A/N - Enjoy some fluff and feels. Hope you like the scene with little Emma and Granny. I'm about to throw a big wrench into things and the next 3-4 chapters will be bumpy after this. Details at end. Fan art for chapter on Tumblr.

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"Emma, please be still."

"But Mama, it's Christmas!"

Quick fingers reached again for the buttons on a red shirt and once again little feet pulled away. Regina sighed and threw up her hands giving up on the blouse. She reached for a green sweater from the dresser and corralled an excited Emma into the corner of the lavender room and managed to get the blouse off and a sweater over a blonde head, sending curls to float in a static state.

"What time is it?" Emma stopped moving long enough to step into the red leggings being held out, using the Queen's shoulders to balance. Green socks followed.

"It is nearing 11:00." The Queen began to work the tangles from a blonde head into a high ponytail with a hairbrush. "Your parents and Neal will be here soon."

Feet stilled at that and Emma remained such until she was finished being fussed over. Taken in hand, she was led to the purple bench where the Queen sat and her chin was lifted.

"Talk to me sweet one. What are you thinking?"

"I'm glad we invited them, but what if it goes bad, like before?" Remembering back to the Christmas before the spell when they'd been invited to the loft for dinner and how quickly things had went south.

"Much has happened since then, a lot of healing and understanding has taken place. We are also on our own ground. This is our home and we make the rules here. They don't have to like that, but they must respect it within these walls."

"You make the rules Gina." Emma smirked.

"Only because you gave me that gift baby." She kissed the child's forehead and leaned back. "At any time if you are uncomfortable or need a break, you come tell me."

"I will… Can we open more presents now?" Twinkling eyes.

Regina chuckled. "You already opened several, at the crack of dawn I might add." Recalling the frenzied fever of the morning; wrapping paper went flying and bright eyes all around. Unlike their last Christmas with Emma waking her quietly the blonde had clobbered her with kisses and laughter in her excitement. "The rest can wait until after brunch so everyone has something to open. Snow said they were bringing a few things by for you and you have yet to give your gifts."

Feet bounced again. "I have one for you too from all of me, but I wanna give it to you later in private."

Regina smiled softly. "We will do just that." A knock on the door caused them both to turn and permission to enter was granted.

Henry popped his head around the door. "Mom the oven beeped. Do you want me to take out the cookies?"

"Cinnamon cookies?" Green eyes widened with delight.

"They might need a few more minutes. We are coming down now though." Standing to smooth her black slacks, Regina took in the joyful little face. "Yes cinnamon cookies. Frosting and sprinkles are downstairs. They need to cool before you decorate them." She finished on deaf ears as Emma bolted past Henry.

"Last one downstairs gets the smallest cookie!"

Henry followed just as quick calling out after. "Hey! No fair I helped make them!"

The Queen just shook her head and followed the pair and nearly burst when she made it to the kitchen, a hand covered her mouth. Paige had beat them all to the cookie pan, cheeks pink with the warm dessert in her mouth while two shocked faces looked on.

"Wwhft?" The young woman asked when all eyes turned to her. Swallowing, she smiled sheepishly.

"Alright let's go." Regina shooed them all away from the stove as she plated the remaining cookies to cool.

Emma looked on with want, drool practically leaking down her chin. She jumped up to wash her hands when asked and returned to her stool as a bowl of homemade vanilla frosting and an assortment of sprinkles was put in her place.

"You may decorate only for now and have one after brunch." Regina stated her expectation in exchange for little hands taking the plate of cookies to adorn.

"But Paige got one… Look at Henry!" Her finger pointed and caught their son about to take his own forbidden bite.

Henry caught his Mom's raised brow and set the cookie back on the plate. "Way to snitch Ma."

Smiling smugly Emma stuck her tongue out playfully. The gesture was returned and she began to smear white cream onto each cookie as the Queen worked preparing the last dish for brunch. The doorbell ringing fifteen minutes later stilled little hands.

"I'll get it." Henry's voice rang out from the living room and joined three other voices that wafted in from the foyer.

Neal was the first to dart into the kitchen, his hands holding a wrapped glass dish. He greeted the brunette with a side hug and handed off the food, finding his sister's eyes. The fact that she was smaller than him didn't even phase him at this point. She was still the one who laughed at his jokes and rolled around playing games with him.

"Hi Emma! I brought my new vintage Game Boy so you can show me how to play it."

