A/N: Once again, forgive my long absence! I literally had no writing time, and when I would find some minutes to write I could only get in a few sentences. It was driving my bonkers. But, I am happy to announce that another long waited for moment is finally here! The reunion between Emma and little Henry. I hope this lovely chapter makes up for my late updating. Enjoy! :)
It had been a perfect night for both. A night filled with countless displays of affection and love that had been missed out on for three long years. Three years, where the only contact that was made possible was through dreams. As Regina's eyes slowly opened to the feel of a brand new day, aching sore muscles that were the result of the best night of her life; she smiled like she hadn't in the longest time as she found it wasn't in fact a dream. It was reality. Their reality. Emma was in fact alive, and in her arms. The sheets still just as warm as their skins as they didn't part, not even to sleep. Both had remained in each other's arms all night long. She had so many questions of her own that needed answering, but she was quite enjoying watching Emma sleep right now, it was a crime to wake her. Her finger lightly brushed against the dry cut that was above the blonde's forehead.
"Compliments of a crate," Emma murmured as her eyes remained closed, but was quite enjoying her wife's longed for touch. "Thanks to that I was able to remember who I was."
"You must have felt so lost all those years." Regina's eyes pooled with tears at the thought, "I'm so sorry, Emma."
Green eyes opened slowly to the sight of that one familiar face. A face she dreamed of and fell in love with, even after losing herself in those three long years with no recollection of anything that represented her life.
"It's me that's sorry." her eyes and voice becoming sad, "I'm afraid that somewhere along the impact I lost my wedding ring."
Regina held Emma's left hand in her own, placing a kiss to her matrimonial finger, looking back into those eyes she longed to stare into, "You're here. That's what truly matters." she smiled as she glanced down at the necklace she had gifted her with. "At least you never took it off, even when you couldn't remember anything."
Emma caressed Regina's lips, her eyes so focused on that beautiful smile that continued to take her very breath away, "I know now, more than ever that my love for you is forever. Even when I couldn't remember anything of my life, I dreamed of you. I'd see us together, living a long and happy life. I'd see us with Henry. And, everytime I'd dream of you, I'd fall more and more in love with you."
Regina couldn't help but smile, "Henry is going to be so happy to see you."
Emma's eyes grew with hope, yet a hint of worry, "Does he…?"
"I made sure he never forgot who his mother is." Regina knew exactly what Emma was worried about. Her thumb wiped away a few tears that had made their way down from her wife's eyes. She could see the fear in them when it came to Henry. She saw it when they first saw each other on that beach again, as well as her love. Still strong. But, she knew Emma worried she was maybe coming back to a life where she was no longer needed. After all, things felt different, yet the same for Regina as well. They both had changed with this tragedy, grown more - missed so much that needed catching up on. It was scary for her too.
Regina's own tears appeared, "He's very bright. He always carries the very last picture that I took of the both of you." she chuckled at her next words, "He's stubborn like us both. And, he has your dimples."
Emma's smile was immediate at the thought, her memories traveling back to the day Regina gave her the news of her pregnancy, to their first doctor's appointment together, to the birth of their baby boy, and the happiness it brought her to hold him in her arms for the very first time. Her smile slowly fading, becoming angry at herself for ever leaving her family behind when she could have stayed. For not speaking up when she saw Regina back in London, even after her heart shouted at her to do so. And, Daniel. Had it not been for his lie, she could have come home sooner. That was an issue she would have to address to later and she couldn't wait to do so. She held back before in giving the man a piece of her mind, out of respect for Regina, but now… things would change completely.
"We have to talk about Daniel, Regina."
Regina knew this was a topic they would discuss, her own smile disappearing into anger as the realization hit her that he knew where Emma had been this whole time. He knew and fooled them both. As much as his name alone ruined their perfect moment, she knew they had to discuss the matter.
"I can't believe he just lied. That explains why he was acting so worried about me being in that park. I swear to you, Emma, I asked him what was going on and he completely lied telling me that he was looking for someone and was seen." her brows furrowed in frustration, "I should have turned around. Had I known it was you-"
"He knew perfectly well how to play us both. He was presented by a grand opportunity and he just couldn't see himself doing the right thing."
Regina sighed, shaking her head, "I should have never kept my promise I made to Sam. I should have never let Daniel get close to me again. Everyone told me to be careful and I just didn't think he would be capable of-"
"You knew a completely different man, than the one he is now. You can't blame yourself for that." Emma jumped in, cupping her cheek in the palm of her hand.
Things had changed. Once upon a time ago, Emma would have been angry at the very name of the man who once had her wife's heart. It would have her seething with jealousy at the thought of him being near her. But, the woman that was before Regina now was different. Same Emma, but different. She could see her green eyes darkening with anger at what Daniel had done to keep them apart, but right now she was collected about it. Way more collected than she would have been before.
"He still loves you. Probably always will." Emma's words took Regina off guard. She knew the blonde knew that Daniel's feelings towards her would never change, but she had never heard her speak it out loud - until now.
"You have to believe me, Emma. There wasn't a moment where I tried moving on from you, especially not with him. I would keep him company at times, only to honor Sam's last dying wish, and I've done that-"
"I'm not asking for an explanation, Regina. You don't owe me one-" again, Emma's words surprised the brunette as she cut in, placing the tips of her fingers on thin lips.
"Let me finish." she removed her hand as it brushed a pair of golden locks behind Emma's ear, "I agreed for us to become friends because Sam didn't want him being alone. That's all I was to him, so whatever idea or fantasy he made up in his head was his alone. He confessed his love to me, and tried to convince me to give each other another chance. I made it very clear to him that I was never moving on, because I still loved you."
