"Okay," Emma whispers from near the door. "Open your eyes."
Regina's eyes blink open and she takes in the scene before her. The bed is pushed to the side of the room, mattress on the floor. Pillows stacked on the mattress, holding up a blanket also being draped across a few chairs. Inside the small blanket room on the mattress is a big fluffy comforter and another few pillows. In front of the comfy looking blanket fort a television is set up, the movie set to play for that night is paused. She can't tell what it is. "Wow," she offers, when she realizes she hasn't said anything.
"Do you not like it," Emma asks, appearing at her side with a worried look on her face.
Regina smiles at the blonde's unintentional pout. "I love it," she says, turning to Emma. "But…"
"But what?"
Regina wraps an arm around Emma's waist and pulls her closer. "But I was really looking forward to that goodnight kiss."
Emma gives her a grin. "Well who am I to deny the mayor what she wants?" Emma leans in, her lips ghosting over Regina's before she pulls away. She has the audacity to laugh at the brunette's own pout as she untangles herself from an iron grip. She explains, "Don't worry Regina; there will be plenty of time for that. I just thought you might want to get comfy for the second half of the night." She grabs a pair of silk pajamas that look suspiciously familiar to Regina off the desk to the side of the room. "Put these on, the bathroom's just through that door," Emma says with a smile, as she points behind her.
Regina nods and moves to follow Emma's orders. "Oh, Regina," Emma's voice stops her in her tracks and she turns with a quirked brown to look at the blonde. Emma walks not even a foot from her and she's moving closer. She presses her lips to Regina's flushed cheek. "Thank you for agreeing to a date with me."
Regina nods before stepping away and practically floating into the bathroom.
…
When the brunette exits the bathroom she can't immediately see her blonde date. Worried she calls out for her. "Emma?"
A mess of blonde curls pops out from under the mass of blankets heaps on the mattress on the floor. "Yeah," Emma replies. Regina sighs in relief and feels a smile tugging at the corner of her lips.
The brunette takes hold of Emma's outstretched hand and is tugged down. "This is quite an impressive blanket fort," Regina comments as she ducks under the entrance.
The blonde holds up a finger as she smiles. "A blanket castle," she amends. "Fit for a queen."
Regina laughs outright at that. When she doesn't hear Emma chuckling along she stops and glances to where the blonde is resting beside her. "What," she asks, worriedly.
"Nothing," Emma says, casually shrugging a shoulder. "But I think people would like you much better if you laughed like that all the time."
To hide her blush, Regina scoffs, "I don't need people to like me. Besides, everyone I want to like me already does, laugh or no laugh."
Emma chuckles at that. "I guess you're right."
"I'm always right."
Emma laughs again at the speed of which the sentence comes from Regina. No hesitation. "Of course you're right your majesty. Shall we watch the film I chose for us?"
Regina nods and Emma grabs the remote, hitting play.
"What movie is this," Regina asks, as the two settle into the mound of blankets and cuddle into each other.
"It's called He's just not that into you."
…
Three Years Later…
"Isn't the kid a little old for us to set up an Easter egg hunt for him?"
"Absolutely not," Regina scolds, frowning.
Emma gives the brunette a smile. "Okay, can we at least make it age appropriate," she asks.
Regina tilts her head in question as she curls her legs under her. "What do you mean?"
"Instead of chocolate eggs, we hide like money or something. I'm sure the kid wants that more than chocolate this year," Emma says, wrapping her arm around the brunette.
"I don't understand why you insist on calling him 'the kid'. I gave him a perfectly acceptable name," Regina grouses, momentarily distracted from the Easter egg hunt.
Emma grins at the woman in her arms. "It's a term of endearment Gina, like how you call everyone dear."
"Don't call me Gina," the brunette mutters, shooting daggers at the blonde woman. "And I don't think 'kid' is a very nice endearment, he's growing up pretty fast."
Emma sobers up a bit at that last bit. "I know he's growing, but he will always be kid to me. When I was pregnant with him…" She stops abruptly and when Regina looks up at the blonde, she glances away, facing burning bright red.
"When you were pregnant with him what?" Regina pulls away from the blonde's embrace to sit opposite her. "I want to know Emma."
Emma turns back to her. "I just, it's a touchy subject, I've never told anyone this before and I know it upsets you sometimes that he's not biologically yours."
"He's mine Emma, I raised him, and I'd like to hear about your pregnancy," Regina says quietly.
"When he was still little, and I didn't know the gender, I took to calling him kid. When I made the decision to put him up for adoption I wouldn't let me call him anything else but kid. When you adopted him and I didn't know his name, every year on his birthday I would wish him a happy birthday and say, 'Happy Birthday kid," because it was the only thing I knew him by. If I hadn't been in jail, or borderline homeless, I would have kept him," she admits. "He was my kid." Regina reaches up to wipe the tears from Emma's cheeks.
