"Thanks for coming over you guys," said Emma as she walked her friends to the door. Ruby was designated driver, dragging a tipsy Katheryn and Belle with her. Regina hung behind, clearing the beer bottles and pizza boxes. With only the two of them, Emma slipped her arms around the brunette's waist where she stood in the kitchen. "You've been amazing today."

"I think you'll find I'm always amazing," replied Regina with a smirk.

The blonde nuzzled at the back of her girlfriend's neck. "That you are."

"I was going to ask," started Regina quietly. "If you minded if I stayed tonight?"

Emma froze at the question. It had become an unspoken rule that as often as Regina came over, she didn't stay over. Or at least, not unless the pair both managed to drift off while watching a movie. Their physical relationship, beyond kisses, had developed slowly. Touches and caresses above clothing, had, over time led to fingertips seeking soft skin. Further than that, however, they both seemed to be waiting for something. As Emma turned around, meeting the brunette's gaze, green eyes widened on the expression on her face. The vulnerable, open expression was tempered by the seductive biting of her ruby red lower lip. "You really want to stay?"

Regina nodded. "I really want to stay."

"I have one more thing for you," said Regina, as Emma gently closed the door behind her.

The blonde had left a note downstairs for Mary Margaret thanking her for the pizza, and allowing the day as a whole, with a quick note on the end that Regina was staying over, hoping she would read between the lines and not disturb them before almost sprinting up the stairs to join her girlfriend. "Ri," started Emma, using the name that always brought a small smile to the brunette's face, but that she only ever used when they were alone. "You've already done too much."

"Just let me," said Regina, reaching under the bed to produce the now wrapped jewellery box. "You might think it's a little silly but..."

"Regina, it's from you, I'm going to love it," smiled Emma as the box was pressed into her hand. Carefully unwrapping the tissue paper, she gasped at what was revealed. "It's beautiful."

Smiling, the brunette sat on the bed next to the blonde. "You really like it? I know you're not really a jewellery girl, but I thought you could just use it for whatever you want."

"Ri, I love it," smiled Emma, trailing her fingers over the intricate swan design on the lid. "But really, where did you find something like this?" She frowned at Regina's blush. "Regina?"

"You know Gepetto? The little woodwork shop in town?'

"You had this made?" squeaked Emma in a tone most unusual to her. "For me?" Tears gathered in her eyes. She found herself engulfed in a hug, and allowed herself to bury her head in Regina's shoulder. The whole day had been rather overwhelming for her, and now this... Real tears found their way down her cheeks as she hugged the box to her chest, cradled in her girlfriend's arms.

Regina, for her part, could only hold the blonde. She knew today was going to be hard for the blonde. Throughout their relationship, Emma had never been shortcoming in her affection, but in receiving it, she was rather more hesitant. And today hadn't just been a show of physical affection, but was on a deeper, more emotional level. It was neither of their strong points, but they always tried their best to make it work.

"I'm sorry," mumbled the blonde against tan skin.

Pulling back, Regina took the blonde's face in her hands. "Don't apologise to me. You want to curl up and have a cry, go for it. I'll be right here."

"I don't want to cry!" whined Emma, even as the tears continued to flow. "Today has been amazing...I just...No one has ever done anything like this for me." She looked down to the box she still clutched against her chest. "And this...This is the nicest thing anyone has ever given me." She gently lowered the box in trembling hands. "I don't even know how to thank you. For this, for everything you've done."

"You don't have to thank me," said Regina softly, as she ran a gentle finger over the carved design. "I did this just as much for me as I did for you."

Clumsily wiping at her tears, Emma frowned.

Only hesitating for a moment, Regina spoke. "Every time I'd come over, you'd still be half living out of cardboard boxes. It always made me feel like you were ready to leave, like you didn't quite feel you belonged here. I wanted you to feel you had somewhere that was yours."

Emma smiled a watery smile. "Oh, Regina. It wasn't that. I didn't properly unpack because I still think it's all too good to be true. Mary Margaret, actually fitting in at school, you..." She leant forward to press their lips together. "Most of all you."