A/N: the best friends are back!

"Mom, can I have some apple juice?" Henry asked as he finished the first slice of his pizza.

"Of course," Regina said, abandoning her own food and jumping up to get the requested drink, hardly daring to believe that Henry had eaten the pizza without complaint.

By the time she had returned to the table, he was already halfway through a second piece. Emma caught Regina's eye and smiled. Regina returned the grin and mouthed 'thank you'. This, she was sure, was a breakthrough.

Hours later, after Henry had taken his bath and been put to bed, Emma and Regina lay on the couch, curled up in one another's arms.

"You're staying tonight, right?" Regina murmured, remembering that she hadn't actually asked Emma if she wanted to go home. The blonde had to work the following day, as did she. But she had assumed that the younger woman also didn't want their blissful 24 hour long date to end.

"If you'll have me," Emma nodded, fingers stroking up and down Regina's arm.

Regina didn't need to answer. It was clear to both of them that Emma would always be welcome. In fact, the brunette thought as she slid beneath the covers shortly afterwards, she couldn't imagine going to sleep alone ever again.

"Come over tomorrow night after work?" she asked, voice sleepy from the orgasm which had just shuddered through her body.

"It will be late but sure," Emma agreed. "I have Wednesday off this week."

"I can't take a second day off work," Regina sighed.

"It's ok," Emma assured her, encouraging Regina to roll onto her side so she could spoon her. "It will be enough to just wake up next to you."

"You can stay here Wednesday night as well," Regina offered, settling into her usual sleeping position.

Emma wrapped her arm more securely around the brunette's body and pressed a kiss to the nape of her neck. "Ruby will think you've kidnapped me."

"Is that how you feel?" Regina asked, body tensing a little.

"No," Emma assured her. "Not at all. I love being here with you and Henry. I would love to stay with you tomorrow night and Wednesday night but at some point after that I am going to have to go home."

"I wish you didn't," Regina sighed, threading her fingers through Emma's where they rested just below her breasts.

"Maybe one day I won't have to," Emma whispered, another kiss landing on the soft skin of Regina's neck. "But considering we only defined our relationship five days ago, what do you say we give it a few weeks before calling U-Haul."

Regina chuckled, a warm, rich sound which made Emma's heart swell. "Deal," the brunette murmured. "Goodnight, Emma."

"Goodnight, Regina," the blonde replied, her lips brushing against skin once more before she closed her eyes and let sleep claim her.

The moment Emma got home the following morning, Ruby started to grill her about what she and Regina had been doing together for the past forty-eight hours. Emma recounted most of the activities, leaving out any details pertaining to their sex life as well as omitting the fact that she had told Regina about her past; the past she had not shared with Ruby.

The lanky brunette sat cross-legged on Emma's bed, eager for gossip and keen to understand exactly where this relationship was going. When Emma recalled the final conversation she and Regina had had, Ruby squealed with excitement.

"Rubes, calm down. I didn't say I was moving in with her."

"Yeah but she wants you to," Ruby prompted. "And you want to, right?"

"Some day, yeah," Emma nodded. "But I've known her a month. Let's not reinforce the lesbian stereotype. I mean, you and Belle have been together for years and you don't live together."

"Actually," Ruby said slowly. "We have started to talk about that. Belle doesn't know about Paris or the proposal yet, of course, but we have spoken about moving in together. In fact, we're going to see some apartments on Friday afternoon."

"You're moving out?" Emma asked, sitting down beside her best friend. The news hit her hard. She had lived and worked with Ruby for years and the thought of no longer sharing an apartment with the woman hadn't even crossed her mind when Regina had brought up moving in together. "When?"

"It depends if we find anything we like," Ruby admitted. "You know our lease is up on this place at the end of June, right?"

"That's in two months."

"Yeah, and it's also when Belle and I get back from Paris. Killian approved my leave yesterday. I'm taking the last two weeks of June off."

"Wow," Emma said, flopping back against her bed. "You guys are going to come back engaged and move in to your own place. You're starting a life together."

"We've been together for two years," Ruby reminded her. "But yes, I guess we're taking a few big steps. Assuming Belle says yes, of course."

"Why wouldn't she?"

Ruby shrugged. She had no reason to think Belle was not on the same page as her with regards to where their relationship was going but it was still nerve-wracking, thinking she would be getting down on bended knee on the bank of the Seine. The two friends sat in silence, both realising that their lives were changing.

"So is this your way of giving me notice?" Emma asked eventually.

"I guess," Ruby replied. "Will you renew the lease? Find a replacement roommate? I mean, no one could possibly live up to my awesomeness but I assume you won't want to pay the rent all by yourself."

"No, I wouldn't," Emma agreed. It wasn't that she couldn't afford it. She could; her head chef salary was generous and she was not a big spender when it came to material possessions. But she was saving up to buy her own place and didn't want her rent to make a dent in that nest egg.

Ruby waited for a moment, knowing the blonde was thinking. "Or you could ask Regina?"

"Yes, because Regina and Henry would really want to move into a two bed apartment in Storybrooke when they live in a beautiful mansion near Henry's school and Regina's work in Portland."

