Chapter 4

It had been two months since the two women finally admitted their feelings for one another and decided to act upon them. In this time, they grew closer, did the usual stuff that couples did like dating and now it would seem that Emma was very rarely away from the mansion in which her girlfriend lived in. Yes her girlfriend, something which they had discussed a few weekends ago.

Managing to finish at the station early, the blonde had let herself into the house with her borrowed key and began preparing dinner for the brunette knowing that the woman was working late and left to her, the mayor wouldn't have dinner when she returned home, instead, she would settle for a coffee before bed. Hearing the front door click shut, the younger woman smiles to herself and leaves the kitchen to greet the former Queen.

Hanging her coat and slipping her heels off, Regina sighs in relief to be home then smiles as the blonde appears in front of her. "I was hoping you would be here.."

"When am I not?" Realising how that sounds, Emma bites her lip. "Not that I'm saying I should be here..I can stop coming over so much"

Shaking her head with a small pout, the mayor strolls up to the younger woman and wraps her arms securely around the blondes neck as she hugs her while burying her face into Emma. "No..."

Hugging back, the deputy then frowns. "Everything okay?"

Lifting her head to look at the now taller woman as she has removed her heels, the brunette continues to pout. "I'm just..having a moment..a moment I keep having lately and I keep reminding myself of what Rumple said to me last year.."

Taking hold of the former Queen's face within her hands, Emma stares at her with worry. "What was that?"

"That I have a hole.."

Screwing her nose confused, the younger woman releases her grip as Regina moves herself away and begins to head towards the kitchen in search of wine. "He warned me just before I created the curse that no matter what I do, I will always have this hole, a gap that I can't fill just by a simple curse..he then decided to remind me of it last year when I complained that the curse wasn't how I wanted it. I was selfish and only cared for my own wellbeing when I made it.." Pouring two glasses of wine, the former Queen hands one over to her girlfriend who leans against the kitchen counter while giving the woman her full attention. "I always thought that when I finally admitted my feelings for you that the hole would disappear, that you were my missing puzzle piece and while yes, you did close the hole a great deal, it's still got its gap..and I'm fed up of feeling this way and..I know exactly what I need to do to complete me"

"What's that? Tell me and I will do anything I can to help you" Emma states with honesty.

"A child.." Also leaning against the counter, Regina gulps her wine then looks across to the blonde. "Something which I can never have of my own..again, through my own stupidity and I know I shouldn't be saying this to you after what you have been through but..maybe we should try again? Maybe we went about it the wrong way?"

Looking to her own wine glass, the younger woman takes a deep breath. "The files are all sealed Regina..I can't..they won't tell me anything..even with your status it was no good.."

"But do you really want to give up?"

"No, of course not but I don't know what else I can do.."

"You need the court ordered lifted..and I know the person who can help do it" the brunette looks serious then sips on her wine.

Realising, Emma looks shocked. "Regina, no..we can find another way..you know more than anyone if we ask him it would come at a price.."

"Then I'll pay it. Even if..even if..it means losing you. If you can get your son back..fill a hole that no one else can..right now, I have an idea on how you feel and I hate it. Emma please, let me do this. Get back your son" The former Queen looks pleadingly at the blonde then watches as the younger woman rounds the island and hugs her tightly.

"If the price is me, say no..you're right I shouldn't give up but I'm also not giving up on us. I want my family..and that means you and my son..if I did get him back but lose you, I would still have that hole" pulling back, Emma runs her hand through the brunette's hair. "I can't do this without you. Any of it. Finding him or not..I need you in my life.." Gulping down a lump as she grows teary, the younger woman trembles before speaking. "I..I love you..Regina..I.." Letting a tear fall down Emma bites on her lip to stop herself.

Taking hold of the Deputy's forearms, the mayor moves forward and rests their foreheads together while getting glassy eyed, before letting out a small chuckle in disbelief. "I love you too..more than you'll ever realise and I promise you won't lose me. I would still pay the price but I'd make sure of the terms before accepting his help"

"Then we'll ask him" the blonde smiles slightly as she moves back to take hold of her drink. "But right now..you need dinner and I have cooked your favourite"

Smiling while wiping her tears, Regina then sets her glass down before pulling the blonde close and kissing her softly on the lips. "God I do love you" hearing a giggle escape Emma's lips, the mayor cuddles into her once again.

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Knowing this day would come, Emma mounts the flight of stairs that reach the loft before standing at the door in silence. Preparing herself, the blonde feels a soft hand slip into her own, prompting a smile. Glancing over, the Deputy stares in the hope of encouragement.

"You've got this. Just tell them everything..the whole truth"

Nodding at the brunette, the younger woman squeezes her hand in need of contact then knocks with her spare one. Watching as the door prises open, Emma attempts another smile before stepping inside the loft.

"Emma, you're both early for dinner.."

Staring over at her mother, the blonde gulps then releases Regina's hand to head over to the kitchen island in which Snow is preparing dinner. "I know but I need to talk to you..it's important.."

Frowning in concern, Snow rounds the island then gestures towards the small wooden table before signalling for David to join. "Okay..is everything okay? I mean are you two..."

"We're fine Snow. It's nothing to do with our relationship but it's an important piece of information you need to know before we take things further.." The mayor informs while sitting beside her girlfriend and taking her hand.

