Emma Swan had never really been one for romance. Her and Neal's idea of a romantic date involved robbing a convenience store and then breaking into a hotel room for the night. It wasn't that she didn't like the idea of romance, she was just never too sure of how it worked. So for the majority of her life, she simply ignored it for the most part.

But, there was one thing that she had always kind of longed for, yet was too proud, and embarrassed, to ask for it. Eventually, she had ignored the need for so long that it almost faded away.

Almost.

Now that she was with Regina this...yearning had returned with twice as much force as before. And she, honestly, had no idea what to do with it.

The blonde was so deep in thought that she had not noticed that she was no longer the only person around.

"What's on your mind?"

She jumped when she felt arms being wrapped around her from behind. Only to relax when she realized those arms belonged to her lover.

"You scared me," Emma smiled as she turned her head to look at Regina who had placed her head on the sheriff's shoulder.

"Sorry. I called your name, but you didn't hear me. What were you thinking about?"

"How beautiful you are," Emma smirked smugly.

Regina raised a brow, "You came all the way down to the lake just to think of me?"

Emma turned her head back towards the water and avoided the question, "How'd you know I was here?"

"I ran into Archie and Pongo outside my office and he mentioned that they saw you here. Now answer the question," the mayor straightened up to try to get a better look at the blonde.

Emma sighed, "It's nothing Regina. I'm fine, promise."

Regina placed a small kiss on the blonde's cheek before whispering softly in her ear, "I thought we both agreed to always talk about our feelings."

A look of guilt swept across the sheriff's face. She bit her lip and stayed silent.

"Come on Emma. I know something has been troubling you the past few days. Hell, even Zelena noticed that something was wrong," Regina paused as her lover raised a brow, "She asked me this morning if you were okay. She thought you looked a little uneasy when she saw us yesterday. Talk to me Emma, please."

Emma let out a deep sigh and turned in Regina's arms. She leaned in and placed a soft kiss on the brunette's forehead before speaking, "Something has been on my mind lately and I will talk to you about it Angel. Just...not right now."

"Why?"

The blonde licked her lips, trying to think of the best way to say it, "I...I think I just need a little more time to gather my thoughts. Honestly, it's a bit...embarrassing," Emma cast her gaze away from Regina's when she felt her own cheeks heat up. "I want to try to handle it in the least humiliating way possible."

"Emma," Regina put her hand on Emma's face to guide their eyes together once more, "I would never judge you on anything, or laugh at you, for that matter. Especially, if it's about how you feel. And nothing you say would ever go beyond me. You can trust me."

"I do trust you, Regina. That's not the problem. I know you would never make me feel ashamed, but still...it's not something I ever had to talk about before. So, give me some time to prepare?"

"Fine," the mayor said with a sigh. "But, only if you promise it's not something dangerous or harmful to you."

Emma grinned and shook her head, "I promise, it's nothing like that." She pressed her lips to the brunette's kissing her deeply.

When they pulled back, Regina caressed Emma's cheek. "Should I leave you alone for a little while?" she asked unsurely.

Emma answered by turning sideways and offering her arm to the mayor. "Take a walk with me?"

Regina smiled widely as she looped their arms together. She leaned her head against the blonde's shoulder as they began a quiet, peaceful walk around the lake.

The next morning Regina walked into her office expecting a slow day. There were no meetings scheduled and all the budget plans for the upcoming months were nearly complete. She would still have to spend a few hours processing paperwork and deciding on whether to fund the ideas for new park expansions or for the new after-school event that Snow had proposed. So naturally, she expected that day to be rather uneventful.

Which was why she was a little surprised when she approached her desk to find a small, unknown, book laying on top.

From the tiny lock on the side, it was obviously a journal, but she had no idea where it had come from. It seemed rather worn, showing its age and usage. The cover was a simple red color with a black border. On the front written in sharpie were the words, "Cheap Therapy."

When she read those words a small, yet still confused smile came to her face. She would know Emma's scrawled writing anywhere.

She reached for the book as she sat at her desk. That's when she saw the small key that was lying beneath it along with a note with her name written on it. She picked it up and began to read.

"I know this is kinda weird and maybe even a bit pathetic, but I think this is the least mortifying way to explain what's been going on in my head. 27, 45, 60. Those are the pages you need to read." A small heart had been drawn at the end of the note.

Regina's first instinct was actually to call Emma and say nothing she could do would ever be pathetic, however, she decided to save that for later.

She sat back in her seat and crossed her legs as she began to flip through the pages. From the dates at the tops of the pages, it was obvious that the journal was not part of a daily ritual. Emma must have used it only to write about the days that were truly important or troubling. Most of them only had a paragraph or two written on them, though she did not read any of them of course.

Even with Emma's permission, it felt truly invasive to be reading her girlfriend's diary. Regina bit her lip as she found the first passage that the blonde wanted her to read, noticing that it's longer than some of the others and that it was dated to when Emma was a young teenager. With a deep breath, Regina began to read.

Dear C.T.

This place isn't as bad as some of the other homes I've been in. The parents are okay, they seem to actually care a bit more than others do. And at least here they're not as many of us kids so I have more privacy. I also get a chance to get to know some of them more.

