Emma looked at herself in the full length mirror, the ivory white dress hugged her figure nicely but had enough room that she felt it wouldn't be too tight around her midsection by the time of the winter ball. It showed off her shoulders nicely and wasn't too puffy. She had to admit it, her mother had made a good choice. She spun and watched her dress swish around her ankles.

"Maybe if the dance goes well I can have a quickie wedding afterwards since its the right color." Just as the words slipped out of her mouth her mother walked into the room.

"I think that's a good idea."

"Mom, don't…eavesdrop when I talk to myself." She turned back to the mirror propped against the wall and adjusted the fabric around her shoulders.

Snow sat down on the bed. "So I take it the dress is a thumbs up?"

"It is. Thank you for picking it up, that was pretty understanding of them to let you take it just to try on."

She waved her hand. "She was my mother's—your grandmother's seamstress. Practically family. I figured I would lay a trap and force you to try it on."

"It worked. I like it."
"I'm glad. Speaking of weddings, even if you don't get married after the ball you should consider a baby moon."

She turned from the mirror to look at her a dark haired mother. "Baby moon?"

"Yea, it's something people do so they can have some quiet time together before the baby comes, like a honeymoon. A little vacation."

"I'm not really looking to travel and I'm sure Regina, well, she doesn't seem like a vacationing type. I'm sure there's mayor stuff to do and I have things to take care of at the sheriff's office."

She sighed and flopped back on the bed. It could be almost obnoxious the way they could be so similar. Regina would have probably had the same excuses.

"A week Emma, just take a week. We can all survive for a week without the two of you."

"It's winter in Maine. Where are we going to go?"

"I don't know…get a cabin for week. Henry can stay with us, he can help with Neal, get some experience with babies."

"It seems like…I don't know, a big thing to ask."

Snow sat back up and threw her hands in the air. "A big thing to ask? You asked her for a baby for fuck's sake!"

Emma's mouth dropped open. "Such language from Snow White!" she chided. She really wished her mother would drop this line of inquiry. She didn't want to ask Regina to run away with her for a week, baby moon or no. She felt particularly vulnerable with her emotions seeming to change on a whim recently. A rejection, even an entirely valid one, would break her heart right now. She asked Regina for too much.

"Help me out of this dress, will you? Tell her I'll take it."

Snow stood from the bed and assisted her in pulling the dress over her head, mussing her blonde locks. She folded it gently and placed back in its box.

"What are you afraid of? Emma, its not like you to seem so…skittish. Is everything ok between you? I mean, I of all people know Regina can be a bit…rough around the edges."

Emma sighed and sat down next to the brunette on the bed. Was she doing this? Was she going to talk about this with her mother? Once they had been friends first, she had to remember that.

"Things are fine. She's opening up to me more than she did at first. She still can be reserved but sometimes, well, she can get super mushy."

"Regina? Regina Mills?"

"Oh yea, calls me her Princess and everything. At first I thought it was…situational but sometimes it will just pop up out of nowhere." She felt her cheeks flush hot and knew she was blushing. "Don't tell her I told you."

Snow giggled, "That's funny. Does she want to be called 'Her Majesty' or anything?"

"No, not that I've noticed. I think she wants me to move in, she's been dropping hints but hasn't been too pushy about it. She's always mentioning it will be easier with the baby to be under one roof."

"Well, she's probably right about that. Do you want to move in?"

She shrugged, "It's a big step. I—I don't know."

"Emma, what's the problem?"

"I don't know, it's…" The reality was she really didn't know. She felt this need to retreat, put some distance into the situation but conversely the next day would feel the exact opposite. "I don't know, it's me. I'm a mess." She flopped back onto the bed and closed her eyes. "Let's not talk about me anymore. Did you go see Blue today?"

"Yea, I did," she frowned, worrying at a loose string on the comforter. "No change in her condition. No one seems to know anything, it looks almost like an enchanted sleep to me but I'm assured its a coma. They suspect brain swelling."

"I'm sorry, Mom. I know she's a friend."

"Hope hasn't been abandoned yet, Emma."

And here comes the hope speech, Emma thought to herself, as she braced for the onslaught of Snow White positivity. She wasn't disappointed.


Regina watched with curiosity as the ogre sitting on the tan carpet of the library held a magnifying glass up to his eye, keeping the other closed as he read a book on electricity. He was leaning against the shelf of books against the wall, still dressed in his tarp couture.

"Jim."

His head popped up and he looked at her, sans magnifying glass.

"Your Majesty," his deep voice seemed to echo against the walls.

"How are you?"

"I am well. Trying to learn about what I'm supposed to be doing for the power company, I don't understand these things yet."

She nodded. "Well, keep reading, you will." Her gaze left him and met Belle's, who was stepping around from the counter.

"You know my newest number 1 customer?" Belle asked.

"We've met, yes. You have my books?"

