A/N: Happy weekend! In case you missed my last note, I'm in the UK for a family holiday and can only post once a week (and I had to stay up late one night to get this completed for you all). I'll let you know when I'm back to regular postings.

When Regina returned to her bedroom the following morning, Emma wasn't there. With a slight frown, she proceeded to get dressed for the day, still feeling tired despite the invigorating workout she had forced herself to complete. As she made her way towards the kitchen, the sound of laughter reached her ears. She couldn't help the smile which spread over her face as she realised where her girlfriend was.

"Good morning," she said as she entered the room to find Emma and Henry standing side by side, the boy on a chair, in front of the kitchen counter.

"Hi Mom," Henry said over his shoulder. "Emma is teaching me to make porridge."

"Porridge?"

"Yeah. You want some?" Henry asked.

Taken aback by the whole scene, Regina nodded before making her way over to stand behind the two of them, peering down at the weighing scales which held a mound of oats.

"Good morning," Emma said, twisting around and kissing Regina lightly. "I hope you don't mind. I wanted to make you guys breakfast before you have to go to school and work. Henry appeared and offered to help me."

"Oh I don't mind," Regina replied. "Whose idea was the porridge?"

"Henry's. He saw the bag of oats on the side when I was halfway through the cupboards and wanted to try it. That ok?"

"Of course. Well done for asking to try something new, Henry."

"Emma said I can have jam on my porridge," Henry informed her. "Can I, Mom?"

"Of course you can," Regina agreed. "Coffee, Emma?"

The blonde nodded at that offer and she set about making the caffeinated drink. Ten minutes later and the trio were all sat with a steaming bowl of porridge in front of them, Henry waiting patiently to dig in after he had been warned that doing so immediately would result in him burning his tongue. Once it had cooled he tucked in eagerly, eating more than half the bowl before declaring he was full. The two women exchanged a smile of satisfaction.

Regina and Henry left for school just as Emma's Uber arrived to take her back to her apartment in order to get ready for work. The two women kissed briefly as they parted ways, Henry waving to the blonde before setting off down the street holding his mother's hand. Neither woman dared mention how domestic yet natural the morning routine had felt.

"August, have you seen this list of dishes Killian wants us to prepare?" Emma called from her office that Friday morning.

"No," came the response.

"Come here." Seconds later, Emma's sous chef appeared in the doorway and was beckoned closer. "Take a look."

August obligingly entered and bent over to read Emma's computer screen. He scanned the list of eight menu items before looking at the blonde who seemed annoyed. "So?"

"So, I have better things to do on a Friday afternoon than to make food for a photoshoot for marketing which is only going to result in us turning away more patrons," Emma replied. "I mean, do we even have any sea bass?"

"Yeah, the delivery just arrived," August nodded. "The guys are unpacking it now."

"Fine," Emma sighed. "Have all the lunch orders gone out?" At August's nod, she continued. "Then we may as well get started."

"The photographer doesn't get here for another hour."

"And you can't tell whether the food is hot or cold in a photograph," Emma countered. "We can cook the fish now and prep all the sauces and veg so it's ready to go. That way Kat will be in and out before we have to start thinking about dinner. Did you know we have a table of twenty-seven people booked in tonight?"

"Ok, I'll begin on the prep," August nodded, jotting down the selection of dishes their boss wanted featured in the marketing campaign. "Who's Kat, by the way?"

"Regina's photographer," Emma said. "Ruby and I met her on Monday night."

"Oh yeah, I forgot you were sleeping with the head of this marketing empire. Is the photographer hot?"

"She's beautiful but she's also got a long term boyfriend so don't even think about trying anything on with her."

August pouted at the news. "Are you ever going to let me meet this goddess you're besotted with? I'm still mad at you for not letting me tag along on Monday."

"It was a girl's night out and a chance for me to meet her sister and best friend," Emma reminded him. "You'll meet Regina but it's only been a couple of weeks and we don't have much time together because of our working hours. Frankly, there are other things I'd rather be doing than introducing her to you."

"Like getting freaky in the bedroom?"

"And that is why I haven't introduced you to her yet," Emma said, narrowing her eyes. "Go. Start on the dishes please. I'll be with you in ten minutes once I've submitted these orders for tomorrow."

