A/N – So I am going to be winding down this story. Resolution to Emma's shifts, Regina's magic and memories, Belle/Ruby side plot, Gold and the oath, some more Snow drama-but wrap up in general with that plot line and hints of new DragonQueen to come. Probably 8-10 chapters depending how I chunk it. I have finished writing this story, but need to edit everything.

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The small heart charm with the initials ESM engraved in the center sparkled when a still six year old hand held it up to the light. Silver held the faintest purple glow at a certain angle. "It's beautiful." In awe of the gesture. "How come?" Wondering why she was being given a gift in the middle of a Sunday afternoon.

They were in the lavender room sitting on the bed where Emma had been sent to clean up a Lego mess made earlier that day. The gift box had been pulled out of a hiding place between a pile of clean clothes Regina had entered with in a basket a few moments ago.

"This is actually a late Christmas present and it wasn't ready until this morning." Regina folded her hands, watching Emma take in the gift. "It is also what I mentioned I would give you yesterday that will help with getting you into a routine again, one that is predictable and will give you the certainty you need to thrive."

"I've been doing kinda okay, though… mostly." Still confused, but sensing she wouldn't be for long.

"But not as well as you could be. This will help with that significantly."

"How will this make things any more …?" Thoughts immediately going to her biggest problem of the random shrinking and growing. Then they exploded. "Is it… did you… the potion? Did Mr. Gold… Mama?" Breath quickening with hope and slowing as a red smile grew.

"I found another way and it is not perfect, but it is as close as I am able to get at the moment." At the eager look Regina began to explain. "Our bodies have rhythms they need to maintain to remain healthy and balanced. There is a time to wake and sleep, or eat and drink as examples. A magical body is no different and yours, because of the tether breaking that kept you an adult, has been trying to find a new rhythm with all the shifting back and forth." She waved a hand summoning a notebook and opened it for little eyes to take it. Lines were filled with dates, times, and notes. "I've been keeping track of all the times you shrink and grow and why I think it might have occurred."

Dawning filled Emma's face. "You were looking for patterns. That's…" Shaking her head. "I didn't think to do that."

Nodding. "A few patterns became clear to me. Shifts seem to happen mostly when you sleep and when that happens you tend to remain that size for about two and a half to three days before sleep causes another shift. The shifts also occur when you experience an extreme range of emotions rather quickly. Like yesterday after your reminder."

"Or when I got upset at Town Hall that time when Will asked if I was still his boss if I was this size." Chiming in as it began to make sense why she was changing so much.

"And both patterns are extremely common with shape-shifters, though not all of them, the Werewolf being the exception. They only change with the moon. This seems to be a category you now have fallen into." Watching as the child's head spun for a moment and then clear eyes found hers.

Emma blinked hard. "I'm a shape-shifter like Ruby?"

"In a way like Ruby, yes. She is a Werewolf whose magical rhythms fall in time with the full moon." An elegant hand took the charm and clipped it onto the charm bracelet. "Since your magical rhythm seems to come in threes, every third day you will take this off at night before bed to allow for a shift to happen. And how you shift will also regulate; since you are six now the next shift will be back to your adult form, then thirteen and then six and so on. When you wake after a shift you will clip the charm back on. It will keep you your current size until you remove it to allow for another shift. That will give you certainty in what three days will hold between shifts because the charm also acts as a suppressant and will block any attempted shifts caused by emotions. Growing or shrinking will happen only when you sleep. It doesn't give you the ability to shift at will, but—"

"It gives me more control than I have." Emma's eyes blurred with relief and more wonder. "How come I can't just leave it on when I'm in any one form all the time? What would happen?"

"There would be a build of magic, a sickness of sorts and if you think your shifts are random now they would be exponentially more frequent if blocked for longer than your magical rhythm allows once it's been regulated. I have not found a way around that yet, though I will keep working on it."

