Chapter 6

Ruby, Snow, and Regina were strolling down Main Street, enjoying the warm Saturday afternoon. The women were laughing so hard that tears gathered in their eyes and Snow had to hold onto a metal pole to avoid tipping over.

"I can't believe you accidently sat on a red ant colony at the beach!" Snow cried, pointing at Ruby in mockery. Ruby chuckled and held onto Snow to stop the woman's descent.

"It's not funny! It hurt like a bitch!" Ruby shrieked causing Regina to double over. If the people of Storybrooke found the sight of the former enemies enjoying each other's company strange, they didn't show it. But in reality, they were taking huge leaps forward. It made Regina wish that she had let go of her vendetta long ago.

"I'm sorry, Pup, but it was extremely funny." Regina stated once she got her bearings. Ruby smiled widely.

"Yeah, yeah, it was kind of hilarious. My pain is your gain." Ruby teased. Regina put her arm around Ruby, pressing the woman to her playfully.

"You two are adorable." Snow beamed while wiping stray happy tears. Ruby grinned. No matter how confident Ruby seemed at the park about their friendship, she had been worried about the possibility of their relationship deteriorating. Luckily, Ruby had been right. The two women continued life as if nothing had occurred, except there were no romantic dinners and/or canoodling. But everything remained great. They were closer than ever. Regina finally opened up to Ruby about Daniel and his effect on her life and Ruby told Regina about Peter and his death, which still haunted the wolf. Ruby knew that she and Regina were always meant to be friends. They understood each other in ways no one else could. Except for Emma. But that was a completely different tale for another time.

"So Snow, when are you going to return to teaching?" Regina leaned in towards the new mother, "Because whoever decided that it would be a good idea to make Shere Khan your replacement is a complete buffoon."

"I don't know. I want some more bonding time with Neal before I go back. But I won't drag it out. I hear that the kids are terrified of the man." Snow giggled.

"No matter how fast you run, no matter where you hide, I will catch you and you will give in that assignment!" Ruby imitated Khan jovially causing the other two to chuckle deeply. A flash of blonde strolling their way caught Ruby's eye and the wolf smirked internally before wrapping her arms around Regina from behind, pressing her nose below the older woman's ear. Regina tilted her head to throw a questioning glance at her Pup.

"Hey guys." Emma smiled. She was trying extremely hard not to react negatively on the outside. But internally, she was kicking and screaming like a petulant child. Emma had always been a jealous person. She figured it had to do with her abandonment issues. She expected everyone to leave her for someone else because, as most foster parents told her, she wasn't worth keeping around. She didn't want to rip Ruby limb from limb but it was her animal instincts, which was really ironic considering that the other woman was a mutt.

"Hello Emma. Patrolling?" Regina questioned, smiling brightly at the blonde causing tingles to spread all over. How had she not noticed the effect Regina had on her sooner? Ruby finally released the woman and Emma felt relief.

"Yeah. Henry's at a friend's house and Dad told me he had to stay home to watch Neal so I volunteered to take over his shift." Emma replied, her eyes wandered down Regina's form discreetly. Well, not discreet enough to fool Snow, whose eyes widened imperceptibly. She let out a small gasp as her eyes darted between her former stepmother and her daughter, watching them make doe eyes at each other. Well, that was a conversation for... right damn now.

Snow cleared her throat and plastered on a small smile, "Speaking of your father, I should get home. I don't want the apartment to turn into a danger zone."

"Sure. See you Sunday for family dinner?" Regina asked softly and Snow nodded before walking away calmly. Once she turned the corner and was safely out of view from the three other ladies, Snow began to sprint awkwardly, almost knocking over Archie and Pongo.

"Charming!" Snow flew through the apartment threshold like a bat out of hell.

"Snow?" Charming popped his head out from the bedroom, "What're you doing back so soon?"

"I'm freaking out here!" Snow covered her mouth with both hands, her knees bent slightly.

"What happened?" Charming panicked.

"It's Emma! And Regina! It's Emma and Regina!" Snow shrieked, almost piercing Charming's eardrum.

"Oh no." Charming mumbled, drawing out each syllable. He was dreading this moment. He loved his wife but sometimes she could be a bit rash. The prince expected the meltdown but he hoped that she could relax and think logically. As parents, they needed to put Emma's wants and needs above an old vendetta that had dried out months ago. Charming was of the firm belief that if Regina made his daughter happy then Regina had his blessing. Plus, he always saw a slight resemblance between the two headstrong women. That's why he was extremely hostile towards Regina when Emma and Snow were sucked to the Enchanted Forest through the hat. He lost his family because of Emma's need to protect the former Evil Queen. Now, he knew why she was so protective. It wasn't all about Henry.

"Charming, she looked at Regina with love in her eyes and Regina mirrored that love! I saw it with my own eyes!" Snow slammed her palms on her thighs dramatically.

"Snow—"

"I can't believe this! It's… it's…"

"Snow—"

"Fantastic!" Charming froze. Did he hear his wife correctly?

"Snow?" Charming felt pride well up in his heart. Snow suddenly threw her arms up in the air, seemingly feeling victorious. The handsome man laughed.

"Oh Charming! It makes so much sense now! My poor Emma was jealous of Ruby." Charming shook his head in disbelief. This conversation was going way better than he thought.

"So, you're freaking out because…" Charming's question lingered in the air.

"I'm so happy! Oh, this is perfect. Don't you understand? I took away Regina's happiness when I told Cora about Daniel but, now, I could give it back to her through my child. My daughter can save Regina's heart. Oh, they'd make such a great pair! I bet it's true love—"

"Whoa, let's not get ahead of ourselves here." Charming chuckled. Snow's eyes widened and she exuberated joy.

"Listen, listen. Their lives have been intertwined from the start. Fate led Emma to Regina. Mr. Gold could have given Henry to anyone in order to bring Emma here but he chose Regina. Why? He knows something. They could raise Henry together as a family. Regina and I are destined to be family."

"Snow, you have to let things happen naturally. I'm seeing some crazy in your eyes." Charming chuckled, watching his wife practically skip across the apartment.

A/N: I decided to write a shorter chapter just to work through Snow's reaction. I truly believe that Snow would be supportive of Regina's happiness, even if it were with Emma.

What do you guys think? Do you think Snow would be supportive of Swan Queen or would she react negatively?