A/N: Late update, but here it is! It was raining and thundering bad here, so I couldn't update sooner than I had planned. This chapter however turned out to be one of my favorites. It has many emotions in one. Thank you all for your lovely patience, and lovely reviews, as always. :) also, feel free to check out my two new stories The Ship of Dreams and A New Hope, if you haven't already. Enjoy everyone!

August was enjoying his breakfast at his place on the table when a smirk formed on his face as he saw a glowing blonde step in, joining him at the table, "Good morning." said Emma.

"Late night?" asked the smirking man, "Where's Regina?"

"In the stables. We had an earlier breakfast in our room." Emma replied as a low chuckle escaped August.

"I'll say. You know, with all that money of yours, you really should look into getting sound proof walls."

He broke into laughter as Emma playfully slapped his arm as she bit into one of his buttered toasts, still hungry from her all night and early morning love making sessions.

Meanwhile, just as Emma had informed her friend, Regina was indeed out in the brand new stables, feeding the horses and brushing her now new owned horse. A bright smile on her face. Her head turned towards the door frame as she spotted Daniel walking in. She nodded, "Daniel."

"Regina." he nodded in reply as he checked on one of the horses, filling his stable with food.

After spending so much time with Emma, and literally wanting to be with her she couldn't help to feel she hadn't seen Daniel in what felt like a long while. Even if she no longer loved him like she did before Emma came along, she had a heart and it ached for hurting him.

"Emma told me you are leaving." said Regina as she continued to brush her horse.

Daniel nodded, giving all his attention to her now, "That's right. I'll be gone by the end of the week. You'll finally be rid of me for good."

"I'm sorry. I know I've caused you pain-" she murmured her reply as Daniel cut right in.

"Pain?" he shook his head as he continued, "Far worse. But it's ok. I mean, you fell in love with her. I mean, why wouldn't you? She is very beautiful. I'm just disappointed. I never thought you'd break a promise, about loving me forever."

A sigh escaped Regina, "Daniel-"

"No. I'm sorry." he exhaled sharply, "I guess, I just… I'll have to get used to the fact that, it's no longer me you want. I can understand that." he scoffs, "Problem is, Regina; I don't exactly know how to tell my heart to stop loving you. I doubt it ever will."

Regina released another sigh, deeper than the last as her head leaned against her stallion, eyes closed.

"Why, Regina…"

Regina's head snapped back up only to see no other than her brother Jefferson standing between the door frame of the stables, a smile plastered on his face as he had heard her and Daniel's conversation. It also didn't help that he knew who Daniel was.

"What an interesting marriage you have going for yourself." he said as he began walking up to Regina in slow, calm steps.

"Jefferson?" Regina voice in shock, "What the hell are you doing here?"

"Well, I came to surprise my sister. But it seems I'm the one who got surprised." he took a few more steps towards the brunette, as he leaned in to whisper, "I assume that… Emma doesn't know?"

A scared yet angry emotion took over Regina's features and most importantly, her eyes, "Jefferson-"

"It's not what it seems?" he asked ahead, guessing exactly what the brunette was about to say in response, he chuckled, "Please. Whatever you have going on, that's your business. It doesn't surprise me. After all… like mother, like daughter, huh?"

A hard slap echoed across the stables, as Regina's hand had made contact with her brother's face. Her eyes now dark with anger, "You have no idea what you're talking about! So I suggest you keep your comments to yourself. If you so much as say a word of this to Emma-"

Jefferson quickly turned back, glaring back at his sister in anger, "You'll what? You obviously can't do anything."

"Maybe I can't, but Emma sure will." replied the brunette in challenge.

"Yeah? And what do you think she'll do to you once she finds out, that the man she's loathed and is so desperate to find - has been right under her nose, all this time?"

Regina's insides turned at his words. He was right. Deep down she knew it.

"What do you really want, Jefferson? I can already tell you, I don't have any money." said the brunette.

A smirk now playing on his face, "Ah, you don't, you're right." he replied as he leaned in once again, speaking in a low voice, "But Emma does."

Was he really expecting Emma's help again? She couldn't help but scoff, "So, what? You're going to blackmail me in telling Emma about Daniel being here, if I don't give you the money? You aren't just here for a visit. What's really going on?"

Busted. Jefferson was always known to be a scum, and Regina knew him well. He wouldn't ask for money unless he was in some kind of trouble.

"You have your secrets, I have mine." was all he said.

