They all played Mario kart until Emma's stomach rumbling could be heard over the game. They made their way to the kitchen and Regina and Henry got to work on food. Emma was allowed to toss the salad and butter the bread, no one trusted her to do anything else.

Emma sat there making a show over the little jobs she was given. She really wanted to impress Regina. Why was that important to her?

The doorbell rang and Regina moved to answer the door. Emma followed and caught her wrist.

"I'm not letting you get that…what if…no, you can stand behind me."

Regina huffed, "I have my magic back Emma, I am fine…" Emma tugged her wrist again.

"You're lying. You're not… is something wrong with your magic." The knock growing louder.

Regina lowered her voice annoyed, moving in closer than she needed to and her voice hushed, "Ok I lied, I am still deathly afraid of any noise and that you will leave me here alone, I'm not used to showing weakness all right? But who will help me when you do leave? I need to overcome this now."

Emma still pulled Regina behind her and kept a firm grip on her hand.

"I'm not leaving, ok? So let's do this together."

She answered the door, and her parents where there.

"MM, David?"

Snow pushed into the house.

"Regina, what was with that phone call! Emma never called me and I assumed you were lying but …." She noticed the two's intertwined hands.

"Wait were you lying?!" Snow's voice rose an octave.

Regina pulled her hand from Emma's and crossed her arms.

"I have done nothing to your daughter Snow." She said with more power behind her voice then Emma had heard all week.

David walked in and closed the door.

"Emma, are you ok?" He said looking between her and Regina.

"Has her magic returned?"

He eyed Regina wearily.

Emma squared her shoulders.

"I'm fine, healed Regina, thanks for asking her how she was by the way, she's great, just attacked in the street last week." Regina placed her hand on Emma's back.

"Emma it's fine."

Regina looked at the two Charmings taken aback by their daughter's outburst.

"Would you like to stay for dinner?" Regina's voice tried to sound neutral.

Snow found Regina's eyes, "you would allow that?"

Regina let her hand fall from its place on Emma.

"Emma saved my life, I can offer dinner yes, it is the least I can do."

….

Dinner was awkward to say the least. The Charmings spent the whole time trying to see if Regina had cursed Emma. Regina stared at her plate the whole time to not engage with Snow and upset Emma. Emma was saddened by Regina's mood and Henry didn't know why everyone was so quite.

After dinner Henry went to get ready for bed. Regina cleaned up in the kitchen while the Charmings tried to talk Emma into leaving Mifflin street.

Emma told them she was fine and was still protecting Regina, until she knew it would be safe for her.

Emma heard Henry call from upstairs when her parents finally left.

She followed his voice into Regina's room. Henry was sitting in the middle of the large bed.

"Ma story time! Mom's going to read!" He was bouncing excitedly. Regina emerged from the bathroom.

Regina turned to Emma, "We used to do this every night." Emma could tell Regina was trying not to make a big deal about it though she was thrilled.

"How did he con you into that one?" Emma raised a brow.

Henry opened his story book, "Cause I was sitting in her bed when she came up, I wasn't taking no for an answer." He shrugged.

Regina was wringing her hands. Emma noticed she was nervous.

"Well goodnight you two, I'll go sleep on the couch if that is all right Regina?"

Regina looked back at Henry then Emma.

"Well, you have to stay for story time." Regina deadpanned.

Emma's face lit up, "Seriously?"

Regina grabbed her hand and led her towards the bed, she got on one side of Henry and Emma on the other.

"What story would you like dear?" Regina ran her hand through her son's hair, his eyes dipping then snapping wide open.

"Emma's choice?" He turned his face towards his birth mother.

Emma opened her mouth then closed it, no one ever cared about what she wanted.

Regina handed her the book, "Choose one dear."

Emma looked at the book, opened it, then a thought crossed her mind and she closed it.

"How about your story?" Emma set the book on the nightstand.

Regina's face went pale.

Henry snuggled in, "Ok! I have never heard that one before."

Regina shook her head over Henry's at Emma.

"Regina, he deserves to know. And the book can't have it right, every story in there is about the evil queen, that's not everything."

Regina wouldn't speak. Emma picked up the book again and picked Cruella devil.

A/N: poor Regina, :( just not ready yet