August laughed loudly before disappearing from the office and getting started on Emma's instructions. The blonde shook her head in mild disbelief at her friend's childishness before continuing with her tasks, eager to join August and make sure that the photoshoot went well. She might not think that it was necessary to market Hook, Line and Sinker but if that was what the boss wanted to do, then Emma was going to complete the necessary work to the highest standard possible.

"Why are you coming with me again?" Kathryn asked as she pulled up at some traffic lights on the edge of Storybrooke, glancing sideways at her travel companion.

"Because Mr Jones is an important client with a sizeable monthly budget and if we can deliver a profitable campaign for him, then it will be good for business," Regina replied, herself reading over the proposal she had sent to the Hook, Line and Sinker boss weeks before.

"And you don't trust me to get the good images without your expert photographic experience?" Kathryn teased.

"You're excellent at your job, Kat," Regina said. "But that doesn't mean I can just leave my staff members to it. We're a team, right? I have to oversee all aspects of the campaign development. And on occasion that means I come out on location shoots with my best photographer just to make sure everything is working in accordance with the company's processes."

Kathryn shot a sideways look at her friend and boss but said nothing more. Instead, she pulled into the parking lot of the restaurant and drew the vehicle to a halt. Regina helped Kathryn to carry her extensive photography equipment into the restaurant. Given it was mid-afternoon, the place was almost deserted with just two tables left finishing off desserts and drinks.

"Ms Mills, wonderful to see you again."

Regina turned to see Killian Jones strolling towards her seconds after she walked in and before even Ruby, who was beside the bar, had managed to welcome them. As the man reached them, he leaned in to kiss Regina on both cheeks, his stubble scratching against her skin.

"Mr Jones," Regina replied, forcing a smile.

"And who is this stunning creature?" the man asked, leering towards Kathryn who visibly grimaced.

"This is my photographer, Kathryn."

"A pleasure to meet you," Killian smiled, giving the blonde a kiss on each cheek as well.

"Likewise," Kathryn replied, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "Which way to the kitchen?"

"Please, follow me," Killian said, leading the two women across the restaurant and through double stainless steel doors. Ruby waved at them but didn't come over; happy to let her boss take care of their guests and wanting to stay far away from him at the same time.

Regina realised she'd never asked Emma much about her workspace and she gasped as she saw the large commercial kitchen for the first time. They had emerged on the far side of a service counter, currently devoid of plates but, Regina imagined, usually filled with dishes ready to be served. Beyond was an expansive stretch of polished metal, a bank of ovens and stoves along the wall at the far end. Glass-fronted fridges were neatly lined up in the right hand corner, stuffed with fresh produce. Regina was immediately hungry.

"Swan," Killian called as he moved further into the kitchen.

Emma's head appeared from below the rim of a central island counter where she had been crouching rearranging a cluttered cupboard. "Hi boss," she said, standing up. "I didn't realise you were coming up from the city. When did you arrive?"

"About half an hour ago," he replied. "I wanted to be here to make sure that the photoshoot went well. This is Regina and Kathryn from Mills Marketing."

"Yeah, I know who they are," Emma said, shooting a smile at both women. Regina positively beamed at her but said nothing.

"You do?" Killian frowned.

"Yep," Emma nodded without elaborating. "Most of the dishes are almost ready. August is on a break and then he'll start on the finishing touches. Would you like to shoot in here or in the restaurant?"

"The restaurant," Kathryn replied.

"Fine," Emma nodded. "Ruby has a table made up perfectly that we can use. Do you need anything in particular?"

"Beyond the ridiculous amount of stuff I brought with me? Nah, I'm good," Kathryn smiled. "I'll go and set up."

"Get Ruby to give you a hand if you need assistance," Emma said. "Let me just tell August we're ready and I'll follow you out."

Kathryn and Regina disappeared into the restaurant while Emma headed to the rear alley where the staff hung out when they wanted a break from the kitchen. Killian was left standing on his own in the middle of the kitchen, trying to work out why he felt obsolete.

"What are you doing here?"

Regina shivered at the husked whisper and turned around to see Emma standing closely beside her.

"I'm working," she replied with a smirk.

"No, Kat is working. You're here to swoon over the sexy head chef," Emma said, winding her arms around Regina's waist. "So, go ahead, swoon away."