"You got it buddy." Emma slid off the stool, accepting a damp cloth to clean her hands from her Keeper before she tried to squeeze the life out of her brother, giving him a half noogie to boot. She squealed when he attempted to do the same to her as they chased each other about the kitchen.

"Walking feet you two." Regina reminded, again to deaf ears, but noted that they slowed down some.

Snow entered the room at the Queen's smiling invitation, watching as her two children romped in jest. Her hands went briefly to her stomach and dropped quickly as brown eyes studied her. "So this is what it would have been like…" She was caught between wanting the moment to never end and longing for a past that never was.

"They are both here right now and the day is just beginning." Regina took in that grateful nod and brought the blonde's attention to their other guest. "Emma."

Giggling slowed as did feet. Emma crossed the room leaning into her Keeper, suddenly shy as she looked up. "Hi… Merry Christmas."

Snow smiled nervously at the willing gesture. "Merry Christmas Emma! Thank you for inviting us."

A little nose twitched. "You brought your cheese quiche, huh? I can smell it!"

"Yes, just for you."

"You hear that Gina? Just for me." Her smile all teeth. "I call dibs! I'm gonna tell Henry." Emma dashed out of the room, Neal following at her heels.

The Queen and Princess were left alone. They looked at each other as David's deep tenor could be heard greeting his daughter and Emma's happy hello followed.

"Need help with anything?" Snow asked automatically and gestured to the immaculate display of petite sandwiches, cold salads and vegetable platter laid out on the island. Emma's frosted cookies lay in the middle, the crowning glory. The woman's eyes settled uneasily as they always did on the apples. These were diced and arranged around a dipping bowl of caramel.

"Thank you, and no those are not poisoned. Emma likes that combination." Gentle teasing.

Cheeks turned pink at being caught and a small smile followed. "How long has she been this size for?" She'd heard about her daughter's teenage adventure and wondered if she would get to meet that version.

"A few days now." Regina moved to set out a pile of dishes and silverware, noting the woman's uncertainty.

"We brought her a few gifts, one for each size she might be. Thank you for your suggestions. I want it to be perfect for her and… I just wanted to be prepared."

"I'm sure she will appreciate that thought." She hesitated as hands began folding cloth napkins into a fancy setting, but it needed to be said before Emma picked up on it. "Snow you don't have to try so hard with her."

"With all due respect Regina, yes I do." Green eyes flashed up and moved to help finish folding the napkins, a complicated pattern that formed a rose. One she'd learned long ago from young version of the woman next to her.

Regina welcomed the help, and mitigated her direct approach. "I just meant that she is the same person no matter what size she is. She will not stop liking you if a gift she receives is not what she wanted."

Snow finished the first napkin and a hand again went to her middle at a flutter.

"I have a ginger tea in the cabinet above you there if you need something to settle your stomach."

"Thank you, I'm fine."

"Suit yourself, but it will help with the nausea."

"How did you…" Pink mouth gaping, Snow regarded the brunette in shock.

"The way you keep touching your mid-section. You did the same thing when you were in your first trimester with Neal." The truth and her desire to find common ground they used to have outweighed the current discomfort in the room.

"We haven't told Emma yet or Neal." A plea for silence. "I wanted to wait until it was a better time, but with everything going on I don't know when that will be."

"Emma is more resilient than you might think, even in her current state. But may I give you a piece of advice?" She was unable to help offering it, for Emma's sake.

A hesitant, but curious nod came.

"When you are ready to share your news with her, tell her quietly and in private." Her former step-daughter pondered over those words.

Emma's laughter echoed in from the living room and Snow smiled softly. She watched the regal hands next to her folding with precision and remembered more from the past they never really spoke about. Something nostalgic inside pushed the forming memory from her, ready to share something more with the Queen.

"Do you remember when you taught me how to do this setting fold?"

A corner of red lined lips curved up. "I do. It was after I came across you in the kitchens covered in the linen napkins the wash woman had just folded."

"You were coming to remind me about my riding lesson and I was trying to hide so I wouldn't have to get up on the horse." Recalling her fear of the animal until Regina had coaxed her back into riding. In the early months at the castle before the wedding the young woman had stepped up to care for her well being.

Regina added a finished napkin to the growing pile between them. "She was so upset that you'd ruined her perfect folds for the banquet that night."

A pointed chin dipped. "I remember how patient you were with me and how you helped me fix my mistake."

