Chapter 18

Once the children were fed, they were sent to bed which both women found rather humorous as Emma practically dragged her little brother upstairs to their own rooms. Considering how busy their day was, neither one had trouble falling asleep as they were both extremely tired from playing and running around the new house. The only predicament they had found themselves in was where to have their bed time story, which Regina soon solved as she knew they would not fit in Henry's cot and so the trio climbed onto Emma's bed before cuddling up. Soon enough Henry was asleep against his sister's shoulder, prompting the brunette to close the book and lift him up to carry him to his room as the small blonde's eyes begin to droop as she lays herself down, waiting to be tucked in after her brother.

Returning downstairs, the young teacher goes in search of the older blonde to find the woman washing up from dinner in the kitchen. Smiling to herself, Regina remains quiet then begins unpacking a box as she lifts it upon the kitchen counter with a yawn.

"Regina?..dear put the box down.."

Hearing Maleficent's somewhat stern voice, the brunette freezes and slowly lowers the box before glancing across towards the sink to find the blonde staring with a raised eyebrow. Biting her lip to prevent a smile, Regina then pouts.

Drying her hands on the towel, the blonde then walks over and takes her by the shoulders. "You're too tired to do anymore, we can continue tomorrow..its been a long day and I would be happy if you got a proper sleep for a change..especially as you now have a bed"

"Hm..okay" the brunette allows Maleficent to lead her out the kitchen and up the stairs with a tired smile.

Stopping mid corridor, the blonde turns to face Regina then gestures to the doors either side of them. "I take it that I just choose one? They are both guest rooms?"

Rolling her eyes, the young teacher simply shakes her head then grips onto the woman's hand before heading past her, to guide her to the end bedroom. Her bedroom. After using the bathroom and changing, Maleficent watches raised eyebrow as the brunette sits on one side of the bed. Looking over her shoulder shyly, Regina gestures to the spot beside her. "I..don't mean anything by it...I just would like for you to sleep beside me..to be there with a possibility of...cuddling"

Sniggering at how embarrassed the woman is getting, the blonde makes her way over and climbs into the bed beside the brunette. "I won't say no.." Laying down with a smirk, Maleficent then watches as the young teacher follows her lead and lays on her side to face the woman. Shifting as close as she can get, Regina rests their heads together as the blonde wraps a single arm over her.

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"I don'ts get it.."

Hearing a hushed whisper, Regina frowns as she wakes to find Emma stood beside the bed, staring at her with a frown. "Hello you..what is it you don't get?"

Pointing over the brunette's shoulder towards the sleeping blonde, the small girl continues to explain her confusion. "I thought you said Mallie would have her own bed.."

Biting her lip to prevent a chuckle, the young teacher clears her throat. "Well..yes but..we..decided to keep the guest rooms empty for if others come to stay..as Maleficent is here quite a bit already.."

"Oh..." Thinking it over while she looks towards her mother, Emma then shrugs with a smile and lifts herself up carefully onto the bed beside Regina. "Henry's still sleeping.."

"Let him...first night in your own beds, I'm surprised you're in here already" the young teacher states as the small blonde lays her head down for the woman to stroke her hair.

"I missed you...and I missed Henry not being next to me. I always stay with him and give him a cuddle at bedtime even before when we was with..." Cutting off, Emma doesn't want to say parents because they don't deserved to called that and as far as she is concerned, Regina is now their mother.

Noticing the girl's conflicted look, the brunette skips past it. "Well you can always do that here..I can even move the cot to your room for you so you can be together if that is what you want?"

Pouting, the girl sighs. "No..Henry is sleeping so he likes his room its okay..he just growing too quick!"

Chuckling and accidently waking up the older blonde beside her, Regina glances across with an apologetic look. Maleficent looks back between the pair with a tired smile then leans over to rub the brunette's arm in reassurence. Smiling, the young teacher slips her free hand under the covers to take hold of Maleficent's discreetly. "We were just discussing Henry..which reminds me, its his birthday in two weeks and its his first one so we need to make it special..."

Gasping, Emma tilts her head to look at the the two women then grins. Spotting the excited smile, Regina raises an eyebrow. "Does madam have any ideas as to what Henry likes to do?"

Biting her lip, the small blonde then taps with her finger. "He likes splashing in the bath? Go swimming?"

Cringing a little, the brunette shakes her head. "I don't think..maybe something else?"

Watching the woman's reaction to the girl's question curiously, Maleficent purses her lips. "Emma why don't we make a list of what we could do then pick the favourite?" Turning towards the small blonde, the older blonde smiles.