"How did you do this with your magic the way it is?" Then it dawned. "That's why you've been so tired the last few weeks, huh? You've been doing this in stages." Little blonde moved from the head of the bed where she'd been sitting and crawled over to find her spot on a lap.

"Yes, though carefully and not to the point of harm or draining myself too much." Assuring worried eyes.

"Why didn't you tell me sooner? I could have helped."

Regina shook her head. "I wasn't sure it could be done and I didn't want to give you false hope until I was sure. Remember when I said that the choices we make affect each other?" Receiving a nod. "You are my responsibility and I take that with the utmost seriousness because it is a gift you've given me. I had to be certain before you could know and to do that I needed to test it first. Ruby was a big help with that."

Something else clicked for Emma. "So that's why you had Granny watch me earlier this week so you test the spell on Ruby, during the full moon." Suddenly remembering how bright the sky had been the night Granny stayed over.

"I put a drop on her diner apron and when she changed into her wolf form I tied it to her neck. When dawn came and went, she was still a wolf and we knew it worked. The apron came off and she was in her human form again. And once I knew it worked it had to be absorbed in a symbol that represented you." Fingering the initials on the charm. "Like the red cloak represented Red, and as the apron now represents Ruby. That took about a week and why you are just now receiving it. Do you have questions about what this means going forward?"

"One question, but I gotta do something first." Turning, Emma planted a kiss and tight arms around the Queen for a long moment. "Thank you. Those words aren't enough…" Another kiss, sniffing hard and with wide sparkling eyes. "What does this mean going forward?"

"Funny girl. It means that now that your shifts are predictable that we can plan ahead for them so that life has a pattern for you to count on and that, sweet one, will help keep you out of trouble. We will make a calendar, starting today, of the months ahead so we can easily see the shifts coming." Regina paused, lifting Emma up to sit back on the bed and handed little hands a pile of socks from the basket to begin sorting before she continued. "That calendar will also allow for others to plan on how best to support you." She encouraged Emma with a nod to start on the socks, this part of the conversation best had when Emma had something to do fidgeting hands while she did the same.

Emma obeyed the silent request to help and rolled her favorite pair of duck socks into a neat bundle as she'd been taught. "What others? Where?"

"School."

Emma's little jaw dropped. "You're serious? Like for real real?"

"I am. It is a way to ensure a predictable routine for days you are six or thirteen." Regina moved about the lavender room, putting away laundry as Emma processed her words. "Your child and teen sides need schooling, both academic and magic related. Between that and your Kung-Fu class which will start up next week again now that the holidays are over, will be close enough to our spelled life to bring you that comfort when you are small. The station and being Sheriff will also have some adjustments, but we will get to that in a little bit." She caught shocked green eyes as she returned to the bed, taking the three different sizes of folded socks in hand.

"How would that work exactly?" Skeptical, but curious.

"I picked Snow's brain to get a feel for the staff at the school and what challenges we might face." Watching Emma carefully for a response as she finished putting away socks in the dresser. "It will not be near as complicated as I once thought it might be."

Wrinkling her nose. "What did she say about my writing thing?"

"I have not mentioned that to her and won't without you, but the school and your teachers will have to know to ensure your accommodations are provided. I have copies of your IEP and the diagnosis paperwork in my lock box that came back with us."

"But how can I even register?"

"Being Mayor gives me the ability to pull some strings as well as Snow working at the school. Between the two of us that is easily taken care of without the usual paperwork needed." She returned to sit on the bed. "It does mean keeping your name change quiet until I can secure my magic from Gold, least he gets wind of it. Henry, even Paige can know, but no one else for now." Brain automatically going to Snow's loose lips. "I can magically remove Mills temporarily from your IEP paperwork to help with that. I've also placed an invisibility spell over your initials on the charm, temporary, so only we will see them."

"That's good. I'm not ready to share my name yet anyway and as long as when it's just us you say it right, okay?" Realizing she may hear her former name from those lips again if they are in public, but knowing why now would make it easier to hear and to obey.

