So I was in a good mood today and I thought I might reward you by posting a new chapter a little earlier!

Consider this as a way of me apologizing to you for whatever happened in the story that upset you!

Yes I will be posting a new chapter on Thursday too! A double reward really!

I hope you're as excited as I am!

Enjoy your reward ;)

And no don't get used to this! *laughs evily*

Regina and the boys were on their way to her parents-in-law's house in order to celebrate David's birthday. Mary Margaret had called sometime in the morning to confirm their presence, and to inform her that, despite initially wanting to indulge in a big party and such, they decided to have a small family dinner. That idea didn't appeal to Regina that much since she would have to play the loving wife in front of her and Emma's family for an entire night, with no way out. It was just for a few hours, she reminded herself. She would have this dinner and later, with an excuse of not feeling well, she would flee away. That seemed like a good plan.

Upon driving up outside the house, she noticed Emma standing outside, her back pressed lightly on the fence, just enough to support her weight, her phone in her hand. She was dressed in a navy tux; Regina's favorite, and her hair was pulled back into a ponytail. The suit was elegant and her hair neatly fastened at the back, but the corner of her shirt was untucked and whispers of blonde hair fell around her blotchy red face where she hadn't quite managed to conjure the effort to capture all of her hair. If she didn't already know, Emma's disheveled appearance would have worried Regina. Remembering that Emma hadn't packed any formal clothes yesterday she assumed that Emma must have stopped by that morning, when Regina was at the clinic to take the tux. She looked in the rearview, at her youngest son and asked.

''Ezra, did mama stop by this morning, at home?'' at which the boy nodded.

After that, she parked her car, behind Emma's and got out of the car to unbuckle the boys. When everyone was out of the car, Regina along with the boys approached Emma who had finally noticed them. As Emma was hugging the boys, Regina passed her the gift that she had bought for her father-in-law that morning.

''I knew that you wouldn't be able to buy him one so I sorted it.'' Regina coldly said and Emma just nodded. As they were walking towards the front door Emma decided to break the silence that was between her and her wife.

''You look beautiful today.'' Emma commented as she admired her wide's maroon, mid-thigh dress.

''Emma," Regina hissed through gritted teeth and turned harshly to face her wife. "Save it. As soon as dinner is finished I'll say something about a headache and we will leave. I don't think you want to start a conversation with my parents about how things are going. You know what, you shouldn't talk much at all; my mother is good at telling when others are lying.''

''Ok." Emma agreed, without energy, without feeling. "Less talking, more eating. And we're leaving after the dinner.'' Emma recited and Regina simply nodded.

''You can come back to the house with us." Regina added and a flicker of hope sparked across Emma's eyes, but faded a second later when Regina continued; "The boys will know that something is wrong if you don't come back with us.''

''About the boys...'' Emma began but Regina cut her off.

''We'll talk about that later.'' Regina said, smoothing her hands down her dress and flicking out her hair. She reached forward and knocked the door. Few seconds passed and the door opened to reveal Mary Margaret wearing her best smile. Regina could hear her parents' voices from inside the house as well as Nate's. As soon as the door opened, the boys lunged and hugged their grandmother with such force, they almost threw her down.

When the boys moved from Mary Margaret to find their grandfather, Regina and Emma had the opportunity to greet the woman properly.

''Hey mom!'' Emma exclaimed with a smile that didn't reach her eyes, as she hugged her mother tightly.

''Emma! How beautiful you look in that suit!'' Mary Margaret said once the hug ended.

''And Regina you are as beautiful as always. Thank you for coming,'' the pixie-hair brunette said, hugging her daughter-in-law.

''Thank you dear! And you know we wouldn't miss it for the world.'' Regina smiled at Mary Margaret and all together stepped inside the household.

Moving further inside the couple spotted David tickling Colin and Ezra. Once he spotted them back, he left the boys to their others' grandparents and approached them.

''Dad! Happy Birthday!'' Emma greeted, throwing herself into her father's embrace, hugging him just a little tighter than usual.

''Thank you sweetheart, and thanks for coming!'' David beamed at his daughter and then turned to see Regina.

''Happy Birthday David! I hope you had a great day!'' Regina said, hugging the man.

