It couldn't have been more than an hour before Emma woke up from the sound of a phone buzzing on the table.
Her partner in crime stirred in her arms, clearly not planning on going anywhere anytime soon.

She stretched her arm trying to grab the phone, but there was no way she could reach it.
The buzzing continued until the phone reached the edge of the table and fell off it, waking up Regina with a bang.

She jumped up and looked around in confusion and shame.
"I'm so sorry! I...I..."

"Relax Regina, it's fine. I guess we both fell asleep."
Emma tried to sooth her, while collecting her phone from the floor. "How is your back?"

The queen stretched and turned, smiling at the non-existing pain.
"A lot better it seems. Thank you."

"Listen I gotta go, the station called so I guess I'm needed elsewhere. Are you ok?"

"I'm fine doctor."

Emma gave her a pleased smile before making her way towards the exit.
"And eat your sandwich!" She ordered while opening the door to face the rest of her afternoon.

Regina smiled to herself. Not only did she indeed feel a lot better. But there was something else…comfort maybe? Joy?
Perhaps this was what friendship felt like.


Emma sat on the park bench waiting for Henry's school bus to arrive.
Her head was still in the clouds, thanks to her little 'sleepover' with Regina. She could swear she even still smelled like her.

Get a grip, Swan! She only lay in your arms for one hour. It's not like you actually 'slept' with her!
The thought alone made Emma's head spin, so that she completely missed the fact that the yellow school bus had passed her a few moments ago.

"Emma!"

She quickly turned her head to face her son.

"Finally! I've been calling your name for hours!"

"Oh really? Hours?" Suddenly, she realized she was talking to a 10-year old.
"Come on kid, Snow probably has dinner ready."


"Do you maybe have some leftovers?" Emma asked her mother halfway through her plate.

"Sure, but don't you think you should finish that first?" Snow asked, pointing at Emma's half eaten quiche.

"I meant for Regina." She prepared herself for a wave of complaints, but none came.
"She wasn't feeling well today. I want to give her some food so she doesn't have to …"

"It's fine Emma." Snow interrupted her. "Just fine."

An uncomfortable silence fell over the table, until Henry broke it with some story about school.
While he and his granddad talked about his recent history lesson, Emma made a great effort to meet her mother's eyes, hoping to find some sign of support. But Snow White kept her eyes focused on her own plate, refusing to meet her daughter's gaze.

After dinner, Emma made her way into the kitchen, in hopes of clearing the air.
Without saying a word, she picked up a clean towel and started drying the dishes her mother was washing. They stayed like that for several minutes, until Emma couldn't take the silence any longer.

"Why are you so angry with me?" She tried to face her mother, who kept her eyes focused on her task.
"Just tell me what I did wrong?"

The other woman let out a soft sigh before dropping a glass into the sink.
Without lifting her head, she whispered only one word.
"Why?"

"Why what?"

"Why her?" The question came out louder than she had intended.
She looked around making sure her husband and grandson hadn't heard her, before continuing in a much quieter voice.
"Of all the women in this town – why her, Emma?"

"How did you kn…?" Emma was beyond confused.
Had she really been this obvious?

"I am not stupid Emma. I know that look. You're smitten!"

Emma turned away her head in shame. It felt like betrayal towards her family.
Why couldn't she fall head over heels with Ruby or Belle? They were pretty, smart, nice. A hell of a lot nicer then Regina for sure.

"I can't help it. It just happened."

Snow noticed the conflict in her daughter's eyes. It made her realize once again, that love works in mysterious ways.
"I'm sorry. It came out all wrong. I…I tried to talk to you about it the other day. But you just pushed me away."

"Yeah, you are my mother remember? You asked me to act more like your daughter. Well, I guess this is me trying. I keep the secrets, and you will try to find them out." The comic relief was more than welcome at this point.

"Does she feel the same about you?"
Although Snow was afraid of what the answer might be, she had to know. God, Christmas will be so awkward!

"No…I mean, probably not. I only just figured it out myself"

Her mother gave an obvious sigh of relief.

"Well thanks for that!" Her daughter sarcastically stated.

"I'm sorry, you're right. But I have got to be honest with you, I'm really not happy about this! And it has nothing to do with the fact that she's a woman. In fact, before I met your father I…"

"Ok fine. Please stop! Mother-daughter relationship remember? You've had sex once, 29 years ago. That's it, no more!"
Emma threw her towel onto the counter and withdrew herself from the kitchen, leaving a very amused Snow behind.

A few minutes later her mom joined her, and the rest of the family, in the living room.
"Here." She handed Emma a Tupperware with the remainder of their vegetable quiche. "She just has to put it in the oven for another 20 minutes."

The gesture made Emma realize, this was the first time she actually felt like a daughter to the woman.
It meant the world to her knowing that Snow accepted her choice.
"Thank you. I'm sure she will love it." She tried to sound sincere, making sure her mother would read her gratitude.

James and Henry looked at each other in utter confusion.
"You do realize it's just food right?" James reminded them, which resulted in a 'tss men' kind of look from the two women.


"You look a lot better this evening."
Emma's words were welcomed with a broad smile from the dark haired beauty before her.

"Hi mom!" Henry gave her a hug and walked inside the house.

"I guess I had a wonderful power-nap." Regina admitted to her former blonde-pillow.

Emma shyly bit her lip. Oh how she wished she was back on that couch with her.
"I brought some food for you. I wasn't sure if you were up for cooking." She handed Regina the Tupperware.

"Always looking after me." Her eyes locked with the sheriff.

"Always." She replied.
Emma turned on her heels, dragging herself away from the queen's porch.
"I really should get going. Snow is dying for some mother-daughter time I'm afraid. So...enjoy the food. Oh and 20 minutes in the oven!"

"Thank you."

Regina closed the door after Emma reached the end of her path.
Leaning against it, holding her Tupperware tight, she sigh deeply.

I should have asked her in. Should I have? No that would be stupid. I have spent enough time with her these past few days. I shouldn't overdo it.
She got herself together and decided to warm up her quiche.

When the oven pinged, she took her dinner out and sat down at the table.
She let her mind wander to the events from the past 48 hours.
It had been a rollercoaster of emotions. Some too painful to bring back up, others just very confusing. Yet strangely enough, she felt good about them.
She never had a close friend before. And the way this friendship, or whatever you'd like to call it, made her feel...well, it was confusing to say the least.

She decided to send a message to Emma, to thank her for the food.

When Emma saw Regina's name popping up on her screen, she opened it with trembling hands.
I forgot how much I hate this feeling. Just act normal!

- Please thank your mother for the food. It was lovely. Regina

Why do you assume it was Snow who made it? Maybe I did.

- Did you?

Well no. But so you know…I can cook!

- And I suppose I should just take your word for it?

Emma stared at the message for some time. Oh Madam Mayor, you're too obvious.
How about I'll show you my cooking skills on Friday?

- Looking forward to it.

Emma jumped up and down her bed, squeaking like a little girl.

"Let me guess…" A voice brought her back to reality.
Her mother was standing in the doorway, waiting for her daughters reply. A reply which she actually didn't really want to hear.

"I'm going to cook for her this Friday!"

Snow shook her head in disbelieve.
"Emma, she has done a lot of horrible things, and I really don't like this woman very much. But nobody deserves that kind of punishment!"

Snow closed the door just in time to escape the pillow flying at her.