A/N: Happy Wednesday! This isn't quite NSFW but we are heading that way. I was going to write you smut but it didn't fit the scene/characters, sorry!

Also, I didn't realise so many people had a 'side' when they sleep! Yay! I'm not weird …

The trilling of her alarm filtered through her sub-consciousness, rousing her from a deep sleep. Reaching blindly towards her bedside table, Regina tapped her cell phone screen until it shut up. Only after the high pitched sound had stopped did she register the arm looped around her waist.

After a fleeting moment of panic, a smile spread slowly across her face as she remembered who was sharing her bed with her. Judging by the deep breath she could hear from the woman behind her, Regina deduced that her alarm had not woken her bed companion. And she didn't want to either. One morning without her usual Pilates and workout routine wouldn't hurt, Regina decided. Setting her alarm once more for an hour later, she relaxed back into the embrace of the woman pressed tightly against her and closed her eyes.

The second alarm came far too soon and Regina groaned when she was once again woken up. This time, Emma shifted against her as the brunette reached to shut off the noise.

"Morning," came a sleeping voice.

"Good morning," Regina said, returning to the position she had been in for the past seven hours. "How did you sleep?"

"Wonderfully," Emma said, her arm wrapping a little more firmly around Regina's waist, pulling their bodies closer. "You?"

"I don't remember the last time I slept so well," the brunette admitted quietly.

Emma smiled at that and pressed a kiss to the nape of the older woman's neck. "Being woken up at six is worth it if it makes you happy."

"It's seven," Regina admitted.

"What?" Emma frowned, pulling away slightly. "Why?"

"Because when my alarm went off at six I decided I would rather spend an hour being held by you than to get out of bed and do a workout," Regina explained. "I couldn't bring myself to leave you, to be honest."

"Aren't you going to be late?" Emma asked, sitting up and rubbing her face.

"No, it's fine. Henry doesn't get up for another half and hour and I'm sure my form won't be too badly affected from missing one session."

As she spoke, Regina rolled over and placed a hand on Emma's shoulder, coaxing her to lie back down. The blonde went willingly. Once she was on her back once more, Regina snuggled closer, draping one leg across both of Emma's and pressing herself against the blonde's side.

"Your form, huh?" Emma said, a smirk on her lips. "And what sort of form might that be?"

"I'm quite pleased with my downward dog shape at the moment," Regina remarked. "And I just found a great new cardio sequence which I was going to practice today."

Images of Regina in tight yoga pants arching into downward dog flashed into Emma's mind. She squeezed her thighs together, a movement which Regina felt thanks to the position of her own leg.

"Maybe next time you can join me in my studio," she purred, pressing a kiss to the side of Emma's neck.

"Your studio?"

"I have a workout room and Pilates studio in the basement," Regina said. "I hate paying extortionate gym membership to use poorly maintained and dirty machines so I converted the basement space a few years ago. Pilates is the best way to start the day."

"I disagree."

Regina looked up, quirking an eyebrow. "Oh you do, do you?" she teased. "And what, Miss Swan, is the perfect start to your day?"

"This. You. Us," Emma said, pressing a kiss to the upturned lips.

When she pulled away, the look on Regina's face made her melt just a little bit. Those big brown eyes were shining with intense emotions; emotions which Emma was responsible for making her feel.

"I love waking up to you too," Regina admitted. "I can't believe you held me all night."

"I'll hold you every night if you'll let me," Emma murmured before kissing the brunette again.

Regina reached up to cup Emma's cheek, pulling their mouths more firmly together. If either woman was aware of the other's morning breath, they didn't care. It was irrelevant compared to how the kiss made them feel. Emma's tongue tangled with Regina's, chasing it back into the brunette's mouth as she dominated the kiss. She then switched to trapping Regina's lower lip between her teeth, nibbling ever so softly before laving the flesh with her tongue. Regina whimpered, pulling herself even closer.

Winding her arm around Regina's back, Emma gently encouraged Regina to roll on top of her. The brunette went willingly, placing her knees on either side of Emma's hips, their mouths never once disconnecting. Settling atop the blonde, Regina threaded her fingers into Emma's hair, deepening the kiss as she took her turn in control. Emma own hands were now sliding up and down the silk-covered back, trailing from the nape of her neck down to the waistband of her pyjama bottoms. Oh, how she craved to move lower but she didn't want to push. Their position was already far more intimate than anything they had enjoyed so far.