The Queen smiled, cupping a cheek. "Of course, sweet one."

Emma leaned into the affection. "It'll be like last time, starting late in the school year."

"I imagine it will be like riding a bike; one does not easily forget that skill."

Green eyes rolled and she flopped back on the bed. "More like a unicycle, at least for my teen part."

The visual of that made Regina roll her lips in, but she kept assurance in her tone. "Starting mid-year will not be so bad. Technically you've been out of school for well over three months, if we count summer break from the spelled reality and the time we have been back. A refresher for your six year size will be good for you."

Sitting up. "I was almost seven though, when the spell broke. It feels weird that when we came back that time rewound for me."

"Time never moved forward here. We were gone, but a moment. The tether breaking reset that time line for you."

Little fingers picked at the bedspread until she was handed a shirt to fold. "What about when I'm thirteen?"

"You'll be in 7th grade and you'll have similar classes to attend, but with multiple teachers in the Jr. High wing; Math, Science, Writing, English, and an elective."

The corner of a mouth twitched up. "Please say its art?"

"You may pick between a painting class, or a dra—"

"Drawing." Smile with all teeth.

"I thought so." Taking the shirt and adding it to the pile in her hand, Regina put them away in the dresser.

"If I'm only there some of the time and in different grades, what about the homework and everything? I'll fall behind quickly."

Regina returned and took Emma to her lap as worry creased a small brow. "In days you attend you'd only be responsible for the work assigned for the time you are there, that includes homework, which would be due when you return the next time you shrink. Teachers would have the calendar of what days to expect you and any assignments or tests would be modified to reflect what you were there for."

"It'd be like school would be on pause when I'm not there. That's kind of cool." Brilliant, actually. Maybe this would work and she felt her heart lift.

They continued to discuss details and the more Emma learned the more she began to accept the idea. She grew elated upon hearing she would be able to drive her yellow bug again, when she was in adult form and patrol as she used to enjoy doing since her random shrinking wouldn't be a problem anymore. There would be some changes to her schedule at the station, too. With Will as an addition the days she was an adult provided the flexibility needed so her Sheriff schedule could match school hours of 8:00-3:30. The calendar would communicate to David and Will so the men could plan around her shifts, but still leave Emma's role of Sheriff intact. The only thing that Emma was hung up on was going from full time to part time officially on her job title and having Will take on some of the more imperative parts of her job that required more consistent monitoring.

Little arms crossed. "But that's my job! I don't want him doing it."

"It is still your job, dear heart and no one is taking that from you. We just need to modify how it is done for the time being until we have more choices." She rubbed Emma's back. "For this to work the way it needs to, you will have to accept that for now." Sighing at the events of what may come, her thoughts darkened. 'Until I get my magic back and can beat Gold at his own game or until how to allow you to shift at will is discovered.'

"I don't want Will to do my stuff though." Repeating for comfort when there wasn't any other option.

"I know, but it cannot be helped right now. We will fix this, until then this is my plan, what I believe is in your best interest to give you the routine and consistency you need. The current rhythm you are in will be for one more day after today since you shifted last evening. That means tomorrow we will spend some of that time getting you ready for school. Tuesday through Thursday you will be an adult and can see if my proposed schedule for the station works for you. If it does not we can talk and adjust it for that side. That choice is yours. Friday your teenage self will start school. That choice is mine." Waiting a moment as the blonde processed before adding the firm finish Emma needed to move forward. "I am always willing to hear your thoughts now and going forward, but my decision about school, for both of you, is final."

Emma slouched, dead weight against the Queen. The decision being made for her was mostly a relief and one that made the most sense, even with her one hang up. "I trust you." She sighed in acceptance. "And I'll try my best with it."

"That's my girl." Regina praised with a smile. "Now that your routine is settled, I want to revisit a few of our ground rules before we go make lunch."