Regina offers a gentle smile. "He's yours now, Emma. What's important is that you stayed."
Emma gives her a smile back. "He's ours."
"And he's lucky to have us both," Regina finishes.
…
Thanksgiving…
"Who decided it was a good idea to do Thanksgiving at our house," Regina mutters to her girlfriend, as the blonde wraps an arm around her waist.
In response, the blonde sheriff places a soft kiss on the brunette's cheek and rests her chin on the shorter woman's shoulder. "I believe you suggested it," she whispers, her warm breath sending tingles down Regina's spine.
"Well sheriff, why did you not tell me it would be such an uncomfortable, rather boring event," Regina says.
Emma's sharp bark of laughter startles the brunette. "I know better than to argue with a queen, Regina," she replies with a smirk.
"Normally, I would approve of your answer Miss Swan, but even I must admit that sometimes I'm wrong," Regina mutters. She falls silent as her gaze finds their son. "At least Henry's enjoying himself."
Emma follows the brunettes gaze to see Henry playing with her four year old brother and Roland out in the backyard. "It's nice seeing him play rather than locking himself in his room," the blonde admits.
"Hey lovebirds," a voice calls, breaking them from their reverie. They turn towards the living room where the rest of their guests are and see Ruby with a raised eyebrow. "The kids are fine, but you both look like you could use some more cider."
Emma throws a smirk Regina's way as she drags her girlfriend back to the party. "Thank you all for coming," Regina says, ever the courteous host. "Emma, why don't you go grab the appetizers."
Emma mock groans and huffs a quick 'fine', as she makes her way towards the kitchen. Regina's smile follows the blonde out of the room. "You two are cute together," Ruby comments, dragging Regina's mind back to the party and her guests.
"Thank you dear," Regina responds.
"You're happy with Emma," Kathryn asks as she sits beside her friend.
Regina nods, a blush creeping up her cheeks. Tinkerbell's voice startles the room as she comments rather viciously, "Robin was your true love, your soul mate."
The brunette mayor goes to speak but is interrupted by Ruby. "Clearly not," she says with finality. "When she kissed Emma, our stubborn sheriff came back to life. That didn't happen with Robin."
Robin looks up from his beer to add, "We are better friends than we were together. As long as she's happy with Emma I can't complain."
Tinkerbell sighs. "You're right, I'm happy for you too, Regina."
Regina nods once in response and looks to Ruby who just shrugs. Before she can say anything Emma comes bursting through the door, loudly announcing, "I come bearing food." Everyone laughs at the impish grin on the blonde's face as she parades around the room offering the appetizers.
…
"Mom," Henry practically shouts. "Stop it."
Regina looks at him with a frown as everyone else in the room looks on in confusion. "Stop what Henry?"
"Not you," he says, a blush creeping up his neck into his cheeks. They all turn to Emma who is fixing him with a pointed glare. "Can you just do it already and stop fidgeting, you're gonna poke someone in the eye with your knife."
"Do what," Mary-Margret asks.
Emma continues to glare. "Nothing."
"Ma, come on!"
"Henry," the blonde warns. "After dinner."
He sighs but nods and Regina looks between the two of them in suspicion. When Emma catches her eye she gives her a wink and a nervous grin; Regina's eyes narrow.
…
"Regina I need you to stay here, alright," Emma asks nervously. Regina nods hesitantly, eyes clouding in confusion and the blonde continues, "Can I talk to the rest of you in the kitchen?"
Ruby, Archie, Granny, Tinkerbell, Mary-Margret, David, Kathryn, Robin, Roland, Neal and Henry get up. After the blonde presses a quick kiss to the brunette's temple she makes her way to the kitchen with their guests following.
The mayor is left with her own thoughts as she's hears the hushed mutterings of the group in the kitchen. The longer they are in there the longer her worry festers.
…
The door to the living room opens and Regina's head snaps up. "Henry? What's going on?"
Henry walks into the room with a wide grin on his face, his two-year old uncle in his arms and a rose in both their hands. "These are for you, mom," he says as they give her the roses.
"Thank you," she says, confusion flicking across her features as she takes them.
Archie, Tinkerbell, Kathryn, Ruby, Granny, Robin and Roland walk out next. They too hold roses in their hands.
As they hand her the roses Robin and Roland place kisses on her cheeks. "Here you are Regina," Roland says, dimples prominent.
The brunette mayor smiles through her blush. "Well thank you Roland," she says, placing her own kiss on the little boy's cheek. He giggles as his father and the rest of them all move to the couch.
The door opens once more and Mary-Margret pokes her head through. "Regina, can we speak with you for a minute?"
Regina nods, trying and failing to catch the eye of anyone on her couches for some clue as to what this was about. No one looked at her to busy trying to hide their knowing smiles and smirks.
