Chapter 37

"There is no mile as long the final one that leads back home."

Katherine Marsh

"I'd say that went fairly well." Emma flopped down on their bed and laid her arm over her eyes.

"Indeed." Regina laid beside her, although without the flopping. "Patty and Charlie make a cute couple. Callie's dinner seemed to be a success."

"You've been quiet tonight." Emma reached out and took Regina's hand. "Got something on your mind?"

Regina was silent for a couple of minutes before she took a deep breath. "Have you thought about what things might be like when we return?"

"My parents can just get over themselves."

"Not just them. What about us? Emma, I don't want to go back to having separate quarters, sleeping apart. I like knowing that if I wake up in the middle of the night I can turn over and wrap myself around you."

"Yeah, I've noticed you like to spoon." Emma smiled.

"You do as well."

"Only with you." Emma chuckled. "You have an idea, I can tell."

"Well, I was wondering if you might like to move your things over..." Regina chewed her bottom lip.

"To the mansion?"

"Why not? There's plenty of room. My bed is larger than this one, there is ample closet space and I'm sure Henry will be happy to have us all together under one roof."

Emma simply rolled on her side, smiled and kissed Regina's cheek. "That's very sweet. Thank you."

"I don't think I could ... go back to how we were before. I don't want to."

"I don't either. I feel more complete now." Emma looked down at their entwined fingers. "I want to get to those renovations for Patty tomorrow. Your passport will be here soon and I don't want to have to wait longer than necessary to get home."

"Going home sounds nice."

"Mm hmm."

Regina lay there, idly stroking Emma's hand, acknowledging that she had changed since the portal had brought them here. Knowing she was a better person now. Love had done that. She turned to look into the green eyes beside her and smiled when she saw those eyes closed in sleep.

She sighed deeply, nearly content, and allowed herself to fall asleep.

The next morning, Emma was up as the sun rose. She tiptoed out of the house with her shoes in hand and sat on the front steps to tie them on. She stretched as the sky turned a dusky pink, and began to jog down the driveway and then the road, repeating her new mantra over and over in her head.

It will work.

We will get home.

She ran for a half hour before glancing over her shoulder, checked for traffic and crossed the empty road. As she got closer to The Sneezing Moose, she could see Regina and Charlie chatting outside. Regina was obviously watching for her, and waved as soon as she spotted her. Emma lifted an arm back and decided the Moose was far enough for a run.

As Emma's jog slowed, and she stopped in front of the other women, Regina smiled and gave her a peck on the cheek. "Good morning."

Emma flashed her a vibrant smile and returned the kiss while Charlie pretended to straighten the sign.

"If you two young lovers are ready for coffee now?"

Regina chuckled as they all went in. Charlie locked the door behind herself, mumbling, "Stu can just bloody well wait an extra half hour..."

"Someone giving you a hard time about opening early?"

"Stu seems to think that his two morning coffees six days a week give him the right to tell me when I should unlock the door." Charlie went to the coffee machine as she spoke, while Regina and Emma took seats at the long counter. "I've been pondering opening a half hour later anyway. Not much movement out there at this hour anyway. Except young folks that like to jog apparently." The older woman poked at Emma's bicep in fun.

"Sleep in a little later and tell Stu he needs to do the same. Tell him it's good for his testosterone levels."

Charlie laughed and poured coffee for the three of them. "Good idea! I won't see him until noon!"

They spent the next half hour making small talk until Emma decided a shower was in order.

"Well, I better go wash this sweat off before I tackle whatever is on Patty's list. Are you cooking this morning, Regina?"

The brunette nodded. "I am. A new muffin for the breakfast crowd. Be careful, Emma."

Emma nodded and let her lips graze Regina's cheek. "I will." Then she grinned at the diner owner, who was smiling at them fondly. "See you later, Charlie."

After a filling breakfast of eggs, bacon, rye toast and coffee, Emma and Patty measured, marked and taped off the area that would be the walk-in pantry. Patty held two by fours while Emma bolted them to the floor, and then to the walls. Working together, they soon had a sturdy skeleton constructed and anchored. After a little discussion, specific wall-studs were reinforced and just as Patty started to insist on a coffee break, there was a knock at the door.

"Sit and take a load off, Emma. I'll get it."

"Oh, good timing, Sheriff! Come on in and have a cup."

"Patty, I'm off duty, you can call me Don."

"Never mind that, my mother raised me to have better manners than that. Come and have a seat. Emma, Sheriff Stirling has agreed to be our electrician so the pantry can be lit!"

"That's great, because I certainly can't do it."

"Hello, Sheriff Swan." Stirling stuck his hand out. "I'm a little surprised you can't install wiring. According to Callie, you almost walk on water!"

Emma shook the lawman's hand and chuckled. "Well, I haven't tried, so…"

"Thanks for doing this, Sheriff. Emma tells me once the wiring is done it shouldn't be too long before I'll have a walk-in pantry!"

"It's no problem, really. Would you mind giving me a hand, Emma, once we've had some coffee? After that, I'd be glad to help you if you'd like."

"Sounds good."

By the time Regina came back from The Sneezing Moose, the pantry was nearly done. All that remained was painting and installing the small lights, which Emma planned to do the next day. As she was showing Regina what she and Don had done, Emma yawned widely.

"Why don't you go on up and rest? Callie can help me with dinner as soon as she gets in."

"I'm okay, Patty, it was just a little yawn."

"Sure, and the moon is made of green cheese. G'won." Patty gave Emma a light push in the direction of the stairs as she laughed. "Go. Scoot. I'll send Callie up to get you when dinner is ready."

Emma shook her head and smiled when Regina took her hand and led her upstairs.

"I'm not surprised you're tired. You worked hard after that run this morning."

Emma shrugged as they got to the top of the stairs. "Didn't really think I'd need to nap this much as an adult."

Once the door was shut behind them, Regina moved close so she could speak quietly without being overheard. "You have to remember that you've been attempting to make magic. That drains a person differently."

"That's true, but I don't think I need to sleep. Maybe just rest a while." Emma kissed Regina lightly. "Are you going to join me in a non-nap?"

Regina softly ran her knuckles down the blonde's jaw-line. "I will lay down, but I really do think you should get a little sleep if you can. I was hoping we could try producing a portal tonight."

"Sounds like a plan." Emma turned her head and kissed Regina's hand before the brunette stepped away. Sighing, Emma sat on the end of the bed and took her shoes off, then headed for the bathroom.

When she came back, Regina had changed into a t-shirt and shorts and was on her side in bed with a sheet pulled up to her knees.

Emma stepped out of her pants and asked. "What are you reading?"

"One of the books we got from the library on magic. Did you need more than this sheet?"

"No, it should be..." Emma was surprised by a large yawn that took over her face. "Fine. wow, I guess I am tired."

"Lay down here with me and close your eyes. Even if you just try and still your mind, it should help."

The bed was soft and molded to Emma's body. She sighed and closed her eyes as Regina pulled the sheet to their waists.

"Focus on Henry, getting home to him. Focus on driving that horrid car of yours..."

Emma smiled and thought about teaching Henry to drive the Bug, she envisioned moving her things into the mansion on Mifflin street and eating at the table in the dining room.

Beside her, Regina smiled to hear Emma's breathing even out. A sure sign that she had given in to her exhaustion.

Regina took her own advice and stilled her careening thoughts, and followed her girlfriend into sleep.

Neither of them saw Henry's face shimmer in the mirror.

To Be Continued