I'm so sorry it took that long (if any of you have been waiting), here it is now!
I hope you'll like it.

"So, yeah, Henry told us you've known for a while. We didn't want to make a big deal out of it. We're together; we love each other, that's it." Emma completes her idea before letting her parents speak.

"But it is a big deal," Mary Margaret looks at her daughter and her eyes are wrinkled, "I'm just glad you have found someone you love." She takes her palms and holds them softly, after letting David know it's his turn to speak up.

"The thing is, we don't care it's not a guy. It's not important, you know that," David begins, "as your mother said, it's a big deal because we're happy that you've found love." He looks at Regina, "Love is important, and it can be between two women too, who cares about this part?"

"The fact it took you such a long time to tell us is very upsetting," Mary Margaret says as Regina is trying to hide a disapproving scowl, "but we're glad you finally did it. We're glad you trust us now enough for that."

Regina can't stand the amount of energy Snow and Charming dedicate to every single thing they do. How they take everything so seriously, it's beyond her. So we've told you now, what the fuck does that matter? You don't have to be all emotional about it.

Mary Margaret, David, Emma and Regina seat in the living room of the apartment. They rarely meet in Regina's place. Because, well, it's still awkward for them to be in her house given their history and the fact they're not really considered close.

Regina and Emma seat next to each other, in front of David and Mary Margaret. Regina is wearing a black dress that has a deep V-neck cleavage. Her black reefer coat is waiting for her on the coat hanger near the door.

Emma, on the other hand, is just her casual self; a cute grey knit cap, a red leather jacket, black jeans and dark tall pair of boots. She tries to take this conversation lightly. She knows Regina must be sick of her parents, so she is there to lay a hand on her shoulder or her back to let her know she understands her.

"Well, we're glad that you're glad," Emma answers and saves Regina the trouble of having to herself. She means it with all her heart and, although she knows Regina is not the biggest fan of her parents, she knows they share mutual respect for one another, in their own way. "And we're glad that we finally get to clear this up because it was really starting to get awkward." She laughs a bit.

"I appreciate your reaction, and," Regina says, as honest as she can be, "we really do love each other," she glances at Emma's direction and her eyes lit up, "so, well that's just about it."

"This conversation starts to feel a lot like a teen movie." Emma says and breaks the heavy atmosphere with a great laughter that makes everyone there giggle at the least. She loves Regina more than words can say; she loves her and she knows when she wants to stop. Talking to Emma's parents about their love to one another might be necessary but it's not something Regina wishes to do much more than necessary.

After they finish the conversation about that subject they just wait for Henry to come back from school and then all five of them (and baby Neal) eat lunch together. For the first time they don't have to feel like they're hiding their relationship in front of their family.

Emma can put her hand on Regina's back for more than a second and it won't make anyone raise an eyebrow. Emma seats near Regina and sneaks her hand to touch her knee or shoulder or even reach to her palm once in a while because she knows Regina needs to feel more confident to be herself around her parents, and besides, it's also just nice to have a physical contact that's not sex.

Ever since Regina and Emma started seeing each other she became touchy. When she brings coffee to her office in the morning or during lunch breaks she welcomes her with a kiss and a hand on her shoulder. Sometimes when they sit and talk she would just put her palm on Regina's leg.

They never talked about it but Emma just does that out of habit now, as a part of her body language, and Regina can't get enough of it. She likes to feel Emma's touch, and when she's brave she'd do the same. Now it's the first time they can do it in front of their whole family too.

After their family get-together, Henry and Regina go to the mansion and Emma decides to come too. They just sit in the kitchen the three of them and drink some cocoa or coffee. They don't usually do that all three of them together, but in the last couple of days they have, and it's wonderful.

Regina's cell-phone rings after a couple of hours. It's Belle on the other line.

"I thought I might find you two together. Can you come? I need to talk to you guys" She says, after hearing Emma asking Regina who called.

"Ah, sure, what is it about? We'll be in the shop in a couple of minutes."

"Um, It's about New York. Can you bring Henry too? I want him to help me in the shop."

"Yes, sure Belle. We'll see you soon."