"We finished the setting folds rather quickly, once you got the hang of it." Taking another square to fold.

"In the loft after her melt down when Emma was little and she was in your arms you gave me the same look you did when you discovered me in the kitchens under the linen." Snow peered sideways through lashes, noting how hands paused briefly before continuing next to her. "David said that you told him to take care of me that day before you left with Emma... I wondered why?"

Regina turned, ducking her head to catch green eyes and when she had them smiled softly. "I knew you didn't mean for what had happened to happen. I understood why you did what you did, to want to hold your child close even when they pull away. It is not my intention to keep Emma from you, quite the opposite…" She left the rest unsaid as the little Savior ran in the room and arms wound around her legs.

"Gina is it time to eat yet?"

"Almost." She handed the silverware to little hands and caught the wanting look on Snow's face from that hug. "Please set the table for me. Snow will help you with the napkins."

"I will?" Snapping out of it. "I will, of course. Lead the way Emma." She followed her daughter into the dining room and she gently placed the napkins in each setting so they would not lose shape as girl marked with flatware.

"I'm looking forward to that quiche. I actually had a dream about it last night." Emma cut the silence in half as they moved around the table the nerves in the room were drawn too tightly for both of them.

"You used to say that about Bear Claws every week when we would go to Granny's for breakfast." Responding easily until teeth caught her lower lip. The reference to the time reserved especially for them as friends before the curse broke slipped out and she worried about Emma's reaction.

The blonde froze for a fraction of a second, hand hovering with a fork over gleaming wood before moving again. "I still say that about Bear Claws… Maybe we can go again one morning, all of us, I mean." She wasn't ready for a private breakfast date with Snow, but she was ready to begin engaging again with Regina by her side.

"That would be really nice, Emma." A genuine smile began to close the gap between them.

Laughter and conversation flooded in from the kitchen as everyone was called to serve themselves. Regina dished Emma a plate and one for herself after all hands had taken what they wanted. Henry offered a toast to the hostesses before they all dug in. Silverware scraped plates as jokes were passed and stories told. Emma was reminded of another Christmas in a different life where she'd felt the same sense of wholeness envelop her and the feeling was just as overwhelming then as it was now. No tears fell as she worked through them, brown eyes questioned if she was alright and a comforting hand was offered up under the table. Reassurance was quietly passed through a simple look and touch.

As the meal wound down an hour later, Emma and Neal couldn't help but fidget as the promise of presents loomed near. The girl begged with her eyes to be excused, boring her gaze into the back of a brunette head, but the Queen was focused on Henry telling about their new Boston apartment. The blonde sighed, unable to help her own impatience. She impulsively began drumming her fingertips on the table edging closer and closer to her Keeper's plate until a patient hand rested over her own. Emma sighed loudly and when nothing was gained she cleared her throat with great exaggeration.

Henry gave pause to his story with a breathy laugh and nodded toward his little Ma. "I think she wants to ask you something Mom."

Regina flicked her eyes over the empty plate and gave her attention to Emma with a raised brow. "Yes, you may, but wait for everyone before you start unwrapping."

"Yes! Finally!"

David chuckled and stood to help clear the table as Emma darted into the kitchen with her plate. Brother and sister made a mad dash for the living room, and began sorting boxes for everyone into neat individual piles. The girl had opened most of hers that morning, but she still had some to unwrap. As everyone found a spot to sit, Emma settled at the Queen's feet as Regina took the winged chair by the tree.

Presents were easy and Emma's brought smiles to everyone. She in turn delighted in the Marvel action figures, latest I-pod and leather boots from her parents and brother. Each part of her had been considered and honored earning the couple a joint hug from little arms. Snow clung a little too long, when the girl went to pull away, but Emma didn't make a big deal about it.

The early afternoon was spent over coffee and dessert, the children playing between bites of cookies and milk. Emma pawed through her loot as she caught the fresh snow blowing hard outside the window. She finished her cookie and went over to wait patiently at her Keeper's side as a conversation with David was wrapped up.

"What is it, dear heart?"

"Neal and I want to build a snow fort." Her chin was caught and she allowed the Queen to wipe her mouth free of frosting.

Regina set the napkin aside and looked out the window as the Charming couple did the same at the snow storm beginning to come down. "It is a bit too wild outside for that right now Emma." The pout that followed was expected, but she did not expect Snow's supporting chime.

