Sorry for the wait! I feel horrible! I'm just so distracted lately and I'm having a really hard time finding my inspiration. I actually had to write this chapter twice! No matter how long I take to update, I promise I will finish this story and my other fic "The Story" too which will be getting updated next.

Enjoy and please review!

Chapter 12 Fireflies

"You're really enjoying this aren't you, sheriff?" Regina deadpanned as Emma pushed her out of the hospital in a wheelchair. She heard Emma laughing above her.

"Hey, it's not my fault you keep ending up in these situations," Emma quipped, knowing how much Regina hated leaving the hospital in a wheelchair. No matter how hard she fought she couldn't overthrow hospital regulations.

"You're insufferable," she muttered under her breath, crossing her arms and feigning annoyance.

The chair stopped and she heard Emma's boots on the gravel as she opened the car passenger door. She heard her walking back towards her. Her breath was close to her lips and Regina could picture her kneeling in front of her.

"You know you love it," she whispered, not at all caring how childish that statement sounded. Regina leaned forward, relieved to come into contact with soft lips. Emma chuckled into the kiss, loving how adorable her girlfriend looked trying to calculate the distance between them.

"Don't laugh," Regina pouted when they pulled away and Emma quickly kissed her cheek before standing.

"Don't pout," she smiled.

"I don't pout. I was a Queen," she said as Emma took her hands and helped her up. She led her into the passenger seat.

Emma scoffed playfully, buckling her in and closing the door. She quickly pushed the wheel chair back to the hospital and got back to the bug in a matter of seconds.

When they got home, Regina was achy and cranky so Emma suggested she'd rest and get some sleep while she picked up Henry from the park. David had thought it be a good idea to distract him with his fencing practice.

They decided they'd tell him about their relationship. Regina was nervous. She was afraid Henry might not accept them being together. Maybe he wouldn't want the savior to be with the Evil Queen.

She couldn't silence the doubts in her head and it made her too anxious to sleep.

She was lying on the bed and she could hear Emma downstairs talking to her mother. Snow had been worried the moment she came in. She had Emma take her up to the loft and had made her some tea. Regina didn't have the stomach for it though and it sat cold on the nightstand.

Once she heard Emma leaving, she sat up. Her socked feet touched the wooden floor. She stood and counted the few steps it took to get to Henry's bed. She knew it had to be here somewhere. Ever since she started on her road to redemption and proved time and time again that she'd changed, Henry stopped carrying his book with him everywhere he went.

She felt around on the bed and under the pillows. She didn't find anything. It wasn't until she was reaching under the bed did her fingers come into contact with the heavy fairytale book. She smiled, pulling it out and running her fingers along the spine and cover. She recognized the feel and weight of it. She sat on Henry's bed with the book in her lap. She flipped through the pages, running her fingers over the thick pages.

She couldn't see them. She couldn't see the illustrations or even read the texts that portrayed a version of herself she no longer recognized. She couldn't see the monster… the Evil Queen she was so long ago.

She was afraid Henry might not like her with Emma because she was nowhere near good enough to win the heart of the savior. These stories were everything to him. They brought him hope when she wasn't there for him. Henry saw everything in black and white which was why it was so hard for them to mend their relationship. It took a long time for him to trust her again and to see the gray areas in her.

What if he was expecting Emma to fall in love with a hero just like the couples in this book?

She didn't even hear Emma coming in and telling Henry to wait in the hall. It wasn't until Emma sat beside her and she felt the bed dipping did she realize she wasn't alone. She knew it was Emma, just by her scent and the way she pulls her into her side, holding her close.

"What is it?" she asked softly, her brow creased with worry. Regina hesitated to answer and Emma could see whatever it was, it was eating away at her.

"What if…" she started to say, but then she clammed up and closed the book with a slam, unable to express how she felt.

"Is it this?" Emma asked, opening the book and landing on a page of Regina dressed as the Evil Queen. She looked at Regina. Her gaze was down, staring into nothingness. "Are you afraid Henry might not accept us because of this?"