Regina hangs up, turns to the both of them and tells them to get their coats because they're going to visit Gold's shop. Henry suggests they'll walk there so they can just keep talking and both of them think it's a good idea.

As they reach the store, Belle welcomes Henry and tells him that there are a few items in the back that need to be reorganized and that he'll see it when he gets there, so he should go and she'll come after talking to his mothers.

"And as for the two of you," she points at them, "I need to talk to you." She says with confidence and seems very determined about whatever it is that she wants to say.

They get inside the store and go to a remote place so Henry won't be able to hear them so easily. "First of all, I need to make it very clear that what I'm about to say is not because I'm mad at you guys, it's because I'm actually kind of hurt, okay?" She says that in a tone that sounds like a question but doesn't really seek for an answer.

Regina and Emma didn't get that because they were just about to reply when she cut them and said immediately, "About New York, I thought about it and I want you two to come with me to look for Rumple. But, I have to say that the way you told me that you 'don't want me to go alone' was kind of rude," she stops to see the reaction on their faces.

"I mean, I really just shared my thoughts and you were all 'no you can't, it's too dangerous', and, well, you just underestimate me! I can do fine by myself!" She tries to lower her tone because she doesn't want to make a scene, "I'm perfectly capable of going there by my own, but I want you to come if you want. Because you're my friends and I'd lie if I said I wouldn't use your help."

"I'm sorry I said that Belle, I didn't mean it like that," Regina acknowledged and apologized. "Of course we still want to come. We want to help you."

"I'd be happy to help you Belle, even if you don't need it," she emphasized, "I apologize for that too."

"Well, great, I'm glad you said that. I want to leave tonight, so, just go tell your family and get ready, and I'll meet you at the town line."

"Tonight?! Don't you think that's a bit of a short-notice?" The blonde asked in surprise.

"Well, it is my decision to make after all, isn't it?"

Mary Margaret and David were not happy about Regina and Emma going away right after their conversation, and Henry didn't want to say goodbye to his mothers just yet. After the two of them got ready to drive away, they decided to take the Bug and drive to the town line.

Their family had a hard time saying goodbye to the both of them, so when Belle saw all of them together she told Emma and Regina she was going to cross the line and wait for them on the other side until they say goodbye one last time.

All of them were wearing coats and jackets and warm clothes, only Belle was wearing a short skirt as usual, trying to ignore the cold – not so successfully. She hugged Snow and waved Henry goodbye minutes before Emma and Regina got to do pretty much the same.

She felt bad for wanting to take off quickly and for not sticking by and waiting for Regina and Emma to cross the line together with her. She felt bad because she finally started to realize that they were actually her friends and that they actually cared about her and the problem was… she was too envious of what they had.

She wanted a family too; she wanted her family, her husband. For months she had to look at them all the while knowing that they were together. But she felt bad, because her friends didn't deserve her jealousy, and she was trying very well to hide it. She crossed the town line with a smile on her face, trying to put it all behind her. She was holding the Snow Queen's scroll for insurance; she took a few steps on her heels and waited for her friends to do the same.

Emma's Bug was parking near the town line while Emma and Regina were saying their good-byes. Snow and David commented again about how their departure is sudden but Henry was just supportive and kept hugging the both of them.

Regina and Emma shared a group hug with everyone for the last time and Emma blew a kiss to her little baby brother that smiled back from his stroller. They decided it would be best to just get into the car together and cross the line and let Belle get in after they do; she was so nervous.

Emma said she is going to drive slowly because Belle can't see where they are coming from and she doesn't want to run her over, and Regina agreed with her, so when they get into the car they know it's going to take a few minutes until they will really be out of the town.

Regina begins, "You remember we talked about you moving in after we tell your parents?" She thought about that almost a minute after they told them, and couldn't wait to bring that up. It was the first time that day they had more than a second together alone.

"Yeah…"

"I was thinking that maybe when we get back from New York you and Henry can finally bring all of your things to my place, you know… permanently."

"Regina…" Emma is a bit puzzled. She does want to move in with Regina but she just can't commit to that quite about now. "I think we should first talk to Henry about this before we decide anything." She pushes on the gas a little harder; she's avoiding the subject purposely, "Maybe we should talk about it when we get back."

