CHAPTER 16

Emma was happy. She was also confused. Regina tended to give her mixed signals and she wasn't ever completely sure where she stood with the woman.

She had met up with her, Zelena, Graham, Luka, and Henry at the school which was where the dance recital was held. The school was apparently one of those places that were so small that their gymacafetorium housed pretty much everything. The gym, cafeteria, and auditorium all combined in one room.

She had made a joke about it that had earned her a frown from Regina. She'd then explained that they were in the process of trying to open up a studio and the gym was in the process of being renovated. This was just temporary. Emma had faced forward and stayed quiet not wanting to step on her toes anymore.

Regina and Luka soon left to go and get dressed in the backroom. The kids in the school would first put on a play. Then it would be time for the dance recital. During the recital Luka had a solo part that she was extremely excited about. Emma had watched her practice it and she had to say the kid had moves.

Henry had been giving everyone, her included, the cold shoulder since he'd left the hospital. For some reason this made everyone else happy while making Regina even more tense than usual. She knew he wasn't done with his pining for this imaginary land and family that he'd conjured up in his head. She only wished he could open his eyes and not forsake the family that stood in front of his face all for dreams and hallucinations he'd conjured up in his head.

The lights went out just as Regina made her way back to her seat. And then the play was afoot.

There were 5 short plays done up by the first 5 grades. Thankfully they were really short. And between the kids crying, forgetting lines, jumping around unscripted, or plain talking loudly to friends and families from the stage, it had been a long time since Emma had laughed that loud.

Then the dancing began. Graham was close to the stage with the camcorder. He crouched low and changed positions often to keep their little Luka always in view.

Luka was brilliant. She never missed a step. And her flexibility was awesome. She was just as good as the kids Emma saw on Dance Moms. She got a standing ovation that included whistles from Emma and stomping of her feet. Luka grinned over at her and waved from the stage.

Afterward the group made their way down Granny's for dinner. They put a couple of different tables together and enjoyed themselves as they bragged on about the recital and Luka's dance.

"Joining the family Swan?" Ruby asked her playfully.

Emma looked at Regina when she answered, "well did you know that Swans mate for life just like penguins? They're true and faithful to the one love. It wouldn't be the worst thing to belong to someone forever."

Regina's face turned bright red and she busied herself in the opposite direction. Zelena just watched the color deepen on her sister's face. She knew although Regina wanted nothing more than to run and hide from what was happening between them that things were more complicated than that. Her sister had feelings for Emma. And Emma had never been shy about what she'd felt for her.

She knew her sister was scared. Her first true love had been murdered mercilessly at the hands of their own Mother. Then her Mother had forced her into marrying a king who apparently took his inspiration from the Marquis de Sade. Regina had suffered greatly at his hands. She'd been lucky to even survive that marriage.

Her fling with Luka's father was just a one night stand that kept giving. And 8 years later it was still giving them all plenty of joy and happiness. Regina never spoke of him and no one including Luka had bothered to ask. They were content with their family as is.

Until Emma showed up, that is. Zelena understood her sister was scared. She had never been lucky in love and had all but pushed the possibility from her life deciding to instead focus on her children. But children grew and left home. And Zelena wanted her sister to have the same kind of happiness that she had found with Graham.

Emma seemed to be a good person and she was honest enough. And there was no doubting the signs of true love that existed between them. And true love couldn't lie so what they had between them couldn't be wrong. She had no idea why her sister still refused to take happiness when it was handed over to her. But there was no way she was going to let her sister pass up what could be her last chance at the love and happiness she'd had so little of in her life.

She rose and began collecting her things, "I'm sorry we can't stay," she planted a kiss on Luka's head. "You were beautiful sweetheart," she whispered in her ear. Then she turned to her sister, "I think it's time we got home. We have that thing in the morning," she nodded toward Graham hoping that he'd take the hint.

"But you drove us here!" Regina reminded her. She started to stand but Zelena clamped a hand around her shoulder and pushed her back down.

"I know I drove here. But Emma can drive you back," she looked over at Emma who quickly smiled and nodded.

Graham was momentarily stunned but immediately jumped up and followed his wife's lead. "Hmm? Oh yeah. The thing – with that whatchitmacallit." He went around the table and kissed his young niece. He clapped Henry on his shoulder and gave Regina a kiss on her cheek. "See you tomorrow morning Emma."

Regina watched the couple walk away while shaking her head. She knew they were up to the usual matchmaking schemes. She really wished they'd give it up.

"I think some little princess needs her bed," Emma pointed to Luka's head that was starting to bob away. "And how about you little prince?"

Henry's head swung around sharply. "Why'd you call me that?"

