Originally this was not going to be a separate chapter. But, I could not stop the fluffiness. I imagine that it is much needed after reading the previous chapter. Enjoy!
Erasing any and all evidence of her recent breakdown, the poised queen exits the kitchen. She feels her heart skip a beat when she is met by the most beautiful blue eyes she has ever seen. "Hi," the unsuspecting blonde innocently greets. She was on her way into the kitchen to check the status of dinner.
She doesn't speak, she only reacts. Grasping her lovers face with both hands, the queen attempts to communicate all of her love, devotion, admiration, gratitude and promise to the stunning woman in her grasp.
When they break for air, Emma lingers in a haze of passion and her eyes remain closed. Maybe it was magic that she felt passing between them just now. What she knows for certain is this woman's unyielding love and affection.
"I love you, Emma Swan," the queen proclaims, still cradling her beloved's face.
Meeting brown orbs, the dazed woman responds, "I love you too." Sensing that something is amiss, she entreats her fiancée. "Are you okay?" When Regina doesn't respond, she inquires again. "What's the matter, baby?"
"I just can't believe you're home."
"I am home," Emma confirms. "I'm never leaving again." When Regina doesn't meet her eyes, this prompts the younger woman to ask again, "Are you sure you're okay?
"I will be, as long as I can hold you in my arms when I go to sleep tonight."
"Well, you're in luck because I've already reserved my place in bed beside you." Thankfully, that earned her a response. "There's that smile that I love so much."
"You're the reason for my smile," Regina admits. "You will always be my reason."
A moment later, a cheerful little girl, followed closely by her grandfather, toddles her way around the corner to the dining room. The instant she spots her brunette mother, she brightens and reaches out in silent request.
"There's my girl." Regina beams and effortlessly lifts her precious child into her arms. "Hi, baby."
"Did you take a shower too?"
The question is innocent enough, but it is also unexpected. The queen hesitates and implores her fiancée.
When Emma encourages with only a sheepish nod, Regina confirms, "Yes, I did."
"Do you feel better now?"
The brunette woman breathes a sigh of relief. "I feel much better. Thank you, sweetheart." She kisses her baby, thankful for the child's thoughtfulness, which she reasons must have come from Charlie's other mother. "Were you playing with your new kittens?"
"Uh-hu," the tiny child replies.
The blonde woman joins the pair and places a soft hand on her baby girl's back. "And, Grandpa told me that Charlie has a new best-friend."
"Neal," Charlie cheers, pointing to the excited little boy.
Just then the boy's father scoops Neal up in a playful hug. "You should see these two. They're like peas in a pod."
The laughter is contagious as Regina willingly forgets the pain of her past.
"Can Neal be part of our family?" Charlie innocently requests.
"Neal already is part of our family," Regina explains, choosing to omit specifics. Their family tree is confusing enough for an adult. She can't imagine it making sense to a three-year-old.
"Would you like Neal to have dinner with us?" Emma encourages.
"Grandma and Grandpa can have dinner with us too." Regina adds, with matching enthusiasm.
"Hey babe, do we have a high-chair?" Apparently, Emma is becoming more at ease with the fact that the mayoral mansion is her home too as she begins rearranging chairs around the once lonely table.
The little girl immediately protests, not yet ready to lose contact with her long-lost mother. "No, Mommy, I want you!"
"Okay, sweetie," Regina appeases. "Do you want to sit on my lap?"
As soon as she makes the suggestion, the little girl brightens. "Yes."
"Alright, sweetheart." Regina seals her affirmation with a kiss on her little one's cheek.
After her favorite brunette and their daughter and settled, the blonde woman captures her lover's attention. "I'm glad you feel better."
The dinner began as expected. The children were helped by their parents, since they were both still too small to sit at such a large table. Emma watched in wonder as her soul-mate skillfully spooned mashed potatoes and gravy into their child's mouth. She appreciated how Regina would take just the right amount onto a spoon and carefully blow on it before offering it to Charlie. What was even more endearing was that fact that Regina would occasionally kiss their daughter's cheek in between bites, instigating more adorable baby laughter. Leave it to Mary Margaret to ruin such a blissful observation.
