Now, open this door." He requests again.

"I don't know what you're talking about but I do know whatever it is, that it can wait until I get back." Emma says as she turns away from the door and walks back towards the bedroom, determined to just ignore Killian.

Killian scoffs. "You're hilarious, Emma. You don't know what I'm talking about? Right. Well, why don't I remind you? A week ago, Regina finally lowers that damn wall she has had up since all that mess with Danielle. Then, she practically throws herself at you, and what do you do? You run. And you are literally still just running away right now."

This catches Emma's attention and she hurriedly walks back towards the door, glaring at it as if she can see through it. "She did not throw herself at me, Killian. It was just a kiss. Not to mention, it was a kiss that was provoked by the three of you fuckers. She was pressured into doing that and now I'm dealing with the repercussions of a mess you created." She argued.

Killian laughs mockingly. "This is unbelievable. Are you seriously dense? If you think for a second that anyone can make Regina Mills do anything that she doesn't want to do, you're as mad as a box of frogs. She wanted to kiss you, Emma. Probably as much as you wanted to kiss her and you can't seem to get your head out of your arse long enough to just admit that to yourself."

Emma opens her mouth to speak but then closes it again at a loss for words. It is a fact that kissing Regina has been on her mind for a very long time. And she has really liked Regina a lot for months now. But before that kiss, it has not once occurred to her that her feelings for Regina would ever be reciprocated. Since realizing her feelings, she has focused all of her energy on trying to be a good friend to the other woman. Even though it took them a while in the beginning, after months of getting to know each other, from all the furniture shopping to sharing secrets, and then to sleepovers and movie nights, she can say that they are actually really good friends. And Regina is someone that she does not want to lose.

Emma thinks about the kiss again. She not only wanted that kiss but she has been hoping for it plus so much more and regardless of how complicated everything feels right now, she knows that Killian's right. Regina actually kissed her. This is when the realization finally hits her. "Oh my god, I am such an idiot." She mumbles under her breath.

Killian hears shuffling on the other side of the door and after a moment, Emma finally opens the door to find him with a smug smirk on his face. "Aha, it finally got you in that thick head of yours just now, did it?" Killian walks past her into the condo and his tone changes to a more serious one. "You need to fix this, Emma. And you have to do it right now. Regina said that you haven't been returning any of her messages and the only time that you've talked to her since the party is when you asked for time off. She thinks she's really screwed things up between you two. You can't just let her keep thinking that. You need to go and fix it. Now."

"God...what? She didn't screw anything up. I did. I've been avoiding her because I didn't know how to face her. I didn't want her to tell me that she just wanted to be friends, Killian. Because that's not what I want. I want her."

Killian grins. "It's about time you confessed. Emma, if you want her, go and get her." He urges.

Emma feels dejected as she walks over to the sofa and sits. Then she feels angry tears start to sting her eyes. How could she be so stupid? She has not only forced herself to forget about what happened but she has shut Regina out completely. How is she ever going to win Regina over after being such a complete ass? "I don't know how to fix it. And I don't even know if it can be fixed. Regina probably hates me right now. I'm such an idiot."

Killian sits down next to her and pulls her close. "Hey...first of all, you need to stop all of this with the tears and shit. You know that I can't stand to see a pretty girl cry." His teasing only makes things worse and Emma is now turning her face into him and sobbing into his shoulder. His heart is breaking at the sight of it. "You know, we closed the bar early so she could go home and finish up some last minute packing. And she doesn't leave for Vancouver until tomorrow morning. You can always just go over there and talk to her. Maybe tell her how you really feel. You know, finally tell her the truth." He suggests.

"What could I possibly say to her that would make up for ignoring her for so long? She has every right to just slam the door in my face."

Killian nods. "That she does. But I'll bet you a pint that right now, hate is the last thing she is feeling when it comes to you." There is silence for a moment and all you can hear is Emma sniffling, the tears finally subsiding.

"Maybe I can just wait for her to get back. Tell her after Christmas." Emma finally says, more to herself than to Killian.

Killian shakes his head at her. "Don't tell me that you're just going to give up now. You really want to just leave it like this? On Christmas Eve?"

Emma sighs. "It's Christmas Eve," she says quietly to herself. And then she remembers that she had promised herself months ago that she would not allow Regina to spend this night alone. "FUCK." She jumps up grabbing her jacket and her keys. Then she runs into the bedroom and grabs her wallet and the gift she has had wrapped and ready for Regina. When she reappears, Killian is standing there smiling at her. She hugs him tightly and thanks him. Then she is out the door. The last thing that he hears is Emma yelling from the driveway to him. "Lock up for me on your way out!" She says.