"She's right. Maybe tomorrow we can all meet at the park and make a snowman if the storm is over by then."

Ignoring the pixie haired woman, Emma tried again. "But it's Chrissstmaaas." The emotional high of the day had exhausted her and she gave into the impulse to whine for what she wanted.

Regina shook her head. "Snow mentioned something we may consider if the storm stops, but not today."

At her name Snow couldn't help herself. "She said no, Emma." Playing outside was not a reasonable request, but she wanted the day to keep being perfect for her daughter. "How about we all play a game instead?" Unaware that she was making the situation worse.

Regina didn't need help in redirecting the child who was becoming irritated, noticeably so, over the interruptions. She eyed the Princess, silently suggesting to drop the attempts to help just now.

Little green eyes shot arrows aimed at Snow. "Since when are you on her team?"

"That's enough, there is no need to be rude." A soft rebuke and the Queen lifted the little blonde up to sit on her lap, the proximity calming the agitation in the tired girl almost instantly. She shifted the topic back to her earlier conversation with David about the new deputy as Snow stared at them, a mixture of thanks, want, and understanding.

The afternoon came to a close shortly after, the incoming storm, reason to head home. Emma was thoughtful, but quiet in her goodbyes, resting her back against her Keeper as she watched her parents with Neal depart. Henry and Paige excused themselves to head out to Jefferson's for the rest of the day, promising to be careful when they drove back that night. Emma sought direction from brown eyes.

"Would you like to have your last few presents from me now or later?"

"Now please and I wanna give you mine." Moving to the stairs, she looked over her shoulder. "Meet me up in my room in five minutes?"

"It's a date sweet one." Heels went into the study to retrieve the gifts hidden away in her desk and she headed upstairs. A crisp knock on the white door brought scrambling on the other side and a husky chuckle as the door flew open.

"Come sit on the bed and close your eyes. No peeking!"

Regina did as she was bid, setting her own gifts aside. She covered her eyes as something flat was set in her lap. Getting the go ahead to look, she wrapped her hands around a picture frame, taking in the charcoal image so lovingly sketched by the woman child standing at her knee. It was a drawing of a circular mirror holding the many faces and layers of who they are to each other. Emma on the right a shell spiraling back to show the child within and herself on the left; a metamorphosis of Queen, to Mayor and finally, simply Regina, a softness not many knew had been captured in her eyes. Lips curved up catching a tear at the signature scrawled underneath.

'With love,

Emma S. M.'

"Do you like it?"

"More than I have words for." Pulling the child in close for a hug with a free hand while she held the portrait with the other.

"I wanted to make you something that showed our journey."

"We have come a long way haven't we my girl?"

"Mmmhhmmm." Emma accepted a kiss and gave one of her own in return. "My turn now?"

Hands set the frame behind on the bed, and gave the child a small box. A ribbon was tugged and a lid lifted. Inside, nestled on a bed of cotton was a new charm for her bracelet; a mini replica of their home with diamond chips sparkling for windows. Regina clipped the charm in place and smiled as Emma shook her wrist, getting a feel for the new weight.

"I love it, thank you Mama."

"One more." For now, Regina thought until her other one was ready to give.

A large envelope was handed over and the fullness of knowing stilled Emma's heart. It was too soon and how had…

"How did you do this so quickly?" Emma whispered, taking that chance to ground herself.

"I have a lawyer in Boston who was very keen on a Christmas bonus I promised him if he pushed this through."

Little hands shook as Emma opened the top flap and gently pulled the papers out from inside, stopping as her brain caught up to her skimming eyes on the first page. Fingers traced lightly over the embossed seal of the court of Maine. It was official. She couldn't breathe, she dare not. Reality had been cruel before in the ill humor of her early life.

"My n-name…" Teeth sucked a lower lip as air returned to her lungs. She wanted to taste the sounds together now that it was real; now that she was finally real. "My name is Emma Swan Mills." The tingle came and went leaving the adult version present in body and mind.

"And it is a fine name." Catching her girl as Emma sank down to kneel at her feet, blonde hair spilling across a lap as a cheek came to rest against her knee.

"My name?" A question needing one final answer.

"Yours forever and no one will take it from you."

"Promise?"

"I promise."

Green eyes closed, sinking into acceptance. "Thank you Gina."