Regina, however was not giving in without an explanation, "If you really intend to keep quiet about this, Jefferson, I suggest you tell me what the hell you have gotten yourself into this time. You aren't just here for a visit. Let's face it, you've never cared about me."

He shrugged, "Fair enough, dear sister. I may have gotten into… a little trouble."

Regina couldn't hold back an eye roll, "How little?" she asked, already annoyed and grew even more aggravated by his presence alone as he just stood quietly, "Jefferson!"

Now it was Jefferson's turn to do an eye roll, "I may have faked a wedding, along with a marriage license, and a fake minister."

Regina's eyes grew wide, "You what?"

"And I may have convinced someone to marry me, just to get my hands on all her money. Of course, it was all fake. We aren't really married. But she had to go blabber to her brother, and now he literally wants to kill me."

"You did what?! Are you insane?! And you want money, to what - leave the country? You are such a coward!" Regina exclaimed, even more furious.

A light laugh escaping Jefferson, "Oh, you're one to talk, Regina! You have your boyfriend living under the same roof as your wife!"

"Shh!" Regina's voice dropped into a whisper, "I am not with Daniel anymore. I have asked him to leave several times, but he's refused until now. He will be leaving by the end of the week."

"How convenient."

A sigh escaped the brunette, "Look, Jefferson. I know you may not believe me, but I've fallen in love with Emma. Things are different now."

"Mm, and yet you cheat on her."

"I would never do that to Emma!" her tone growing angry again.

"Oh, right. But you would lie to her." his lips curled into a smile, "Regina…" his hands now cupping her face, "You are just as a coward as I am. You can't even face your own wife with the truth."

Regina quickly yanked away from his hold, turning her back on him.

"Just imagine how crushed Emma will be to find that out. She won't trust you ever again. She'll hate you for sure. Let's face it, Regina. At the end of the day, we aren't that different."

A tear found its way down the brunette's cheek as felt cornered with no way out but to give him what he asked for. She turned to face him, "How much?"

"Enough to get by and get out of here." replied Jefferson.

"And you'll really leave?" asked Regina, hoping to never see his face again after this.

"That is my plan. Besides, I don't think you'll have any problem convincing Emma of handing you over any money. You have her eating out of the palm of your hand, she'd do anything you'd ask her to do."

Regina's arms crossed over her chest, "Fine, but you can't stay here."

Jefferson threw a glare Regina's way, "Is that any way to treat your brother?"

"You want me to help you, I'm helping you. But I am not letting you stay in my house. You'll get your money. Trust me on that." replied Regina.

A laugh burst through Jefferson, "Listen to you! Marriage suits you. It really does." he taunted her.

"Jefferson? When did you get here?"

Both turned startled by Emma's voice who had now entered the stables. Regina growing nervous, but hid it as she went back to brushing her horse.

"Oh, I got here just a little while ago. I thought I'd surprise Regina." flashing the brunette a smile as he quickly looked back at Emma, "You know, since she got married, we don't see her enough anymore."

Regina then, smiling at her wife as she walked up to her, embracing her in a hold, "Actually, he was just leaving." her gaze looking over at Jefferson, "Isn't that right, Jefferson?"

"Yes. I'm afraid I won't be staying." he replied as he flashed a smile.

"Such a shame." said Emma in a murmur, but not low enough for him not to hear her reply. She didn't like the idea of him being around either, even if she didn't know what he was doing there in the first place.

"However… I do like it out here. I'll get something close by for the night. I may be staying around for a few days." his eyes moved to Regina, "I do hope you can visit me soon."

"I will." replied the brunette in a flat tone.

Jefferson looked over at Emma, his head giving a slight nod, "Emma, it was great seeing you as always."

Emma faked a smile, as her arm remained wrapped around her wife, "Always a pleasure. Please, don't come back soon."

"Well, that all depends on my sister." he began making his way out of the stables as he waved his hand in the air as a sign of goodbye to both of them, "Nice place, by the way. I like it."

Regina released a sigh as soon as her brother was out of sight, as Emma simply rolled her eyes, "I'm sorry. I know he's your brother, but I seriously can't stand him." the blonde said bluntly.

Her honestly actually making Regina chuckle, "You and I both."

A smile spread across the blonde's lips as her arms embraced the brunette tightly, "More things we can agree on, hm?"

Regina smiled nervously, "Yeah." she hadn't noticed but her body had shifted in her wife's arms.

Emma quickly noticed her mood change, "You alright? Did he say something to upset you?"

Regina shook her head, "Just Jefferson, being Jefferson."