Emma looked up with a wrinkled nose. "More rules?"

Shaking her head. "No, not new ones, just a review of some of our basic agreements so you are clear on my expectations of you."

"Oh." Squirming as she was reminded of the knowledge that she'd been toeing every rule that they had for the last several weeks.

"Our three main ones specifically. Repeat the first one now for me please."

"But I know them already." A tiny pout.

"Rule one." Catching a pointed chin. "Begin."

Seeing the serious eye Emma backed down. "Safety first and then communicate."

"Three examples of when you used that rule correctly please, one for each size you've been."

"Like with Jasper and the disposal that one time in our other life... I didn't reach in myself to get him, I came and got you. The time when I didn't conjure clothes for myself when I was thirteen and I didn't have any yet because I didn't know how to magic them myself… I told you what I needed instead." Emma wiggled and ducked her chin to chest. "Or when I gave you my car keys at Henry's graduation when I slipped, but couldn't verbalize that I did and you knew what to do."

"Good girl." A much needed kiss. "Rule two."

"Be honest in words and deeds, between us."

Regina repeated her earlier question about examples before asking Emma for their third rule.

Scrunching face; she'd destroyed this one the last few days. "Be respectful in both actions and words."

Nodding. "What does that look like and sound like in regards to you?"

Emma thought for a moment. "Looks like eye contact so you can see what I might not be able to say. Sounds like using my words and manners."

"Good. Non examples?"

That was easier to list. "Crossing my arms, stomping my foot or kicking, whining, and pushing more when you tell me not to."

"I will continue to be patient with you on that due to your emotions, but not nearly as much as I've been. What does that rule look like and sound like for me in regards to you?" A reminder that the rules applied to both of them.

More wiggles. "Looks like knocking and waiting until I say come in, or stopping if I use my safe word. Sounds like calm voice, prompting me when I shut down, please and thank you." Then without prompting. "Non examples look like barging in my space or hitting, sounds like yelling or interrupting."

"Excellent." Giving another kiss to the top of blonde curls. "You have a solid understanding of my expectations and like I mentioned yesterday, I am going to be more consistent in enforcing them along with our other smaller rules. Do you understand me?"

Emma nodded, knowing that was coming.

"Words please."

And those two held so much.

"Yes I understand." Then looking straight up, eyes full. "Thank you Mama."

"Always baby."

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"That was waaaayyyy easier than I thought." A six year old grin beamed up at the Queen that stood behind her.

"A lot of effort, on both your parts, helped that to be the case." Regina squeezed the shoulders under her hands gently as she praised, reflecting on the conversation that'd just taken place as they watched Snow out of the window leaving Town Hall.

Upon waking Monday morning and getting her electronics back, Emma had insisted on calling Snow herself to set up a time to meet to talk. Lunch between meetings in the black and white office had provided the space and Regina's proximity to allow Emma to hear what Snow had to say about the new baby. The meeting had ended in a hug and though brief, was willing on both parts and one that left red lips grinning at how far they'd come.

Emma spun around and hugged a slim waist as her hair was fluffed. "Do you think they will name her the same?" In their other life she had gotten used to the idea of her little sister being called Emilina and the special memory of what that had meant.

"I don't know the answer to that, but Snow seemed eager to seek your opinion on names when you asked, so maybe that will still be the case."

"Maybe…" Impish in her grin. "It should be their idea, buuuuttt I might suggest it." Thoughts moved to the rest of the day. Hopeful. "Can we make cinnamon cookies to take with us tonight?"

"There won't be time for that baby. We need to get you fitted for your school uniform this afternoon before we head to the loft for dinner. At least we can get that one fitted right. There will be some guessing on the exact measurements for your other ones as it is." Tapping a dimpled chin in front of her.

Emma looked away and sneezed. "I forgot about that."

