Chapter 10

The King and Queen's Castle.

Walking towards the Princess' chambers with a bouncing Henry at her side, Snow smiles down at him as she pushes the double doors open and releases the boys hand. Running in excitedly in the direction of the bed, Henry looks up grinning." HAPPY BIRTHDA-" glancing at the empty bed, the boy screws his face with a pout before looking over at his mother. "No Emma?"

Sighing in realization, the Queen shakes her head. "Henry wait here..." Walking back out into the corridor, the dark haired woman makes her way towards the guest chambers meeting her husband half way who had just returned from some last minute, early morning business before his trip with Emma. Seeing him already at the door, Snow raises an eyebrow. "David?..."

Glancing over at his wife, the King puts his arm out quickly taking hold of hers before she makes herself known. "I know exactly what you are thinking right now Snow, but we have to come to terms with the fact that Emma is an adult now and she is also not a silly girl who rushes into things. Before you march in and start disturbing, you might want to take a look?"

Taking a breath, the Queen gives him a playful glare. "You do not know me that well Charming..but I will look before I make myself known"

Giving a small chuckle, David lets go of her arm so Snow can step forward and look through the double doors seeing the pair simply cuddled into one another fast asleep. Biting her lip, Snow cannot help but smile.

Leaning forward to his wife's ear, the King also smiles. "Might I suggest my theory that our daughter just wanted to ensure that her friend was okay after yesterday's events and made sure she wasn't alone like she has been for god knows how long in that old attic?"

Nodding in agreement, Snow leans back against him, prompting the man to take her shoulders. "You're right. She does have a tendency of putting others first..I just cannot believe that our little girl is twenty one.." Turning around, the Queen reaches for her King's hand and begins to walk away to get their son, gaining a now confused look from David. "Leave them be for now..they were up until late, I shall tell Granny to fetch their trays up here..Ruby can bring them"

"Now that will be interesting..you have seen our daughter's maid when she finds something out? Especially something big?"

"Maybe not Ruby then.."

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Being to first to wake, Emma revelled in the fact that she had, as this meant she got to watch the beauty next to her. Keeping hold of the brunette's hand, the blonde stares as Regina sleeps peacefully with a small snore every now and then. Seeing the brunette's nose crinkle followed by a small yawn, the Princess smiles as the woman beside her comes to. Tilting her head to the side as she blinks her eyes open, Regina suddenly remembers where she is and gives a shy yet sleepy smile. "Hello Emma.."

Leaning over to stroke some of her hair out of her face, Emma grins. "Hello Regina"

The brunette goes even more shy and quickly covers her face with her hands until the Princess laughs and pulls her hands away before leaning down to kiss her in the hope of making her more relaxed. Regina immediately melts and kisses back, taking hold of Emma's face as the blonde leans partly over the top of her. Burying deeper into her pillow as they kiss, the brunette feels the Princess take hold of her waist to keep her close. Pulling back briefly, Emma mutters before pecking her lips again. "I could kiss you forever.."

Giving a small giggle which makes the blonde look in awe, Regina bites her lip before being attacked by Emma's lips again.

Without much care, especially as she is carrying two breakfast trays, Ruby pushes the doors open to the guest chambers and walks in, immediately dropping her mouth open upon seeing the pair. "Princess!"

Moving off sharply in fear of it being her parents, Emma looks over and glares seeing Ruby as Regina covers her head with the duvet. The maid smirks and sets the trays down. "Your mother asked me to bring them up here because yes she knows you're both in here..oh and it's nice to finally meet Regina's...blanket form?"

Cringing, the brunette slips a hand out and waves before the Princess pulls the duvet away, prompting the embarrassed Regina to sit up. "..hi.."

Ruby nods towards her. "It's nice to finally meet the woman that the Princess is in love with"

Emma's eyes widen with a small glare at Ruby in disbelief that she just said that. Regina looks between them then settles her eyes on the blonde. "..wh..what?"

"I'm gona go.." The maid quickly makes a run for the door and out.

"Emma?" The brunette looks confused at the blonde.