"I like that sweater, Emma. It's a good color for you," Mary Margaret observes in regard to the burgundy sweater.
The blonde woman is suddenly self-conscious. "It's Regina's. I don't have much of anything of my own."
"You didn't bring anything with you?"
There is no way that this conversation is going to end well, Emma realizes. "Well, I…" She has no idea where to go with this explanation. "I, kind of, left in a hurry."
Recognizing her partner's distress, Regina interjects, "I insisted. When I found Emma I whisked her away before she could pack anything."
The two women exchange knowing looks. But that doesn't discourage Mary Margaret from continuing her line of questioning. "Oh. Will you be returning to…Where were you living?"
"Um," the blonde woman stalls, "New Jersey."
"Well, I'm sure you'll be going back to pack up your…" Mary Margaret tries to imagine where her, assumed single until now, daughter might have been living. "Did you have an apartment?"
"Actually, I had a house," Emma responds, trying to appear nonchalant, despite her growing anxiety.
"Oh, wow."
"Yeah," Emma sheepishly acknowledges.
"I would love to see it. Maybe we could all go with you, make a family road-trip out of it. We could help you move."
Uncertain about how to respond to her mother's keenness, Emma ineffectively attempts to offer a reason not to return to New Jersey. "Um," she stammers, "I don't…"
Mercifully, she is rescued by Regina who has had just about enough of Snow White's naïve optimism.
"Thank you for the offer Mary Margaret, but that won't be necessary."
The woman is relentless. "Why not? You're not planning to move back to New Jersey are you?"
"No," Emma affirms, without hesitation. "I'm staying in Storybrooke." She is becoming increasingly agitated and needs this conversation to end.
"Well, are you selling your house?"
"I don't know…"
Desperate for fiancée's interrogation to end, Regina attempts to discourage Emma's overbearing mother. However, she keeps her tone soft and even, careful not to frighten the children. "Mary Margaret, Emma just back. I'm sure she wants to settle in first before she starts thinking about logistics."
"Of course," Mary Margaret concedes. "You don't have to think about that right now."
For a moment, Regina believes that her tactic might have worked. However, it isn't long before the annoying woman starts again.
"Was it nice where you lived?"
"Excuse me." Emma casually removes herself from the table and disappears into the kitchen.
"What just happened?"
The exasperated queen sighs audibly. She is visibly trying to control her temper. Without meeting Mary Margaret's eyes, Regina attempts to talk some sense into her future mother-in-law. "Couldn't you have saved the cross-examination until after dinner?"
"I was just making conversation." In Snow White's mind, she is completely innocent in this scenario.
"You were badgering her," the queen points out.
Becoming defensive, Mary Margaret justifies her actions. "I was just trying to find out about the last four years of my daughter's life."
The child in Regina's arms suddenly realizes the gravity of the situation and begins calling for her blonde mother.
"It's okay, baby. Mommy's okay," Regina soothes.
Apparently, all Regina needed for her former nemesis to see the consequences of her actions, was a traumatized three-year-old.
"I didn't mean to upset her."
"She's okay," Regina informs, as she attempts to quite her baby. "Charlie?" When the child continues to fuss, Regina tries a different tactic. "Honey, listen to me." As she gently wipes away the tears streaming down her daughter's face, Regina explains, "You know I'm taking care of Mommy, right?" When the little girl discretely nods her comprehension, the regal woman adds, "I will always take care of Mommy."
That comment obviously unnerved the acting sheriff, who senses that something is terribly wrong.
"Regina?" The concern in his voice is evident.
"It's alright, David. She's alright." Directing her attention back toward her daughter, the queen encourages, "Do you want to go to Grandpa?"
"No," the crying child whines.
