The day before the 'big day', Regina and Emma were thrilled that they had been organised enough to be able to have a family day. Everything for the wedding had been organised down to the last detail, leaving them a day free to spend with the boys. They had decided during all the planning that for the two nights preceding the wedding, the boys would sleep in with them, sharing their bed. They wanted to spend as much time together as a family unit before the madness of the day took over and then the separation of the honeymoon. It was a little tricky getting to sleep with two extra wiggling bodies in the bed, and Calon had to be moved several times as he had the loudest snore Emma had ever heard, when he slept in a particular position. But in the morning, waking up with their beautiful children between them, Emma and Regina agreed it had been a great decision. With the fantastic weather they had been having lately, the decision had already been made that they would spend the day at the lake. At the end of the lake closest to town, was an incredible sandy cove, as good as any beach that Emma had seen in her travels. They had a very quick breakfast, eager to get out and enjoy their day. Emma agreed to get Calon ready while Regina finished off preparation of the picnic. Henry was in charge of entertainment and activities and so he went off to load up the trunk with bats, balls, buckets, spades and other bits and pieces that would keep them all entertained for the day. Half an hour after finishing breakfast, everyone and everything was packed into the car and ready to go.
When they got to the beach, they were surprised at how few people were there. An old couple walking a dog, a guy fishing and a young - obviously in love - couple were all scattered around the bay. Regina reasoned that everyone was so busy preparing for their wedding, that they were the only ones who could actually take the day off. Emma hoisted Calon out of his car seat and settled him on her hip. She didn't want to put him down just yet in case he made for the water as they unpacked the car. Not that he would get far, she reckoned. He had been toddling for a little while now, but that was the only way you could describe how he moved. He constantly looked like he was about to topple over and he often did. After the car was emptied, they all made their way to the sand. Henry and Calon set to making the largest castle that was humanly possible, complete with moat, high turrets and flags. Regina and Emma lay on a blanket on their stomachs, watching their boys, soaking up a little of the sun and sneaking looks and smiles at one another. Eventually, when it was clear that Henry and Calon were completely enthralled in what they were doing, Emma moved over, pressing herself into Regina's side and partly draping herself over her back. Her face nestled into Regina's shoulder and when Regina turned her head in surprise Emma was in the perfect spot to take advantage. Regina smiled into the kiss that Emma was quick to give. She returned the kiss, silently counting how long it would take Henry to yell. "1….2….3….4.…" "Moms!" Henry yelled. Both women giggled as they drew away slightly and looked over to their eldest. "Can't you save all that mushy stuff for tomorrow?" Henry was whining playfully. They continued to laugh as Emma explained "Oh kid, we're planning on doing this a lot tomorrow, so it only seemed fair to get you used to it now." They kissed once more, just to hear Henry groan, then they got up to inspect the boys work. It was an impressive looking castle, but what thrilled Regina the most, were the imperfections. Henry had patiently allowed Calon to be involved in this creation. He was very much her son when it came to the need to get things right and his perfectionism had often made things difficult as he was growing up. The arrival of a little brother was a huge lesson in patience and learning to accommodate someone else and their ways. Emma and Regina both loved how much their sons got on. It gave them hope that in the future they would be firm friends.
Emma was on her knees being shown the fine detail of the castle by Henry and she looked up just in time to see Regina look at her. There was love in Regina's eyes. The look that showed she knew just how lucky she was to have all of this. Emma winked at her, so Regina blew her a kiss. From the corner of her eye, Regina saw Calon making his way towards the moat, which although it wasn't deep, had enough water contained in it to soak him thoroughly. She caught him under the arms and swung him up into the air. He squealed as he flew above his mother's head, grasped tightly to her neck as he landed on her body. She hugged him tightly and took him over to sit on the blanket. In a matter of minutes, food was laid out across the blanket, Calon attempting to stick his fingers in everything, so Regina called Emma and Henry over. They sat down to lunch, Calon sitting in the dip provided by Emma's crossed legs and Henry leaning against Regina's shoulder.
After lunch, Henry offered to watch Calon as he napped so that Regina and Emma could go for a walk on their own. As they walked away hand in hand, Emma smiled. "Do you remember when we did this on holiday?" she asked Regina. Regina smiled back at her and squeezed her hand. "I was really nervous being on my own with you. I desperately wanted to hold your hand, but I didn't know if it was the right thing to do." Emma laughed. "It seems stupid now doesn't it? It all feels so right and so natural, just being together and touching each other now, but I felt exactly the same way back then. I was scared to get it wrong." Emma admitted. Regina stopped walking and pulled back on Emma's hand, forcing her to turn to face her. Regina's other hand rose and cupped Emma's cheek. "I'm so glad we've finally got it right darling." They kissed. Emma broke away and looked over Regina's shoulder, looking at the boys further along the beach. "Yep, I think we're far enough away not to do them any damage!" and as Regina started to laugh, she was cut off by Emma sweeping her tongue into her mouth. They kissed for long minutes, Emma's hands grasping Regina's butt, pulling her closer and moving against her. Regina's hands were busy in Emma's hair. She adored running her fingers through her long hair. They remained lip locked, breathing heavily through their noses, passions rising. Emma pulled away abruptly, but only so that she could nibble on Regina's earlobe and whisper in her ear. "Sorry beautiful, we had to stop, or I would have had you down on the ground…." Regina shivered at the thought of Emma and just what would have happened. She pulled her in for one last passionate kiss.