"Well, maybe I can help you forget about what just happened." the blonde offered, a smile playing on her lips.

An eyebrow raised from Regina, "Why, Ms. Swan, here?"

Emma chuckled, knowing well what Regina was thinking, "I meant, how about we go for a ride?"

Regina quickly became intrigued, "A ride? Where will we be going?"

"You'll see." replied Emma as she placed a chaste kiss on Regina's plump lips.

It didn't take them long to saddle up the their horses. They took off riding side by side, as Emma guided Regina through the woods. Regina's eyes roaming towards every corner, clearly lost.

"I hope you don't get us lost." Regina said in a teasing manner, which earned her a smirk from the blonde.

"Your lack of confidence in me is a little insulting." replied Emma, "Don't worry, I know all these parts like the back of my hand."

"Can I at least have a hint?" asked Regina.

"That will ruin the whole point of the surprise." she suddenly pulled on the reins of her horse, making the animal come to a stop, Regina following her lead, "We can stop here." said the blonde as she made her way off the horse, quickly walking along side Regina's horse as she helped her wife down, intertwining her fingers with olive ones, "Come on. This way."

Emma began leading her through what looked like a jungle, the entire area was covered in all shades of greens from thousands of leafs, as a waterfall could be heard off in the distance, Regina's eyes shined in full amazement as Emma brought her exactly to that waterfall. It was breathtaking. The water was crystal clear, the leafs as green as Regina had ever seen them, the sun was shining through just above them onto the river of water.

"How did you find this place?" asked the brunette in a surprised tone.

Emma's smile was automatic, "I've known about it since I was a kid. This place is my one and only secret." her eyes locking onto her wife's, "Now you know everything there is to know about me."

Regina looked deep into those green eyes she now had memorized with great detail, hating herself once again for having to lie about Daniel, Emma didn't deserve to be lied to this way. "Emma… I'm afraid I haven't been completely honest with you about something."

"What is it?" asked the blonde, concerned at the woman's tone.

Regina turned away from her wife, it was hard to look into those eyes so full of love when what she wanted to say could ruin every ounce of happiness. Her eyes closed, a tear escaping her eyes once she felt Emma's warm embrace surround her form.

"Hey. Come on, it's ok." Emma murmured into Regina's ear, "Regina…" she shifted the brunette's body around, so she could look into those brown eyes again, her thumb wiping away the tears, "What's going on? There isn't a thing you can't tell me."

She couldn't speak, all she wanted to do was hug Emma tight and never let go. And she did, "I just don't want to lose you. I really love you, Emma." now she looked into her eyes, hoping Emma could be able to read them somehow, "You have to believe that."

Emma could see the truth in her wife's eyes, which is why she couldn't understand why she seemed to scared, "I do, without a doubt believe that. I believe everything now." she assured her, "I know I was hard on you, I know I made mistakes. My biggest one was to not trust you, when you have proven to me in every way now that I can."

I haven't proven anything. She thought as she shook her head, wanting to say what needed to be said, "No, Emma-"

"I talked to Graham. About Daniel."

Her words cut through Regina's insides like razor blades, her fear and nerves not leaving her body anytime soon as all she could do was stare the blonde in silence, preparing herself for what was coming next.

"I told him to forget the whole investigation on him." said Emma. Regina's body immediately relaxing. This was becoming too much.

"You really said that?" the brunette asked, wanting confirmation.

Emma nodded, "I don't care to know anymore. I trust you and I know now that if in fact you were seeing Daniel at all, you would have told me. Because it doesn't matter how bad something is, I only ask you to be honest with me. I may get mad, but I promise, we'll face it together." soft kisses were placed on Regina's knuckles, "So, tell me. What's troubling you?"

I lied. I've been lying. Daniel's been here this whole time, but he means nothing to me because I only love you.

That's the only thing that made rounds in her head, all she had to do was say it. Just say it! She told herself, mentally screaming and kicking herself for the actual words that came out of her mouth next, "Jefferson… he's here because he wants money."

This was something she did needed to talk to her wife about, but this wasn't what she wanted to say. Not now.

Emma sighed in frustration at Jefferson's name alone, "Of course he does."

"I'm sorry. I should have told you since he left. I just… I know how you feel about him, and I'm not too crazy about him myself. But, he is my brother, Emma."

The blonde broke contact with Regina as she couldn't understand why she was suddenly giving in to his demands for money, "Please, don't tell me that you're honestly suggesting I should give him the money."

