It'd been three weeks since Regina had talked to her, and Emma had started to think that she had blown her chance to get to know the girl that she had already fallen in love with. She knew it was stupid to claim to love someone she didn't even know, and maybe it wasn't love. Maybe it was just a stupid little school girl crush, but if it was, Emma wondered what love really felt like.

"So I invited Regina to my birthday party..." Mary Margaret said casually as she and Emma were sitting down to eat dinner.

"What? Did she say yes?" Emma said, a little bit too enthused for even her own taste. Why couldn't she be more casual when it came to Regina?

"Relax, Em," Mary Margaret said with a smile, "She said yes."

"But she's never been here before. Have you even talked to her before? What if she realizes you only invited her because I like her?" Emma went from excited to horrified in three seconds flat.

"Relax," Mary Margaret said again with a little laugh in her voice. "We've been working on a project together for the past three weeks. She is actually really nice. I understand why you like her."

"You have worked with her for three weeks and you didn't tell me!?" Emma practically shrieked.

Emma's emotions were all over the place at this moment. Why hadn't her sister told her? Why hadn't she introduced them? Her sister knew Regina and hung out with her. This could change things. Maybe this was it, her second chance. Oh my god, what was she going to do?

"Woah, Em. We are partners for an English project, it's not like I took her behind the bleachers."

Emma was freaking out now. She tried to calm herself down. 'Relax, Emma. Relax,' she told herself. 'Mary Margaret is right. It's a project for English, not marriage or even a BFFs for life bracelet. One step at a time. Look at the positive things. This is your way in; she is coming to the party where you can talk to her, properly and hopefully a little more gracefully than last time,' she told herself.

"Sorry, I guess. She makes me a little crazy," Emma said and smiled.

"I can tell," Mary Margaret laughed, "but anyway, she is coming to my party on Saturday."

"What am I going to wear? Is she bringing someone?" Emma was back at frantic now.

"That gorgeous red dress, the one that makes it seem like your legs go on forever, and no. She isn't even dating someone."

"How do you know?"

"I might have asked her."

"What?"

"I started talking about James, and then I just asked if she was seeing someone."

"Wait – are you seeing James now? He is such a jerk; you know he cheated on Ruby?"

"I am not, well – not really."

"He just takes you behind the bleachers, is that what you're saying?"

"No!" Mary Margaret looked a little hurt. "Maybe. I have no idea what I am doing, Em," she admitted.

"He's a jerk, and I'm not just saying that because he broke my best friend's heart. Be careful, please."

"I could say the same to you, about Regina."

"I thought you said you liked her."

"I do, she is nice when she opens up. But she rarely does. She is very closed off. I am just scared you are setting yourself up for some serious heartbreak."

"Double M," Emma said, hoping that the nickname would bring a sense of familiarity to the conversation, "I don't even know if she likes girls. I am not dating her; she barely even knows my name."

"You say that now, but I see that way you look at her. You've already fallen, Em. And I am scared for you. She will break your heart."

"Maybe, but what if she doesn't? What if she turns out to be my forever?"

"Have you been watching South of Nowhere again?"

"Maybe," Emma said, blushing. "But that's not the point. How will I know if Regina could be the one if I back away now? Because she might break my heart?"

Truth be told, Emma was terrified about giving her heart to Regina. She was terrified that it would never heal again if Regina broke it. But she didn't want her sister to know that, because then Mary Margaret would never let her within five feet of Regina, and that somehow seemed even worse than getting her heart broken.

"I could say the same about James, you know?" Mary Margaret countered.

"But that's different."

"Why? Because he cheated on Ruby?"

"Regina isn't a bitch or a cheater; she hasn't proved to be anything other than very good at everything she ever tries."

"I know."

"I'm sorry; I know you are only trying to protect me. Like you always have. And I can't hate you for trying to protect me. Not that I could ever hate you anyway."

"Em, you are my baby sister and I love you more than anything. I will always look after you, it's my job." Mary Margaret hugged her sister.

"Thank you."

"For what?"

"Inviting her." Emma blushed; this would be the perfect time to talk to Regina. Like, really talk to her, get to know her and make her fall madly in love, Emma hoped desperately.

"Hey, I do want you to be happy."

"I know. Thank you." Emma smiled at her sister before reaching panic mode again, "Dad will never ever let me go to your party. He will be scared some drunk senior will take advantage of me or something. The only reason he lets you go out on dates and stuff is because he thinks you are still a virgin."

"Emma!" Mary Margaret scolded, despite knowing it was probably true. "You know he trusts you more than that, especially seeing as you're not even interested in boys."

Emma stuck out her tongue at her sister.

"Real mature, Em. Maybe you are too young for this." Mary Margaret teased.

"No way, you can convince dad everything will be okay. You are a miracle worker with him, Double M."

"You know he is just worried about you because you are his baby. You know that right? The only reason why is stricter with you than with me is because he worries about you. All the time."

Mary Margaret hugged her sister. And they both knew it was true. He had been watching over Emma like a hawk ever since he brought her home. It had barely been six months since Mary Margaret's mother had died of cancer, and bringing Emma home had changed something within the house. It had brought it to life again. And they both knew that was why Leo was so overprotective of Emma. She had in many ways saved their family.

"I know. I know. I just wish I was allowed to be more like you." Emma smiled, "Well, not completely like you."

Now, it was Mary Margaret's turn to stick her tongue out at her sister. "There is absolutely nothing wrong with me. I am just trying to find that one guy. I just happen to have to kiss a lot of frogs to find my Prince Charming."

"Eurgh." Emma made a throwing up motion.

Mary Margret laughed, "Is that because of the frogs or the Prince Charming?"

"Both," Emma laughed, and threw her arms around her sister. "You know I love you, despite your slutty ways," she teased.

"Emma!"

Emma just laughed, shrugged, and said, "Well, it's true."

Mary Margaret smiled, "Fine. I guess you're right. But we do need a battle plan for dad."

"Do I have to be involved in this? He has much more trouble saying no to you." Emma pouted. It wasn't that her dad usually said no to her, but Mary Margret had the most amazing set of puppy dog eyes that were impossible to say no to.

"Well, I can't deny that. If I say that I absolutely need my baby sister at my birthday party..." Mary Margaret smiled.

"He won't say no." Emma beamed and hugged her sister. "Thank you so much for this. I don't think you even know how much it means to me."

Mary Margaret smiled. "I think I do."