AN: Sorry the updates are few and far between, finding time to write is difficult but i had a couple of hours to kill before the S6 Fall Finale so i hope you enjoy this update. I am hoping to go back to Eventide soon, I'm just a little bit lost with it at the moment, but i will get there. Anyway here is another chapter and i hope you enjoy. We are coming to the end of this story in a chapter or two which i will en devour to get up soon!

Emma zipped the clothes bag back up and headed into their en-suite bathroom to take a quick shower and wash away the days work. Throughout her shower Emma was running over the evening in her head and how she wanted everything to go. Of course as often was the case with the two of them that was unlikely to happen so Emma made a rough guideline in her head, something she could work with but was flexible.

After her shower she walked back into the bedroom and dried herself off before putting on the new black underwear she had brought for tonight. It was black and lacy and she knew that Regina would approve of her choice.

Next she dried her hair off a little with the towel and let it hang long and loose down her back, the natural curls already forming. Looking around the room her sights landed on Regina's vanity table and Emma decided that tonight was an occasion for make up.

She missed putting on her statement, slightly winged eyeliner she use to wear religiously when she first came to Storybrooke and tonight was the best excuse she found to wear it again. She carefully applied it and checked that both eyes were symmetrical before putting on a couple of coats of mascara.

She decided to leave her lips nude event though she was dying to try out some of Regina's red lipsticks (of which she had about 150 different shades of) but decided she didn't want to take anything away from what she would be wearing; after all it wasn't every day you got Emma into a dress.

Emma then walked back into the walk in closet and pulled out a draw that house all of her jewelry. She didn't have a lot as she didn't often wear it at the risk of it being broken or caught in a chase or fight. Tonight was a jewelry night though, as she knew the exact piece she was going to wear. It was a locket the Regina had brought her not long after she had moved in and nestled inside was a picture of Henry on one side and Regina on the other. Regina had had a small inscription etched on the back which read:

Family is a gift that lasts forever.

Emma remembered crying when Regina had given it too her. Maybe crying was an understatement, sobbing was a more accurate description.

Regina had looked at Emma so concerned that she had done something wrong so Emma had stood up, knowing Regina would too and just launched herself at the unsuspecting brunette.

Regina's arms easily wrapped around her body and held her close, the then reached one hand up and gently stroked the ends of Emma's hair, soothing her and trying to calm her down.

Regina was the first to pull away but didn't lose contact by placing her hands on Emma's biceps and trying the catch the blonde eye. Emma was looking down at the locket in her hand, disbelieving what the inscription said.

"Emma?" Regina said softly still trying to catch her eye. Emma looked up, locking green eyes with brown and smiled.

"I'm sorry, I just… I never thought I could have it." Regina tilted her head a little to the side, not quite understanding what 'it' was. Emma looked back up at her and could see her unspoken question. Emma went to sit back down on the sofa gently pulling Regina's arm so that she sat down next to her.

"Having my mum and dad here is great, and I love them but sometimes it is hard to even consider them family when I didn't know them for the first 28 years of my life. They feel a lot more like really close friends than my mom and dad and so I guess giving the title of family to them is hard. But with you… you giving me this gift I know I have finally found where I belong. I finally have a family I love and can call my own."

Emma looked back at Regina after looking at the locket whilst speaking. Regina was smiling, not a sympathetic smile brought on by past memories and tales but a genuine, happy smile. This time it was Emma who tilted her head.

"Emma, you have been part of this family long before tonight. Henry saw you as family long before anyone else. I was so worried about giving you this because I want sure if you considered me part of that and when you started crying I thought it was because you were upset I did. I am so happy that the feeling is returned. We are a family, we have been for a while now I think and nothing will change that. I love you and Henry loves you, we ARE your family."

Emma lunged at her again for another hug and all Regina could do was giggle at the childish response.

Emma unclasped the necklace, pulled the two ends apart and then pulled them up round her neck and clasped it shut again. She rand her hand over the silver locket now dangling just below her clavicle and smiled to herself. The metal was warm and it sent that feeling through all of her skin and straight to her heart.