"He won't leave if you don't. Besides, he is fearing for his life."

Arms were now crossed over the blonde's chest as she spoke bluntly, "Good. Let him live in fear."

"Emma!" the brunette's brows furrowed in surprise at Emma's words.

Emma shook her head, not standing down, "I'm sorry, Regina. But do you honestly think that by giving him that money it's going to make him own up to his consequences, his responsibilities? That's not helping him."

Regina held out her hands, trying to calm her wife down as she could see this was already making her upset. And if it hadn't been for his little blackmail scheme against her, she would have agreed with Emma, "I totally understand that, Emma, but maybe this will be the deadline for him."

Emma scoffed as her hands then went to her hips, "Come on, Regina. He'll never learn. I was very clear with him and your mother, that I would help them in exchange for…" her next words caught in her throat, as it was the constant reminder of the deal she had made with Cora to get Regina into her life, "Well, you know. And I did say that if he screwed up once again while I was helping them - he was on his own."

Regina nodded, understanding, and God how she wished she could just let this go, "You're right. I know that, and I totally agree with you. But Emma, I beg you… just this once."

Emma pinched the bridge of her nose as she sighed in frustration at the sound of Regina's plea.

Regina moved in, taking quick steps towards the blonde as her arms wrapped around her fit form, "Please? Do it for me." she pleaded once again.

One of Emma's weakness when it came to Regina was the way her eyes looked every time the woman pleaded her for something. The puss in boots when he made that adorable, pouty face had nothing on Regina Mills.

"That is not fair." Emma murmured in a whine.

"Just so he'll leave. I really don't want him giving you any trouble. Please. Knowing him, he won't go far, and if he gets caught trying to run, then no matter how much he pleads me to try and get you to help him - I'll say no. He's on his own." she then embraced the blonde in a tight hug as she quietly spoke, "Please? I feel bad enough already, you bring me here to this beautiful place to try and do something romantic for me, and I totally ruin it by my brother being around. This is exactly what I am trying to avoid, is him to stick around and ruin everything."

Regina's eyes closed as she felt Emma's own embrace tighten around her as she heard a low whisper from the blonde, "Ok."

Regina lifted her head as she looked up at her wife, still holding her in a locked embrace, "Ok?"

Emma nodded, giving in, "Ok. I'll have a talk with him and, I'll give him something so that he can figure out what to do with his life."

A sigh escaped Regina, "Thank you." she placed serval quick chaste kisses to the blonde's lips, "Thank you."

Emma chuckled at the brunette's actions and way of saying thank you, boy, did she ever love this woman. She worshiped the ground she walked on.

The blonde pressed her forehead gently on Regina's, taking in the woman's sweet, penetrating scent of whatever perfume she wore, "What are you doing to me?" she murmured, "I've literally have never felt this strongly about anyone. You hold my heart in your hands, Regina Mills."

Regina connected her gaze to Emma's own, as she loved every sensation her wife's words made her in that moment, "As you hold mine, Emma Swan. You have literally become my entire existence."

Emma's lips pressed against Regina's very own, capturing them in a passionate kiss that made the brunette's toes curl.

It was around 5pm when they were making their way back to the house. The entire morning had flown by as they enjoyed a quiet romantic time out in the river, having endless conversations about one another. Sharing embarrassing stories.

Their hair was still wet from the swim they had both decided to take along the way. The clothes had only a few wet spots as both women decided to go skinny dipping.

"Emma!"

The blonde's brows furrowed in question as Daniel was running towards them, "What's going on, Greg?" she asked concerned.

"I went out to supervise the crops. They were coming out just fine. I saw to it myself. Now all of a sudden, they were covered in black fungus." the man said through pants as he tried to catch his breath from running.

"Black fungus?" Emma repeated.

"Yeah. We acted quickly, took out all the healthy looking crops, but we can't risk them either way. I just set them aside for now." he informed her, as Emma nodded.

"You did good. Were any of the products shipped out before you came to this discovery?"

"Unfortunately." replied Daniel, who was just as worried as she was.

Regina looked over at Daniel, "How badly did it spread?"

"The spread was instant. And it seems to be multiplying. It's reached half of the field by now." he informed her.

"Aphids." Emma murmured under her breath. Working out in the fields all her life, she was familiar with all types of funguses that could grow on crops or plants. This was the worst one of all.

"How can you possibly know that?" asked Daniel, taken by surprise yet again by Emma.