"I'm no hero Emma," she said. "I was the villain and heroes don't fall in love with the villains. Henry won't accept us together."

She understood why Regina was so afraid of coming out to their son. Henry might want Emma to end up with a hero. Only Regina was forgetting one thing. Henry wasn't that naïve little boy who believed his mother could only be evil and went in search of his birth mother to defeat her. He wasn't the boy who believed that heroes could only be heroes and villains could only be villains. After everything he's been through these past years, he no longer saw the world in black and white. He saw the gray spots and believed in redemption.

Emma believed Henry would accept them together. Regina just needed to be reminded that their son was no longer that naïve little boy that pulled away from her each time she slipped.

Emma took her hands and ran her fingers over the pages.

"These are just stories Regina. They were real once, but now they're just stories."

"These stories are my past… our past," Regina said softly, feeling the thick texture underneath her fingertips.

"Yes, but to Henry… The parts where the hero falls in love with the prince or princess; they're just stories. The hero doesn't need to fall in love with the prince. Sometimes they could fall in love with the person that's right in front of them… They could find love in the most unexpected places. These stories don't mean we shouldn't be together."

"No… it doesn't," she agreed. "But Emma, I just… If Henry can't accept us. I don't know if I could…" She couldn't even finish that thought. The idea of ending this relationship when it was still so new tore at her heart. She just couldn't do this if it made their son unhappy.

"Ssh… I know," Emma's voiced trembled at the thought. She didn't even want to think about ending this if it even came to that. "Let's talk to Henry, ok?"

Regina nodded, still so unsure but they needed to get this talk over with if she was ever going to get a moments peace from all these doubts and worries hanging over her like a dark cloud.

"Henry? Come in, kid," Emma called out and Regina heard the door open followed by heavy footsteps.

"Hey, mom. Emma said you both wanted to talk to me about something," he said and he reached out, placing his hand on her shoulder so that she knew where he was standing. She took his hand and smiled softly at him.

"Is it bad?" he asked, suddenly worried.

"No," she right away reassured him. "No of course not."

"Kid…" Emma started, unsure how to get the right words out. "See… We've known each other for a really long time and…"

"Mom, we know," Henry deadpanned.

"OK… but you see we hated each other and then we became friends and now we're… Look Henry when two people go through as much as we have and become friends and trust each other, sometimes we…"

Emma was fumbling hopelessly and Regina turned to her, her sightless gaze fixed on her with a scowl.

"Oh my god save it Miss Swan!" Regina snapped impatiently and then she sweetly turned her gaze to the direction of Henry.

"What Emma is trying to say is, over the past few weeks and after everything's that happened, we've become closer."

"As in close friends?" he asked, absolutely confused at this point.

"No Henry…" Regina said softly, her voice trembling and her eyes misting over with tears. She wished she could see him. She wished she could see his reaction so that she knew what he was thinking and how to figure out the best way to comfort him. "We're so much more than that now."

"We're together, kid," Emma whispered, suddenly feeling just as nervous as Regina had been moments earlier. "As in together… together."

He was quiet and Regina couldn't see his face. She couldn't see his reaction and she began to panic, tears escaping from her eyes and streaming down her cheeks as she thought of the worst. Of him rejecting their relationship and having to end it and never knowing what she and Emma could have been.

"Henry, if you're not… If you're uncomfortable with us being together then we could end this right now," she said quietly, turning her gaze down to their clasped hands.

"No…" he protested, reaching out and caressing her cheek and lifting her chin so that he could see her eyes. "I'm sorry. I was just surprised. I think it's awesome you two are together and honestly I think Ruby called it already. She's always joking how you two act like a married couple."

"So you're ok with this?" Emma asked rather shocked and Henry pulled his hand away from Regina.

"Of course I am!" he beamed now that the shock had worn off and it was finally sinking in. His mothers together was the best thing that could happen. No more scheduling. No more fighting over who gets the weekend with him. It meant both of his parents under one roof if it ever came to that. "I want both of you to be happy even if it means it's with each other."