Understandably, the queen is growing frustrated, but she recognizes that she cannot possibly be upset with her very sensitive daughter. Charlie has already witnessed more than any child ever should. "Sweetheart, I need you to be my brave girl and stay here with Grandpa, Grandma, and Neal, so I can go check on Mommy." When she notices her words sinking in, she inquires, "Can you be brave for me?"
The frightened child nods her response.
"I love you, my angel." Regina kisses her baby in grateful response. "I'll be right back."
She stands and hands her treasured child to her friend and future father-in-law.
"It's okay, Charlie," David reminds, cradling his precious girl. "Your moms are coming back."
Before leaving, Regina turns her attention back to Mary Margaret. "Please don't ask her anymore questions," she honestly requests.
"Regina," Mary Margaret inquires, "What happened?"
"When she's ready to talk, you'll know."
7777777
Upon opening the door to the laundry room the queen remarks, "I thought I'd find you here,"
Emma is currently seated on the floor, with one kitten in her lap and the other on her shoulder.
"I'm not hiding," the younger woman confidently responds. When she is met with a knowing look, by her future wife, Emma revises her previous statement, "You're right. I am hiding." "Like a coward," she adds.
"The woman I love is not a coward," she disputes. Despite the fact that her skirt is not designed for such movement, the normally proper woman joins her fiancée on the floor. "You are the strongest person I know. You can do anything."
"Regina," the blonde woman whines.
"I mean it, Emma. No matter what you do, you will always be my hero."
"I'm your hero?" Her surprise is evident. "I don't know what I did to deserve your devotion."
Without premeditation, Regina admits, "I wonder the same thing, ever day." She quickly amends her previous statement. "I mean, about me deserving you."
"I love you," the grateful woman replies.
"I love you too."
It becomes clear that Emma has no intention of leaving the laundry room, as she distracts herself with two very animated kittens.
"Don't worry, Emma," Regina encourages. "Your mother won't be asking you any more questions."
The younger woman jolts to attention, startling one of the small mammals in the process. "You killed her?!"
"No, silly," Regina playfully scolds. "I've learned to control my rage."
The younger woman sends her future wife a discerning look.
The queen recognizes that Emma is rightfully suspicious and elaborates on her previous statement. "I calmly explained that you needed time before you'd be ready to talk."
The blonde woman groans in frustration. "I feel so stupid."
"Honey, it's okay. You did nothing wrong."
"I can't even get through a family dinner. I have to be so damn neurotic."
"You just got home. You were reunited with your parents only a few hours ago. You shouldn't expect so much of yourself right now."
Unable to tell if her words are having an effect, the queen continues. "Your parents love you, Emma. They're not going to think any less of you because of what happened. Emma, it is not your fault."
The younger woman takes a moment to let her fiancée's words sink in. "I'm just not ready," she realizes.
"I support whatever you want to do," the queen assures. "And, I will do whatever you need me to do. I'll erase their memories if you want. I can replace the memories of everyone in this entire town. I don't even need a curse to do it."
The younger woman cannot disguise the involuntary smile spreading across her face at her fiancée's dedication. "You don't have to do that."
"I would do anything for you."
"I know." Emma gazes into warm brown orbs, content to share this intimate moment with the woman she loves. But she is suddenly distracted by the furry creature requesting her fiancée's consideration. "Your cat wants attention."
With a distrustful expression, the queen warily lifts the persistent kitten to her face level. "So, this one is…"
"Squeakers," Emma reminds, beaming at the adorableness of her very awkward fiancée. Though, she does appreciate Regina's willingness.
The older woman regards the kitten, "Hello."
As much as she tried to suppress it, Emma erupts in a fit of laughter. "Regina. You should see yourself."
"I'm used to horses, Emma," the rigid woman explains. "What am I supposed to do with something this small?"
The kitten takes this comment as a personal insult and begins crying louder.
"Aw, you hurt her feelings," Emma observes.