"It's spreading at fast speed. Aphids can reproduce and multiply in a matter of seconds. Get every worker on the field fast, I'll be there to join you soon. I'll need to call Graham, make sure he stops the new produce from coming in. We need to move fast. They will be tough to fight, but not impossible. I need everyone to be out there with buckets of water & soap. Chemicals won't work on them." said Emma. Regina gazed at the woman who was her wife, feeling so out of place as watching Emma instruct and jump into action like this made her feel a shock wave hit her entire body and end right in her core.

Emma turned to look at Regina as Daniel took off running to do what he was ordered, "I'm sorry. I have to tend to this."

"What can I do?" asked Regina, ready to jump into action, seeing as they needed all the help they could get. And she was never one to be afraid to get her hands dirty.

"Nothing, it'll be fine-"

"Emma. This land has been your whole life. I can see how worried you are. Let me help you. I may have been brought up differently, but I am not afraid to get my hands dirty."

Now it was Emma's turn to be a little turned on by this new side of Regina Mills. She had to admire the woman for being so dedicated to help.

"You really want to help?" asked Emma.

Regina nodded, "With everything I can."

"Alright. I need to call Graham. Get August to help you with some buckets. We need to get as much soap and water as we can." she informed her as they both ran up to the house to do their own tasks.

They spent the remainder of the day filling buckets and buckets with hot water and dish washing soap as they poured it over every remaining crop that was in sight. Some were able to be salvaged, some weren't so lucky. Those that weren't had to get thrown away. Regina and Emma connected in a way they never had before, through hard labor. It was amazing to see Regina so into action as she digged out the bad crops and tossed them into big black trash bags along with August. Everyone who worked there were spread out doing their own tasks to save as much as they could.

After a while longer, as the smell of food made its way outside the house, making everyone impossibly hungry, Mary Margaret came out with a tray of glasses of freshly made lemonade. Passing them out she walked along, "I thought you all might enjoy something cool to drink."

Regina smiled as she wiped the beads of sweat from her forehead, quickly taking two glasses, handing one over to Emma, "Thank you, Mary."

"Thank you." spoke Emma as she brought the glass up to her lips, her eyes closing at the cool sensation of the cold drink.

August quietly drank from his glass too, which he now held. But what really had him intrigued and quiet was that he couldn't help but stare at the older gray haired woman and think he had to know her from somewhere.

Mary Margaret looked down at all the crops that couldn't be saved. There must have been more than twenty bags. "That's a lot of wasted crops, ma'am."

Emma nodded, distraught to see all the wasted hard work, "It is, but it's nothing we can't come back from. We seemed to have gotten it all for now."

"How could this suddenly happen if everything was fine this morning?" asked Regina.

"This didn't just happen. It was provoked." replied Emma.

"Robert." Regina's voice sounded, as Emma simply nodded in conformation.

"Who's Robert?" asked August.

"Someone who used to work here. I fired him when Greg came along. He's always had a problem with me, and I don't doubt that he might of caused this."

Regina grew worried, "What if he tries to come back here, Emma?"

"Don't worry about that Gina. I'm here now." August puffed out his chest as he grinned proudly.

"Oh, and what are you going to do if he shows up?" Emma teased.

"Are you kidding me? No one is coming around here and mess with Gina on my watch. You can bet on that." replied August, as Regina smiled sweetly, kissing his cheek.

"Thank you, August. I feel extra safe with you around now."

This made August's cheeks turn a shade of pink real quick.

"Get a room you two!" teased the blonde as they all broke into laughter.

"Emma. We got everything on the other side. What do we do next?" asked Daniel as he was walking up to the blonde, who looked up at him as she was still kneeled on the ground.

"I think we've done all we can do for now. Everyone has worked very hard." she informed him.

"Dinner is about ready, ma'am. I'm sure all of you must be starving." Mary Margaret was quick to speak.

"Thank you, Mary. Could you make sure everyone that worked out here today gets something to eat, please?" said the blonde as Mary nodded and quickly went back inside the house.

Emma stood as she looked over at Daniel, "You did a great job. Would you care to join us for dinner?"

Regina's heart stopped.

So did Daniel's, "I appreciate it, but I actually just want a good shower and turn in for the night. If you don't mind."

"Are you sure? I know for certain my wife wouldn't mind." green eyes looking over at Regina who was still sitting on the ground next to August, "Would you, Regina?"

Her eyes were forced to look at Daniel as she was screaming for him to not accept, "No. Of course not."

Daniel's eyes locked on Regina as they soon turned to Emma, "I do appreciate it, but I think I'll just turn in early."

