Placing the last sheet of paper onto the now finished stack, Emma leaned back in her chair, stretching deeply. She had spent the afternoon reviewing and redoing when necessary, every scrap of paper that she would be presenting to Regina at their meeting on Friday. It may have been a meeting just to discuss official business for all she knew, but she wanted Regina to at least see that she was making every effort on anything that had to do with the former queen. Unable to stop a smile from breaking out of her face, Emma allowed herself a moment to wonder if the meeting would include anything more than business.
Not hearing the door to the station open, Emma was still stretched out, her feet on her desk when Ruby walked into her office. Thinking that Emma was daydreaming about her lunchtime activities and the confessions she had overheard earlier, Ruby used every ounce of stealth she possessed to slide behind Emma and cover her eyes.
"If it was anyone else but you, Rubes, I would be worried I was losing my touch," Emma said, planting her feet on the floor. She pulled Ruby around to sit sideways on her lap and nuzzled into the waitress' red-streaked locks, before propping her feet back up on the desk. "Thank you for the lunch today. I really needed it."
"After what I heard at the apartment, today, I have no doubt you did. That was quite the performance." Wrapping her arms around the blonde sheriff, Ruby allowed Emma to cuddle up to her. "And did I hear the rest of things correctly as well?"
"You were there that long?" Trying to hide the blush on her face, Emma nuzzled further into the embrace.
"I was outside the apartment door when you got there; I could smell your magic. I knew it was something special for you guys, so I didn't want to interrupt. I may have lingered around to listen though. At least until you decided to take a nap." Grinning widely, Ruby forced Emma back so she could look into her eyes. "Did you mean it though? Do you love her?"
Without hesitation, Emma nodded silently. "I know what her agreement with Gold is, but I can't help that I love her any more than she can help loving me back, or any more than I can help loving you. You both are so different; you bring so many different things to my life. But you each have a part of my heart that no one else could ever hope to have."
"You are too sweet, put those Charming genes away. And so long as you are sure, because we both know how messy things are going to get with Gold when this comes out; he is not very forgiving." Shifting to straddle Emma's lap in a provocative display of flexibility, Ruby flashed a hungry look at Emma. "Now, how about I have my turn with the woman I love. I have been waiting since lunch to show you how much I love you too."
With a roll of her hips, Ruby had Emma's full attention. "I think we should make that happen as soon as possible. What did you have in mind?"
"Well, I was thinking we could go out for a drive tonight, make a date of it. Maybe take my car for the extra room?"
"Sounds like a great plan. I should be home around six." Pulling her closer still, so the wolf was straddling her hips instead of her thighs, Emma began nipping along Ruby's jaw as she murmured, "How about we go to the cliffs and watch the starts for a bit? It's almost the full moon."
"Mmm. Sounds like a plan." Sliding her hands over Ruby's hips, Emma snuck her hand slowly up to cup one of Ruby's breasts, pinching the nipple there to a stiff peak. Hearing Ruby gasp at the sensation, Emma felt herself harden in her pants. As the kiss deepend, Ruby began to rock her hips into Emma, who pushed back in perfect time.
Faster than Emma thought possible, Ruby was suddenly standing beside her, smoothing her clothing down before she knocked Emma's feet from the desk. Seeing the confusion on her face, Ruby turned to the door right as David walked around the corner. "Hey Charming. How're things going?"
Although they had not been hiding things, Emma had yet to go into detail of her relationships with her parents, and was very glad Ruby had thought to get Emma into a seated position before David noticed the bulge in his daughter's jeans. "Hey Dad. You're early today." Rolling her chair slightly forward and leaving her elbows on the desk, Emma hid her lower half as she willed her arousal away.
Looking back and forth between Ruby and his blushing daughter, David knew he had interrupted something. But he also knew they would tell him what was going on with them when they were ready. "Yeah, I thought I'd see if you wanted take off a little early today since you have been working so hard lately." Smiling to himself at the wide grin on both Emma's and Ruby's faces, he knew he had just made their day.
"That would be great. Maybe I can grab Henry and swing by the diner for a milkshake. He should be done with school by now." Standing and gathering her keys and badge from the desk, Emma couldn't wipe the smile from her face.
"I think I would like to join you for that. Maybe make those shakes extra special for you both." Moving towards the door, Ruby winked at Emma was a silicious grin. Waiting while Emma finished her shift change with David, Ruby though about what she wanted to bring up to Emma . "Besides, I wanted to bounce a couple things off you on the way."