Jenny is 16 and is way nicer than some of the other foster sisters I've had. She asks if I want to hang out and even if I need help with school.

But she also likes to talk...a lot.

Lately, she's been raving about this new boyfriend of hers. From what she says he treats her good. Apparently, the last one tried to get her on drugs.

Anyway, Jenny gets all smiley and girly when talking about him, especially when she mentions that he calls her "Honey Bee." I asked her why that was such a big deal. I thought it was kinda stupid, honestly.

She said it made her feel special, loved, and even safe. I really don't understand how a weird name can make someone feel that way, especially for us who've lived in the system their whole life.

But, I kinda hope that one day I will understand it. It must be incredible to feel that way, to know you are truly loved by someone like that.

I want to understand it, but I doubt I ever will.

When Regina finished the last of the first passage she had to wipe the tear from her cheek. Emma hardly ever talked about her childhood, and when she did she never let on to just how lonely it was most of the time. She wished she could go back in time and tell that little girl that she would be loved unconditionally one day.

As her eyes dried she flipped to the next page she was meant to read. It was dated about a year and a half before Henry was born when Emma and Neal were together.

Dear C.T.

So, I've been with Neal for like three months now. I know I wrote about the day we met, but now I know him so much better.

He's funny, sweet, adventurous, and even pretty smart. Neal is the first person I've ever met that understands me and doesn't judge me 'cause of how I grew up. He always watches my back too, which kinda makes me feel like I'm actually worth protecting.

Yet, there's one thing I still want from him.

He calls me "honey," and "darling," and crap like that. You know, the generic stuff. But, he hasn't really given me a name.

I think I'm starting to get what my old foster sister told me once. That having a special name means there's someone that loves you and makes you feel safe and special.

Neal, he makes me feel like that, he really does, but I can't help but think how much better it would feel if he gave me a special name that only he would call me.

I'll love him even if that name ever comes through. Neal's thoughtful, but he doesn't strike me as a guy that senses those kinda things in their girlfriend. And there's no way in Hell I'm gonna ask him 'cause, A: way too embarrassing and B: it really wouldn't mean as much unless he thinks of it on his own.

Regina understood what Emma meant perfectly. She used to be elated every time Maleficent had called her "Poppet" and now that Emma had begun calling her "Angel" she got to experience that feeling all over again. "That's what's been bothering her," she thought to herself, "she wants to be called something special. Damn it, Regina! Why didn't you tell her that you've already come up with one?"

She took a deep sigh, now knowing that she could have saved Emma a few days worth of mental anguish if she would have simply talked to her about the name she had been using in her head.

When she turned to the last passage Emma told her to read. Not only did she see that it was the latest entry but also it was from the day after the blonde had started calling her "Angel."

Dear C.T.

She's my angel. I honestly have no idea why that name didn't come to me sooner, it fits her so well.

Regina spent so long in the darkness, but now she thrives in the light. I know there is absolutely nothing she wouldn't do for me, or Henry, or anyone else in our family. She truly is an angel.

I love her so damn much. After Neal, I never thought I would say that about someone else, but Regina...she's honestly changed me in so many ways and they're all for the better.

I really hope she thinks of a name for me soon. Hell, I wouldn't even care if it was creative or not. As long as Regina calls me it I'd be happy.

Actually, I do know what I would like her to call me, I thought of it not long after we got together. It's corny, and cliché, and yes kinda generic, however, I would still love to hear it from her lips.

When I saw her yesterday in the vault after I told her just how special she was, the way she looked at me...I almost can't describe it. It was like I was the center of her whole world. Like I was this precious thing to always hold on to and never let go.

I want to talk to her about it, but I just don't have the guts to. I don't honestly think she would judge me for thinking that I need a new name to feel special or important. Yet, I'm still just so damn far out of my element here though.

Even if I did talk to her about it I would have no freaking clue how I would start. It's not like I was ever actually encouraged to talk about these kind of thoughts to others. Now it's still just so freaking awkward to bring that stuff up.

I know Regina loves me and thinks I'm special...even if I don't see it. I just really hope she comes up with a name for me as well. Just so I can finally say that someone thought enough to give me one. But, even if she doesn't, there is no doubt in my mind that Regina Mills is the one for me.

By the time she finished reading Emma's words, Regina had a soft smile on her face. She closed the journal with a sigh. At least now she knew why Emma had been acting so odd, she was very relieved to know it was nothing more serious.

Nothing about what she read truly surprised her. Afterall, Emma was Emma. She does not talk about her own wants or needs. Her heart pangs knowing the reason why. The blonde simply learned from an early age not to ask for things, knowing she would never get them.

Regina looked up at the clock. Not even an hour had passed since she entered her office, not that it truly mattered.

She knew that if she did not stay to get her work done that the next day would be fully packed, but she did not care. She had to talk to Emma.

Taking a moment to make sure her phone was in her bag and also to grab the journal, Regina left her office in a puff of purple smoke.

Emma sat at her desk in the sheriff's station, nervously tapping her legs. Ever since she left her journal on her lover's desk she had been thinking of what Regina will say when she read it.