''Thank you, beautiful.'' David replied warmly.

''Oh uh, I forgot. This is for you. You can open it now.'' Emma said shrugging, as she passed the present to David who chuckled at Emma's tactics. She was also a bit curious to see what her wife had bought for her father.

Inside of the bag, David pulled out a small box. As he opened it, he was met with a very elegant and clearly expensive watch.

''Oh Emma you shouldn't have. Thank you.''

''Nah, don't thank me. Regina bought it. You know she's better at this stuff, and has great taste...'' She whistled as she took a better look at the watch.

''Thank you Regina. And you shouldn't have, really.'' David insisted, his eyes bright and kind.

''You're very welcome David, and it's not like my father in law has his birthday every day.'' Regina joked and David laughed in return.

''Emma is very lucky to have you.'' David said sincerely, squeezing his daughters should with pride. Regina held her gaze firmly on David, refraining from looking at Emma and raised an eyebrow.

After exchanging pleasantries with the other guests, the Swan family along with the Mills moved to the dining room where Mary Margaret had prepared all sorts of food. From seafood, to pasta, her mother-in-law had surely surpassed herself at her husband's birthday.

Once seated at the table, David, Henry Sr. and Nate were talking about sports while Mary Margaret and Cora were asking their grandchildren questions about school and how their day went. Emma and Regina were quiet, eating their food and only talking when they were asked. Regina was positive that they could do this without having to talk about how things are at the home right now but Colin had another plans. They boy wanted to become a lawyer, just like his mother, and when found the opportunity he would ask his grandparent about his latest cases.

''So papa, Mama said that you had a difficult case and you needed her help Wednesday night. What case was it?'' The boys asked innocently and Regina winced inwardly. They were so close.

''I'm afraid I don't know what you're talking about buddy.'' David apologised.

''Didn't mama come here on Wednesday to work on a case, but it was really big and hard so she had to spend the night here?'' The boy asked again.

''Colin, dear what did we say about not talking when we're eating?'' Regina said calmly to distract the boy and everyone else from the current topic. But stubborn Colin, just as all of the Swans, had none of it.

''Did you work on that case yesterday too? Because mama didn't come home after work again.''

''Colin that's enough!'' Emma shouted making everyone at the table turn to look at her, and Colin to look at her with eyes wide open. It was the first time that Emma had shouted at him and he clearly didn't take it well.

''Emma!'' Both Regina and Mary Margaret chided her, making her pinch the bridge of her nose. She was ready to apologise to her son but the boy had already left the table to run upstairs away from her.

''Well done Emma!'' Regina said through gritted teeth as she stood up, threw her napkin to the table and turned to leave the table to go talk to Colin. However, an arm on her wrist stopped her and she looked down to see Henry who said he would go upstairs. He also took Ezra with him as he had sensed that the elders needed to have a serious conversation and knew they wouldn't let him stay anyway. When the two boys left the table Cora spoke.

''Would the two of you like to tell us what happened?'' Cora asked calmly. She then looked at Emma who refused to speak and then at her daughter. After a few minutes of silence Regina knew that she wasn't going to get out of it so she might as well give an explanation.

''Emma and I thought it would be best if we…" she inhaled deeply, "spent some time apart." Regina admitted.

A chorus of 'why?' and 'what happened?' echoed around the whole table.

''Things at the house have been a little tense these past few weeks and we decided that it would be good for both our relationship and the boys if Emma moved out, for a while, from the house.'' Regina explained again as Emma sat frozen, dying even more inside. Both knew that Emma wouldn't have been able to vocalise even an excuse; instead she would have told the truth under the pressure of all her loved ones staring at her. Regina persuaded herself that omitting some parts of their separation, such as the cause, was not because she wanted to protect Emma, or Jane for that matter, but because her dad might have a heart attack and David would be really pissed off.

''Regina, dear, have you really thought this through thoroughly?'' Cora asked concerned. It wasn't news to anyone that Cora hadn't been keen on Emma at the beginning, but Emma had spent years trying to earn her respect and Cora now held a fondness for the playful blonde that captured her daughter's heart. She was trying not to let any past concerns come to the surface and instead tried to address her daughter and her wife as a doctor not as a mother. It was good for both of them right now to remain impartial.