They walked back towards the boys, with their arms slung loosely around each others waists. The closer they got to their sons the more Regina's head came to rest on Emma's shoulder. They stood for a little while just watching them together. Henry was blowing on Calon's stomach, one of Emma's favourite things to do, and Calon was kicking his legs and giggling, while trying to push Henry's head away. Henry was laughing too and enjoying playing with his little brother. Regina was always worried that the gap in age between her sons would be a problem, but the brothers adored each other. Regina and Emma joined their sons on the blanket and a tickle war ensued.
The rest of the day was taken up with burying Emma in the sand (a task that Regina seemed to enjoy far too much for Emma's liking), they all had a dip in the water and Emma and Henry dug an enormous hole - just because they could. Eventually, mid evening, they carried a sleeping Calon back to the car and made for home.
They decided on a movie for the evening and so while Regina made snacks and drinks for them, Henry and Emma covered the floor in pillows, cushions and blankets. Sleeping Calon was settled into the middle of it and the family gathered around him; Henry on one side and Regina and Emma snuggling close, on the other side. Not even ten minutes into the movie, Henry started to fidget. Just his feet moving around at first, but then he started to wiggle more and he was moving enough that Calon started to stir. "Hey kid," Emma called over to him. "Either you need the bathroom, or something's bothering you." Henry looked up at her. "So, come on. What's up son?" Henry picked at his fingers and didn't look up. "After tomorrow….when you're married and everything….what will happen?" Regina made a move to get up, but Emma had her arms around her, so she held on tighter to prevent her from moving. "What do you mean kid? What do you mean 'what will happen?'" Henry sat up and turned to face them, his legs crossed and looking very much younger than he was. "Well….. will we still do stuff like this? What's going to happen?" At that, Regina did get up. She sat behind her boy and pulled him into her chest. Her legs wrapped over his and her chin came to rest on his shoulder. She kissed his cheek and he turned his face just a little so that he could look at her. "Tomorrow, Ma and I are going to make promises. Promises to love each other and look after each other for the rest of our lives. We will put rings on each others fingers as a sign, for everyone to see, that we have made those promises. Then we'll sign a piece of paper so that it becomes legal. And then we'll have a big party - lots of food, dancing, cake. Ma and I will have a honeymoon, that just means we'll be away for a few days and then when we come back, everything will be back to normal." Henry raised his eyebrows, disbelief showing on his face. Regina squeezed him a little and lowered her voice, but still loud enough that Emma could hear. "It was just you and me for so long Henry. You were the only person in my world. Then Emma and Calon came along and our family got bigger; two became four. And I suddenly had three people in my life to love. I've never had that many people to love before Henry. And I've never had that many people love me either. So next week, when all the wedding celebrations are over, we will get back to being Mom, Ma, Henry and Calon. Because that's what's really important." Henry smiled at Emma and pushed himself back into Regina, pulling her arms tighter around him. Emma reached across and placed her hand on his knee. "Sorry if you've felt left out kid. Honestly, we haven't meant to do that. But planning a wedding takes a lot of time! Everything will be back to normal soon though. Is that okay?" Henry smiled. "I was just worried that when you got married, we wouldn't do things together so much. It would end up being you two and then me and Calon." Henry confessed. Emma squeezed his knee and sat up. "I promise you Henry, there's only going to be one real change once Mom and I are married." Regina, who had been rubbing the side of Henry's head with her own, looked up at this. Her eyes narrowed at Emma making a promise without talking to her first. ""The only thing you'll really notice, is that Mom and I will be kissing a lot more. All over the house, all times of the day, any time we feel like it!" Emma grinned and winked and Henry crashed his head back against Regina groaning loudly. Regina laughed and kissed his head when Henry asked "Mom, are you really sure you want to marry her?" The film played on in the background as the family laughed together and before Calon woke up, they decided to get to bed and have an early night before their big day.
As Emma carried the toddler upstairs, Henry and Regina followed, turning off lights as they went. At the door to the master bedroom, Henry hesitated, even as he watched his Ma place Calon carefully on their bed. "Mom?" Henry asked "perhaps Calon and I should sleep in our own beds tonight. You know, so you and Ma can have some time on your own…." Emma got up and touched Regina's arm as she went over to their son. "If you want to go to your own room, you can, but we'd really like you here." Henry looked past his Ma to see his Mom nodding her head. Regina held out her hand and Henry took it. "Tomorrow's a big day. It's about all of us, not just Emma and I. So we want to start the day with all of us together." Henry nodded and hugged his Mom around the waist, then moved on and did the same with his Ma. He climbed into bed and pulled Calon over a little, so that they both occupied Emma's side. Regina got into bed and Emma stood with her hands on her hips, looking at the three occupants of their bed. "So…um….where do I get to sleep then?" Henry answered his Ma. "Well I thought you would want to sleep next to Mom tonight. It would be more romantic to wake up next to her on your wedding day." He blushed at the word romantic and looked away from them when Regina 'awwwwd' at him. Emma clambered over Regina and tugged his head to her, kissing him loudly on the forehead. "That's really kind of you kid. But you're gonna be sorry…." Henry looked at her as she settled down next to his Mom pulling her into her arms. "If I'm this close to your Mom, I can kiss her all night…" Henry's head hit the pillow with a groan.