"Sure, Rubes. Bye Dad, thanks again." Emma didn't miss the smile on his face as she headed out the door with a wave. It was really great to have such an awesome Dad, even if he had just cock-blocker her.
Once outside, Ruby slipped her hand into Emma's as they walked towards the diner.
Emma grinned, enjoying the contact. She was still in an especially good mood after seeing Belle earlier that day. "So hit me, gorgeous. What's on your mind?"
"Well, I was kind of wondering, and there is no pressure with this, but um, I wanted to talk to you about making things a little more official with us?"
Seeing Ruby looking very much her namesake, Emma was surprised. She had never thought Ruby would want for things be more than what they already were, but the idea had crossed her mind more than once. She loved Ruby and Belle, and wanted to be in a proper relationship with each of them, with both. But given each of their circumstances, and their usual dating habits in her and Ruby's case, she had never thought they could be. Today seeemed to be a day for change though.
And given how embarrassed Ruby seemed to be in bringing it up, Emma couldn't help but want to tease the wolf just a bit. "Official how? We kind of already live together and share a bed almost every night."
"Well, for one, I was maybe hoping to make that an every night. And to maybe make it exclusive." Not able to look Emma in the eye as she spoke, Ruby began to ramble, watching their feet as they walked. " I mean, I know that neither of us has been with anyone else but Belle since this all really started; but I was maybe hoping that we could make that a permanent thing? But only if you want, I'm not trying to put any pressure on you or anyth-"
Unable to watch Ruby become more flustered, Emma cut off her rambling with a gentle kiss. "I think that is a great idea. Maybe we can talk to Henry about it this afternoon? Do the whole 'meet the girlfriend thing' with him?" Emma caught Ruby's eyes with a soft look, gently running her thumb over Ruby's cheek. "I would love to officially introduce him to one of the amazing women who has stolen my heart."
"Oh Emma." Smiling a wide smile, Ruby leaned in for a chaste kiss, unable to resist at Emma's sweet words. "And that sounds great, although he kind of already knows who I am," laughed Ruby. She hadn't been sure how Emma would take this, especially given how she had always had issues with commitment in the past. But she could see the love in the blonde's eyes now, and knew that Emma wouldn't be running from this anytime soon. They could really have this.
"Yeah, but this gives him a chance to ask any questions he might have about us. I'm sure he will have quite a few interesting ones, knowing him. But I don't think we should tell him everything yet though, at least not without talking to Belle first. That might be a little too much for him right now."
"I think that's probably a smart idea. Although, it will come out eventually."
Sighing, Emma knew that Ruby was right, but she just wanted to enjoy her bubble of happiness with the women she loved for a few days, before things got complicated. "I know. But for right now, I would like to officially introduce my girlfriend, who I love, very much, to my son, and have a milkshake with them. It's not often I get to have an epic milkshake with two of the people I care most about in this world, and you always do make them extra special." Pulling Ruby in for another kiss, they both enjoyed lingering in the embrace for several minutes, revelling in the joy they found in the simple act. "Now let's get going before we miss him."
"Duh. I have known about you guys for a while now." Henry was not at all surprised that Ruby and Emma were together. After walking in on Ruby, Belle, and Emma all in bed together one morning a few weeks ago, he had gone to his other mother for an explanation.
"And they were all in bed together and snuggling and stuff. It was so weird." Henry screwed his face up in disgust at the thought of what he had witnessed. It's not like they were doing anything but sleeping, but it was still weird, even if they all looked happy there.
"Honey, do you remember when you asked about relationships and why your friend had two fathers, a few years ago?" Regina was beyond shocked to hear that Henry had gone over to the apartment before school that day, to pick up a book he had forgotten and found his birth mother in bed with not one but two other women, one of whom very recently married. She tried very hard to ignore the hurt that had flared in her heart at the news of the blondes new relationship.
"Yeah, we talked about how sometimes guys like other guys, or girls like other girls, and sometimes people even like guys and girls; like you, right?" Henry very clearly remembered the conversation from that day, as he had been confused when Samantha had said she had two fathers, and that they loved each other very much. His mother had gently explained both others feeling, as well as her own, so as not to surprise him, should anything come of her heavily guarded feelings for the saviour.