Regina, however, was overcome with desire and unable to hold back. Untangling one of her hands from the blonde mane, she slid it down Emma's body until she cupped a small, firm breast. Emma moaned, arching up into the touch as Regina's teeth bit lightly into her lip.

"Fuck," Emma mumbled into the kiss, a thumb brushing over an erect nipple through her pyjama top.

The kiss resumed, as did Regina's gentle movements over the blonde's breast. She alternated between squeezing softly and flicking her thumb until Emma became so worked up that her hips canted uncontrollably, bumping against Regina's pelvis. While the movement caused a throb of arousal to flood the brunette's veins, it also served to remind her where they were, what time it was and in what direction their activities appeared to be heading. She forced herself to break the kiss.

"Henry will be waking up soon," she said, breathing heavy.

Emma, whose hands had been gripping Regina's hips lightly, nodded her understanding. She allowed her arms to fall to either side, silently granting permission for Regina to move off her. The brunette, however, was reluctant to do so. Instead, she leaned down and placed another kiss on the swollen lips below her. Emma whimpered, her self control evaporating at once as she wrapped her arms around Regina's back once more, puling their torsos flush together.

The sound of tiny feet thundering down the hallway suddenly reached Regina's ears. In a flash, she rolled away from Emma, pulling the duvet up to make sure they were both covered, even though they were fully clothed.

"Henry," Regina said, the explanation for the dramatic change unnecessary.

"Shall I -?"

Before Emma could ask if she could hide, the door to Regina's bedroom flew open and the little boy himself appeared in the room, clad in Superman pyjamas.

"Mom, why are you still in bed?" he asked, used to his mother being in the kitchen by the time he woke up. Before the answer to the question had been given, however, the curious child had a second query. "Why is Emma in your bed?"

"Good morning, my little prince," Regina said, sitting up and patting the bed to encourage Henry to join her. But the boy stood stock still, staring at Emma. It was clear he wanted an answer before he moved any further into the room. "Um, Emma came over last night after you went to bed."

"Did she cook you dinner?" he asked.

"No, we just talked," Regina said. "And then it was very late and I invited Emma to stay the night so she didn't have to drive back home in the dark."

"Is Emma your new girlfriend?"

Regina was shocked at the question but not as stunned as Emma. She had no idea what the brunette had told her son about her sexuality but it was obvious Henry understood that Regina dated women. The blonde turned to see Regina's gaze on her, a silent apology written on her face. They hadn't had that conversation yet, although it was probably due. Ideally it would have been one they would have had in private, just the two of them, involving words rather than the exchange that was occurring through facial expressions while Henry waited for his answer.

There was more to talk about, Emma knew, but she had come to the realisation soon after she met Regina that she wanted to be a part of the woman's life for a long time. If 'girlfriend' was the first label she was to be given, it was one she would wear with pride. She offered the brunette a shy smile and a nod. Regina returned both before looking at Henry who was still stood in the same spot.

"Yes," Regina nodded. "Emma is my girlfriend."

"Can we have breakfast now? I'm hungry."

Regina wasn't sure what reaction she was expecting but it wasn't that. However, she supposed there would be plenty of time in the future to discuss what was happening between herself and Emma with her son.

"Breakfast, right," Regina said, remembering that she did indeed have to feed her son before he went off to school. "Give us five minutes and we'll meet you in the kitchen."

Henry turned and exited the room, the door left wide open as he trotted down the corridor. Once he was out of earshot, Regina turned to Emma.

"I'm so sorry about that," she offered.

"Don't be," Emma said. "I think that went pretty well."

"Considering we hadn't spoken about what exactly is going on between us, yes," Regina agreed. "But I will have to talk to him later; make sure he understands what this all means. I suppose we should have that conversation as well some time."

"I guess so," Emma said. "But right now, your son is waiting for his breakfast. What does he usually eat?"

"Toast and strawberry jam," Regina replied as she climbed out of bed, Emma following her lead.

"Every day?"