Sometimes, Ruby mused, her friend was extraordinarily dense. "I meant, you could move in with them, idiot."

Eyebrows raised. "Um, no. Like I just said, it's way too soon. I want Regina to ask me to move in with them because she wants us to live together, not because I become homeless. No, I'll call the landlord some time this week and talk with him about extending the lease, maybe for just six months or so."

"And then you'll move in," Ruby promoted.

Emma ignored her. She didn't want to jinx anything. What she and Regina had was great and she hoped they'd still be together in six months, six years, six decades, even. But she wasn't going to get ahead of herself. Even as she climbed off her bed and set about finding a clean set of chef whites, however, Emma became increasingly aware that her imagination was already filled with images of herself, Regina, Henry and the life they would share together.

"Wow, you've got it bad," Ruby remarked as she took in the glazed look which overcame her friend. "So when do I get to properly meet the woman who's stolen my best friend's heart?"

Leaving her house on Wednesday morning had been one of the hardest things Regina had ever done. She wanted nothing more than to call into work and play hooky with the blonde sleeping peacefully in her bed. But she couldn't. Her absence on Monday had left her with a bulging inbox and each of her department heads had stored up a long list of questions for her. As she helped them resolve their issues, she made a mental note to organise another management training day and encourage even more autonomy. She had a great team under her but since she was so readily available, many of her department leaders still came to her for validation instead of taking some initiative.

Thursday was also a catch up day and Regina was about to call her assistant to get her a fourth cup of coffee when a welcome yet unexpected guest appeared in her office doorway.

"So what kept you from attending our product shoot on Monday?"

Regina looked up at the voice and smiled at her best friend. "Hi Kat."

'Yeah, hi, whatever. Where were you?"

"I was taking a day off," Regina explained as her friend and photographer landed in the chair on the far side of the desk. "Why? Is that a crime?"

"It's unusual," Kathryn pointed out. "You've not missed a day of work since before she left. Except for the time Henry had chicken pox and even then you were on the phone all day. So, what kept you from your work this week? I know Henry isn't sick so what was it?"

"How do you know Henry isn't sick?" Regina countered.

"Because you would have told me," Kathryn replied.

That was true, Regina conceded. "Ok, fine. You're right. Henry wasn't sick."

"So I'll ask again," Kathryn said, slowing her speech as if she was addressing someone who struggled to understand English. "Where were you on Monday?"

Regina chuckled. She wasn't ashamed of why she had not been at work but she was rather enjoying keeping the impatient woman in suspense. That said, she also wanted to talk to her best friend about what was happening between her and Emma so perhaps she had better tell her.

"I took the day off to spend it with my girlfriend," Regina said at last.

"Girlfriend?" Kathryn frowned. "Emma?"

"Of course Emma."

"You say of course but you guys met a month ago. If that's how fast you move, who's to say you've not met someone else this weekend and proposed."

Perfect eyebrows raised at the irritable tone. "Where did that come from?"

Kathryn seemed to deflate where she sat. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to say that. I'm happy for you, really."

"Is this about Freddie?"

Kathryn nodded. Her long term boyfriend was still yet to ask the blonde to move in with him and, after three years, it was starting to become an issue.

"Maybe he just needs a little prompting," Regina offered gently.

"If I dropped any bigger hints, I'd flatten him," Kathryn sighed. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to rain on your parade. So, things are going well with Emma?"

Despite the fact that Regina knew her friend didn't really want to hear how loved up she was, the brunette couldn't stop the smile which blossomed over her face at the mention of her girlfriend.

"Yeah, things are going great," she said, almost shyly.

"I'm really happy for you, Gina," Kathryn offered. "You deserve some happiness. She does make you happy, yes?"

"Very," Regina nodded. "And you're right, it is fast and goodness knows I didn't see this coming. I wasn't even looking for a relationship and I didn't want to introduce her to Henry let alone have them spend any time together but it's all just snowballed."

"In a good way?"

"The best," Regina nodded. "Henry adores her. He … well, you know how he's particular when it comes to his food?"

"That's a polite way of saying he's the fussiest kid ever," Kathryn laughed.

Regina forced a smile. She wasn't about to correct Kathryn's assumption and tell her what was really going on with her son. "Well, he likes to cook with Emma. She's teaching him little things and he's getting more interested in food. Since they met, he's eaten cookies and pancakes and pizza."

"He's a kid, of course he likes that food," Kathryn pointed out.

"As you said, he was fussy. Anyway, what matters is that he's agreeing to try new food. And it's all because of Emma."

"I guess that's a good thing?" Kathryn asked, not quite sure why Regina was making such a big deal out of her kid eating three items which she herself considered rare treats.

"Very good," Regina replied.

"So if things are getting serious and Henry's been introduced, when do I get to meet her?"

"You have met her. Twice, in fact."

"Once in a doorway to a bar and once in the hallway of your house. I want to meet her in a place which doesn't have the word 'way' in it. Ideally a place with chairs and maybe drinks and some chilled music. Come on, Regina. If this woman is important to you, then I want to get to know her."