Regina winked and bent her spine, allowing her head to drop backwards. Emma's hands flexed, supporting her weight and laughing lightly. Sliding her palm up the curved body, Emma coaxed Regina back towards her, not stopping when she was upright and instead curling her fingers around the nape of the brunette's neck and pulling her closer.

"Hi," she whispered before their lips met. Regina allowed the display of affection, knowing that the restaurant was empty except for their respective best friends who were diligently setting up for the first shot. No matter how much Kathryn enjoyed teasing Regina, when it came to work, she was always focused. Ruby, however, caught the smooch out of the corner of her eye. It was an effort to say nothing but she held her tongue.

"Woah."

What Regina and Emma hadn't accounted for was the entrance of Emma's colleague. The brunette stepped away as Emma's grip on her loosened and turned to face a tall, scruffy-looking man in chef whites and a lopsided grin.

"August, I'd like you to meet Regina," Emma said, unnecessarily. "Regina, this is August, my top sous chef."

"It's a pleasure to meet you," August said, extending the hand which wasn't carrying a plate toward Regina. "Although it looks like Emma's getting even more pleasure out of this meeting. Ems, you didn't tell me your girlfriend was joining us."

"Girlfriend?" came another voice.

Emma peered past August and saw that Killian had followed the man from the kitchen. She would discover later that the man had hovered around while August prepared the dish, asking stupid questions about cooking that the owner of a successful restaurant ought to have known.

"Yes, Regina and I are in a relationship," Emma informed her boss.

"You and Miss Mills?" Killian frowned, now standing beside August and looking curiously between the two women.

"Yes," Emma repeated.

"You're gay?" The question was directed at Regina. Killian knew that Emma dated women but it never stopped him trying to seduce her. Or whatever he thought his sexual harassment moves would result in.

"I am," Regina nodded. "Do you have a problem with that?"

"No," Killian said at once. "Lesbians are hot. I love lesbians. I hired Emma, didn't I? Although this one," he added, pointing at the blonde, "didn't exactly tell me she wasn't in the market for cock when I hired her. Stringing me along, she was. Making me think I had a chance with her all so she could get a job at my restaurant."

"Well, I'm sure you can see now is the time to let that delusion go," Regina said, reaching for Emma's fingers and squeezing, silently asking the blonde not to retaliate. "And I cannot believe you regret hiring Emma for a moment. She's an excellent chef and your restaurant has become very successful under her management."

"Sure, sure," Killian nodded, eyes lingering on the clasped fingers. "Um, I've got to go. Paperwork, you know. Please let me know if you need anything."

After one final glance at the two women, he turned and headed towards his office. No one spoke until he was out of sight.

"Classic," August chuckled. "That was awesome, Ems."

"Are you ok?" Regina asked quietly.

"Yeah," Emma nodded. "It's probably a good thing he knows. Maybe now he's seen I'm with you he'll back off a bit. He was always less handsy when I was with Elsa."

"You know you could report him," Regina pointed out. "Sexual harassment is taken seriously now, Emma."

"If I report him, what happens to this place?" she asked. "I need the job. I love the job. He's never here anyway. I can handle it."

"You shouldn't have to 'handle' anything," Regina said.

Emma shrugged and turned towards the table around which Kathryn had set up her equipment. The other blonde had been listening into the conversations but said nothing and offered Emma a sympathetic smile when their eyes met. Ruby had disappeared back to the bar where the final lunch time patrons were paying their bill.

"August, this is Kathryn, or Kat, Regina's friend and photographer. Kat, this is my sous chef August. He helped me make most of the meals we're photographing," she added unnecessarily as the man placed the dish in the centre of the table.

Once she had her photo subjects, Kat sprang into action, arranging everything exactly as she wanted it and adjusting the lighting. Regina stepped away from the table, Emma and August followed her lead. It was clear that the woman like to be given space to work and create her masterpieces. As she began clicking away, August headed back into the kitchen at Emma's request to continue work on the next dish.

"So, how was Henry's session yesterday?" Emma asked quietly.

"Good," Regina replied. "Archie is really impressed at how much new food he's trying. But …"

"But? There's a but?" Emma frowned.

"Archie was saying we need to be careful about how Henry is trying new food," Regina began. Emma ignored the use of the word 'we' and nodded for the brunette to continue. "He pointed out that all of the times Henry has eaten something new, it's been when you've offered it to him or you've cooked it."

"And that's a problem?"