She hated leaving it out in the open anyway, but she trusted Regina to take care of it. She just was not sure what she would think about it.

"Will she think it's silly? Or weird? Or childish?" Logically, she knew Regina would be understanding, yet her emotions were going haywire with being so far out of her comfort zone.

The blonde was so on edge that she nearly jumped out of her seat when Regina poofed beside her. "Seriously, Regina, you have got to quit sneaking up on me like that," she said with a sigh and a hand on her chest.

Regina smiled down at her before leaning down to kiss the sheriff on her head, "Sorry," Then she went around the desk to grab a chair before going back to sit beside Emma.

"So," the brunette started, "do you want to talk about this?" She held up the journal.

Emma tried to shrug nonchalantly, her nerves were getting the better of her. "It's not really that important. I just didn't want you to worry," she looked back down at her desk to avoid the mayor's eyes.

"It is important," Regina insisted. "Emma I want you to know that you can talk about anything with me and I'll never ever judge you. I'll never say that what you're feeling or thinking is ridiculous or not worth my time," her voice softened suddenly, "like I imagine others have told you."

The blonde stayed still for a moment before giving a slight nod. "You don't think it's...I don't know, stupid or childish then?" she asked still looking down with a soft blush on her cheeks.

"There is never anything stupid or childish about wanting to feel special Emma," Regina reached over to cup Emma's chin to turn her to face her. "And that's exactly what you are to me," she gave the blonde a grin before giving her a soft kiss on her lips.

When she pulled back Emma was relieved to see true understanding on Regina's face. She gave her a small smile of her own, "Sorry I kinda shut myself off these past couple days. I know we said we'd talk about this kinda stuff. I guess I'm still getting used to someone caring about me so much, still learning about how it works."

"Well, I'll gladly show you just how cared for you are any time you need," she caressed Emma's cheek, making the blonde's smile widen. "In fact, I actually have already thought of a name I would like to call you."

Regina had to fight to hold back a giggle at the look that suddenly came to the sheriff's face. Emma's eyes bulged with confusion and astonishment right before her jaw dropped and then curved into the largest and most adorable grin the brunette had ever seen. She then brought her hand down to hold the blonde's.

"You have?!" Emma asked excitedly. She tried to calm down a bit after seeing Regina nod, but her grin remained, "Why haven't you used it yet?"

Now Regina was the one to shrug while looking sheepish, "I don't know. I mean, I think the name suits you, but I worry it's still too...plain, I suppose. I was once with someone and called them my sweetheart. They loved when I called them that, yet I always wondered if it was enough, or if they deserved something more unique." She left out the specific details, knowing the blonde would assume she was talking about Daniel. Now was not the time to be bringing up past, unknown lovers.

"I'm sure it was, enough, I mean," Emma was practically bouncing in her seat with anticipation. Despite the blush on her face deepening, she was not able to hide her enthusiasm at finally having this happening to her. "So what was the name you thought of for me? Tell me, Regina, please?"

Regina bit her lip, still wondering if what she was about to show her would be enough for her lover. She placed the journal on the desk before reaching into her bag for her phone. Quickly, she brought up Emma's contact information and then turned the phone around to show her the screen.

Right underneath Emma's picture was the word "Baby."

As soon as she read that word, Emma's green eyes began to water. She placed her free hand over her mouth as the first tears started to flow.

Regina felt her stomach clench, thinking she had seriously screwed up. She silently cursed herself for not thinking of a better name. "Emma?" she said quietly while placing her phone down to place her hand on the sheriff's thigh, "If you hate it that much I can change..."

She was suddenly cut off by quickly wrapping placing both her palms on Regina's face as she leaned in to kiss her lover passionately. At first, Regina was too shocked to move, then after a moment, she wrapped her arms around Emma's waist as she returned the kiss, both of them becoming lost in it.

"You're incredible," Emma said after she pulled away with tears still pouring down her cheeks.

"What?" she asked still confused.

"You're incredible, Angel," Emma spoke softly. "That...that was the name I want you to call me. I know it's normal and cheesy and chiqué, but...but."

"But it's perfect for you," the mayor smiled while wiping the sheriff tears away.

Emma nodded slowly, "It...it makes me feel loved."

Regina pulled Emma until she had shifted from her own chair to straddle the brunette's lap, each with their arms wrapped tightly around each other. "You are loved, Emma. Not nearly enough people treated you the way that they should have. But, those days are over. I want you to know that you'll always be precious to me. I love you, Baby."

"Say it again? Please?"

"I. Love. You. Baby," Regina gave her a soft kiss in between each word.

Emma let her head fall forward until her forehead pressed against Regina's. "I love you too, Angel."

They sat like that, holding each other, while occasionally giving the other lazy, sweet kisses. Both were so content that they lost complete track of time. When Regina finally thought to look at the time she saw that nearly two hours had passed.

She patted Emma's thigh, "Come on, Baby. Let's get home."

"What about work."

"Something's will always be more important than work and you are at the top of that list."

They both stood to leave the sheriff's office, their hands never letting the other go.