"Every day," Regina nodded, crossing to her closet and opening the doors to begin the process of choosing her work outfit.

"What do you eat?" Emma asked, her clothes from yesterday already in her arms.

"Fruit, yoghurt and muesli, normally," Regina said. "Why?"

"Can I make you pancakes?" Emma offered. "Henry might like them too. He could put his strawberry jam on them."

Regina stopped rummaging through a drawer for some light denier pantyhose to go with her black dress and red jacket she had selected and turned to look at Emma.

"Sorry," the blonde said, reading the look on Regina's face as incredulous. "I over-stepped."

"No," Regina said, schooling her features into a more acceptable expression. "I mean, perhaps, but it's sweet you want to do that. I just think it would be a waste of your time. He won't eat them."

"Would it hurt to offer him the option?" Emma suggested. "Whatever you want to do, I'll take your lead on this. He's your kid and you get to say how we approach this. I just thought it might be a good idea. He knows I'm a chef so maybe he'll see it as different to trying food cooked by you. Like it's my job or something. And pancakes are relatively healthy. They have eggs in them too which is a great source of protein."

"I suppose we could ask him," Regina said, a soft smile on her lips. "Thank you."

"You're welcome," Emma said. "I'm just gonna go and get changed in the bathroom. Shall I meet you in the kitchen?"

"Sounds good," Regina nodde.

Emma smiled but instead of leaving, she crossed the room and placed a gentle kiss to Regina's lips.

"What was that for?" the brunette asked when the woman pulled back.

"Do I need a reason to kiss my girlfriend?" Emma smirked.

Regina felt a fluttering in her stomach at the term. "No," she whispered. "No you don't. And neither do I."

Her mouth flew back towards Emma's, arms wrapping around the startled blonde as the kiss deepened. Emma soon joined in, the clothes she had been holding dropping to the floor as she encircled her own arms around the shorter woman.

"Mom! I'm hungry."

For the second time that morning, the women's passion was interrupted by Henry, this time only vocally. Flushed from both arousal and embarrassment at the situation, Emma crouched down and picked up her clothes before making her way out of the bedroom and into the bathroom, leaving Regina to hurriedly get dressed so she could join her son.

By the time Emma entered the kitchen, Regina was already there, pouring a glass of milk for Henry who was seated at the table. At the appearance of the blonde, Henry turned to look at her. Emma suddenly felt like she was under intense scrutiny. Perhaps Henry's apparent acceptance of the new label she had been given wouldn't translate to his acceptance of the relationship in general.

"Henry, do you remember what Emma's job is?" Regina asked, handing over the glass of milk.

"She's a cook," Henry said before sipping his drink and giving himself a milk moustache.

"She is," Regina nodded. "Emma is a chef."

"What's a chef?"

Regina looked at Emma, prompting her to provide the answer.

"Um, well, a chef is someone who has gone to school to learn how to cook," Emma said, stepping a little further into the room, taking the question as an invitation to become part of the conversation.

"I don't learn cooking at school," Henry frowned. "I learn maths and reading and art. Mom, why don't I learn cooking?"

"Because you have to be older to go to cooking school," Regina explained. "Emma went to a school just like yours when she was six. But when she was an adult, she went to a special school where she learned how to cook."

"Oh, ok," Henry said, returning to drink more of his milk.

"Emma is going to cook me some pancakes this morning," Regina pressed on. "Would you like some?"

"Pancakes," Henry repeated slowly. "What are pancakes?"

It broke Regina's heart that her son didn't even remember pancakes, a dish she and Mal occasionally allowed the boy to indulge in when he was younger. Emma, seeing the look of sadness cross her girlfriend's features, jumped in to provide Henry with his answer.

"Pancakes are a yummy breakfast food. You can put strawberry jam on top of them. I make pancakes using eggs and flour and milk."

"Milk like this?" Henry asked, holding up his cup.

"Exactly," Emma nodded.

"And flowers?"

"Flour," Emma corrected. "Chefs put flour in bread and pasta. It comes from a plant but it's not a flower like a rose or a daisy. It's a white powder."

"Flour is in bread?" he asked. That was odd. He liked bread. Did that mean he would like pancakes?

"Yep," Emma said. "And pasta. Eggs are in pasta too."

