SUPER short, mostly fluff chapter (I know, I know-apologies) but I wanted to get this out before I leave for Spring Break tomorrow. Hopefully I feel the urge to write more before I leave and I can update again tomorrow, but I make no promises.

Happy St. Paddy's Day Lovelies!

-IrishBella

querencia:
(n.) a place from which one's strength is drawn, where one feels at home; the place where you are your most authentic self.

SQSQSQSQSQSQ

"Mommy?" Tommy questions as he pulls on Regina's hand.
"Sí Querido?" Regina asks as she crouches down to look him in the eye.
"Where we goin'? The sun's still sweeping. Momma says to stay in bed when sun in sweeping."
Regina gives her youngest son a smile, she's heard this question all morning and she still cannot find an accurate answer that will soothe her young son entirely.
"We are going on a secret adventure mission, buddy," Emma says as she steps over to her wife and son.
"An a-ventour?" he questions. When Emma nods his eyes bulge and his face lights up with a smile that looks like it could split him in half. Emma smiles back and nods when Regina mouths a silent 'thank you' as she stands. "Like when you go work?" he asks moving his attention to his blonde mother.
Emma gives a thoughtful look and says, "Not quite buddy, but we can play pretend if you want," she adds at his unhappy look.
He nods enthusiastically and says, "I need my badge," and he takes off running.
Regina is about to stop him when Emma reaches for her arm and shakes her head, "It'll be easier babe."
Regina doesn't protest but asks, "How are we going to explain your parents?"
Emma shrugs, "we'll figure it out."
Regina rolls her eyes at her wife's aloofness but doesn't question further, if she wants to push it off then she can deal with the questions later.
"I'll deal with it later," Emma says as she rolls her eyes. At Regina's questioning look she adds, "you had that look. That 'I-don't-believe-you-at-all-my-silly-swan-but-I'll-agree-and-let-you-deal-with-the-fall-out-by-yourself-JUST-KIDDING-I'll-help-because-I-love-you' look."
Regina raised an eyebrow, "That's quite a description of this look, my silly swan."
Emma smirks and says, "well you do use it quite often."
Regina rolls her eyes at her wife's antics but the soft smile on her face tells Emma that she's not actually upset, only amused.
Emma's smirk turns into a giant smile, the exact smile their son gave them a minute ago, as she wraps her arms around Regina and whispers, "Love you Gina."
Regina smiles and rests her forehead against Emma's while she says, "I love you too, my silly swan."
"I knew you'd like that," Emma smirks as she pulls back to look her wife in the eye.
Regina rolls her eyes again, but before she can respond she hears Tommy bound down the steps, "Thomas, slow down," she warns as she looks towards the staircase.
"Sorry Mommy," Tommy says as he makes his way to his mothers, head hung low with badge in hand.
Emma lets go of Regina to pull Tommy to them and hoist him into her arms. "You know, Mommy only does that because she doesn't want you to fall and get hurt, buddy."
"I know Momma," he says without looking up at either of his mother's.
Regina gives a small smile and holds her hand out, "Here, my little deputy, let me attach your badge to your shirt so you can finish getting ready for work."
At this Tommy lifts his head to beam at his mother. He hands off the badge and once it's attached he puffs his chest out and proudly says, "I just like Momma!"
"Just. Like. Momma." Regina says as she bops his little nose, loving the giggles that erupt from him.
"K, Momma, now what?" he asks looking at his blonde mother. She shifts him in her arms so she has one free and uses that to tap her finger against her chin, "Hmmm…I believe my newest deputy should go and see if his bag is packed and ready to go." He nods enthusiastically and let's his mother set him down before sprinting out of the room. Regina lets out a chuckle and turns to her wife.
"What?" Emma asks, seeing an unusual look on her wife's face.
Regina shakes her head with a smile, "Nothing dear. I'm just so happy he has such a great role model." Off of Emma's confused look, she continues, "You're Tommy's superhero, darling, and it makes me incredibly happy."
"I am not," Emma says, "Batman is."
Regina smiles again and walks to her wife, "It's alright dear," she says as she wraps her arms around Emma's waist, pulling her close. She leans up so her lips are right next to Emma's ear, "You're my superhero, too."
Emma pulls back to grin at Regina, "Superhero and White Knight? Must be pretty spectacular, huh?"
Regina nods her head sarcastically, "and incredibly humble, too."
Emma laughs and quickly kisses Regina. She pulls back and says, "we should finish getting ready. We have to get going."
Regina nods and walks towards her daughters. Once they are both safely in their wrap against her body, she started to walk through the house, checking to make sure lights were off, windows were closed and locked, and they hadn't forgotten any essentials. She is walking back down the stairs where Emma is waiting; wearing two backpacks, smiling.
"Did we forget anything?"
Regina shakes her head and says, "I do not believe so."
Emma smiles and says, "all the doors and windows are closed and locked down here. I also sent an email to Bob, our security officer, to let him know we'd be out of town for an undetermined amount of time." Regina nods as Emma continues, "Emails were also sent to both our workplaces last night. Our neighbors were informed of our 'vacation' and will help keep an eye on things. I also sent a text to the Suburbia Bitches letting them know we wouldn't have the kids at Parent-and-Me for a while because we're heading out of town for some family stuff and that we'll text when we're back in the area."