Plucking a tissue from the box on the desk, she wiped Emma's nose. "Mmmhhhmmm. I'm sure." Sensing that might not be the case. "Are you feeling alright?"

"Yep." A sniffle and wiggles to get away from a fussing hand. "If we can't stop home, will you please conjure my new video game, the racing one Neal gave me for Christmas? I wanna show him how to get to the bonus round in level 2."

"Is that why you so readily accepted Snow's invitation to dinner tonight?" Fingers snapped and purple smoke left the game in Emma's grip. Bouncing feet followed her heels as they rounded the desk to sit.

Holding up two fingers in a pinch. "Maaaybe a little bit."

"That is not the only reason I hope?" Catching little eyes as she opened her laptop.

"Not the only one. I actually wanna try to spend time with them, but I'm just not ready to do it by myself and I kinda owe Snow for how my other part acted Saturday. Besides, I miss Neal." Shrugging and dropping her eyes in favor of toying with the new charm on her bracelet. "I'm sorry I didn't ask before I said yes for us, but I didn't think I'd do it if I over thought it."

Regina nodded. "Asking would have been appreciated, though I understand your motive. We don't have any plans at that time, so it worked out, but next time," lifting a chin, "I expect be consulted if you are not an adult." She wouldn't have said no, not if Emma was so willing and their plans allowed it, but some concern rested between her brows at the weight the evening ahead held. The little one needed it to go well and she would do everything she could to help that be the case.

"Yes Mama."

Regina accepted the kiss on her cheek. "If at any point you feel uncomfortable or need a break you need to let me know."

"I will, promise." Lashes batted twice as Emma crossed her heart.

Smiling. "Alright then, go clean up your blocks while I finish this e-mail and then we need to get going." The Mayor sent the girl off with a light pat and turned her attention to her inbox as Emma made quick work of disassembling the block tower that was taller than she currently was.

The uniform fitting took a few hours and Emma was more patient this time around than she had been in their other life. Partially due to the fact that Jefferson knew who they were and he was much more personable with them as his quick hands took the necessary measurements as he and the Queen chatted about their children's most recent visit at Christmas. Regina had brought along a bag of clothes from Emma's teen size for Jefferson to use as a starting point. When the measuring tape was put away, the blonde happily hopped off the pedestal. While the Hatter went into his storage room to begin pulling items from his vast storage supply they went next door to The Cobbler's to pick out shoes.

Emma grew nostalgic remembering the first time she'd been in this store and the Queen buying her the purple Converse on her feet. Also, for the missing friendship she'd shared with Gabe and one she hoped might return once school started. She went immediately to seek out a red and blue pair for her current size and settled on a pair of dark purple military style ankle boots for her thirteen year old side along with a pair of black high-top Converse that looked like leather.

The contrast between the bright colors for six and darker for thirteen was not lost on the Queen that knew there were more talks with and about that side of Emma they needed to have. Before the spell they had focused many of their conversations on Emma's early life between the ages of six and ten, having no idea at the time how long they would be away in that spelled reality for Emma to experience what she needed to before they returned. She realized she didn't know nearly as much as she needed to about what Emma's teenage years had been like and she wondered how to broach that subject as little hands held up a third pair of shoes for her consideration.

"No."

"But Mama... They're like the bomb dot com!" Little eyes flicked enviously from the black three inch platform combat boots that went buckling up to mid calf she struggled to hold up high. "Big me wouldn't wear them, but teen me would and so would I right now if they came in fun size and in yellow… with sparkles. Please?"

Taking the boots, Regina looked them over for a moment before putting them back on the shelf. "They are inappropriate for school Emma."

"Then I won't wear them to school, just other times." Reaching to take the boots back if that was the issue, and sighing when her hand was caught and she was pulled toward the register.

A dark head shook. "You would fall flat on your face trying to walk in them. I don't veto any of your clothing choices and I very rarely will, but I am on these and for that reason." Emma, all of her, had two left feet on a good day. The idea of those teen feet so far off the ground attempting to move about wasn't one she was willing to entertain.

