A?N-Sorry this has taken FOREVER to post, I got distracted with my Christmas themed story, but that one is finished up, so now I can concentrate more on this one :) Hope you guys like it! Reviews are greatly appreciated! Suggestions are always welcome, too, even if I don't use them they always create inspiration!

The weekend dragged for both women, but through frequent texts and phone calls, they managed. Late Sunday, Emma was too excited at the prospect of seeing Regina the next day for lunch so she couldn't sleep. She had tried everything, counting sheep, counting the cracks in her walls and ceiling. She tried to read a book but couldn't concentrate, put on a movie but the romantic plot just made her think of Regina even more. Finally, close to midnight she pulled out her phone.

Are you asleep?

After a moment she got the response she wasn't sure she would receive.

If I wasn't I wouldn't be able to answer you. You shouldn't ask such silly questions.

I miss you. And I can't sleep.

I'm sorry. And I miss you as well, darling.

I can't wait to see you at lunch. What time should we make it?

How about an early lunch? 11?

How about breakfast that never ends and we just take the day off and spend all of our time in your bedroom.

Not going to happen, dear.

11 is good. I love you, go get your beauty sleep.

You too. Try to sleep well, my love. I'll see you in less than half a day.

Regina settled against her pillows with the book in her hands, setting her phone on her nightstand. She knew that how quickly she had fallen into this pattern with Emma was not smart. She couldn't help the thoughts that ran through her mind late at night when she was alone and her guard was down.

Love is weakness, Regina.

But her mother wasn't here. Her mother would never be here again. She knew she should ignore the thoughts that crashed through her mind. Going back now would be ridiculous; she could never unlove Emma, not that she would want to. She put her book down and laid down, trying her best to fall asleep.

The next morning Emma woke around 9, pleased that she only had two hours before seeing Regina. Her stomach was churning and she assumed it was because she had fallen asleep so late. She stopped at Granny's on her way to work and grabbed a coffee and a bear claw, she knew that eating a big breakfast would spoil her appetite for lunch with Regina. When she was at the office she vomited and wondered why. She ignored it and went on with her day, as her stomach felt better after expelling her breakfast. She called Regina, excited that it would be soon. Regina told her she would call to order their lunch and asked if Emma minded bringing it to her, she was swamped with paperwork after the weekend and figured this way she could work until Emma got there and once Emma left, instead of taking extra time to leave. Emma agreed, willing to do anything to please Regina.

When it was time to head to Granny's she pulled on her jacket, locking up the station on her way out. She was in an exceptionally good mood and smiled at everyone she passed. She knew she was in too deep with Regina, but she really didn't care. She hadn't let herself love someone like this since Neal and even though he broke her heart, love had felt good at the time. Now, when she knew Regina would never do anything to hurt her, it felt even better, tremendously so. Granny brought out her food telling her to have a good lunch. Emma was pleased with the amount of people who were quite forgiving of Regina, once they had been reminded of all the help she had given the town since the curse broke, how many times she had saved them all.

When she got to Regina's office, the secretary told her that she was expected and to enter as she pleased, she did so. When she walked in she was greeted with a wide smile and a soft, quick kiss.

"Hello, beautiful. How has your day been so far?" Emma asked.

"I have far too much paperwork and I'm exhausted. I did make a plan for our date tomorrow evening, though. Would you like to see if your parents would keep Henry for the evening and night?"

"Of course." Emma gave Regina a dopey smile. "What time should I come over?"

"It's supposed to be nice tomorrow, so I was thinking we could have a walk together or something before our date, would you like to come over around 5?"

"Sounds wonderful. How was your weekend?"

"Long. Henry and I did a lot together, though. He seems a lot more willing to spend time with me and seemingly enjoying it."

"Yeah, he talks about you constantly when we're together. And about us, you and me, I mean."

Regina cocked one eyebrow. "Does he?"

"Yeah. I live for my time with him, especially when I don't get to see you." Regina looked somewhat confused, so Emma elaborated. "Because I hear about your time with him and everything you're teaching him and I can almost pretend to be there with you guys."

"Emma, you are absolutely always welcome to join us. You really don't even need to ask, just let me know so I can make sure you know where we are if we aren't home."