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The morning after Christmas became a blur and not just from the snow that kept falling outside. Emma had remained in her adult body until the tingle took over returning her to her six year old size when tearful goodbyes were said to Henry and Paige as they left to catch their plane early that evening.

Regina was confident that the choices she was making on Emma's behalf, to pursue her theory in quiet as to not give false hope and to begin exploring another idea she had been considering, would work well together once her spell was finished. There were two more stages to complete and one would be carried out tonight and the other would need to process over the next several days if her test worked before she could give it to Emma.

Quiet returned to the mansion until dinner where Regina began to broach a subject she knew Emma might not be too keen on, but was a necessary step if her plan was to work and not one she could wait to do another time when Emma was an adult. She smiled fondly as the little blonde scrapped the last bit of spaghetti off a plate and sucked the red coated noodle down as she began to speak.

"I need to share something with you and I need you to be open minded about my decision."

Emma stopped licking the sauce from her fork and set it down. The way her Keeper stated that comment meant there was no room to be had if she did not like what was mentioned. Not in her current size anyway. "What is it?"

"There is an errand of sorts I need to do later this evening and through the next morning that requires me to be elsewhere so I asked Granny to come stay with you. She should be here by the time we finish up your bath. She will stay the night in the guestroom and be here when you wake up for breakfast. I should be home shortly after that." An eye studying the blonde before adding what Emma was going to ask for. "Ruby has plans already and I trust Granny same as her to watch you." She trusted David too, but Emma had made it clear more than once she was not ready for one on one time with the man when she was this size.

"I don't need a baby sitter. I'm not a baaaby." Whining as her foot kicked the chair.

"We don't have to use that term and I purposefully did not, but you need support close by when you are this size. That is not negotiable."

Taking a sip of water as she watched Emma process her words. The longer they'd been home the more Emma was starting to slip into old argumentative habits and she knew it was due to the instability of their current routine. She took a breath to remind herself they were almost to a good place to reestablish that.

Pouting Emma slouched. "Why can't I go with Mama?"

"You need your sleep and I won't have what routine you do have interrupted."

"But you need sleep too."

"I do and I slept in late along with taking a nap after lunch while you and Henry had your comic reading marathon." Patient with Emma's attempts to change her mind.

Gears spun and a lower lip stuck out, not ready to give up. "Part of my routine is a story. Besides I wanna know what will happen in the next chapter."

"Granny will read to you before bed and we will read two chapters together tomorrow what I get home."

A foot kicked the table leg. "But Maaammmaaa, she doesn't know the voices…"

"Emma, it is not up for discussion." Standing with dishes in hand and beginning to move to the kitchen. "Bring your plate."

With an exaggerated sigh Emma followed, setting her dishes on the counter near the sink. She hadn't gotten to the point of being in trouble yet and she really didn't want to be, but the emotions ruling in her current state wanted Regina to stay. She pushed again. "But what if I wake up and need you for something?"

The Queen recognized that plea for what it was, Emma's fear of the uncertainty sleep often brought. The blonde always fell asleep easily, but staying asleep was sometimes harder, and the recent dreams over the last several weeks hadn't helped. She dried her hands from beginning to wash the plates and knelt down to take little ones.

"You will have nothing but sweet dreams tonight. I've made the special tea for you to have before bed that will make sure you sleep all the way through the night without nightmares." It wasn't one she used often, frequent use tended to have the opposite effect, but once and a while to help Emma rest soundly she allowed.

Her Keeper always thought of everything. With nothing left to make her case she let her frustration show with a foot stomp.

"Now none of that little miss swan. I expect you on your best behavior. Granny will be a guest in our home and she is doing us a favor by being here."

"She's doing you a favor, not me."

"A favor for us, at my request on your behalf." Restating for clarity.

That foot stomped again with crossed arms and a glare.

Regina stood, catching a chin. "Emma Swan Mills do you need a time out to reconsider your attitude or to help you mind me?" Warning clear if her directions were not followed.

Emma wisely backed away from the line her name had drawn, not expecting it to be laid out so soon. With a sigh she shook her head and then remembered to use her words. "No, I'll be good."

"You are always good baby that is never in question."

Regina corrected running a thumb along a cheek before leading Emma upstairs. She allowed a few extra minutes for the girl to play in the tub before helping Emma into a Marvel print nightgown Henry had gifted at Christmas. Just as she was tying off a single French braid the doorbell rang. "Go feed Jasper and then come right down to say hello."