Mumbling, but without tone. "It's my face."

"No it's our face and such a pretty one. I intend to keep it that way. Here, hold these for me please." Regina gave Emma two pairs of shoes while she put the others on the counter and pulled out her wallet.

Bags in hand, they returned to the Hatter's for even more bags. After stashing their purchases in the trunk it was nearly five and time for them to head to the loft. Emma's chatter died down as they approached, growing a little nervous about being on the receiving end of so much attention and sets of eyes. David answered the door and Emma, almost shyly, gave him a hug and more shyly, despite the headway that afternoon, gave Snow one as well. Neal said his hellos and dragged Emma into the living room gushing about the new baby that would be joining the household before they both got lost playing the game Emma had brought along.

Regina sat with David at the counter as Snow finished making a salad. They talked of nothing consequential to start, their attention on the children playing together in the living room, each deep in their own thoughts. Snow, as she often did, was the first to blurt out the elephant in the room.

"David mentioned that Emma was a little different sometimes when she's this size, but I don't really see it. Her and Neal have always joked around and spent time together like this." Even as an adult her daughter was like a big kid sometimes and she'd always appreciated how playful Emma was with Neal.

An amused smile spread across red lips. "You saw a hint of some behaviors that are different, ones she can not all the way help, when you visited us at the mansion the other day and at the loft when she was triggered. She doesn't go too long in one focused space before she relaxes enough to let herself just be or if her emotions get the better of her." She took a long sip of coffee. "Just wait."

Snow nodded, still confused and handed David the salad bowl to set on the table. "So, I gave her teachers the calendar of her shifts you e-mailed earlier and a copy to David for the station. I kept one too, just in case?" Questioning if she'd overstepped.

"I was going to suggest you do. Emma needs all of us working together to help her through this, not just me and she is starting to realize that."

David returned for the salad tongs and bundle of silverware for the table. "I was surprised she accepted Snow's invitation, but I'm so happy she's getting to a good place and that you guys figured out a way to predict her shrinking and growing."

"That wasn't easy." Deciding to give a little insight to the unsaid question. "There is still work to be done there, but we are getting closer—"

"Let goooo!"

The shout turned all their heads toward the living room where the siblings were now in a full on tug of war over something.

A little huff. "It's MY game and MY turn! You let go!" Emma managed to roll herself in on the remote, taking them both to the floor. Socks on wood making it hard to stay upright and though smaller than her brother, she was quick and more than scrappy.

"No you!" The boy fought to get his sister off of him.

Regina sighed and set down her mug, eyeing Snow to follow her and together they both moved toward the living room where Emma and Neal rolled around pushing for dominance over the video game controller. It was comical to say the least and she struggled, as Snow and David did, not to smile over the squabble.

Two pairs of royal eyes met. "On three; one, two, three."

Emma wiggled as familiar hands found her underarms and pulled her straight up off her brother as Neal was helped to his feet by Snow. The controller, both children eyed with want, was picked up by David and set on top of the TV.

The man shook his head at Neal as he turned off the gaming system and began to put away the game disk back in the case to give to Regina. "I think that's enough for tonight."

"But Dad, she wouldn't share." Neal panted, pointing at his sister.

"Did so and it was my turn! And you…" Emma trailed off when she finally caught her Keeper's face.

"It wasn't your turn yet." Finding his mother's eyes. "Mom, she always shared before…why isn't she now?"

Snow looked lost on that question and instead of answering reached to brush her son's hair out of his eyes with a small smile and shake of her head. She looked to the Queen holding her daughter; dawning came then on what Regina had meant by just wait.

Regina wanted the boy to have some understanding. "It is not something she can help all the time right now, Neal. Like when you are very upset by something and sometimes it's overwhelming and you don't know what to do or you feel scrambled inside." The explanation was simple compared to how complex the answer actually was, but at eight, he was old enough to get the idea and seemed to when his face relaxed.