"I do. Some are on loan if you will, from the shop. Don't tell anyone."

Regina nodded and followed the young woman over to where a small pile of books were stacked. She picked them up off the low table and turned to hand them over.

"Is Emma going to update the baby's page soon?" she asked, before relinquishing the books.

"I don't know," Regina replied. Was Belle planning to require a page update for the books? "It's a baby in a womb, not much going on right now."

"Gender? Are you going to post that? Girl or boy?"

"We'll see. It's all in Emma's hands. Can I have the books?" She was interrupted by the phone in her pocket ringing. "Just a moment."

"Regina," Snow's voice came over the earpiece. "Can I talk to you about Emma?"

Turning away from Belle she hurried into the library's office and closed the door.


Regina understood the importance of making an impression. As a girl raised by a mother who aspired to royalty it was something that was drilled into her. After all, the only difference between the common folk and the ones with the crowns was presentation and a willingness to believe.

She was going to the Winter Ball, and would be escorting the Princess of the White Kingdom. She couldn't very well have them arriving in that yellow bug. She made some deals and haggled to get them the proper chariot.

Her dress was a midnight blue, with a sequined top and a matching waist coat with a high collar. A shade of EQ but not too much, she thought. She had just finished dressing when she heard her son wail for help a tad dramatically.

She found him in his room, struggling with his tie.

"I thought you were going with the bow tie," she said, standing in the doorway.

"That's even worse. I should have gotten the clip on." He yanked the maroon tie from around his neck and glared at it. He turned and looked at his mother.

"Wow! Nice dress, Mom."

She smiled and took the tie from him. "I want to look good for your Mother." She slipped the tie around his neck and began tying it. "You're okay with staying with your Grandparents?"

"Yes, sure."

She adjusted the knot and stood back to look at him. He looked very smart in an all black suit with the dark red tie. She felt a pang in her chest, she could feel him moving away, getting older. She hated it, but it was also lovely at the same time.

"Your date is a lucky girl, you look very handsome."

"Our dates are lucky girls. We both look very handsome."

She smiled at him and took his arm. They stood together in front of the mirror for a moment.

"I agree. We're fabulous. Now, go catch up with Snow. I'm going to go get Emma."

Emma was nervous. She was trying not to be but she was nervous. She paced, she sat down, she paced some more. It was like she was going to a prom for grown ups and coming out at the same time. Of course tongues were wagging in town about their relationship but this would be the first official confirmation of such. She knew there would be some disapproval, which didn't bother her. It just felt very…official.

Her phone buzzed and she picked it up.

[I'm outside beautiful. U ready?]

She took a deep breath and opened the door.

Coming down the steps to the street she saw Regina leaning against a midnight black limousine, looking impossibly stunning in a dress that was the most beautiful blue she had ever seen; the blue of deep oceans and thunderclouds. A grin lit her features and their eyes met. She lifted her dress a bit so she could descend the stairs at almost a run. As a result she flashed her blue Converse tennis shoes which funnily enough were a similar blue.

"Your carriage my Princess," Regina said, opening the door.

Emma gave her cheek a quick peck and slipped into the car. Regina followed and closed the door.

The driver and his passenger turned to look at her.

"Archie! Pongo!" she exclaimed.

"Hi Emma! Don't worry, Pongo is not driving. You ready?"

She nodded and grabbed Regina's hand. "This is awesome. Does this limo have a bar?" Three sets of eyes bore into her. "I'm kidding. Let's go."

It was a short ride. She chatted away nervously, she forgot about what. Archie dropped them off at the main entrance. He took the car around back to park. Unlike Henry he did have a clip on bowtie, one for him and one for Pongo. He attached the tie to the dalmatian's collar and gave him a quick look over.

"Lookin' good, Pongo. Let's go!" The dog and his owner bounded out of the car and towards the ball.

Snow met Regina and Emma at the door. She was dressed in a silver taffeta gown with a small diamond tiara perched on her head. The gymnasium behind her was unrecognizable. Small lights hung from the ceiling and swaths of gold and white cloth was hung along the walls.

"Wow! This looks great! You did an amazing job." Emma looked around as Snow beamed at her.

"Thanks. And you look amazing. I told you that was the dress."

"It was the dress," she agreed.

Snow wrapped her up in a quick fierce hug, doing her best to blink away the tears in her eyes. She wrapped her arm around Emma's shoulders and looked at Regina.

"I'd like to introduce my daughter, Princess Emma. Emma, this is Lady Mills."

Regina gave a deep curtsy. "An honor to meet you. This may be a bit forward but would you like to dance, Princess?"

Emma laughed and held out her hand. "Absolutely."

Regina took her hand and led her to a very sparse dance floor, it was still early and people were still trickling in. The DJ was playing something that sounded not much better than elevator music but neither of them cared. Regina was too busy mentally preparing herself for what she needed to say.