"Really? Even after everything I've done. Who I was? You still want me to be with Emma?" Regina asked and he looked at his adoptive mother, the woman that had raised him. That loved him so unconditionally no matter how much they hurt each other. She was everything to him and her being happy was all he ever wanted.

He hugged her and Regina startled for a second before leaning into his embrace and holding him back.

"Of course. You're my mom," he said into her ear and held her tighter. She felt him reaching out and tugging what she could guess was Emma because her girlfriend was suddenly hugging her too and placing a sweet kiss on top of her head.

Emma didn't want to leave after their talk with Henry. She wanted to lie in bed and snuggle with Regina while they read comic books with Henry. She's never been the snuggling type but Regina somehow brought that out in her.

She couldn't stop smiling.

Regina made her so happy and Henry accepting them was only icing on the cake.

Unfortunately work awaited her and her smile turned into a permanent scowl etched onto her face. The trial was only next week and she was swamped with paperwork. She also needed more evidence. Carter decided to blame Regina for the accident and because of Regina's past, she might not win this case or Carter might just get off easy. She had a few witness statements, but she was worried it might not be enough to convince the jury or the judge.

It wasn't until she was driving through the intersection where Regina was hit did the idea finally come to her. She had been on her way to lunch at the diner, but food was suddenly the last thing on her mind. She parked the bug and walked into the small boutique that was placed near the accident.

The owner was nice enough to let her go through the tapes on the day of the crash. It was a painstakingly slow process, but she finally found what she was looking for. Her hands trembled as she forwarded the footage until she saw Regina's Mercedes Benz driving into the intersection. She saw Carter's car speeding into the red light and she cried out when it finally hit Regina. She watched with tears in her eyes as the Benz spun out of control. Memories from that day flashed in her mind and all she could see was blood and Regina… the fear in her face the moment she lost her sight.

She stood up, taking the tape and rushing back to her bug.

She needed to get out of here. She needed to try to heal Regina and so she drove to her secret spot in the woods.

Blood. Pain. Crushed metal. Regina.

That was all she could think about as she pulled up her sleeve and tore off the bandage from where she had slashed herself.

She thought of Gold's words from when she had been trying to use magic in his pawn shop. When Cora had been trying to kill them. Magic is emotion. You have to want it.

So she stopped thinking. She held her hand over her wound and closed her eyes. She saw dark brown eyes. Eyes that can see. She saw the woman she already loved so much even if it was too early in their relationship.

She felt a warm fuzzy feeling and the stinging ache she had felt all day was gone. She opened her eyes and saw the wound had almost healed completely. In its place was a pink line. It was a good start. It wasn't completely healed, but at least it was something.

"I did it," she whispered in awe. Maybe this could work. Maybe if she kept trying she could heal Regina.

At that thought, the adrenaline faded and all she wanted was to go home and be with her family, with the woman that had been on her mind all day.

She wanted to go home and be with Regina.

Emma came into the loft, practically out of breath. Her anxieties were high and she couldn't breathe and then she spotted Regina sitting on the couch with Snow and the baby. David and Henry were in the kitchen making hot chocolate for everyone. This whole scene looked so warm and domesticated as if they were just a family… Just a normal family who weren't fairytale characters or had years of blood between them.

She just stood there, taking it in and she never felt so out of place before. She knew they loved her, but she could never feel as happy as Snow and Charming seemed to be right now with their new son… her brother.

Nothing could fill the void in her heart. That void she's had her whole life where the thoughts in her head told her she wasn't good enough. Didn't deserve love or a family. It's what kept her from connecting to her parents.

Henry seemed to be the exception except when he was sick or seemed to miss Regina. That was when she felt as if she could never measure up to the woman who raised him. She was mommy to him. She was the one that soothed his fears and changed his diapers. She was the one that was with him on his first day of school and the one to tuck him in at night.

He loves Regina differently. Their bond is different whereas her own relationship with Henry teeters more on the big sister side.