"Like the eggs which come out of a chicken? Roland told me eggs come from chicken butts."

"Henry," Regina admonished.

Emma managed to smother her laughter and force a straight face before she replied. "Exactly like that. Eggs are in lots of food actually. Including pasta and pancakes."

There was a pause, as if Henry was considering this alternative breakfast option. "I want toast and jam, please," he said at last, turning to direct this request at his mother.

"Ok," Regina said, knowing not to push. "Emma, I would love to try some of your pancakes. There are eggs and milk in the fridge and flour in the cupboard beside the dishwasher. Any other cooking ingredients you'll need will be in there too."

"Great," Emma said. "Pans, mixing bowl and a sieve?"

"Cupboard to the left the stove for the pan and sieve, top cupboard to the right of the microwave for a mixing bowl," Regina said as she set about pulling two slices of white bread from a bag to toast for her son. "Henry, did you remember to put your reading book in your school bag?"

"Yes Mom," Henry said. "Can I have some more milk?"

"Of course," Regina said, turning from the toaster only to find Emma holding the carton out to her. "Thanks," she smiled, a tingle flowing through her veins at the display of domesticity.

"You're welcome," Emma said as she went back to sieving the flour into a bowl.

Twenty minutes later and Henry's morning toast had been devoured, jam stains on his cheeks as evidence of his enjoyment. Regina had finished making Henry's school lunch and was sat at the table, hands wrapped around a steaming cup of coffee. The two of them were talking about their plans for the weekend.

"Here we are," Emma said, placing a tower of pancakes in the middle of the table, followed by two plates.

"Wow, they look good," Regina said. "Let me get the strawberries from the fridge."

"Already got them," Emma smiled, returning to the counter where she grabbed the bowl of early summer fruit she had found in the fridge as well as a jug of cream.

"Thank you," Regina murmured as she looked at the spread before her. "I feel completely spoilt."

"You deserve it," Emma said simply as she sat down in the third chair Regina had placed alongside the small table and pulled a plate towards her. "Dig in."

Regina did so eagerly, trying hard not to pay any obvious attention to Henry's reaction to the appearance of the pancakes. Emma, however, was watching the small child. He was staring at the new food, an unreadable expression on his face. It might have been, Emma thought, curiosity. Alternatively, he might also have been frowning at the fact that a relative stranger had gate-crashed his breakfast with his mother. She desperately hoped it was the first.

After Regina slid three pancakes onto her plate, Emma copied her, leaving one pancake on the serving dish. She had deliberately cooked more, just in case. Regina then scooped strawberries onto her plate and added a modest amount of cream. Emma did the same, although she was a little more generous when it came to the silky white liquid. She knew she could counterbalance the high quantity of saturated fat by carefully planning her meals the rest of the day.

"Well?" she asked when Regina had swallowed her first mouthful.

"Delicious," Regina declared. "So light and fluffy. Mine never used to be like this."

"I'll give you my secret recipe," Emma smiled.

"I'd rather you just cooked them for me yourself when you stay over," Regina said, a slight smirk on her lips.

"Mom, we're going to be late," Henry piped up.

"We've got time, sweetheart," Regina said, glancing at the clock above the door. "But why don't you go and put your school clothes on. And put those pyjamas in the laundry please. You've dropped jam down them. I'll be with you as soon as I've finished these pancakes and we'll do your teeth and wash your face."

Henry frowned slightly but did as he was told, sliding from his chair and disappearing down the corridor.

"Is he ok with me being here?" Emma asked.

"No idea," Regina admitted. "I'll talk to him about it later."

"Ok," Emma said. "But if he's not ok with this, Regina, I know that we can't keep seeing each other. I know Henry needs to be on board before things go any further."

"Woah, what?" Regina said, putting down her cutlery. "No, Emma, don't say that."

"It's true," Emma reasoned. "Henry comes first. After everything he's been through. After what happened with Mal, I think you and I both know that we have to be really careful when it comes to imposing any significant changes on his life."

Regina sighed. She knew Emma was right. Of course Henry came first. Any mother would put her child first. And with Henry they had to be particularly cautious with regards to new relationships.

"I'll talk to him," Regina repeated. "And yes, I know he needs to be ok with this but I don't want to stop seeing you."