Emma won't look at Regina while talking to her; she's just fixated on the road and, well, avoiding eye contact at the moment. And Regina knows it.

"Well," Regina trembled, and looked down to her hands, "if you say so."

Emma knows she made Regina upset, but it's just not the right time to bring that up. Come on, what was she thinking, Belle is going to get into the car in a second, it can't be now. "Belle's coming, we should end the conversation later." The blonde assured in a small voice.

After Belle gets in the car Emma just drives without saying another word. Belle doesn't want to talk because she's too nervous about going to New York for the first time and about seeing Rumple. She is digging up between the papers and all the books she brought from home, she's trying to figure out what Rumple would probably do in case something bad has happened.

Regina is just looking outside the window, enjoying the road in a complete silence. They are still closer to Storybrooke than to New York, so the small road is mostly inside the woods and they are always surrounded by trees from each side.

The sky is painted in a reddish color that implies the sun is about to hide itself under the horizon. The night is falling as they keep driving and Emma finally breaks the silence with a question, "So, do you think we should rent a room or anything? I don't suppose you were planning to stay in the car all night," she's parking her bug close to a sweets shop and not so far from a motel just near the city entrance, "right?"

Emma's question is addressed to Regina in her mind but everyone else just assume it's for Belle to answer, since she was the one who wanted to come to New York in the first place. "I just thought we would go to Neal's apartment…" she looks at Emma and trying to read her face, "I mean, he's probably there anyway, right? He has nowhere else to go."

Regina and Emma exchange looks for the first time in hours. Belle doesn't understand in the first moment why, trying to figure out what their looks mean exactly. But then it hits her. She opens her eyes because of her realization, "You gave his place to Robin?!"

And, well, yes. She did. "I didn't know anyone else would need it. No one planned for Gold to leave, I…" Emma turns to her and her eyes are looking guilty, "Regina asked for the keys and I gave it to her without thinking about it too much. Nobody was going to use the place anyway." She stops again and looks down to her palms, "It was just going to stay empty."

"I'm sorry Belle," Regina adds, "We couldn't possibly know…"

"No, no," she cuts her in the middle of her words, "No, you're right. You couldn't know. And it is my fault that he is out there now. No other place to go. Where the hell am I supposed to find him now? I have no other place in mind. God, it's all fucked up. It's my entire fault."

She storms out of the car into the night's darkness and going towards the motel's sign. Regina and Emma share a worried look without saying a word; they understand each other without using any. Each of them gets out of the car and they both walk together after Belle into the motel to rent a room for the night. Tomorrow is going to be a day full of work.

The morning following this night's events started surprisingly hopeful. Belle had made plans about where to go in case they wouldn't find Rumple in the apartment, and Regina just kept saying that Robin is "a good man that wouldn't throw a man to the streets", and as much as Belle knew it was true, it made her feel bad a little more, for dumping him outside the town.

Anyway, Emma helped Belle carrying her stuff into the Bug and Regina was trying to get her phone outside of her pocket to text Henry and ask how things are going on back home.

After their son said everything was perfectly okay, and asked if there's anything he can do to help or if there's anything they want to share with him about their trip and their experience in New York; which, of course, that request was denied.

Emma started the car and they began driving towards Neal's place. Emma hadn't been there since Hook sent her there, but she had no memory of anyone. Now she'll be there again, thinking about losing Neal and being there with Hook, and now, finally she's there with Regina. Oh, but Regina is going to see Robin now.

It's a mess for the both of them. This apartment is filled with memories for Emma and for Regina there's a family she doesn't want to see. But for Belle… for Belle there might be a man in that place that she cannot wait to see, and for that single chance, all three of them are going to be there when she knocks on the door.

Regina and Emma did not share a bed last night and this morning they are still not talking too much more than needed. Belle is so edgy that she can't even notice their silly drama.

When they get to the place it is Belle who knocks and waits so nervously for the right person to open the door. But when Robin is standing in front of her and has a weird, confused look on his face, she's a bit down.

Robin looks at Belle for the first moment. He sees a young woman in a small skirt, high heels and a curly brown hair, with worried eyes and a clenched brow; which he can't figure out if that's because she's sick or just nervous. She's standing on the tips of her toes, as much as she can in those heels, and looks inside the apartment just a second after finding Robin in front of her, instead of her Rumple.