She wasn't jealous.

She was just hurt that she missed so much. That she wasn't there for him

Now though, all of that changed. She would move heaven and earth for Henry if she had too… and she'd do it for Regina too.

"Emma? Honey, you ok?" Snow's voice pulled her from her thoughts. She was still standing at the threshold with the door hanging open.

"Yeah… Yeah I…" she struggled at her words. She couldn't stay here. The walls felt like they were closing in on her. Her heart clenched and she took a deep breath. "I just remembered I left something at the station. I'll be back."

"Emma wait…" Regina stood and confidently made her way over to her. "Can I go with you?"

She couldn't say no and besides she really did miss her today. She craved the feel of those lips and to hear that deep raspy voice she loved so much. Regina made her feel grounded and that was exactly what she needed right now.

She took her hand, aware of everyone's eyes on them. She didn't say a word. She led Regina out, grabbed her jacket from the coat rack, and closed the door behind them.

"Are you ok?" Emma asked as they walked hand in hand down the staircase of the apartment complex. "You're not in pain right?"

"I'm fine," she said, her gaze straight as they descended the last of the steps and walked outside. Emma squeezed her hand lightly in a silent response. If Regina so much as winced in discomfort then they were heading back.

Instead of leading her to the bug, Emma led her the opposite direction and Regina didn't need her sight to know they were going the wrong way.

"I know this isn't the way to the station," she said and Emma let out a resigned sigh. There was no use lying to her. Regina would know.

"I just… I needed air." That was as far as she was getting to the truth. She couldn't tell her of the horrors she saw today. The devastating video that drove her to tears… and to the woods where she finally managed to heal just a little bit but not enough. She just couldn't explain that overwhelming urge to be near her and then coming home to witness her parents so damn happy it made her head spin.

She wanted to be happy with Regina and Henry, but how could she when the very thought of that intimacy scared her.

She had so much doubts and fears swirling in her head and she didn't know what to do. She couldn't breathe… not until Regina was standing in front of her and asking to go with her.

Somehow this woman whose hand she was holding was enough to calm those fears and ground her to the here and now.

"Where are we?" Regina asked the moment they entered the park and the feeling of the hard cemented sidewalk turned into dirt beneath her feet.

"The park," Emma said softly and Regina could hear the strain in her voice. She seemed exhausted… emotionally exhausted and she wondered what could have happened today to make Emma so anxious.

They kept walking until they reached the lake. Regina could smell it and feel the breeze through her hair. They stood at the edge, Emma looking out and so deep in thought she hadn't realized Regina couldn't enjoy the view as she was right now.

Not until Regina's soft voice tore her from the silent headspace she had fallen into.

"How does it look like?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Emma tore her gaze from the lake and looked at Regina. She was staring straight and if anyone were to pass by, they'd think she was simply admiring the view.

Emma swallowed thickly in her throat. Their hands were still clasped between them. They hadn't let go once since they left the loft.

"It's beautiful," she said, wishing Regina could see it. Wishing she could make this better somehow. "The moon is full and reflecting into the lake. It's dark and quiet, but it's beautiful."

Regina closed her eyes at Emma's words and lifted her chin, inhaling the cool night air and picturing what Emma had described.

"I can see it in my mind," she said. "Describe it more to me, Emma."

"Ok… well the sky is full of stars. The sky is clear with no fog and when you look into the water, you could see their reflection just like the moon. The lake is so still that it's like looking at another sky… Oh and fireflies!" Emma suddenly laughed and Regina opened her eyes, unsure why her girlfriend was suddenly laughing.

"Fireflies?"

"Uh huh," Emma replied and Regina suddenly felt something tickling her cheek for a quick moment as if something small had just flown by her face. "They're circling all around us."

Emma let go of her hand and Regina was left standing there without guidance. One wrong move could send her into the lake. She trusted Emma though and she was not afraid.

She could hear her moving around as if she was jumping and she could hear clapping. She was confused and had no idea what the blonde was doing.