"I know you don't," Emma assured her. "I don't want to stop seeing you either. I'm just being realistic."

"Can you be optimistic instead?" Regina asked.

Emma laughed. "I'll try."

The two women finished their pancakes quickly and then stood to continue their days. Emma insisted on washing up while Regina attended to Henry. She put the spare pancake in a Tupperware and slid it into the fridge so Regina could eat it later if she wished.

By the time she entered the hallway, Henry was almost ready for school. He was in the middle of arguing with his mother about not wanting to wear his sweater on the way to school.

"It's cold outside," Regina insisted.

"It's not. It's May now. It's summer."

"Not quite but fine. Put it in your bag, please and then you'll have it if you get cold during the day."

Henry relented and stuffed the small item of clothing into his backpack. Regina spotted Emma watching the interaction and beckoned for her to follow.

"Henry, I'll be right back. Can you put your shoes on please?"

The small boy obediently headed to find his black school shoes which were neatly lined up by the front door while Regina and Emma retreated to the brunette's bedroom.

"So, it takes me about fifteen minutes to walk Henry to school and back," Regina explained once they were out of earshot. "I then have to drive into the office. Much as I would like to spend the morning with you, I have a staff meeting at nine thirty. You're welcome to stay here for as long as you like. I know you don't have to be at work early."

"Thank you but it's fine. I'll head out too. I'd feel a little weird being in your house without you," Emma admitted.

"I understand but you really would be welcome," Regina smiled as she set about making sure she had everything she needed for the day.

"Maybe next time," Emma said.

"Next time?" Regina repeated, looking over her shoulder and winking at the blonde. "What makes you think there's going to be a next time?"

"Oh there's so going to be a next time," Emma laughed.

Regina grinned back at her before turning, tossing her cell phone into her bag and zipping it up.

"Right, I've got to get going or Henry will be late."

Nodding her understanding, Emma picked up her overnight bag and slung it over her shoulder. "I just have to change back into my leathers," Emma said. "Give me two minutes?"

"On one condition."

"And what's that?" Emma asked, recognising the teasing tone in her new girlfriend's voice.

"A kiss."

Emma grinned and agreed at once, wrapping her arms around Regina and pulling her close for a short, passionate embrace. Regina moaned softly, almost regretting asking Emma for such a kiss, knowing the memory of the feel of those soft lips against hers were going to haunt her for the rest of the day, in the best way.

When the kiss ended, an eventuality they were both reluctant to accept, the two women returned to the hallway to find Henry emerging from the kitchen. "Are you ready, my little prince?" Regina asked.

"Is Emma coming with us to school?" Henry asked, his brow furrowed.

"Um, would you like Emma to come with us to school?" Regina countered.

"No."

Emma felt her heart drop. Regina too felt a wave of apprehension as to what may be in store for the two women. "Ok, that's fine. Emma has to go to work anyway," she said quickly.

"We're going to be late," Henry said. "Come on, Mom."

He marched past the two startled women and headed to the front door.

"The door has a Yale lock. Just make sure you pull it firmly when you leave," Regina explained to Emma, looking apologetic. It wasn't that she had invited Emma to join them on the little family's walk to school but both women were painfully aware of the evident dismissal Henry had just given the blonde.

"Fine," Emma muttered. "I'll speak to you later."

Regina glanced down the hallway to check Henry wasn't looking before turning to place a soft kiss on Emma's cheek. "I can't wait."

The younger woman watched as mother and son left the house. Despondent, she made her way to get her motorbike leathers and then returned to Regina's bedroom to get changed. Once she was ready to leave, she headed for the door. As she passed the kitchen, she glanced in, wanting to get another look at the beautiful room. She frowned when she saw the Tupperware box she had placed in the fridge on the side, open.

Curiosity piqued, she dumped her bag in the hallway and headed inside. Half a pancake rested in the pot but the other half was nowhere to be seen. Crumbs littered the side and a few had fallen to the pristine tiled floor. A smile spread slowly across Emma's face. She pulled out her cell phone, snapped a picture of the evidence and sent it to Regina before tidying up. The remaining half of a pancake safely back in the fridge, Emma resumed her journey and left the house.

A/N: one step forward, two steps back …