She follows the younger brunette into the kitchen, noticing the absence of her blonde girlfriend. "Where did Emma go," she can't stop herself, as the words come spilling out.
The two across from her share a look. "She just stepped out a minute," David says, "She'll be back." When the two fall silent, the air in the kitchen falls heavily, making the brunette rather unnerved. She tries her best not to fidget under her former enemy's gaze but ends up twisting the stem of one of the roses in her hands.
"Regina I know things have not always been good between us," Mary-Margret starts.
The mayor snorts in amusement as she mutters, "That's an understatement."
The younger brunette continues with a tilt of her head the only indication to what Regina had said. "But I believe we have come to a kinship I was looking for as a child after my mother died and you saved me. Maybe not in the same sense of course, however we have reached a balance in our life that does indeed make us family." She pauses and looks to David who only nods. "I know your relationship with my father was not favorable for you and I apologize for that. I was a kid and I'd lost my mother and then you rescued me. I could not stop talking about you to my father and that was the main reason he asked you in the first place. Then I told Cora about Daniel. If I could take it back I would Regina, but I still believe everything happens for a reason."
"I know you didn't mean to Snow," Regina says quietly.
David speaks up from where he leans against her granite countertop, arms crossed across his chest. "You are dating my daughter Regina," he says with finality. "As a father, though I wasn't around for Emma growing up, I still hold myself to the fact that I can impose on her some misery teenagers dread from their fathers when they date. You had better treat her right Regina, because whether you are or were a queen or not, if you hurt my daughter I will come after you."
Regina is silent for a moment as both she and David think about the fact that Emma is perfectly capable of dealing with Regina herself. "David, I have no intention of harming your daughter. I love her more than I have loved in some time, including with Robin, and I do truly want it to last as long as possible."
A soft knock sounds on the door. Regina looks between Mary-Margret and David who are sharing a small smile and asks, "What does that mean?"
"It means," David starts, "That it is time for me to escort you back to the living room. But first…" Him and his wife grab two roses from the counter and hand them to Regina, where she adds them to the growing bundle of roses in her arms. He holds out his arm. "Milady?"
She takes his arm hesitantly and he leads her after Mary-Margret into the living room.
…
Mary-Margret holds the door open for her husband and Regina. When the two enter the room Regina gasps, the hand previously holding David's arm flying to her mouth. Her guest are no longer sitting on the couch but lined up in two lines forming a makeshift path. Henry stands by the door. On the other end of the makeshift path are two large vases of roses arranged on end tables. Emma stands between them, a sheepish smile gracing her features as she catches Regina's eye.
"Emma," Regina's voice comes out raspy.
"I'll take those," Mary-Margret says, before removing the roses from Regina's grasp. David's calloused hand rests on her back and arm as he moves her gently shaking form to Henry's side.
Henry wraps an arm around his brunette mother's waist and takes hold of her hand. She looks up at him, yes looks up, and he offers a grin that reminds her so much of his other mother. Regina looks back to Emma as Henry starts walking her past the guests, her friends.
Emma takes Regina's hand and Henry gives them both quick pecks on the cheek. "Emma," Regina says again, but doesn't know how to continue.
The blonde shakes her head. "Regina, I love you," she says, before chuckling. "Wow, that was lame; I had a whole speech written out and everything."
"Always so prepared dear," Regina quips, finally finding her voice. At that everyone lets out soft chuckles under their breaths.
"Seriously though Regina, I love you, I really do. When I was younger I dreamed of having a family. When I had that chance, with Neal, I lost it and it turned me off from every having the hope of loving someone or being loved again. Then I found out I was pregnant. You can just imagine what I felt about that but I knew I had to give him his best chance and that was not with me. For ten years after that I never had a family, I never allowed anyone close to my heart ever again. The moment your son came barging back into my life and from the moment I met the boy I gave up I didn't get a moment to catch my breath. It was dealing with stubborn little boys, his evil mother and plotting villains. Then finding my parents and having to believe the whole my life is a fairytale thing. I never got the chance to thank you for raising my son and letting you know how much I appreciate you raising him, he turned out so wonderful Regina. During all this you began dating Robin Hood of all people and I began dating Hook. We both went for what we thought would be our happy endings and I promised for all we'd been through I'd make sure you got yours. It wasn't just for Henry's sake, I really did want you happy Regina and because of that I slowly fell in love with you. I had the great fortune of dying but you, you brought me back. I didn't thank you for that either but that is what I'm hoping to do tonight. I know you don't have the greatest track record with men and engagements and marriages but I hope all that bad luck stops now. For all we've been through Regina I still want more," Emma takes a breath before lowering down to one knee. She looks up at Regina voice wobbling as she sees the tears in the brunette's eyes. She pulls from her pocket a small box and opens it, carefully revealing the large diamond ring. "I love you Regina, will you marry me?"