The little blonde stilled at her Keeper's voice and then reached for her adult rational mind amid the child emotions she was swimming in. As worked up as Emma was she couldn't stay there and crossed her arms with a pout over that fact. Now she wouldn't get to play her game the rest of the night as she watched it disappear in a puff of purple smoke. She straightened both legs and dropped them with a huff causing the brunette to shift her to another hip.

"Emma, none of that. Sharing your game with your bother is the nice thing to do. You were so excited to do that earlier. What changed between then and now?"

Squirming. "It was mmmy turn."

A red frown. "Was it really your turn or was it Neal's?"

Green eyes darted between her brother and Keeper. "But I won the bonus round so it should have been MY turn again."

"Rethink your tone please." Regina gently tapped a finger against little lips. "It wasn't your turn though; it was his, was it not?"

"Maaaayybbeee." Refusing to admit the fact. "My game, my turn!"

An eyebrow arched at the continued whine and Regina turned to Snow and David. Upon seeing their thoughtful expressions asked. "Do you mind if we step upstairs for a moment? Someone needs a chance to reflect and calm down for a few minutes."

Grumbling as all adult eyes were on her Emma countered. "Dooo noooot." But knowing she did, a chance for her little body and mind to re-center anyway.

Snow nodded quickly, mind racing to catch up. "Sure, I'll work on plating dinner."

She watched them go upstairs, Emma disgruntled, but resting fully against the woman holding her, much as Neal did when she redirected him in a way he didn't want, but needed. The realization that she and Regina had some similarities in how they managed kids reminded her that they were, indeed, on the same team. As Snow's mind sat in understanding she dished dinner quickly, giving her daughter the same portion as Neal and had David take the plates to the table.

Heels clicked downstairs a few minutes later and Snow's eyes caught a much calmer green pair when Emma offered her a smile. Little feet were set down and ran to Neal. After a hug and an apology they all sat down to eat. Emma talked all about shoe shopping and of the excitement to be able to know when she would be what size. The topic of school came up from Neal sharing about his most recent basketball game and the Princess noted how quickly Emma chimed in with what the experience of school had been like in the alternate reality. She began to wonder more about the details of the spelled life that her daughter had lived in for ten months.

"Do you have pictures?" All eyes turned to the interruption and Snow realized she'd blurted her thought out loud. Blushing, she clarified. "I mean, do you have any pictures you'd be willing to share with us?" Looking directly at Emma, who looked at the Queen and back again.

"Um, yeah…. Gina took a bunch and they came back with us. I… I'll pick out a few tonight…" Looking to brown eyes and getting a nod that there would be time for that once they got home. "I'll give them to David at the station tomorrow so you guys can see some." She wasn't ready to share her memory book, and didn't think she would be for a long time. It was too personal, but there were a few pictures she thought would give them a sense of what her do over experience had been like. Maybe that might further bridge the gap now starting to close between them.

Green eyes glassed and Snow looked at her plate. "That would be amazing." A little hand fell over hers and she swallowed before looking into her daughter's eyes.

"I'll even ask Gina to make copies so… so you can keep them." Emma chewed her lip, unsure of how exactly to take the tears rolling down Snow's face. "If you want, I mean."

"I do, we do." Nodding vigorously as David smiled her way. "Thank you..." Reaching across the table to take the hand of the Queen that had made that reality possible and the light shining from Emma's smile. "Both of you."

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A/N - I am taking requests for the last part in this trilogy—Part 3 after this story... A series of one shots mixed with a smaller story line of Regina/Mal. Emma is still the main focus, so let me know if you have ideas/requests.

NEXT TIME - Adult Emma plays a prank on the Queen and humor ensues. Teen Emma has her first day of Jr. High and learns about a family tradition. Justina is back and Mal makes an appearance. :-)