"It could be," Regina nodded. "If Henry will only try new food when you're around then what happens if … what if you're not around one day? What happens then?"

Emma turned away from watching Kat and her camera to face her girlfriend. She took a moment to register the mix of emotions she saw. There was concern for Henry, of course, but there was also something more; fear. The fear of being alone again, of being left, of being abandoned.

"Regina," she said softly, taking the older woman's hands in her own. "I'm not going anywhere, I promise. If Henry needs me to cook him food for the rest of his life, then that is what I'll do. I understand that he needs to be more accepting of new food from lots of difference sources. But it's early days. I mean, it's only been a couple of weeks. Let's get him comfortable with eating new things in a way he is willing before we start pushing things."

"Archie said that," Regina admitted. "He said it was a process."

"It is. One which I want to be a part of. But if you also need me to distance myself, please tell me. I don't want to in any way become a problem for Henry, now or in the future."

"No, that's not what I want," Regina said at once, stepping closer and snaking her arms around her girlfriend's neck. "You, Chef Swan, are not going anywhere."

"Actually, I am going to have to go somewhere," Emma mused. Regina cocked her head in question. "My landlord called me yesterday. You know I met him about renewing the lease, right? Well, I was going to sign for another six months and live there on my own after Ruby moves out. But he just told me he's hiking up the rent by five hundred bucks a month. I can't afford that and I don't think I want to live with someone new. So, it looks like I'm apartment hunting."

The words were right there; the offer would have been so easy to make. And yet somehow, for some reason, Regina held back. She wanted, desperately, for Emma to become a more permanent, daily fixture in her life. But it was too soon, wasn't it? It was too fast, too much, too intense.

"I'm sorry to hear that," Regina said after a longer than natural silence. "But I'm sure you'll find somewhere nice. I'll help you look, if you want?"

A flicker of what looked almost like disappointment crossed Emma's features before she smiled widely and nodded before kissing Regina lightly and excusing herself to help August prepare the remaining dishes.

"You're an idiot."

Regina turned to her friend, scowling. "What are you talking about?"

"Emma. She wanted you to ask her to move in," Kathryn said, standing beside the table with a smirk on her face.

"No, she didn't."

"Yes, she did. And you wanted to ask her. Why didn't you?"

"Because we've only been together for a few weeks."

"And you're completely in love," Kat pointed out. "What was all that you guys were saying about Henry?"

"How good is your hearing?" Regina asked. They had both been speaking in hushed tones at that point to avoid Kathryn from eavesdropping. Clearly they had been unsuccessful.

"I heard his name a few times, that's all," Kathryn shrugged. "Henry likes Emma, right?"

"Very much," Regina nodded. "That's sort of the problem. We need to be careful about him getting too attached in case … He didn't deal well with Mal leaving."

"Well, of course he's not going to take his mother disappearing easily," Kathryn pointed out, "but Emma's not going anywhere, is she?"

"I hope not."

"Then what's the problem? Are you just going to hold back from her, from every future relationship you might have just in case they walk out on you like she did?"

"Could you blame me?" Regina said. "No one wants their heart broken like that. And I'm not holding back from Emma. I'm just taking it at a steady pace. We need to make sure it's right before things get more complicated and Henry gets too attached."

"Sounds like that's already happened," Kathryn said.

Regina didn't say anything but she knew her friend was right. Her son had been incredibly accepting of the appearance of Emma in his life and seemed more than happy with the new dynamic which was entering their little family. Regina was happy too. Very happy. In fact, Kathryn's suggesting of her holding back from future relationships in addition to Emma had made the brunette realise that she didn't want any other relationship. She didn't want to date again. She didn't want to start another relationship. She wanted Emma.

The large doors from the kitchen swung open at that moment and Emma and August appeared, each carrying dishes and sides for the next photo session.

"Emma," Regina said at once.

"Yeah," came the slow reply, the woman recognising the strange tone in her girlfriend's voice. "What's up?"

"Move in with me and Henry. Don't get a new apartment. Move in with us. I know it's fast and I know we haven't even talked about it and I know this is a big step and that we probably should wait. But I don't want to wait. I don't want you to move somewhere else, alone, when you could move in with me and Henry. I want you to be with us. I want to wake up with you every morning and go to sleep with you every night. Emma, I … I want you to move in with me."

A/N: sorry it's short. I've just had no time at all to write but I hope you liked it!