Emma's eyes and smile brightened at the brunette's words. "Really?"

"Yes, dear. You are Henry and my family, you are always to be included if you so wish."

"Awesome and uh, likewise. Actually, do you want to have dinner with me and Henry tonight at Granny's?"

"I would enjoy that, thank you Emma."

The women ate their lunches and chattered about their weekends, then parted ways with plans for Emma to pick Henry up from school and meet Regina at Granny's at six. The rest of the day passed fairly quickly because Emma received several phone calls about stupid and petty things. There was also a car accident and she had to take care of giving a ticket and helping get the damaged cars towed to Tillman's. When Emma picked Henry up from school she was exhausted. They headed to her family's apartment where she showered and changed before the two cuddled up on the couch to watch a movie.

"Mama, what's for dinner?"

"We're going to meet your mom at Granny's."

"Really? Cool! It kind of sucks splitting time between you two. I understand why, I just miss you when I'm with her and I miss her when I'm with you."

"I know, kid. I'm sorry. You know, though, your mom and I both love you and we both love each other. It's just gonna take a little bit longer until we're ready to live together. It'll happen though, I'm sure of it, and when it does this time will seem so small in comparison."

"You really, really love her, don't you?"

"I really, really do."

After their conversation the two left to meet with Regina and the family had a good dinner together, Henry chattering through most of it while the women stole glances and smiles at each other. One moment when Henry was talking about a school project, Regina had her chin resting on her balled up fist. She was looking at Emma like she had never seen anyone so beautiful in her entire life, like Emma was her sun in the gloomy days and her moon on the darkest nights. Emma looked up and noticed, her cheeks flushing from the passionate look she was receiving and gave a bashful smile to the brunette.

When they had finished their meal, Regina hugged both Henry and Emma goodnight, stopping to kiss the blonde sweetly on the mouth. They exchanged words that they would see each other the next day and headed their separate ways. Emma's stomach turned while she and Henry walked home. She questioned her decision to not live with Regina every day since she had said not yet. There was no need to rush things, no reason to move more quickly than necessary.

Emma slept fitfully, sharing the bed with Henry always did that to her, so instead of sleeping she thought about what Regina would be doing for their date tomorrow. She knew Regina was more guarded right now than she was, but that was ok, the brunette could take her time if she needed to. She had been hurt deeper than Emma had, in life, so Emma wouldn't be pushy and Emma would accept what Regina could give her, which so far was so much more than she had ever received.

The next day passed easily. Emma and Henry started it with coffee for her and cocoa for him and breakfast at Granny's running into Regina who, too, had come in for coffee. She sat with them until it was time for her to get to the office and Henry to head to school. They kissed goodbye, and as Regina walked away, Emma stared at the brunette who was dressed especially nicely in her usual black slacks and the blue-gray shirt that Emma had once worn. She was wearing a black blazer but no jacket since it was a particularly nice day.

Henry coaxed her out of her thoughts and caught her eyes checking out his other mom. He proceeded to drag her to the bus stop and told her that she was gross. She chuckled easily at his comment and grinned at herself for being so amused. Never having been one drawn to women before, she was amazed at how easily she had found Regina completely and utterly attractive. The brunette who held her affections was, quite literally, walking sex appeal. Emma turned her attention to her son who was about to get on the bus. She reminded him that he was to come to the station after school, then she would take him home to stay the evening and night with his grandparents. He nodded his understanding and boarded the bus. The rest of the day was busy, so she was pleased when Henry walked into the station and she set him to work on his homework for the last hour before they left.

Regina was busy making last minute arrangements for their date. She called the only person she knew would actually be willing to help her, Ruby. She had left home early and the flowers she had ordered arrived so she set them on the table in the foyer and headed upstairs to change. Her plans for the evening required more casual wear so she pulled out a brand new pair of skinny jeans she had purchased recently. She knew her body was appealing, it was something she had never had a problem knowing, and she knew the blonde particularly liked her backside, and in jeans it looked rather nice. She pulled on the dark, tight material. She changed her blouse into a deep red, thick, v-neck shirt with 3/4 length sleeves. The doorbell rang so Regina retrieved the items she needed and opened the door to reveal Ruby. She handed the items off and told her where to put them, thanking the other brunette for her assistance. Slipping on her dark brown leather riding boots, she heard the doorbell ring again.