David raises an eyebrow at the action and gestures between them. "Are you two getting married?"

Eyes widening, Emma bites her lip momentarily before responding. "No it's nothing like that although I would warn you that what you said, could be in the future. It's..I've kept a secret from you guys..well from everyone aside from Regina and I have to tell you..because I'm ready for it come out"

"Honey, what is it?" The short haired woman questions while worrying between the pair.

"I.."sighing, the blonde looks between the pair. "Mom...dad..I have a kid..a boy..who I had while I was incarcerated for something the father did..I'm not proud of it but I am proud of my son..even though I don't know where he is as I had to give him up. I was still in jail and like you two, I wanted him to have his best chance..but since then, a part of me has been missing and I want to find him..bring him home..if he hasn't got a family who loves him already.."

Sharing a shocked look, Snow and David appear speechless. Internally cringing, Emma looks sad at the lack of response and attempts to move in a way of escape only to be blocked by Regina who throws her arm across the blondes waist and tightens her grip on the young woman's shoulder.

Watching their daughters reaction to their own, the short haired woman quickly opens her mouth. "Emma no..wait we..we are not disappointed or anything.."

Rolling her eyes, the mayor mutters. "I should hope not.." Giving a mini glare as David raises an eyebrow towards her, the brunette then looks to the blonde.

"We are just shocked..I mean we have only just found you and truth be told we are still all getting to know one another. We've missed so much of your life already and now we've missed even more than I realised.." Snow confesses sadly.

Quietly, Emma replies. "Well that's all of it..I just needed you to know before we go forward with this"

"We?"

"Yes we. Snow you know I was being honest about my feelings towards Emma and bringing her son home is what I also what to do. Together we will raise him" Regina smiles over at her former enemy.

"Can we help in anyway?" The short haired woman asks with a smile in return.

"No mom, just understanding and supporting us is enough for now.." The blonde responds while sinking back in the chair with relief.

Rising from her seat, Snow rounds the table and kisses the top of her daughter's head. "Of course. Now are you hungry?"

Nodding, Emma grins. "Starving.."

Releasing her hold of the younger woman, the mayor also stands. "Unfortunately, I am unable to stay for dinner this evening but thank you for the invitation" watching the blonde frown up at her, the former Queen squeezes her shoulder. "I need to go sort something.."

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Entering the pawn shop, Regina clears her throat as she looks around warily before approaching the counter. "Rumple?"

Appearing from the back, the former imp raises an eyebrow at seeing the brunette stood anxiously at the counter. "You called dearie?"

Turning to face him, the former Queen gulps at what she is about to do. "I need your help..make a deal if you will.."

Curious by Regina's sudden proposal, Rumple questions further. "Why would I want to make a deal? You have nothing I want"

Deflating slightly, the brunette looks desperate. "Although our relationship is rather non existence and hasn't been for some time, I would like to think you are not a complete monster and would do this for the sake of a small boy, probably 2, who is in need of finding his mother"

Taking a deep breath knowing what it is like to lose a son, the former imp simply nods. "Fine, but you will owe me.."

Rather shocked by the lack of persuasion she needed to give, the former Queen bites her lip. "As long as it doesn't hurt myself or Emma that's fine"

"Emma? Wait, are you to tell me that the Evil Queen has finally fallen?"

Rolling her eyes, the brunette sighs. "As far as I'm concerned from here on out, she's dead. Now do we have a deal?"

Coming to stand against the counter, the former imp smiles. "What exactly do you wish for me to do?"

Running a hand through her hair, the mayor swallows hard. "I need you to lift a court order. Emma..she had a child..and due to unfortunate circumstances had to give him up..but his file was sealed. She has regretted her decision ever since and now that she has found where she belongs and has her family, she wants to get him back and raise him like she was suppose to"

Not being able to mask his surprise, Rumple dusts down the counter top with his hand awkwardly. "My my, that is a conundrum..I'll see what I can do"

"With our agreed terms?" Giving her former teacher a pleading look, the former Queen also rests against the counter. "Please..you know I am not one to beg but..but for Emma, I'd do anything. She deserves this..and you also know how long I have been fighting to find my happiness..your curse proved that. I'm getting tired of doing so..now I have another chance..one that I can actually see giving me a future. One that I.." Looking away as she feels her emotions get the best of her, Regina clears her throat and turns back trying to ignore how glassy eyes she is appearing. "..one that I couldn't even see happening with Daniel.."

"I'm tired of fighting too..I have succeeded with your help to enact the curse and now the next part is of my own doing..and only I can find it. You on the other hand, you've completed your purpose. All those years plotting revenge to get your happy ending and after all of it, it's taken the daughter of your former enemy to achieve it. I will agree to your terms.." The former imp states seriously.

Gradually smiling, the brunette backs up to leave. "Thank you"

"Oh and Regina?"

Pausing by the door, Regina glances back while gripping the door handle.

"I can honestly say that you no longer need to see me as a threat..you have proven that a person can change and that is what I want and need to do to achieve what I came for" Rumple smiles genuinely then nods a farewell.

Smiling again, the former Queen then leaves the shop and hurries back to the loft to tell Emma her news.

A/N: hope you have enjoyed so far!