"As you wish." her hand extended before Daniel, "Thank you for all your help today."

He nodded as he shook her hand and walked away.

"Well…" August's voice broke the silence filling the air in that moment, as he rose to his feet, "I don't know about you two, but I am starving."

Regina smiled at the thought of food, "Dinner sounds wonderful."

August clapped his hands together in excitement, "Let's eat! I'll see you two inside."

Emma helped Regina up to her feet as she pulled her by her hand, while August made his way inside the house, "Thank you. For today. I must admit, you surprised."

Regina chuckled, "I'm not done surprising you yet."

Emma's eyebrow arched up, "Oh? Do tell."

The brunette smiled as she pressed a chaste kiss on her wife's lips, not minding at all that they were both dirty and sweaty, "That'll just ruin the surprise for you, my love." she murmured, as she quickly changed conversation, "Come on, let's go eat."

Regina's fingers found their way in between Emma's like a perfect puzzle piece as she walked with her back into the house for the night.

After dinner was over, August had offered to clean up the dishes so everyone could rest up after a hard day's work. He was surprised to see Mary Margaret still awake as well, "I bring dishes. Emma and Regina were exhausted, so I sent them to rest." he informed the older woman.

"They did work very hard today. You all did." she glanced at the dishes as the man stood beside her, his eyes focused on her yet again, "Set them down there, I'll take care of them."

"So did you. Let me handle these dishes." he offered.

Mary shook her head, "Oh, no. I couldn't do that."

"Please. It's the least I can do. I insist."

Mary Margaret nodded, knowing well she wasn't going to win this fight as she stepped aside, allowing August to finish washing the remaining dishes.

"I'll have you know that I am an expert at washing dishes." he joked, gaining a warm smile from the older woman.

"I'm glad to see Emma has great friends surrounding her. She hasn't had an easy life. You were always so good to her."

That confirmed it. He did know her from somewhere. Ever since August laid eyes on Mary Margaret, he couldn't help but feel so familiar with her.

"So you did work here before?" he asked her.

Rezling what she had just said, she quickly retracted from her statement as she shook her head, "No."

August was not buying it anymore - he knew her.

The woman remained quiet as August stopped for one moment tending to dirty dishes as he looked right at her, "Ever since I got here, and saw you. I kept thinking to myself, how you looked like someone I used to know as a young boy."

"Really?" the woman asked almost in a whisper, which August heard.

He nodded, "You know, Emma's mother was around here at some point. Of course, Emma was very little, she doesn't remember." his gaze could burn a hole in her head as she couldn't bring herself to look him in the eye, "But I remember her getting into trouble. She got taken away. James saw to it. But before she left, she came looking for me. She told me to care for Emma as long as I could."

Tears ran down her cheeks as she remained silent. There was no way she could hide who she truly was.

"She looked at me with that exact look you are given me now. It may have been years ago, but I remember that look."

"August…" she finally spoke, her voice breaking.

"It is you. You're Mary Margaret Blanchard. You are Emma's mother."

Crap.

"Please, August. You can't tell Emma." said a now worried Mary Margaret.

"Why not? She has a right to know. Do you know how long she's been longing to see her mother - you?"

"August, please! You can't. Not now. I need you to keep this between you and I." she pleaded with all her might.

"Do you realize what you're doing here? To Emma you are just like any other employee, but that's not the reality of things. Once Emma knows that her mother is here with her, she'll be so happy about it, she won't care where you've been." August replied.

The woman than held this now grown boy in her grasp, as her arms rested on his biceps, "August. I will tell her, when the time is right. But, right now, I couldn't bring myself to do it."

It was then he saw the pain, the fear in her eyes, "I understand your fear. I won't say anything to her. But if you aren't going to tell her yet, at least trust Regina with this."

Now, this was beyond crazy for her.

"No! Regina is from a good family, I don't want her to feel-"

"What, embarrassed?" his head shook, "You should know her better than that by now. You can trust her. Think it over. Knowing Regina, she'll be so happy that you turned out to be Emma's mother."

Mary always took a motherly inclination towards August, especially since he grew up without his mother. She cupped his face in her hands as she gave him a warm smile, "You were always so wise, beyond your years August. Thank you for watching over Emma. I knew I was right to trust you with her."

August returned her smile with one of his own, "Welcome back." he told her as the woman pulled him into a tight hug. She had missed him something fierce.

A/N 2: Regina does have a big surprise in store for Emma ;)