''Yes mother," she sighed, "In fact, I have been thinking about this for a while. The boys need a peaceful and pleasant home, and with us fighting all the time, they don't have that.'' Regina replied stoically, fighting every instinct in her body to run to her mother's arms and cry. She couldn't stop her eyes meeting her mother's and she knew her resolve faltered a little when deep, brown eyes stared back, letting her mother see just a little bit of the deep pain she was in.

''They boys also need their other mother, mija'' Henry, her father, interjected and Regina sighed looking away from her mother. How she wanted right now to tell them the truth. To make them see that she was not the bad cop here.

''Regina is right.'' Emma finally said making Regina snap her head to her direction. ''I," Emma faltered when she looked up at Regina. "We needed a break since the whole promotion thing. We thought that a vacation would help but…" she shrugged "…keeping some distance seems to be what we really need.'' Emma admitted.

''And what about the boys Emma? They are going to be so confused'' Mary Margaret said.

''Emma will be welcome to the house to see them whenever she wants, that's not even a question." Regina defended. "This whole thing is not about the boys, it's about us. I won't punish the boys for something that concerns me and Emma'' Regina added.

''Besides it's only temporary.'' Emma said, hoping, so hoping, that Regina would agree with her. However such confirmations never came, making Emma die a little more inside. She kept thinking that she must have reached the bottom of her pit of despair, and then Regina would say something, or not say something, and she'd discover she still had room to fall.

''Are you sure that nothing else is going on here between you two?'' Cora, as the perceptive person she was, asked once again.

''Yes mother. We are fine. We just need some time. Anyway, I should go and see how Colin is. And I believe Emma should too. So excuse us.'' Regina said, as she and her wife left the table, heading upstairs.

When they were out of earshot, Regina stopped Emma from opening the door to the bedroom, where Colin and his brothers were, by grabbing her wrist.

''Do not raise your voice at Colin again. You are his idol for Christ's sake! You've really hurt him. So I suggest you apologise properly, not this half ass shit you've been dealing to me.''

''Regina-.''

''No, I told you Emma, you don't get to speak right now. And honestly there's nothing to tell. We will speak to Colin and then we'll leave. That, downstairs, gave me a headache for real.'' Regina said as she opened the door. Colin was curled on one end of the bed, playing with his Nintendo, Ezra beside him indicating to him what to do and Henry on the other side of the bed playing on his phone.

''Well look at my darling boys all getting on well with each other'' Regina teased when she saw her sons engrossed on their games.

''Are we leaving?'' Henry asked, already fed up with the whole family drama.

''We will wait till papa David blows out his candles and then we'll leave. Anyway I think we should join the party downstairs and leave mama and Colin alone for a minute.'' Regina suggested, already picking Ezra up. Henry also got up from the bed and the three of them left the brunette boy alone with his blonde mother.

Emma sat beside him, and reached over to ease the Nintendo gently from his hands. Thankfully, Colin didn't protest.

''I'm sorry for snapping at you earlier.'' Emma said and the boy just shrugged, not sure if he should believe his mother.

''Colin, I really am very sorry. I was tired from work and a little pissed off from earlier and I took it on you, and it really wasn't cool. I'm sorry, I would never mean to hurt or upset you.'' She assured sincerely, stroking her hand through his soft, floppy hair.

''It's okay mama. I was quite upset when you yelled at me but now I'm fine.'' The boy said turning to smile at her sincerely.

''You're the best boy in the world.'' Emma said as she wrapped her arms around her son and pulled him in for a huge hug, the pull causing him to collapse into her laughing.

''And to make you feel better, how about going to play tennis tomorrow? And then we can grab some burgers? Just the two of us. What do you say my little man?''

''I'd love to mama.'' Colin beamed at his mother who snuggled him once again.

After their face to face talking both Swans went downstairs to join the rest of the family as David celebrated the rest of his birthday, thankfully without any other unpleasant interruptions.