When the door was opened, Emma raised her eyebrows. "You own jeans?"

"No, Emma, I just decided to borrow some from a friend, I really enjoy sharing clothes with all of my numerous girlfriends."

"Funny. You look very beautiful and um, sexy in jeans, you should only take them off for cleansing and bedroom purposes," Emma choked out, stepping closer to put her arms around Regina's waist and kissing her softly.

"Here," Regina started, grabbing the vase of flowers off the foyer table when they were inside. "I got these for you." She handed the vase to Emma.

"They're beautiful. Thank you, Regina."

"The daisies mean "loyal love" and the daffodils, they mean, um," Regina stuttered, blushing slightly. Emma kissed her cheek and raised her eyebrows questioningly. "They mean "the sun is always shining when I'm with you."

Emma looked thoughtful for a moment, and then smiled widely, setting the flowers back onto the table and pulling Regina in for a long, wet and passionate kiss. "Thank you so much, they're perfect. They're the sweetest thing I have ever been given." Regina smiled and nodded, dragging Emma's hand to lead her back out of the house. She looked at the boots the blonde was wearing and smiled, keeping their fingers intertwined while she led Emma away from the house.

"What are you smiling about?"

"I was just being certain that you were wearing good walking shoes, those boots should suffice."

"You're a mysterious woman, Regina Mills."

"Stick around and maybe you'll unravel all of my mysteries."

They walked to sandy ground where Henry's castle once was before Regina had it torn down. Regina had sent Ruby to lay out a quilt and bring the picnic basket she had prepared for them. Emma smiled brightly when she saw the display.

"For me?"

"Of course. For us." She paused for a moment, walking with Emma to the quilt and sitting down. "Henry and I came here the other day, and we discussed that day when it was torn down. He isn't mad about it anymore, he said something about being glad his new castle was cooler because it looks like my old castle. He's a funny child."

"He really is."

"I know that the castle was your spot with him, but I was thinking maybe it could be our spot, too." The blonde just smiled at her, seeming to be at a loss for words. "Anyway, you're probably hungry. Would you like some wine?" Without waiting for Emma to agree, Regina poured two glasses and pulled out the spread she had prepared. There was potato salad, tuna macaroni casserole, chicken salad sandwiches on croissants, and cheesecake for dessert. She made the both of them a plate and they ate in an almost uncomfortable silence.

Regina wasn't sure what was going on with the blonde, normally she would be eating for several minutes after Regina finished, because she would be talking so much. This evening was almost completely silent, save for compliments on the meal and thanks for her refill on the wine.

"Emma, is everything alright?"

"Yes, why?"

"You're very quiet this evening, like you're mind is elsewhere."

"Sorry, it is. I'm sorry I'm being weird, I'm just stunned that someone as amazing as you would want me. Until I came to Storybrooke no one ever really wanted me, at least not in the long run. And when you basically told me that I make the sun shine for you, I guess I began worrying. What if I hurt you by mistake?"

"As long as you don't do it on purpose, we'll be fine. I know we're a strange combination but it's almost exactly true that opposites attract, in our case anyway."

"Ok. Good because I really just want to enjoy my night with you. Dinner was amazing, and you're amazing. You certainly know the way to a woman's heart"

"I'd like to know more about the many ways to get to yours."

"Didn't you know? It's not mine anymore. You have to feel it too, right? Ever since we took our hearts out and they bound together with magic showing our true love, I feel an extra strong tie to you. And really, I wouldn't have it any other way,"

"I do feel it, I wasn't sure if you would since your magic isn't quite as trained as mine."

"We should go back to your place and make out." Emma was running her index finger slowly up and down Regina's thigh, tracing patterns against the denim.

"Oh? You just want to make out with me?"

"I never said that it couldn't progress."

The women packed up and carried the remains of the picnic back to Regina's house, keeping their hands linked the entire way. They enjoyed their night together like they had never touched a night in their lives and not at all like they had just spent two days doing the same thing less than a week prevous.