"Well, something we did not discuss, was that sometimes people enter into a relationship with more than one person at a time. These relationships are not for everyone, and not as common as relationships between two people, but there is nothing wrong with it, as long as everyone agrees to it. I believe that Emma may be in one of these relationships. Its called polyamory, or a polyamorous relationship."
"So you think Emma is with both Ruby and Belle in that kind of relationship?" Scrunching his face up in concentration, Henry thought about how Emma's behavior had changed after Hook had left, and how she had started to spend a lot of time with Ruby and he thought about how happy all three of them looked tangled up and sleeping. "Does that mean that Emma and Belle and Ruby are like you and likes both guys and girls?"
"I think that is something you should ask them about if you want to know. That is something that is personal, and people sometimes don't like to talk about very openly. It is not as widely accepted here as it would have been in the Enchanted forest."
"But I love Emma, and Ruby and Belle are really cool too. Why wouldn't they tell me they are together, then? It's not like I would be mad at them for loving each other. Love is love, right?"
"Yes, love is love, so long as it is consensual. But again, I don't know all of the details of Miss Swan's love life. I am sure she will talk to you when she is ready though. You will have to be patient though, as she may need time to prepare herself for how people may react. Can you be patient, and let her tell you when she is ready?"
Regina knew that Henry was a very caring and intelligent young man, but she was also aware that he could be very impatient. If Emma had not yet told him about a relationship, there was likely a very good reason. And although she was still angry with the blonde, she could not help but be just a bit jealous. And very worried. If Emma had truly started a relationship with Ruby, and especially Belle, she would need to be very careful of Rumple. He may be playing nice now that he had Belle back, but it would not take much for him to fall into his old ways, should something threaten what he sees as his happy ending.
"Yeah Mom, I can wait for her to tell me when she is ready. I just hope it's soon, 'cause I bet I can get free hot chocolate from Ruby if she's dating Ma." Henry answered with a smirk so very much like his blonde mothers.
"And how exactly did you find out about us?" Emma asked quietly, not really sure she wanted to know the answer.
"I forgot my math book a few months ago, when I went to Mom's for the week. I stopped by in the morning to grab it, and saw you, Ruby and Belle in bed. The door was open when I walked by. Its was kind of confusing." he answered with a shrug. "When I got upset about it, I went to Mom and she explained things to me, and I wasn't confused anymore. SHe was really nice about it too."
"So that's how your Mom knew. Crap." Grimacing Emma quickly added, "Don't tell your mom I said that either."
"Yeah, well, so long as you guys are happy, that's all that matters, right? And besides, it's not like I haven't heard worse at school." Both Emma and Ruby sat stunned. Henry was accepting their relationship with no hesitation, and he already knew about Belle as well, so the no longer had anything to hide. Aside from what was in Emma's pants, but that was something he definitely did not need to know about.
Noting the slowly growing smiles on their faces, Henry didn't wait for them to reply before asking, his eyes firmly on Ruby. "So, does this mean I get free hot chocolate now that you finally told me you are with Ma?"
As Belle entered the shop, she found Rumple seated at the front counter, seemingly waiting for her to arrive.
"Hello Belle. Did you have a good day at the library?" Rumple greeted his wife as she came in, watching her intently.
"I did, although I wasn't there all day." Belle knew Rumple very well, and he never asked how her day went. The fact that he seemed to be waiting for her, and had pointedly asked about the library meant that he knew she had not been there all day. There was no point in hiding her whereabouts from him, as he likely already knew that she had spent a large part of the day with Emma.
"Oh, and where did you go?" Playing at the seemingly innocent line of questioning, Rumple waited to see what Belle would say about his newly acquired information, looking for an opportunity to catch her in a lie. He had turned a blind eye to her behaviors for too long, hoping that she would tire of her time with the saviour, and return to his side alone.
"I was with Emma. But enough games Rumple, you already knew that or you wouldn't have asked. So, you must know that we also need to talk." Belle was never one to dance around Rumple, despite all of his power. Too many people shied away from him in fear, but she would never be one of them. They had made the arrangement to help their relationship, but her feelings had changed, and it was unfair to hide it from him. She would have to be completely honest with him, and hope that they would be able to come to a new agreement that would save what was left of their relationship. She loved him, but she no longer loved him alone.
"Very well then dearie, let's have that talk."