The room holds its breath. "You idiot Miss Swan," Regina hisses, tears dripping down her cheeks. Emma's face falls but the brunette continues. "Of course I'll marry you." The beaming smile she gets in response is immediate as she holds out her left hand. Emma scrambles to pull the ring from its confines as everyone in the room cheers. The blonde sheriff slides the ring onto Regina's finger seconds before Regina pulls her up and presses her lips urgently against Emma's.
…
Christmas…
"Mom, wake up," Henry yells as he knocks on the bedroom door.
Regina groans and buries her face in her pillow, her other hand reaching for the other side of the bed where her fiancé normally sleeps. She shoots up when she realizes the blonde's side of the bed is empty and cold. Since when did Emma Swan get up early?
"Ma's downstairs and she says if you don't get up soon we are opening presents without you," Henry calls again.
Regina groans again and throws the heavy blanket off of her legs, slipping her bare feet into her slippers. She makes her way to the door and pulls it open. Seeing Henry she grins as she wraps her arms around him. "Merry Christmas Henry," she whispers.
"Merry Christmas mom," he replies.
…
The three sat laughing among shredded wrapping paper when the knock came on the door.
"Who is here at this hour," Regina asks.
Emma smiles as she replies to her fiancé. "I lied when I said last present, you have one more," she explains, getting up quickly and leaving the room.
"Did you know about this," Regina asks, turning to her son.
He shrugs with a smirk and she sends him a glare. This only causes him to laugh and her to proceed to toss a pillow at his head.
Emma struts back into the room holding a decent sized box in her hands. "This is for you," she says, placing it carefully in front of her fiancé. "Careful, it's valuable."
The brunette tugs at the bow on top of the present and pulls the lid off. She's surprised when a tiny, black, fuzzy fluff pops out. And then it meows…
"You got me a cat," Regina asks.
Emma nods and Regina gently pulls the tiny fuzz ball from the box. It's just a tiny little thing about eight weeks old and all black except for the tip of its tail, its paws and a splotch on its nose. It meows again and the two seem to stare each other down. "Thank you Emma," Regina says. "We can test out how this goes but if it starts shredding any of our furniture it is gone, understood?"
"Yes ma'am," Emma replies with a wide smile on her face as she captures Regina's lips with her own.
"Ew," Henry mutters causing his mothers to laugh. "So what are we naming the cat?"
Regina absentmindedly strokes the kitten as she stares at it. "How about Lux?"
"Fine by me," Emma replies. "Welcome to the family Lux."
…
"The thing hates me," Regna screeches at Emma. The blonde holds the cat close to her chest as the brunette glares at it with murder in her eyes.
"She doesn't hate you honey," Emma soothes.
Regina glares. "That's the third time she has attacked me," the brunette shouts.
…
New Year's Eve…
Regina eyed the cat wearily. She was sitting curled up in her study with a book in her lap as she waited for Emma to come home from her shift when Lux decided to stroll into the room. Henry had gone to a friend's house that night for a party so it left just the brunette mayor and the cat.
"If you attack me again, you're out," she threatened. The cat just blinked back and hopped up beside the former queen. It meowed. Tentatively Regina reached out a hand. Lux head butted her hand and then proceeded to rub against her. "This doesn't mean we are friends yet," Regina muttered as Lux started to purr.
…
New Year's Day…
Emma closed the front door softly. The clock on her phone had said just after two in the morning so she was being careful just in case her fiancé was asleep.
She removed her jacket and boots and made her way around the first floor looking for Regina. She found her in the study, sprawled across the couch, still in her clothes from the day before. Emma smiled at the sight and moved further into the room.
A black fuzzy head raised itself from its spot curled into Regina's side and let out a soft purr at its preferred human. Emma couldn't resist and snapped a picture on her phone of the pair. She was sure Regina would disagree but it was clear she was becoming attached to the cat.
She stroked the cats head before she called her down quietly. Once the cat was out of the way she carefully maneuvered until Regina was securely in her arms. Regina let out a soft noise of complaint but buried her head against Emma's chest.
Emma kissed her forehead and whispered into her hairline, "Happy new year Regina."
…
A/N: So there was that chapter, hope it was satisfactory. Normally I would make up some excuse like oh I was busy with school and work but it is 1:21 in the morning where I live and I just spent the last two hours on this story, so I have no motivation to make up an excuse. Anyways… I really hope you guys like this chapter because it is the second to last one. The next chapter is going to be sort of like an epilogue thing and I'll warn you it may start out all happy but won't end that way. On that note, happy holidays to you guys and whatever you may celebrate or don't celebrate with your families.
Love you guys and thanks for sticking with me throughout Let Her Go I hope my first Swan Queen has lived up to standards,
~Ali 3