Emma's head reared back in surprise. "Well – I guess I've heard your Mom call you that so many times. I didn't mean anything by it."

Henry just stared at her.

Regina cleared her throat and interrupted. "I think you're right about the little one needing her bed." She began gathering her things together. Henry and Emma did the same. She took Luka's hand in hers, "come along poppet."

Luka for once was docile instead of hyper. The recital had taken a lot out of her.

Emma ran forward and unlocked the passenger side door first. She held it open for her guests. She gave a dramatic bow as she said, "Your faithful chariot awaits. Entre."

Luka giggled before climbing into the backseat. Henry followed her silently. Once they were inside Regina stood for a moment and staring at the car. Then she sighed and got in. "Put on your seatbelts," she ordered the kids as she reached for hers. Emma jumped into her seat and grinned over at Regina. Regina rolled her eyes and faced forward.

The ride home began silently. Then Emma reached out and put on the heater. "Warm enough back there?" she asked as she checked on the kids in the mirror. When Luka gave her a thumbs up she turned to Regina with her brow arched in askance.

"It's fine," Regina answered the unspoken question stiffly. The interior of the car was as small as the outside and she was trying to keep her legs from being accidently bumped when Emma reached for the gearstick.

She jumped as Emma's hand snaked out to her side of the car again but Emma merely gave her a smile as she turned on the radio. Classic rock began to blare from the speakers. Regina turned and spent the remainder of the ride with her eyes glued out her window.

By the time they got to the house, her little Luka had fallen asleep. "I've got her," Emma offered and was already out of the car reaching for her before Regina could protest.

Regina walked ahead and went to unlock the door. Henry breezed past her without a look back. "Get ready for bed. I'll be there right after I put Luka down," she warned so that she could stave off him fooling around with his games or books instead of sleeping.

He merely gave her a dismissive wave as he ascended the stairs.

Emma stood behind her with Luka draped over her arms. She grinned when Regina looked over at her, "Where does this one go?"

Regina led the way upstairs and opened Luka's door. "She goes in there," she said as she continued to her room to quickly put down her purse and get out of her coat and shoes.

When she got back to Luka's room, Emma was leaning against the wall. She had her head cocked watching her sleep with a small smile on her face. She half turned when Regina walked in, "she's so cute."

Regina could never resist bragging on her children. She smiled back at her, "Yes she is."

"You've done a good job with them," Emma told her.

Regina frowned and looked behind her towards Henry's room. "Not good enough."

Emma walked over to where she stood looking over her daughter, "Hey. I know Henry's a lot to handle. But you really are trying your best. And with this house, and all that you've given him – I'm not so sure I could've done this well for him," Emma ducked her head as Regina looked at her surprised. Her cheeks flushed as she pushed her hair behind her ears, "I'm really glad he found his way to you."

Emma looked up at Regina suddenly. Regina's breath hitched at the depth of emotion she saw rolling around in the green depths. She cursed herself for getting sucked into the swirling pools of green and blue. Thankfully Luka rolling over helped break the trance that the confounding woman seemed to trap her in so easily.

To cover her nervousness she concentrated on getting Luka comfortable in her bed. "Would you mind handing me a nightgown from her top drawer?" she asked as she continued removing her clothes and shoes.

She reached with her hand without looking at Emma for the gown and slipped it over her head. Emma then ran to the opposite side of the bed and pulled down the blankets as Regina slipped Luka between the sheets. She gave her daughter a kiss on her head and turned down the lights remembering to put on her nightlight before Emma followed her out the room.

She kept her head buried so that there was no chance of her getting caught up again. She watched through half lowered lids as Emma came closer to her. She thought the woman would try engaging her more and she held her breath knowing that if she did she was powerless to put up anymore fight against her.

But Emma merely lifted her hand and placed it on her arm. She squeezed it while she brought her lips close to Regina's ear. Regina bit her lip and squeezed her eyes shut waiting for the inevitable. "I'll see you tomorrow," Emma whispered as her hand traveled from Regina's arm down to her hand. She gave it a squeeze and then ran her hand along her back as she passed her.

Regina stood stock still waiting for her heart to stop hammering in chest as she listened to Emma make her way out the door. Once she was sure she heard it close she quickly ran down the stairs and locked it behind her. She didn't exhale again until the lock was turned and she had leaned her head against it.

She managed to gather herself enough to make her way back upstairs on shaky legs. She checked on both children before making her way to her own room.

Regina sighed as she went through her nightly routine. Emma was proving a formidable opponent. With one touch she was able to awaken parts of Regina's body that she hadn't felt since Daniel. With just one whisper in her ear she had managed to turn the former Queen into mush. She was wearing her down. She had no idea how much longer she could fight something that she had been told and was now beginning to accept was her destiny.