"Yeah, ok, sounds good," Regina nodded. "The only problem is that Emma's work doesn't exactly allow her to have many evenings off. The restaurant is closed on Mondays and that's pretty much it."

"Luckily I've cleared my Monday schedule in anticipation of having to babysit Henry so that works for me. Set it up! Oh, and do you have time to approve the images I took in the shoot on Monday? The client's already called me twice asking for the proofs and I wanted to run them by you to make sure they're in line with the marketing campaign."

"Sure," Regina said, turning her attention to the laptop which Kathryn had pulled from her bag and placed on her desk. "Just to clarify, are we done with you grilling me about my love life and onto work talk now?"

"Yes but only because you've agreed to let me meet your lover next week and I'm sure she'll give me far juicier gossip."

Regina narrowed her eyes. "Kathryn, if you dare try to get Emma to tell you things or you tell her anything about boarding school I swear I will kill you."

The threat was laughed off as Kathryn opened Dropbox and began talking Regina through her choices for their client's newest campaign.

"I'm sorry in advance."

"What for?" Emma asked as she climbed onto her bed, wrapped in a towel late on Thursday night.

"For what I've accidentally agreed to," Regina said, herself reclining on the couch, laptop lid gently closed as she settled into their pre-arranged phone call.

"Right," came the uncertain reply. "Um, explain, please."

Regina proceeded to recount the conversation she and Kathryn had had in her office that afternoon which had culminated in the women making arrangements to go to The Cauldron on Monday night so that the two blondes could meet.

"I'm sorry, The Cauldron as in your sister's bar?" Emma asked.

"Yes," Regina nodded. "I suppose you'll be meeting Zelena officially as well. I'm sorry. I tried to get us out of it. If you really don't want to come, I'll make up some excuse."

"No, it's fine," Emma insisted. "Meeting your friends and family is the next step I guess. Ruby was talking about wanting to meet you as well. So Monday sounds great, if a little overwhelming."

"Bring Ruby then," Regina offered. "That way you'll have some moral support and I'll be meeting your best friend."

"You've clearly never met Ruby properly if you think she's going to be even vaguely useful as moral support for me but deal. She might bring her girlfriend Belle, is that ok?"

"Ruby's gay?"

"Yeah," Emma nodded. "She was with her girlfriend that night we met at The Cauldron."

There was a pause before Regina spoke again. "Did you guys ever -"

"No," Emma interrupted, not needing the brunette to finish the question. "No. Never. Ruby is my best friend and I love her to bits but not like that. She's … she's not my type."

"Oh?" Regina asked, her teasing tone evident through the phone. "And what is your type, Miss Swan?"

Emma squeezed her thighs together at the use of her surname. She didn't know why it affected her so much, not least because Swan was the name given to her by a faceless admin staff member when she was first entered into the system. Apparently the blanket she had been found in had swans printed on it. The blanket itself had been lost years ago.

"My type, Miss Mills," Emma pushed on, moving away from memory lane, "are women who are strong, confident and independent. I've dated both blondes and brunettes but I will admit I like being taller than my dates. I like to be able to wrap myself around them as we sleep. And I like beautiful, feisty and complicated brunettes who run their own companies and are raising wonderful, adorable sons. Oh and did I mention that the sight of a woman driving a Mercedes makes me wet?"

Gobsmacked, Regina stuttered to reply. "I … um, well, I mean..."

Emma laughed. "My type, Regina, is you. There is nothing more than friendship between Ruby and I. Never was, never will be. You've got nothing to worry about. Well, except the grilling I suspect she'll give you on Monday night."

"Something to look forward to," Regina said. "Will I see you before then?"

At that, Emma let out a long, low sigh. "I don't think so. We have a huge party booked into the restaurant on Sunday so I won't be able to get away mid-shift. And Saturday I'm meeting with our landlord to discuss renewing the lease on our apartment. I don't think I'll have time to ride into the city to see you and Henry. I'm sorry."

"Don't apologise," Regina assured her. "Just know that I'll miss you."

"And I'll miss you," Emma replied at once. "I can't believe this is the first night we've spent apart since Sunday. I'll have to go to sleep cuddling a pillow to make up for not being able to hug you."

Regina smiled and held the phone a little tighter against her ear, as if pressing it against her cheek would make her feel closer to the blonde.

"I should go," Regina said eventually. "I have work to do before I head to bed."

"Don't work too hard," Emma frowned. "It's after eleven."

"The joys of running your own company," the brunette replied. "Believe me, I'll be going to bed as soon as I can."

"I wish I was there with you," Emma murmured.

"Me too."

"Monday seems so far away."

"Too far."

"I should let you go."

"You should. But I don't want you to."

Emma bit her lip, hesitating. "I promise to never let you go, Regina. Not for as long as you want me to hold onto you."

Another long silence followed the declaration. Eventually, Regina broke it.

"Goodnight Emma. I love you."

"I love you too."

A/N: Next up – all our ladies get drunk together!