Jane was outside Gold's office taking deep breaths. She had been standing there for a whole ten minutes and still hadn't found the courage to knock. Truth be told, once she was inside the office and the impending conversation with Gold commenced, her life was going to change. Again. But it was no time for cold feet. The last few days, and even earlier than that, she had thought this thoroughly and decided it was the best thing she could do for herself. And for Emma. She deserved better and forcing them both to stay in a situation like this was not what you did to someone you loved. Taking a last long breath she knocked the door. Despite her prayers of Gold not being there, the soft ''come in'' of her uncle's voice echoed and Jane opened the door.

''Jane!'' Gold exclaimed upon seeing who was entering his office. He abandoned his reading glasses on his desk and stood up to greet his niece.

''Good morning Uncle.'' Jane smiled to him and at his motion for her to sit down she refused politely. When he was seated again at his chair he asked.

''What is the reason of this sudden visit? Is everything okay?''

''Yeah everything is fine!'' Jane reassured, lying, and she wasn't sure why. She was about to unleash it all to him anyway.

''I could sense that something has been bothering you.'' Gold said with a frown. ''Do you have any problem with your colleagues. Are they not treating you with respect?''

''No, it's not that at all, they are all really professional and respect my opinion. This is not what I wanted to talk to you about.'' Jane admitted.

''Then what is it dear?'' Gold asked again, the frown never leaving his face.

Jane sighed.

''First of all; I want you to know that this has nothing to do with you or the job. I've thought about this long and hard and…" she bit her lip a little, knowing that once the words left her mouth, that was it, she was committed "…I've decided that it would be best If I resigned.'' Jane finally confessed.

''May I ask why?'' Gold asked, surprisingly calm.

''Personal reasons. There are some things that I thought I could ignore and just focus on my job but it's really difficult and I can't keep doing this. Don't get me wrong, I'm really so grateful for the opportunity you gave me to work with you and Mr. Swan but…" she shrugged "…I guess it wasn't meant to last.''

''Is this about that boyfriend of yours, you left back in Philadelphia? Your aunt has told me about him and I don't think that's a good reason to give up your job. One that you wholly deserve, might I add.'' He delivered, head tilted, his eyes staring deep into hers in that way he did, that always made her feel he was reading her mind.

''No, this is not about him at all. Please don't make me say more that I should." She pleaded, her resolve collapsing just a little in the presence of someone who cared for her. "All you need to know is that I can't keep working here and I think it's best if I just go back home.'' Jane said, tears threatening to spill down her face.

''If that's your wish then I'm afraid I can't say anything that would change your mind. But I suggest you also talk with your aunt about this. She will be very devastated about the whole thing.''

''I know, but she will understand.'' Jane said hopefully. ''Anyway," she forced a smile onto her face. "I should get going.'' She continued ''I will only leave when every case I have undertaken is finished, don't worry.'' Jane was ready to leave when Gold voice stopped her.

''So who is it?''

''What do you mean?'' Jane asked spinning back to face him, confused.

''The 'someone' that's made you want to resign. I can tell that these personal reasons are romantic reasons and your wanting to leave so desperately means that this certain someone is probably also working here.'' Gold said and Jane cursed inwardly. Sometimes she hated the fact that Gold was so perceptive and nothing could fool him.

''It doesn't matter really. It's rather complicated, even without you being involved.''

''Let me have an educated guess then?" he asked and continued when she didn't respond. "You won't have to say yes or no, but I do have a few people in mind'' Gold stated and Jane sighed. If she wasn't feeling so devastated she might have laughed at his cheek.

''Go ahead…'' She relented. Gold had put his finger under his chin, pretending to think. A few seconds later Gold made his suggestion.

''Emma Swan.''

Jane's eyes opened widely, but quickly scolded her face into a more neutral one. However, the few seconds of Jane's surprise was enough to confirm Gold's suspicion. However, as the good uncle he was, he didn't comment on it and dismissed his niece.

It was Saturday morning and Emma had an early start. After last night's dinner for her father's birthday her parents had let her stay there for the night, and as long as she wanted until things with Regina went back to normal again. Emma, as hopeful as she was trying to be that she would go home at some point, knew that it was purely denial and the realistic next step after leaving her parents' house, would be to find a new place for herself. She had truly hurt Regina, far more than either of them ever thought possible, and she knew that she deserved this, every single stab of pain in her heart. She would even deserve it if Regina had told them the truth, but as always Regina had protected her. Sighing once again, she got up from her childhood bed and went to the bathroom to start her morning routine.