Nodding eagerly, Emma leans over to kiss both their cheeks then slides off the bed. "I'll get ready for breakfast!"

Waiting until the girl is gone, Maleficent glances over with a squint towards the young teacher. "Okay, now tell me why its a no to taking Henry swimming..and don't say he is too young because plenty of mothers start lessons early.."

Biting her lip, Regina looks away embarrassed before whispering. "I..I don't know how to swim...so I can't exactly help.."

Staring in awe at the confession, the blonde grips onto the brunette hand a little tighter. "Well I just may have an idea that can solve this.."

Intrigued, the young teacher looks back at her with a slight frown.

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Stepping inside the school for the first time in about a month and after having the weekend to settle into the house, Regina looks up and down the empty corridor as it had just turned 8am. Heading towards the office slowly, the brunette grips her hands into fists nervously and then freezes by the door, reading the name 'Principal Mills' in large gold lettering. Making a mental note to add her first name into the sign as having it this way reminds her too much of her mother, the newly promoted Principal opens the door and walks inside. Taking a shaky breath, the brunette proceeds to hang her jacket and set her bag down beside the desk before getting to work on rearranging the office to her liking, throwing any object of disinterest and piling up all the school files onto her desk to be sorted out.

Hearing a knock at the door, Regina looks wide eyed in a sudden panic and gulps before clearing her throat. "..come..come in.." Seeing her short haired friend's head pop around the door, the brunette then visibly relaxes and sinks down onto her chair.

Mary Margaret smiles teasingly and walks in, closing the door behind her. "Good morning Principal Mills..ready for your first day?"

Dropping her smile from the torment, Regina shakes her head with a pout. "No..."

Chuckling, the short haired woman waves her hand off. "You'll be fine..its pretty much the same as a class but its every parent and child and not just 30..."

Looking panicked again, the brunette takes a deep breath. Mary Margaret bites her lip then attempts to distract her. "Where are Emma and Henry?"

Rubbing her head to calm her nerves, Regina leans back in her chair and briefly glances up at her friend to answer. "Maleficent has them, she is going to look after Henry until we arrange proper care for him..someone who he is comfortable with. She will be here soon to drop Emma off..you're still okay with taking over my class right? Although I would like some time at some point to teach a lesson"

"Of course I am and I am eternally grateful for the job Regina, you have no idea. Also...we?" Smirking at what the woman had said, Mary Margaret gives her a 'knew it' look.

Acting oblivious, the new Principal looks wide eyed. "What?"

Crossing her arms ready to interrogate, the short haired woman smiles. "Can I ask you one question...has Maleficent actually left the house since you moved in? ...no scratch that, has she left your side since she stayed at your old place?"

Feeling herself go red, Regina looks away. "Maybe...not...no.." Fiddling with her hands, the brunette rises from her seat quickly. "Anyway...the playground should be filling up now so shall we?" Gesturing towards the door, the brunette heads over and out into the corridor, leaving a giggling Mary Margaret to follow behind.

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Once in the playground, Regina found herself met by a numerous amount of parents wanting to inform her about how happy they were now that she has taken over and that they look forward to the school year while their children gave their teacher a hug as they have not seen her in weeks. Escusing herself from a parent, the brunette looks across the playground to see her little family appear through the gates. Walking up to them, the woman smiles at Maleficent who has a hold of Henry in her arm and Emma by the hand. "You're earlier than I expected.."

"Oh yes..this little munchkin could not wait to get to school and I wonder why?" The older blonde glances at the girl with a playful stare.

Playing along, Regina bites her lip. "Hm...I think it may be her love of spelling bees..."

Dropping her mouth open, Emma shakes her head profusely with a frown. "Noooo..its because you're here..but.."

"But?"

Gesturing for her to come close, the blonde waits until the brunette crouches down towards her. Leaning in, the girl questions quietly. "Do I still call you Mommy or Regina? I called you Regina before.."

Stroking Emma's cheek at how adorable she asks, the new Principal replies. "Well I don't know if you will want to call me Mommy in front of your friends so how about you call me by my name and then Mommy when its just us..even if we are in my office? But its entirely up to you"

The small blonde nods then hugs her. "Okay..I call you Regina but..." Whispering in the woman's ear, they both wear matching smiles. "I love you Mommy"

Staring up at Maleficent and Henry, Regina smiles more at the woman then winks at the boy who is waving madly.

A/N: I have a plan for Henry's birthday and I am thinking that maybe this story will end soon...:( unless you have any ideas or want a time jump.