Relieved and hopeful that he has somehow helped with this Christmas miracle, Killian texts Ruby to tell her that he has done all that he can and that it is up to Emma now.

By the time Emma makes it to Regina's front door, she is anxious and nearly out of breath. Part of that is because the closest parking spot she can find is at the bottom of a hill about a quarter of a mile away but she knows that her racing heart is more due to what she plans to say to the person on the other side of the door, than it is from her jog from the car. She composes herself and tries to calm her nerves with a little encouragement. "You can do this, Swan. Just tell her how you feel." After a minute or two, she finally just takes a deep breath and knocks on the door.

Regina has been home from the bar now for a few hours. It is only 8pm but she has taken a shower and is already changed into her flannel pajamas. A jazz record is playing as she is mindlessly folding some laundry when she hears a knock at her door. She thinks it is Julia and Will, two of her neighbors from across the landing. She has been told that they always make cookies with their children during the holidays as gifts to everyone in their building. She removes the towel that she has on her head and runs her hands through her damp curls. She walks over to the door and opens it with a smile on her face. When she sees who it is however, it changes to a look of confusion. "Emma?"

Emma manages a small, weak smile. "Hi."

They both stand there staring at one another for an awkwardly long time before Regina hears herself speak again. "Is there something that you need, Emma?" Regina's words do not come out harshly but she tries to keep it short to save herself any agony.

Emma frowns. "Uh, can I come in? There's something that I need to talk to you about."

Regina tucks some of her hair behind her ear nervously and sighs. "Emma, I'm actually getting ready to call it a night. I have a few more things that I need to pack up and I'm actually really tired. Can this wait until I see you in a couple of weeks."

Emma knows avoidance when she hears it. Primarily because she is the one that is usually using those same excuses. "Regina, I promise you that it will be quick. I just need a few minutes." Especially if you are just going to tell me to hit the road. Her heart clenches just thinking about the possible rejection.

Regina does not know how to respond to this. What could Emma possibly have to say to her now? Has she been avoiding her all week so that she could figure out how she was going approach her about what happened? Whatever it is that Emma needs to talk to her will likely be painful for her to hear and she thinks that there is really no point in dragging it out. So, she decides that she should save Emma the trouble. "Look, Emma, if this is about what happened at the party, we don't have to talk about it. I shouldn't have put you in that position. I'm so very sorry. I'm your coworker, well, your employer really, and that was a terrible thing for me to do. I know that this may be asking for too much but can we please just forget-"

Emma cuts her off. "Wait. Do you regret it?"

Regina frowns. "What?"

Emma asks again, this time with more confidence in her tone. "Do you regret it?"

Regina sighs and moves away from the doorway. "You should probably come in so that we're not having this conversation where everyone in this building can hear it."

Emma, who is expecting rejection at this point, is not only hurt but she is somewhat angry. "You should probably answer my question first so that I don't feel like a complete idiot when I tell you what I actually came here to say."

That makes Regina is frustrated as well. "I don't know what it is you want me to say, Emma! Are you wanting to know if I regret that the kiss happened? Because I don't. Not at all. But, I do regret that because of I foolishly kissed you, I haven't been able to see or talk to you for over a week."

Emma frowns but does not reply.

Regina starts shaking her head, obviously upset. "Emma, I know that I screwed things up between us and I'm so sorry. I-"

Emma steps forward making sure that Regina can see the sincerity in her eyes. "Regina, please don't apologize to me again. You didn't screw anything up, I promise." They look at each other for a moment before Emma finally walks past Regina and into her home. She sits down on the sofa and turns to look at the other woman who is still standing by the door with a look of uncertainty and hesitation on her face. Emma pats the spot next to her. "Can you please just come sit down?"

Regina closes the door. She walks over to her record player and turns the music off before walking over and sitting down next to Emma. She tries but cannot get herself to look up at the blonde, so she focuses her eyes on her hands, which are currently in her lap, instead. When she blinks, tears begin to run down her cheeks and even though she tries, she cannot stop them. "Emma…I…"

Emma reaches over and takes both of Regina's hands in hers. "Regina, please look at me."