An hour later and after having a breakfast that would be fit for a queen; her mother had said that it had been years since she had one of her children sleeping there and she missed making breakfast for them, Emma was stood on the porch of the house she and Regina used to call 'home'.

After contemplating whether to knock the door or use her keys she opted for the latter, trying to force some normalcy into her life, and opened the door. The whole house smelt like bacon and pancakes and even though Emma had already eaten; she wasn't sure she could say no to another plate full of bacon and scrambled eggs. A smile tugged at her lips at the thought of having breakfast with her sons.

However, upon entering the kitchen's door she was met with another blonde sitting at one of the stools and talking to Colin. Rage started bubbling inside her but she decided against lashing out at the stranger. She cleared her throat, earning the attention of everyone in the room.

''Mom! You came!'' Colin exclaimed as he ran to hug his blonde mother.

''Of course I came buddy! I promised you we would go for tennis today, didn't I?''

''Yeah but I thought you only said that as a way of apologizing.'' Colin admitted and Emma felt completely embarrassed. He was right, she had that before; unintentionally promising him time when she had to work but obviously it hadn't gone unremembered by her children.

After hugging Colin, she let him go get dressed and walked further into the kitchen to greet the others.

''Hi I'm Mal, you must be Emma, it's nice to meet you.'' The blonde said, extending her hand which Emma took and squeezed firmly. It was kind of low but she needed to show that Regina was still her wife.

''Yes, I'm Emma.'' Emma said, giving a fake smile at the other blonde which didn't go unnoticed by her wife who was watching the interaction intently from across the other side of the kitchen island.

''Αlight Emma, can we talk for a moment?'' Regina asked and Emma nodded following her wife towards the dining room.

''What is she doing here?'' Emma hissed once they were out of earshot.

'''She' has a name and it's not of your business!'' Regina hissed back.

''It is because believe it or not Regina we are, in fact, still married!''

''That didn't seem to mean much to you when you were fucking Jane!'' Regina spat, making Emma falter.

''Regina-''

"Don't. I don't want to start all that again. That's not why I wanted to talk to you. I wanted to ask you if you could take the boys with you to your parents tonight. They miss you and this weekend is the perfect opportunity for them to spend some time with you.'' Regina explained.

''Sure it's no problem. I missed them too and honestly I was to ask you the same.'' Εmma admitted and Regina nodded.

''Perfect!" she replied dryly. "So after your morning with Colin, you can come back here and pick up the other boys. I won't be here, but I'll have their things all prepared. And tomorrow it's better if you bring them back before 5 so I can bath them and help them with their homework."

''Yeah, okay, don't worry.'' Emma reassured and as Regina was leaving the room Emma's voice stopped her again.

''So you'll be with her all day?'' She asked indicating the kitchen to help Regina understand about whom she was talking about.

''Emma, really this is not the time to get jealous. She's a friend who has been there and is helping me adjust to all this.'' She replied, gesturing with her hands, unable to put it into words.

"How exactly is she helping you?'' Emma continued, pushing her luck and she knew it. However she couldn't stop herself.

''By doing what you couldn't, Emma." Regina's eyes deepened and Emma could see she wasn't saying it to reprimand her; it was just an honest statement. "By being there when I need someone.'' Regina added, her voice wasn't cold or angry, she was just honest and it made Emma's stomach twist; she was sure she going to throw up. Had she really been that distant? How come she didn't see how much they had changed? What the fuck was going on? She couldn't understand. Regina was her whole life, her world; she fought so hard for her at the beginning; how could she let all that fall apart?

''Mom, are you okay?'' Colin asked once he reached her, fully dressed in his tennis attire.

''Yeah buddy, I'm okay. Let's go.'' She said smiling, and escorted her son towards the front door. She relented and allowed herself to look back in the direction of the kitchen and caught Regina's eyes watching her sadly, while Mal rambled on about something.

Emma gave a small, sad smile in response and ushered Colin out the door.