A moment after that, Robin's eye catches Regina Mills. His heart is racing as he realizes her palm is shaking too close to Emma's, and finally the blonde just takes Regina's hand in what appears to be an aggressive grip that is somehow made into a caressing embrace very quickly.

Then he finally asks, "Wha- what are you doing here?"

And it's not direct enough for anyone to understand he's expecting Regina's words, so when Belle answers Regina is just thankful it didn't have to be her.

He invites all three of them in and Roland immediately jumps on Regina. His dimples are really something no one can resist, and Regina remembers how much she enjoyed being close to him. She picks him up for a hug with a smile on her face, but the second she sees everybody's faces she puts him down to stand on his feet.

Emma starts to get more nervous about seeing Regina like that. She's more nervous about seeing Regina like that, than even thinking about Neal or Hook. Neal was a great part of her past that is all behind her now, and so is Hook, but she's not so sure if that's the case regarding to Regina's past.

Even so, she smiles at her when she's looking. All of that makes her realize that their little fight is nothing more than a stupid game of self-pride. They should talk all the time, and they should hold hands, and they should smile at each other and really mean it in a nice way.

Rumplestiltskin is not around. Belle's look is almost desperate but then Robin explains that he was really there, so she's trying to get the details while Regina and Emma look for anything in the place that maybe tell them where he went.

Robin says something about him welcoming him in but after a while he just took off. "And the reason he took off, is, I think…" he says with a noticeable lack of confidence, "is because…"

He looks at Regina with his guilty face on, not managing to complete his sentence before a pregnant Marian walks into the door with shopping bags in her hands.

She puts them on the kitchen counter and reveals her even bigger than seemed before belly. She must be on the second trimester at least.

Everyone's jaws drop. But Regina is trying to mask her feelings. She takes Emma's hand again and brings it closer to her side. Even though it's far from her chest, Emma can feel Regina's heart beating inside her body. She knows it's nothing to be worried about, she knows Regina's not in love with Robin, not anymore.

Emma knows that the fact she took her hand shows that she wants her to be close, that she's not falling for Robin again. But why is her heart racing? Well, then Emma figures out, I would have felt the same way if Hook suddenly appeared to have another child from his no-longer-late wife.

And I don't even love Hook. I never did.

Belle seems to be the only excited person about this news, she hugs Robin, and looks at Regina to see her with Emma, so she knows it's fine. It's not like she should feel bad about being happy for her friend. Belle knew Robin long before Regina met him.

His smile is awkward when Belle hugs him, and then she hugs Marian too. So unapologetically in front of Regina, who is her best friend.

The woman explains Marian they came looking for Rumplestiltskin, and the pregnant one explains, instead of husband, that he was there first but then left after it got too crowded for him. And now they have no idea where did he go.

Emma suggests they'd go take a walk in Central Park, where they'd think of anywhere else to go look for him. Robin and Marian immediately ask all three of them to stay. They say that they're welcome to spend the night, but all three of them know it's not a good idea.

Belle would rather take Emma's advice and Regina just wants to get out of there as soon as possible.

When they get into the street again, Emma leads the way by foot, she says it's so close they don't have to drive, which gets her a "Yes sweetie, but you aren't wearing any heels," from Regina.

But it is really close, so they do walk. Suddenly a familiar character gets out of a bus. He uses a cane to walk and he has a long, dark coat that seems a bit dusty. His hair is dark but it has some grey hairs in it, which are mostly not noticeable.

And Belle would recognize that person from an entire mile.

"Rumple!" She shouts, without thinking of all the people in the street that probably hear her too.

The man won't move the first time, but by the time Belle manages to call his name for the second time and run towards him, he turns around with a confused look and a bruised face. She hugs him so tight but he won't hug her back. In fact, he seems afraid, or concerned.

He doesn't know who she is. But it is Rumple. Belle wasn't wrong, it's him. Regina and Emma came closer too, and they can tell it's him. So why doesn't he recognize any of them?

"I'm sorry, I…" he mumbles, "Who are you?"