"Emma, dear what on earth are you…"

"Ssh…" Emma was suddenly standing right in front of her. Regina knew she was because she could feel her breath on her lips and Emma's scent wafted all around her. "Hold out your hands."

"Why?"

"Just do it," she laughed and Regina affectionately rolled her eyes. She held out her hands and Emma carefully placed something in them before quickly cupping her palms and closing her fingers.

"I caught a firefly for you," she whispered and Regina directed her gaze down at it in wonder, feeling it flutter inside her cupped hands.

Emma just stared, taking in the vision before her. Fireflies surrounded them, casting an enchanted glow. Regina stood there, holding the firefly in her palms and looking so beautiful. In that moment Emma forgot everything that had been weighing her down only moments before. Right now all she could focus on was the girl in front of her.

"Do you want to know what I see?" she asked and Regina looked up at her with sightless eyes. Emma placed a hand on her cheek, her thumb lightly tracing her lips. "I see you. I don't see the mayor or Henry's mom or even the Evil Queen. I see you. I see Regina and she's beautiful. She's happy, and she's strong…"

Those last words were merely a breathless whisper because Emma was pulling her closer and kissing her lips. Regina let go of the firefly in her hands, setting it free as she combed her fingers through blonde locks of hair.

All the doubts that had been rushing through Emma's mind that evening faded into nothingness. Regina grounded her and reminded her what love can feel like. That unconditional love that made your heart soar and chased away the demons. The kind that lets you be yourself without limitations. Regina made her want to risk everything in order to have that kind of love again.

She pulled away and took Regina's hand in hers.

"What happened today?" Regina asked and Emma looked at her as if she didn't know what she was talking about. "Come on, I knew something was wrong the moment you came into the loft. I don't need to see to know when somethings bothering you."

Emma smiled affectionately at her. She reached out, tucking a strand of dark hair behind her ear. Regina always had been able to read her so well and apparently she still could even when she was blind.

The fireflies moved away, and they were once again encased in darkness and the moonlight. Emma shivered in the cold and she decided maybe they should have this conversation where it was warm.

"Let's talk about it on the way home. I'm freezing," she admitted. Regina agreed and they walked hand in hand in the direction they came from. Emma was quiet, gathering her thoughts and Regina gave her the space she needed.

"I kind of freaked out," she said slowly when they were nearly halfway home. "I had a rough day. I saw things, Regina. Evidence for the trial… that I don't want to reveal right now."

"But you're going to?" she asked.

"Yes, but I can't right now. I can't get what I saw out of my head and right now I just need to be with you."

"Ok," she whispered, squeezing her hand and trusting her to confide in her when she was ready.

"There's more," Emma sighed and blushing on how silly all her insecurities seemed to her now. "When I walked into the loft, my parents seemed so happy and I freaked out that we could have that sort of intimacy in the future. I mean it's what I want with you and Henry, but seeing it now just made me feel like I wasn't good enough to have it."

Regina stopped walking and turned to face her as if she could see her. She reached up, tracing her features and leaned in to press a kiss on her lips. She pulled away, seeing those troubled green eyes in her mind.

"You'll always be good enough for me, Emma," she said, their lips still so close they could feel each other's breath. Regina hands were on her cheeks, holding her close to her. "Intimacy like what your parents have is scary. It makes me want to run too, to go back to the way we were. Just friends, but then I think of the way you make me feel. I've never felt love the way I do with you and you're the reason why I want to stay. You're the reason why I'm risking my heart even when I know I could get hurt. I know it's early to say I love you Emma, but just like you told me this morning in the hospital… It feels like its heading there."

Emma was the one to kiss her this time and unlike the soft and reassuring ones Regina's had been, it was full of passion. It left Emma wanting more and she pulled away before it can get any more heated. She knew it was too soon to take their relationship to the next step. Regina was still so hurt and bruised and aside from that, Emma knew she didn't want to rush this.

"Yeah, it's definitely heading there," she smiled, taking Regina's hand again and walking towards home.