With a wave of her hand the bathroom was tidied and she hurried downstairs with a quick peek in the lavender room as she passed to ensure her directions were being followed. Eugenia was all smiles when the door opened; complete with overnight bag with what looked like knitting needles peeking out of the top.

"Thank you so much for coming. Here, let me take your bag."

Reaching for the bundle and leading the way into the living room. They sat together on the sofa making small talk about where the guestroom was as Emma came shuffling in from the foyer. The girl went right over to Regina and leaned heavily into the Queen as Granny's wise eyes swept over them. Regina finished her thought and turned with an expectant look to green eyes.

"Hi Granny." Emma gave a small wave with a yawn.

"Tired I see." The old wolf smiled softly at the cute state of the Savior. "What time do you usually go to bed when you're like this?"

Emma frowned thoughtfully when the question had been directed at her and not her Keeper. She'd expected Granny to treat her like any other kid in Storybrooke the wolf sometimes babysat. And the way some other town folk have in the past when she'd been six and out with Regina. People couldn't seem to wrap their head around the idea that she was still herself inside the little body, well mostly. She didn't appreciate being talked down to or having things simplified when they needn't be. Though her emotions and sometimes desire to enjoy the freedom of being a kid did get the better of her and so her behavior was sometimes juvenile. That mostly occurred between her and her Keeper when she didn't feel the need to be on guard and could enjoy her experience by just letting herself be cared for. She couldn't do that with just anyone and Granny might just understand that, she realized.

"Eight, but that's only cause my body wears out too fast, kinda like a battery." Offering explanation where it wasn't needed.

Blue eyes sparkled kindly with amusement. "Regina tells me you both like to read before bed. I do to, helps this old bag of bones sleep. May I join you in that tonight?" Again speaking directly to the Savior.

A little smile blossomed when she confirmed her earlier thought. "We're reading The BFG. It's about a giant…" And on Emma went about the plot so far.

Regina excused herself to heat up the tea a minute later once she was sure Emma was comfortable, as it would need about an hour to kick in. She returned with a warm mug and gave it to the girl who now was sitting on the couch next to Granny listening as the woman told a short story about her crossbow and an encounter with a real giant.

"Both hands."

"Thanks Gina." Taking her favorite yellow mug and a big sip. She sighed with pleasure at the generous amount of honey added to mask the bitter taste of herbs. Now that she was drinking the promised tea, realization that it was near time for her Keeper to leave hit. "When are you leaving?" Biting her lip at the thought.

"In a few minutes." At the news she watched Emma chug the drink and set the mug aside in favor of curling up in her lap for a quick cuddle.

"I don't like that idea Mama, but I know you wouldn't if you didn't have to." Whispered into dark hair.

A nod along with a strong desire not to have to go. "I will explain everything to you soon." With a gentle squeeze she stood Emma up. "Come see me off properly."

They made their way into the foyer and little eyes watched as a heavy leather coat and glove set was put on with high boots for the weather outside. Emma tried not to lose her composure as she was hugged and kissed goodbye with the promise of return by the time she was done eating breakfast. After the door closed she lost a bit more of her grown up self that was present in mind and stared up at Granny with glassy eyes.

The she wolf, with plenty of experience with little tears, offered her hand with a soft smile and a distraction. "I hear you have a fish?"

A small chin wobble. "His n-name is Jasper."

"I love Jaspers. The stone is so pretty. Does he look like one?" Beginning to lead the girl towards the stairs.

Emma nodded, wiping her eye with her free hand and perking up at the mention of her pet. "He does. Wanna meet him?"

"I'd love to."

The rest of the evening went smoothly and Granny proved to know how to read a story nearly as well as the Queen, complete with voices and a particular squeaky one Emma found hysterical. By the time the tea kicked in she was snoozing just as the book closed and Eugenia quietly left the room to go find her own place of rest.

Just as Regina had promised she would Emma slept through the night with nothing but good dreams. She woke feeling well rested and still in her pint size suit. With a wave to Jasper she all but forgot the night before and trotted down the hall to the master suite to rouse the Queen. Finding perfectly made up sheets brought back the fact that her Keeper wasn't home and a scowl as disappointed feet went downstairs. Emma peeked around the corner of the kitchen, seeing Granny at the counter texting, sipping coffee. She sighed making her presence known and went to take her usual seat.