"Forget it..it's too soon..just pretend it never happened.." The Princess smiles through nerves while also looking teary as it all could be about to be ruined.

Taking hold of her hands, Regina tilts her head down to meet her eyes. "Is it true?"

The blonde just nods as her lip trembles. "I'm sorry..I don't want to freak you out.."

Quickly hugging her tightly, the brunette smiles to herself. "How could you freak me out when I'm in love with you too?"

Moving back to look at her shocked, Emma blinks. "You are?"

"How can I not? Emma..you are certainly one hell of a Princess..you are not like everyone else. You are not afraid to be you and I love how open you are and how you just..take a chance..because after all you took a chance on me and I am so grateful for that..you saved me"

Taking hold of her face, the Princess smiles then kisses each cheek, nose then Regina's lips. "You're pretty great too you know?.."

Dropping her head onto the blonde's shoulders, the brunette smiles, taking hold of her hand. "I see you got your necklace.."

"Yes, I love it..it's our flower" Emma grins, raising her spare hand to clasp the pendant protectively.

Kissing her shoulder, Regina looks up. "It all begins from now, so Princess, ready to celebrate your birthday?"

"With you by my side, yes" the Princess kisses her head then stands before holding her hand out. "Come, we better face the music.."

Accepting her hand, Regina gets out of bed and follows Emma out the room and down the corridor, a little cautious as she is just in a nightgown.

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Walking into the main hall, Emma goes up to her mother who smiles on sight by the fireplace and hugs her. "Happy birthday baby girl"

"Emma!" Henry joins in with the hug by grabbing one of her legs with a grin.

Watching from behind the arm chair, Regina gives a sad smile at how close they all are. Feeling a hand on her shoulder, she looks up at David who smiles. "I know what you are thinking..you're one of us now Regina, come and join in.."

Glancing over her daughter's shoulder, Snow smiles at the pair then holds her hand out towards the young brunette to join them.

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The Mills Estate.

"Mother, I'm hungry!"

Cora looks over from her desk in her study with a glare at her daughter. "Well go and make breakfast..and while you're at it, make your brother and me some!"

Zelena huffs and crosses her arms. "This isn't fair..just because Regina is gone doesn't mean you can take it out on me!"

"Do not ever mention that girl's name again!"

"Why not? She is still my sister?"

The older brunette scoffs and stands to walk up to the redhead. "It's a pity you didn't say that when you ordered her about, then maybe you could have gone with her! Now get out!"

Seeing Cora raise her hand, Zelena jumps back actually scared then runs out of the room. Going to Neal's room, she bangs on the door then walks in. "Mother has lost it..I mean seriously lost it.."

"She's got a mean streak so what?" Neal rolls his eyes not interested in the conversation.

"She was going to hit me!"

"Yeah so? She often got her belt out to Regina..then again you two are very alike maybe you deserve it.."

Looking shocked at what her brother said, Zelena gulps. "No one deserves that..Neal..I may have been horrible to her but no..even I draw the line at that. How could you know and act normal?"

Neal shrugs. "I thought mother was right, she deserved it.."

The redhead looks down feeling guilty then takes a breath before quietly muttering. "I wish father was here...it was different when father was here.."

Sniggering, Neal shakes his head. "Father was a coward.."

"Don't say that!"

"You dear sister was always jealous that Regina was the golden child in his eyes.."

Trying not to get upset, Zelena walks back to the door. "Well maybe because its true I mean look at us! I don't want to be here anymore.." Slamming the door behind her, the redhead walks up to the attic and looks over what little her sister had. Sighing, she sits on the hard bed then looks in the draws of the small cabinet, Regina owned. Lifting a box out of special items including some pressed flowers and their father's ring, Zelena hugs the box to her chest. "..sorry dad...I've been a rubbish sister, I'm glad she's gone because she deserves that life..I see that now.." Glancing back at the box, the redhead bites her lip in wonder if she should return it to the brunette before Cora raids the attic and destroys everything.

A/N: is there hope for Zelena? And I'm kind of wishing Henry wasn't dead...anyone else?