AN: I'm sorry for the short chapter. I haven't really felt like writing recently, but I tried to push through because I didn't update for a while before. I wrote the next chapter along with this one, which is also kind of short, but that will be posted soon. Hopefully, I get back into the groove of things soon.
I don't own the characters or OUAT.
All mistakes are mine.

'Why did mother have to invite Mr. and Mrs. Nolan along with Emma to dinner? This is so nerve-wracking. I'm going to try to clear my head by working on some campaign proposals. I'll have something to show Emma if she asks.' Regina pulled the book she was writing inside the day before out of her bag. Opening the cover to the first page, Regina gasped, 'No! Oh, my God! Zelena! Why would you do this to me? And when? Was this here yesterday?'

On the first page was a little taunt:

'Regina and Emma sitting in a tree,

K-I-S-S-I-N-G

First comes love,

Then comes marriage,

Then comes Regina with a baby carriage!

Love you, "Gina"

-Z'

'I am going to kill her! Did mother see this yesterday? Was that why she was looking at me strangely during dinner? Oh, God. She knows. I haven't even told her, but she knows. I haven't even told her I'm bi, either... oh, God.'

"Regina! Come down here and greet our guests before dinner is served!"

'Crap. Emma's here.'

"Coming, mother!" Regina was rushing around her room, trying to tidy up the little things that were lying around.

Regina heard a shy, "Knock, knock," by her door. She looked up to see Emma right outside, hesitating about whether to come in or not. "Your mom told me which room you were in. Can I come in?"

"Yes, yes, of course. You don't have to ask."

"Sweet," Emma said walking to Regina's bed and sitting down.

"Of course, make yourself at home," Regina teased with a raised eyebrow.

"Oh... uh. Sorry." Emma stood up, blushed, then averted her gaze, finding the floor very interesting.

'Doesn't she know when I'm teasing her? We have been friends for two weeks already, and we tease each other constantly. Maybe something more could... no! Stop getting your hopes up!'

"Emma, I was kidding."

"Oh... I knew... that," she responded shyly.

'Of course, you did.'

"So, whatcha working on?" Emma, gaining confidence, asked, as she reached for Regina's notebook.

'Oh, my God! No! Emma, wait!' Regina thought with wide eyes.

Before Emma could open the book though, Mrs. Nolan called, "Emma! Regina! Come down! It's time to eat!"

'Oh, thank God. I don't know what I'd do if she saw and found out.'

"Coming! I guess I have to look at your proposals later... after the tree, right?"

"Yes, I almost forgot about that. Let's go. We don't want to have them waiting for us."

After dinner, Regina led Emma out into her backyard. As Emma looked around at the spacious yard, she said, "I didn't know that you lived so close to the woods, Regina."

"Sometimes, I forget because I grew up right next to it."

Regina watched Emma walk up to the border of her backyard and the woods. 'She seems so calm; nothing like how she was when she first came over. Maybe... we should... talk about the tree... before she notices that I'm staring at her.'

"Em-ma. Can you come back here, please?" Emma nodded and jogged back to her. "We have to discuss what's going to happen about the tree."

"Of course. So, what do I have to do?"

'She's so excited about this. She's so adorable.'

"First things first, do you know how to get here by yourself?" At Emma's nod, Regina continued, "Well, to help out, every morning and afternoon, you'll have to come over and water the tree. If-"

"Wait, every morning and afternoon? At what time?"

"Emma, if you'd let me finish, I could explain all of that." Emma looked down at the ground in shame and apologized. "It's ok. Just let me finish. So, every morning and afternoon, you'll come by water the tree. In the morning, you should come by around 6:30. We could walk to school together after. And if you want... you could come by after school and we could... possibly hang out?"

'Hang out? Regina Mills! What is wrong with you?'

Emma stopped Regina from yelling at herself further when she said, "I'd love to hang out with you. Doing homework at Granny's after school every day is getting kinda boring. I also think Ruby is getting tired of seeing me there every day. I should probably find that out..."

"Maybe you should, but not now. We're still discussing things."

"Of course. I will find that out tomorrow because right now, I'm focusing on you."

Regina looked down, trying to hide her blush, and thought to herself, 'Does she like making me blush?' Calming herself, Regina looked back up to see Emma just staring at her. 'Why is she staring at me like that? Is something on my face?'

"Emma, is something wrong?"

"What?"

"Is something wrong, Miss Swan?"

"Why are you being so formal, Miss Mills?"

"Because you were just staring at me!"

"I was focusing."

"Clearly," Regina sarcastically replied. "But does the plan for the tree work for you?"

"Yes. I'll be here at 6:30, we'll leave together to go to school. After school, we'll walk here and... when do I leave?"

'Whenever you want.'

"Whatever time Mr. and Mrs. Nolan want you back at their apartment."

"So, whenever I want to leave?"

"You don't have a curfew?"

"If I do, I didn't know it. And I doubt they'll add one if they know I'm with you."

'What does she mean by that? Wait, is she doing ok?'

With each word, Regina's voice got louder, "Emma? Emma. Emma!"

"What?"

"Are you ok? You look a little pale."

"I'm fine. I just remembered something I need to tell you."

"What is it? Is it bad?"

"No, no, no. No, it's good. Very good. I, uh... IgotadoptedbyMaryMargaretandDavidyesterday..."

'What is she mumbling about? It is awfully adorable, but I can't understand her.'

"What?"

She saw Emma take a deep breath and as she let it out slowly, she said, "I got adopted by Mary Margaret and David yesterday..."

"Really?" Emma nodded. Regina moved closer to Emma and hugged her tight. "Congratulations!"

'I didn't realize how close to Emma I was. I could've just hugged her from where I was standing.' Regina felt more than heard Emma take another deep breath and sigh. 'Was she nervous about telling me?'

The hug lasted longer than any hug should have, but Regina didn't care.