Eugenia smiled at the fuzzy braid the girl had from sleep. "Good morning Emma."

"Morning." A miserable mumble, then interest when she smelled cinnamon and realized something was cooking on the stove. "What are you making?"

"Apple cinnamon pancakes." Setting down her phone and mug to flip a flapjack high in the air and catching it with a skilled hand in the pan.

Pink lips parted at the entertainment, but little arms crossed. "I only like the ones M— Gina makes."

With a wrinkled grin over a shoulder. "Who do you think taught her the recipe?"

Blonde brows shot up. "You?"

"Well the cinnamon ones anyway, she decided to get creative with a perfectly good recipe and added apples and something else she won't tell me. The Queen wasn't always the marvelous cook she is now. Nearly burnt my kitchen down the time we tired baking a cake for Henry's first birthday." Granny moved to the fridge and took out the saran wrapped glass of OJ and bowl of fruit Regina had prepared in advance for Emma. The old woman had found it amusing to hear the night before that Emma would only eat melon if it was balled with a mini ice-cream scoop. "The Mayor had to have the best for her baby boy and she was determined to do it herself. So we spent a week in the diner kitchen working to get the cake perfect and do you know what Henry did the minute it was set in front of him in the diner?"

Emma sipped her juice mouth turning up, noting it was exactly how she usually took it and smiled in full with contentment. "What?"

"He grabbed a handful and threw it right at the Mayor's white suit. You could hear a pin drop in that room. Everyone was staring and waiting. For a moment I thought she was going to be upset, but she surprised us all by laughing and kissing that chubby chocolate cheek Henry was sporting. It was the first time I remember hearing her do that. Even without our memories from the Enchanted Forest it wasn't hard to see that wasn't something she often did so openly then."

Loving the story as a plate of pancakes was set in her place, but wondering where it was coming from. "Why are you telling me this?"

Granny rested her elbows on the counter, glasses slipping down a nose. "Because it's nice to hear her laugh like that again after everything we have all been through in this nutty town." Tapping a small nose. "You, all of you, bring that out in her."

Fingers fiddled with a fork. "I do?"

"You do." Standing to dish a few more pancakes on a new plate. "Maybe you can help me make them next time you visit the diner when Regina has another errand."

"That'd be awesome! I like to cook. When did—"

The front door opening interrupted Emma's next question. Her name, sweet music, coming from the foyer made blonde curls fly like a golden flag as she ran out from the kitchen and into open arms.

"Mama!" A little warm nose met a cold pink one as the girl gave Eskimo kisses.

Regina scooped up the chatting bundle after taking off her winter garb and with a peppy step went to greet Eugenia in the kitchen. A tired, but content gaze took in the plate of pancakes and fresh cup of coffee sitting in her usual place next to the child's half eaten one. Red smile locked in place as did eyes between the wolf and Queen, each asking their own question and each gained an affirmative answer without words. Emma watched with curiosity as something passed between them.

Wiggling to get down Emma pulled the brunette over to sit at the counter, letting her Keeper get a sip of coffee in before she questioned. "How'd your errand go?"

"Very well, thank you."

"You were gone a long time." Rolling a melon ball in her mouth and fishing for details.

"I was." Regina confirmed and took a bite of fluffy pancakes as Granny raised brows her way. She gestured with a full fork. "A pinch too much cinnamon and no I don't add nutmeg."

"Yours have too many apples."

"Yet, they still win over your cinnamon ones every year at the Annual Breakfast Bake."

Granny harrumphed good naturedly. "You may have your secret ingredient, but I have a new secret weapon this year."

"Oh?" A single brow arched in question and Regina followed the old wolf's gaze to the child giggling beside her.

"Me!" Emma puffed up her chest and took a big bite.

Regina chuckled. "Traitor. You are supposed to be my sous chef." Said with great affection and a kiss.

"I ca do doth." Talking with a full mouth and then waiting to continue when she got the look. "That way I'm on the winning team no matter what."

An approving grin from Granny. "You think like a wolf."

Beaming the girl shoved another huge forkful of fluff in her mouth as the adults sent further smiles her way.

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A/N - Hope you liked, please review.

Next time - Ruby has a flashback revealing her history with Belle. Teen Emma is drawn into a dangerous game of words with Gold. Trust is questioned, boundaries pushed, and a promise seemingly broken. Regina has to control the flames before they both burn and Gold gets the upper hand and something much more precious.