"Don't be ridiculous. She doesn't know what I'm saying," the queen denies. But the kitten has already had a noticeable effect on the regal woman. "Alright, that's enough," she soothes, cradling the kitten next to her chest. "Settle down now."
Maybe Charlie is the reason that she has suddenly become so tolerant, the queen reflects. Then she realizes that it is the glowing woman in front of her. Emma softened her heart a long time ago and melted her icy exterior.
"I think you have a new friend, Regina," the adorable woman comments.
Regina smiles fondly, appreciating the amazing woman before her. "I guess she is kind of cute," the enamored queen admits.
"I knew you were a big softy."
"Let's just keep that between us," Regina requests, gently setting her new furry friend on the floor.
Emma suddenly remembers the reason for fleeing to the laundry room. "I just don't know how to tell them what happened. All I do know is that I want you there with me."
"I wouldn't be anywhere else," the brunette woman responds, sealing her confirmation with a soft kiss.
Immediately, Emma's nerves are calmed. "I missed you so much."
"I'm right here, my love."
After a moment, Regina rises to a standing position and extends her hands to guide her beloved off the floor. "Are you ready to go back?"
The younger woman smiles and accepts the offered hands, her protector's hands. Relaxing in the safety of the woman she loves, Emma makes a disturbing realization. "Damnit."
Regina is instantly alarmed. "What's the matter?"
"Now my dinner's going to be cold." She is legitimately distraught over this fact and makes another, even more, distressing realization. "Shit, you're dinner's going to be cold too."
Eager to ease this woman's mind, Regina reminds her future wife of one simple fact. "I can re-heat our food. I do own a microwave."
Emma knows that she is amplifying a situation that is easily resolved. But, she can't shake the feeling of guilt. "I just feel bad that you have to take care of me all the time."
The queen is quick to put a damper on the unrelenting guilt. "That's what I promised you and our daughter that I would do. I will always take care of you, forever."
She truly doesn't know what she did to earn this woman's unwavering loyalty. But, for now at least, she decides to accept it. "Is Charlie okay?"
"She's okay," Regina assures. "She's just worried about you."
"I didn't mean to scare her," Emma articulates. "I wish she didn't feel responsible for me all the time. I just want her to enjoy being a kid."
"We have the most amazing little girl, Emma. Our daughter is the sweetest, most caring child I have ever met. She's sensitive, but that just makes me want to protect her more fiercely."
The blonde woman melts in her queen's embrace.
"I'm here now Emma. I will prove to Charlie that she doesn't have to worry about you anymore. I'm taking care of both of you now." She feels the younger woman hug her tighter. "She's going to be alright, my love." Regina effortlessly guides the younger woman's chin upward, in order to meet her eyes. "We need to get used to being happy."
Under normal circumstances, Emma Swan would be completely mesmerized by Regina's proclamation. However, sharp claws digging into her leg are a bit distracting. "You know, this would be a lot more romantic if there wasn't a raccoon climbing up my leg."
Regina catches sight of the mischievous mammal and smiles in satisfaction. "I would like to point out, that one is your cat."
"Yeah. She is a little stinker," Emma acknowledges, meticulously freeing herself from the tiny cat's seeming death-grip. "Aren't you, Munchkin'?" The spoiled kitten protests the removal process, playfully nibbling at Emma's fingers. As soon as the animal is freed, the blonde woman directs her attention back toward her beaming fiancée. "Is it growing on you yet?"
"When you say it, it's hard for me not to love it," Regina confesses.
The younger woman seizes the opportunity to flirt. "You like me."
"I suppose I do," the queen admits, completely satisfied with the way her life has turned out.
"We're going to have to get that one a scratching post," Emma suggests, "or maybe a cat tree." This idea genuinely excites her. "Munchkin' is definitely a climber."
Regina realizes, not only had this woman weaseled her way into her heart, but she brought rodents, well, furry creatures of some kind, with her. The once untouchable, vengeful queen has become blissfully domestic. And, Regina Mills would not have it any other way.
"I suppose we should."