Author's Note:

Okay so both endings were coming at me simultaneously and I couldn't decide between them so I decided to just include this one as a bonus feature/extended scene.

Extended Scene: Together at Last

"You were right the other day, that thing that's between us, I do still feel it. Today I was reminded that where there's true love, it doesn't matter how much time has passed. What's eleven years when you have eternal love?"

Neal smiled at Emma impressed by her wisdom of words.

"I love you," he whispered.

Emma smiled, "I love you too."

The gap between their lips closed in again, their lips wrapping around one another. Emma wrapped her arms around Neal's neck and he in turn wrapped his arms around her waist bringing her closer. Their tongues caressed each other tenderly.

Taking a breath Neal lifted Emma up from the floor, she wrapping her legs around his waist as he led her to the bed. Neal slithered his way up to her and paused for a moment. Emma reached for his shirt, yanking it over his head and tossing it to the side. Neal did the same with Emma's.

This time Emma wasn't as hesitant as she rubbed her fingers over his chest getting a feel for his body. She could feel her own heart begin to race and she could feel the thrumming of his own heart as she held her right hand over it.

Neal softly ran his hands over Emma's arms and then made his way to her stomach, touching the very sacred place that had housed their child all those years ago. His right hand made its way to her back, sliding upward until he reached for the clasps. The black bra was tossed aside with the rest of the clothing.

Emma looked at Neal and smiled. He met her gaze and smiled back at her as he slowly leaned down, Emma lifting her head slightly to meet him, their lips meeting with a gentle ferocity that led on into the rest of the night.

Emma's head rested on Neal's chest early the next morning; his left arm wrapped around her.

"Do you regret what happened last night," Neal asked.

Emma traced her fingers along the lines of his muscles. "I want to. It goes against all of the hatred and anger I had for so long but that's gone now." She looked up at him, "Last night was…"

"Perfect, amazing? More than just a one night stand," Neal said thinking of his own words.

Emma laughed a little, "Yeah all of those, but it was also more than that." Emma placed her head back on his chest. "I didn't think it would feel like that again. I'm glad it did."

"Me too," Neal replied.

The two remained silent for a moment before Neal spoke up again. "So what happens now, you go back home and do the walk of shame?"

Emma laughed. "Yeah my parents are going to have a field day with that one, aren't they?"

"And Henry?"

"I think as long as he doesn't catch us in bed together we're okay. I'll think of something."

Neal raised his brow. "Is there something I'm missing?"

Emma cringed at the memory. "Let's just say I've all ready skated by on having the talk with him though I probably will have to at some point unless I leave that to David. He's been really good with him."

"Having your family back, it's been good for you hasn't it?"

"It has. It was weird at first but now I can't imagine it any other way."

"And you don't have a problem living with them?"

Emma smirked. "Why because I'm twenty eight years old and still living at home?" she asked looking at him.

Neal looked down, "I didn't mean for that question to sound the way it did."

"I know and no, it's not a problem at all. I've waited my entire life to be with them so it's a good thing. We've managed to make it work."

Neal hugged Emma a little tighter, "I'm happy for you. So should we order breakfast or-,"

Placing her head on his chest and taking his right hand in her left, Emma looked at their entwined hands. "Maybe in a little while," she said, "Right now I just want to lay here with you."

Neal placed a kiss on top of her head, "We can do that too."

Emma smiled and closed her eyes, content in the silence but not really falling asleep. She thought about everything that had happened the past few days: Neal's arrival, her confusion, the time she spent with him and Henry.

And she thought about the whispering willow. She had been right. Like the river, love didn't cease to exist just because of the forces life threw at it. It endured and not even time could directly change what it was.

Neal was a part of her the same way her parents and her son were. Her family felt complete now. She was complete.

~END~