"Emma!"
"Suburbia Bitches," Emma giggles at her own joke, "Sounds like a badass punk rock band."
"Emma!" Regina gasps again.
"Yes, I know. Don't swear, dear, you'll set a bad example for our children," Emma says as she mocks her wife's voice.
Regina looks affronted, "I do not sound like that."
Emma snickers and says, "You kinda do babe."
"They are not that bad," Regina huffs.
"Look. Babe. I get it. I know that they're you friends and all, but they are totally the Suburbia Bitches.
Regina rolls her eyes and says, "I hope you realize that we are a part of those 'Suburbia Bitches' as you so crudely put it."
Emma gasps, "we are not!"
Regina laughs and nods her head.
"You take that back!" Emma says, making Regina laugh even harder. "Let me tell you something, Gina. If you weren't wearing our babies right now, I'd tackle you so hard."
"Duly noted," Regina says with a chuckle as she tries to move past her wife.
Emma wraps around her back and whispers, "I guess I'll just have to wait 'til later."
"Good luck trying, darling," Regina says as she turns in her wife's arms to look Emma in the eye.
"I don't need luck, babe." Emma smirks and kisses the twins' foreheads, then quickly kisses Regina's unsuspecting mouth. She pulls back and smiles at how Regina is frozen in place, arms resting underneath their daughters, eyes half closed.
Regina opens her eyes and shakes herself out of her thoughts. She gives a breathtaking smile and says, "Come along dear, we need to get going."
Emma nods and follows her wife to the basement steps. She reaches out and grabs Regina before she starts descending and pulls her back a few steps from the door. Regina raises an eyebrow and Emma says, "We're gonna be okay, right?"
"Pardon?" Regina asks.
"Are we gonna be okay? Are you okay with this?"
"Emma, if I was not okay, we wouldn't be doing this. If I thought there wasn't another way, I wouldn't be here with you and our children. With Zelena, Robin, and their children. If I were against this, you would be the first to know. I am okay. We are better than okay. We are taking our family on a vacation. We will go, check on everyone, and come back to our lives."
"Craziest family vacation ever," Emma mumbles.
Regina chuckles and kisses Emma's cheek, "I agree, darling, but now that we have our memories back, and with everything that's been going on, I believe this is necessary. We need to check in, and the children deserve to meet their family."
"Even if they're completely insane?"
"Well, they already deal with their Aunt Zelena," Regina says with a sly smile and a shrug.
"Hey! We can hear you, you know!" Zelena yells from the basement.
Emma rests her forehead on Regina's and chuckles. "I love you," she whispers.
Regina winks and says, "and I you. Now, let's go. We are already behind schedule."
"You got it boss." Emma gives a mock salute. Regina shakes her head but turns around and starts walking down the stairs.
"Come on Moms!" Henry exclaims.
Tommy runs over to his mothers and tugs on Regina's arm, "Mommy, Mommy, WOOK!" he points to the tunnel leading through their basement wall.
"I see darling, now I need you listen very carefully," Regina starts as she crouches in front of her son, mindful of her sleeping daughters, resting on her chest. At the serious tone in his mother's voice Tommy looks away from the secret passage and gives her his full attention. "I need you to be on your best behavior, alright?" When Tommy nods she continues, "we are going to a very special place, but I need you to always stay with your mother and I, Zelena or Robin, or Henry, alright?" Tommy nods again. "Very good. No running in front or lagging behind, alright? You need to always be holding someone's hand."
"Got in Mommy," Tommy says with a smile. He leans into his mother as she wraps her arms around him and kisses his cheek.
"Good, because I have a very special mission for you," she says before she whispers in his ear.
The smile that grows across his face lights up the dark basement. He nods enthusiastically and then says, "You got it boss." Everyone in the basement laughs at this. Regina kisses his cheek again and stands back up. Everyone faces the Gateway and takes a deep breath.
"Aunt Gina, can I walk with you?" Kelly asks.
"Of course darling. Come here," Regina holds out a hand that Kelly immediately latches onto.
"Here we go," Emma says as she walks forward. Her gun is holstered at her hip but it's unclipped. Ready to be used if need be. Robin was right behind her. He had gone out and bought a bow and arrow when his memories came back, but he also had a gun from this life, his life as a thief in the World Without Magic.
Henry and Tommy were next. Henry having a secure hold on his little brother's hand says, "Alright, Little T, let's start our special mission."
Zelena is standing to Regina's left, with Roland next to her. She squeezes his hand and says, "Go ahead darling, you may walk with your cousins." Roland smiles, gives her a quick hug and runs up to latch onto Henry's left hand. Zelena squeezes Regina's left hand and says, "I can't wait to have my magic back."
Regina gives a small smile and says, "Of course that's all that matters to you."
Zelena gives a wicked grin and together-with Kelly holding onto Regina's right hand and Evy and Lottie sleeping soundly in the wrap-the two sisters enter the Gateway.