SORRY FOR THE DELAY. LIFE HAS INTERRUPTED. I CAN'T THANK YOU GUYS ENOUGH FOR THE KIND WORDS. THANK YOU, YOU'RE THE BEST!

DON'T OWN IT.

It was Friday, and Emma and Graham's room was finished, as promised. They laid in the bed, reminiscing. Henry came bounding into the room.

"Henry." Emma groaned.

"You weren't sleeping this time." The boy shrugged.

"Yeah, but that doesn't mean you can just barge in. What if we were doing… things?"

"It's okay, Emma. There was no harm. He's just an excited boy." Graham said.

"I'll knock next time." Henry said. "And ew. Grandma says it's time for lunch."

"I swear, that kid doesn't want us to have any time to ourselves." Emma mumbled.

"He's not used to having a complete family that cares for him." Graham said.

"Yeah. I know."

"Do we really have to go downstairs?" He asked.

"If we don't, my dad will come in." Emma threw her robe on.

"You just called him your dad." Graham smiled.

"No I didn't." She all but ran out of the room.

"Emma. Stop running from your problems and insecurities." Graham chased her.

"I'm not."

"Yes, you are. I know you hate me for doing this to you, but I love you and I'm trying to give you a better quality of life" Graham said.

"I don't have a problem." Emma argued.

"Obviously you do. Everyone can see it except for you." He took the stairs two at a time.

"Graham, shut up!"

"Want to tone it down a little? We don't want to wake the neighbors." James said, handing a grilled cheese to the couple.

"We don't have neighbors, because we live on a mountain." Emma grumbled.

"She's a little grumpy." Graham said.

"I was fine till you started phsycho-babbling."

"As someone who cares about you, I only want what's best."

"Feel free to stop caring, cause only I know what's best for me." She spat.

"I know people caring about you is new, but it's a good thing." He took her head in his hands, forcing her to look at him.

"It's hard to eat like this."

"You guys went up this morning, and I didn't think you were coming back down." Snow smiled.

"Is it normal for people in love to fight that much?" Henry asked.

"Henry, you have no idea." James said.

"So, when do I start learning about swords?"

"Kid, we've been over this. Not until you're older."

"Grandpa said I could."

"Hey! He's my kid." Emma looked at him incredulously.

"He's 16, Emma. That's plenty old enough."

"He turned 16 8 days ago."

"It'll be fine."

"If he gets a scratch, you're dead." Emma glared.

"I'll take care of him." James assured her.

"Oh, Emma, we have to go to dress fitting today. It can take a while, so we'd better go." Snow said.

"Oh God. Kill me now."

"It's not that bad." Snow said.

"I bet it is. It's-it's- I don't even know what it is. It's torture." Emma said.

"We only have to do this once every 6 months."

"No. I'm not doing it. No way. I'm sorry."

"Well, it was worth a try." Snow shrugged.

"Henry, let's go." James said.

"Don't worry, Mom. I'll be careful." Henry promised.

"Have fun." Emma smiled.

"I guess I should go, too." Snow said. "Bye."

"Bye." Graham and Emma said. They sat in a moment of silence, then Graham broke it.

"We have the house to ourselves. What should we do?"

"I think I have an idea." Emma positioned herself on his lap.

"Am I going to like this idea?" Graham asked.

"I think you will. Besides, I promised you something, didn't i?" She teased.

"Yes, you did."

OUAT OUAT OUAT OUAT OUAT

Later that night, the happy family sat outside around a fire, in the twilight. In the distance, owls hooted, and wolves howled. For the first time in a very long time, Graham looked content.

"Graham certainly looks pleased." James commented, taking a swig of his beer.

"This beer sucks." Emma said, her face wrinkling in disgust.

"It's how we make it. We don't have your fancy spices and such." Snow said.

"No changing the subject." James said.

"Hey! Just cause I make a comment, it doesn't mean I'm trying to change the subject."

"Whatever you say." Graham teased.

"So, did you kids have fun today? I think you did." James nodded towards Graham.

"I spent the day with the love of my life." Graham said. "Of course I'm happy."

"You two are meant to be." Snow gushed.

"When's the wedding?" Henry asked.

"Uh..." Emma said.

"We haven't given that much thought, Henry." Graham finished.

"You should."

"We barely agree on room colors. I think planning a wedding is a bit more complicated." Emma said.

"We didn't really agree." Graham mumbled. James heard him, and laughed.

"Just give the wife what she wants. I'm glad you know the first rule to marriage." He said.

"Is there any word on Regina yet?" Emma asked.

"Yes." James started. "We know that she's in her castle, in hiding. We don't know what happened to her army."

"That's not good." Henry said.

"I want to see her." Snow said in a strong, confident voice. Emma was amazed at the difference between Snow and Mary Margaret. "She took my daughter's chance at a happy ending away. For that, I will make her pay."

"I am happy." Emma insisted.

"You could've ended up a lot happier, though." Snow huffed.

"Is this what parents are like? I guess I didn't miss out on much." Emma joked.

"You know what's sad? Almost all of us have grown up without one or more parents." James said.

"Regina must've had something to do with it." Emma mumbled.

"She might be evil, but she's not that bad." Henry defended.

"Sorry, Henry."

"It's okay. You're just a concerned mother." Henry smiled.

"Henry, I'm sorry for doubting you. The idea just seemed so… absurd." Emma said.

"He's smart for figuring it out." James pointed out.

"Yes, he is." Emma smiled proudly, looking at her son.

"I want cookies." Said Henry.

"You're in luck. I made some today." Snow said.

"Yay! I'll help clean up so we can eat them faster." The boy declared.

"Sounds good." The two busied themselves with washing plates.

"Are you adjusting yet, Emma?" James asked.

"Henry sure has. I'm getting used to it." She replied.

"I think you will. It really is wonderful here." James said.

"I'm sure it is. You know, without any modern things." Emma mumbled.

"You're modern things will be built by the end of the month." He assured her.

"Good. I can't wait to rot Henry's brain with TV."

"Is that sarcasm?" Graham teased.

"No. He wasn't allowed to watch TV. He's a 16 year old boy."

"Emma, Graham, I'll need to speak to you guys later tonight, privately." James said.

"What's going on?" Emma asked.

"It's about the Evil Queen." He responded vaguely. It was all he was going to give them for now, and they were fine with it.

"Cookie time!" Henry announced.

OUATOUATOUATOUATOUATOUAT

Henry went to bed, and Snow went with him to read. That left James, Graham, and Emma sitting on the couch in the living room.

"So what's up with Regina?" Emma asked, practically sitting on Graham.

"The animals have heard some news." James started.

"And?"

"It's not good. She wants Henry back, Emma." He said slowly, placing a hand on her shoulder.

"We're not giving her Henry." Emma said, eyes wide with rage.

"You're not getting the point, are you? Emma, she's going to kill you, and anyone who gets in her way. But I can almost guarantee you that she's going to send someone after you."

"Looks like we have to cut down another one of her apple trees." Emma said, determination laced in her voice.