"Why are you holding me? What do you want?" He asks and with every word he pushes Belle further away and it is more obvious that he's so weak, and he'd fall unless they give him some space and a place to fix himself.

Belle seems broken opposite to his confusion.

"Rumple, please, don't you know who I am?"

"Gold, come on," Emma joins, in what seems in his eyes like an investigation, "That's Belle, you know us, stop playing."

"Leave me alone." He answers in a firm voice and moves his cane towards the park, following with his legs.

Regina kicks the cane and causes him to fall to his knees. Everyone on the street is looking but no one cares enough to say anything. "Listen to me, imp," she raises her voice but somehow manages to seem calm; "you're not going anywhere. Tell us what's going on; none of us take your bullshit. We know you're lying."

Belle immediately gets down on her own knees to help him up; she sends a sharp look towards Regina. She's so tired of their wars, somehow ever since she can remember, Rumple and Regina were fighting. She takes the cane and puts it in his hand and together they rise and stand each on their own feet.

Belle, overprotective as usual, immediately screams at Regina "Stop that!" and then turns to Rumple, "now come on, we're gonna go and seat together and we'll talk. I don't know what's going on but I know that I love you, Rumple, and I want to talk to you and figure out what's going on and I want us to be fine. Please…"

The man looks at her, knowing in his heart that he should follow her. He knows his heart wants him to.

So he does.

They go together and look for a bench in the park. They seat together and speak while Regina and Emma just keep each other busy nearby. They don't want to leave Belle with him alone. They know he loves her and won't hurt her, they know it. But, if he's lying about his memory, what's going on with the guy? He's not trustworthy.

"I don't think we should be this far, we should get closer."

"Well, do you want to go seat on the bench with them as well? We're close enough. Belle is a big girl, she can take care of herself. And you know that even if Gold's lying to us, he won't do anything bad to his wife."

"I hope so." Emma says.

"I'm sorry I lied, Belle," he begins.

"But why did you, Rumple?" she cuts him, "I know what I did wasn't okay. It was awful, I regret it so much. I really, really shouldn't have done what I did." She can't even say what exactly was that, not out loud, not in front of him. She cannot just say "banished him" as if it were alright.

"And I'm so so sorry... could you ever forgive me?"

Her look is so honest. She genuinely just wants him to forgive her, but she also believes she does not deserve his forgiveness. Her bright blue eyes catch his dark ones. Their eyes are locked on each other, it's the first time they do that since they've reunited.

Although doubtful, she really hopes his answer is forgiveness. She knows he gave up to revenge more than once, but she knows their love is true, and she still loves him. She can only hope he still loves her as well.

"Belle," he starts with a broken voice, "You're the one that was mistreated. The reason I ignored you was because I was embarrassed." You can tell by his tone that he is still ashamed. "Everything you've done to me I deserve. I had it all coming, I treated you wrong. I wasn't the husband I should have been. I was the worst partner you could have ever chosen. I don't know why you love me;" he stops and takes her palm, "if you still do. But I understand and I don't need to forgive you, I need your forgiveness. If you're willing to forgive."

She says nothing, but they share the silence together. It had happened before, and now they just look at each other. They know things won't be so simple, but from now on they are willing to go through this together, really.

Both of them have wounds, both of them have been betrayed by the other, but they still have love. For them love's enough. That's the reason to try and stand up together. To work things out. To be stronger than ever. True love.

"We should go back home now," Belle says to her friends. "Rumple's ready to go home. We worked things out. It's okay. If you want me to talk to you about this I'd be happy to do so, but I just… for now I want to go back home and be with my husband for as long as I can."

Regina and Emma accept that. They were worried about Belle, but something wanted her to meet her soul mate that moment, and they know their love is real. They trust Rumple when it comes to protecting Belle.

They get into the car and won't waste another minute. Belle and Rumple want to catch up indeed but in Storybrooke. And now it's fine for them to just sit next to each other until then. Belle helps him with his leg and they sit embracing each other's existence.

Emma and Regina are fine now as well. They know they need to have a serious talk when they get back. Both of them need to clear things out, but they also miss their son and the rest of their family, and want to get the hell out of that filthy city.

So they get in, and just drive.

Thanks for reading and don't forget to review!