Regina sniffles but does not move nor reply. When Emma asks a second time and she still does not look up, Emma slowly lifts Regina's chin until they can see each other. "Hey, there you are." Emma manages a small smile as she reaches up to wipe at Regina's tear stained face. "Please don't cry." Then she grabs Regina's hands again. "I came here tonight because I really wanted to tell you that I realized how stupid I've been. I should have returned your calls and messages but instead I ignored them because I was too afraid."

Regina furrows her brow in confusion. "Afraid? What could you possibly be afraid of?"

Emma chuckles. "There are so many things. For one, I was afraid that I would lose you. I don't want to lose your friendship. I was worried that things were going to be awkward between us even though I see now that I probably did more bad than good by screening all your calls." Regina opens her mouth to say something but Emma stops her. "Please, let me finish or I won't have the courage to say everything that I want to say." Regina nods so Emma continues. She is looking down at their hands now as she laces their fingers together. Without looking up, Emma smiles sadly, then adds, "but what I was most terrified of, is that you were calling to say that you thought you had made a terrible mistake." Emma swallows the lump in her throat and continues. "That the kiss shouldn't have ever happened. And that you regretted kissing me."

Regina is speechless and when Emma finally looks up at her again, she sees so much vulnerability in her eyes. "Oh, Emma." She finally says as she pulls one of her hands away so that she can touch Emma's face. Instinctively, Emma leans into her touch. "I've wanted to kiss you so badly even before that night. And in all honesty, I've been pining for it for longer than I care to admit. And when you didn't kiss me back, I thought for sure that I had misread everything."

Emma's eyes widen. "Wait, what? What do you mean I didn't kiss you back?"

"Emma, you stood there like a mannequin! And then you left the party in such a hurry. I was so worried that I upset you. That's why I've been calling and leaving you so many messages. I just really wanted to apologize for scaring you of."

"What? I wasn't avoiding you because I didn't want to kiss you! I...well, you took me by surprise! I didn't even have time to react." Emma explains.

Regina glares, "I am positive that I stared you down before I actually leaned in for that kiss. And we were under the mistletoe with three of our friends badgering us to kiss each other. How the hell did that take you by surprise?"

Emma is laughing now and she has to admit that it feels so nice. All of this feels nice. Sitting here with Regina even when she is being snarky, or maybe especially when she is being snarky. It always seems to give her butterflies in her stomach. "Okay, so maybe I wasn't surprised by the kiss itself. I guess that I was just shocked that you actually did it. I don't think that my brain even registered any of it until after you pulled away and by the time I got any brain or lung function back, you had run away to hide in the kitchen."

"Don't you dare turn this around on me, Emma Swan! I was so embarrassed! And not to mention, hurt. But mostly, I was upset at myself. The look on your face when I pulled away from you made me think that I did something that you didn't want me to. And now you're telling me that it was because you didn't register any of it? Well, that makes me feel even more foolish than I already had before."

Regina starts to get up but Emma grabs onto her hand and pulls her back down to the sofa. Then Emma boldly puts both hands on Regina's waist holding her still so that she can pull herself closer to her. She looks into Regina's eyes pleadingly. "Hey, I'm sorry that I made you feel that way. I am such an idiot and it was never my intention to make you feel embarrassed. Or hurt. Will you please let me make it up to you?"

Regina looks at Emma and she swears that those green eyes will eventually be the death of her. She lets out the breath that she did not even know she was holding, and she barely manages to speak. "I'm not sure what it is you think that you have to make up for, Em."

Emma smirks, "Oh, there are a few things. But, for starters, I'd really like a do-over." Regina is visibly unclear with what she is saying so Emma boldly leans in and gently touches her lips to Regina's. This surprises Regina but it only takes a moment for the hesitation to pass and then she is leaning in and kissing Emma back. The kiss is slow and sweet and all Emma can think about is how soft and warm Regina's lips are. They stay that way, taking their time with light, soft kisses until Regina gradually parts her lips allowing Emma a little more access. Emma takes the cue and slips her tongue into Regina's mouth. This elicits a throaty moan and Emma learns that she will never be able to get over how much she loves the sound.

Regina pulls Emma closer as their kissing becomes more feverish. She wraps her arms around Emma's neck, tangling her fingers into the blonde's curls and at the same time, she pulls herself onto Emma's lap pushing her back against the sofa. Regina pins Emma down by the shoulders and then she pulls her body back. She swings her leg over Emma's lap so that she is straddling her and then leans back in capturing Emma's mouth with her own once again.

Emma smiles into their kiss as she moves her hands up the sides of Regina's thigh grabbing onto her hips. Emma pulls Regina in, as close as she is able to, wrapping her arms around her. She slowly inches her hands higher up Regina's back as she kisses her and when she slips her hands underneath the flannel top it makes Regina flinch and pull away from her, laughing. "Ahhh, why are your hands so cold?!"

Emma immediately misses their closeness. She laughs timidly as she brings her hands up to her mouth blowing into them to warm herself. "Sorry, my hands get clammy when I'm nervous."

This makes Regina's heart swell. "Aww, you have no reason to be nervous. I mean, technically, we've already slept together." Regina winks and it makes Emma's heart beat even more rapidly. Then Regina takes Emma's hands and rubs them in her own until they feel warmer. Lacing their fingers together, she pulls them to her lips gently kissing Emma's knuckles. "Mmm, that's better." She looks down at Emma to see the woman staring at her. She smiles shyly and leans in to kiss Emma again.

Kissing Emma, Regina decides, feels so good and she wishes she had not waited so long to make the first move. When they end the kiss, she once again looks down at Emma to see that they blonde seems dazed like her mind is elsewhere. She puts her hand on Emma's cheek and asks, slightly worried, "What are you thinking about?"

Emma thinks about how surreal everything feels right now. The two of them are here, in Regina's home on Christmas Eve. She has the beautiful brunette sitting on top of her. Everything about Regina is currently overwhelming every single one of her senses and all she knows is that she does not want this moment to end. Emma cannot believe that she has waited so long to tell Regina how she really feels about her. She finally comes out of her daze when she feels Regina's hand on her face. She answers Regina's question without even really hearing it. "You have no idea how much I've wanted this. To be here with you. I really should have told you that a long time ago. I'm sorry."

Regina smiles. "I was just thinking the same thing. I think that we are both to blame for that one." They sit there silently taking each other in for awhile until unexpectedly, Regina frowns. "I really have to finish packing because I need to leave here early in the morning." She leans into Emma and lays her head on her shoulder, hiding her face in Emma's neck and taking in the scent of her skin. She wishes that she could stay in this spot all night. She pulls away after a minute to look at Emma again. She hesitates for a moment before shyly asking, "Would you maybe want to stay here with me tonight?"

The question surprises Emma only because of all the times that she has stayed over, this is the only time she has not invited herself. "I...uh...really? You want me to stay?"

"Only if you want to, I won't force you to." Regina says as she is desperately hoping that Emma will agree even though she is trying not to sound too desperate for it. "I just thought that we could spend some time together since I won't see you for the next week or so. We could maybe watch a movie or something. But I know that it's Christmas Eve and you probably have other things to tend to. We can always just wait until I get back."

Emma is beaming. "Hey…" She says trying to get Regina's attention. She loves that Regina rambles sometimes when she is nervous and thinks that it is one of the most endearing things about her. "I'd like that a lot. But I know how you are with movies. You'll be asleep before we even get to the good part." She teases.

"Well, we don't have to watch a movie… I'm sure that we can find other things to do." Regina says smiling.

Emma's mouth goes dry at the implication causing her to stammer as she replies. "Um, yes. I, uh, sure." Regina laughs and squeezes her hand which calms her a bit. When her head clears, she remembers Regina's gift that is still in her car. "But first, I need to go grab something from the car. It should only take me ten minutes or so." Regina looks at Emma with a questioning look so Emma scrunches her face and adds, "I parked pretty far away. And at the bottom of the hill."

"Oh, okay." Regina responds. "Do you need to go get it now?"

Emma considers it for a second. "I really should because I have a feeling that I'm not going to want to get out of bed to go get it in the morning."

Regina is curious but decides not to ask. "Alright. Just hurry back to me?"

"Of course." Emma says smiling.

Even though Regina really does not want to move, she removes herself from Emma's lap.

Emma gets up and walks towards the door but before she actually gets there, she turns back around, quickly makes her way back to where Regina is standing, and pulls her in for a another quick peck on the lips. Regina wraps her arms around Emma as she smiles into their kiss and Emma squeezes her tightly. "I'll be right back, Beautiful."

Regina barely manages a nod as Emma takes off out the door. She sits back down on the sofa again, still smiling uncontrollably. She brings her hand up to her chest and can feel her heart racing but for the first time in a long time, she lets it all back in.