Emma's eyes soften upon hearing Regina's words. She could feel and hear her honesty, "You said that?"
Brown eyes looked into green ones, "There isn't a doubt in my heart that you have always been my one true love. I realize now that what I once felt for Daniel wasn't love at all. I loved him, but I wasn't in love with him. Had I been in love with him, I would have told you the truth that night on the beach when we first saw each other. And, I wouldn't of fallen in love with you when I first looked into your eyes."
Emma's tears were inevitable at hearing those words of love. She hasn't doubted Regina's love in years and she never wanted to again. She made a promise to herself that she would never again have that doubt. It was enough for her to look into those eyes that gave her life to know that Regina truly and devotedly loved her. Regina's lips quickly found Emma's in a soft, passionate kiss, a kiss that was quickly interrupted as Regina's cell phone began to ring.
Emma quickly wrapped an arm around her wife's figure, pulling her even closer as her lips were quick to catch hers in another kiss, "Don't answer it." she whispered on Regina's lips.
Regina smiled, "I have to. We were staying with my parents, they must be worried about me." she bent over, reaching for her purse which was dropped on the floor, smiling as she could practically feel Emma's lips taking possession of the skin on her back.
"Hello?" she spoke into the phone as she saw the number to her parent's house, "Hi, Henry." Emma's head looked up at the sound of her son's name as she lied next to Regina now, trying to hear her son's voice. Regina almost forgot how much of a kid Emma could be around Henry, "I'm fine, my darling. I promise. I'll be on my way back shortly…" she smiled as she looked over at Emma, speaking into the phone, "I have a big surprise for you. It's better than your own horse. You'll soon find out, in the meantime let your grandparents know that I'm on my way home."
"You got him his own horse?" Emma asked as Regina hug up the call.
"Actually, he wanted yours. He's turned into quite a rider." Regina replied, "When he isn't doing that with me, he likes to play soccer."
Emma truly has missed a lot, but it was a lot she was more than ready to catch up on. Starting with Henry and ending with Regina.
Regina placed a quick kiss to Emma's lips, "We should get dressed. As much as I would love to spend all day here with you, I do have a son to get back to- which you need to meet and I have work. Kathryn is going to kill me for being late."
Emma sat up, making her way out of bed as Regina quickly did the same, both gathering their clothes from the floor as they dressed.
"You have been a busy woman while I've been away." Emma teased as she buttoned her jeans, and placing her bra back on just as fast.
Regina smiled as she looked over her shoulder at Emma, "You have no idea." she replied as she slipped back into her skirt, tucking in her shirt. "With David gone, thanks to August, Graham and I everything's been running pretty much the same back at the ranch."
"I'm glad. I'll be honest, with you moving soon, I thought you were leaving that for good." Emma replied, buttoning the last button on her shirt.
Regina walked up to Emma with an apologetic look in her eyes, "I'm sorry you had to come back to an empty house. We aren't giving it up, we just always talked about moving to Storybrooke, and I thought it'd be a nice change for Henry."
Emma wasted no time in wrapping her arms around her wife's form once again, "Don't apologize. You did the right thing. Henry will love it there, we can always visit the ranch during weekends or the summer."
Regina smiled as she placed another quick kiss to Emma's thin lips, "Shall we go meet your son?"
Her son. The blonde couldn't help but feel terrified as her hands alone started to shake. Regina was quick to pick up on Emma's bundle of nerves as she rested her palm on her wife's cheek. Something else Emma missed, was how quickly Regina's touch alone could calm her.
"He's going to love you, dear. There's no need to be nervous. I assure you that once he sees you, he's not going to leave your side for a single minute."
To hear Regina's reassurance made Emma smile so big, her cheeks hurt. As nervous as she was to finally meet Henry she was ready. Now that she was home and back with her family, she was ready to face anything. Even Daniel. When the time was right she would. No doubt about that.
After driving back with the cars, Emma stood in front of the door to the Mills manor. By this point, scared was an understatement to this situation. Her heart was pounding so hard, she could hear the loud drumming inside her chest. Just inside that house was her son who hadn't seen her in three long years. Her son who would always run to hug her with the biggest smile a mother could ever ask for. Her son who would love her storytelling and games of hide and seek that ended up in her chasing him all over the place.
Her eyes burned with unshed tears as they gathered underneath her eyes, quickly blinking them away once she felt a hand make its way into her own as slim, olive toned fingers intertwined with hers. Emma looked up finding teary chocolate eyes staring back into hers. Regina was just as excited and nervous as Emma was, she could see it. Everything was coming back to its rightful place, all that was needed to be complete for them was their son.
As both women walked towards the house, they stopped on their tracks almost instantly as they witnessed the front door opening. Cora and Henry Sr. standing just before them in awe at seeing who was with their daughter. It was certainly a hard surprise to believe, had Regina not been walking up to them, hand in hand with the woman she spent the best years of her life with, a pearly white smile displaying on her lips so big it made her cheeks hurt, they would have thought it was well a dream or an illusion of some kind.
Despite Emma looking exhausted from all she's been through, her eyes sadder and dare they say it, her soul scarred- it was really her.
"Emma." Henry finally spoke as both women walked closer to them, "How is this possible?"
"Even I can't answer that question." replied Emma, looking over at Cora who's eyes now looked different than before. Kinder, and dare she say it, filled with love for the very first time in her life. That's when it really hit her that things were in fact very different. Cora had changed her ways before any of this, of course, but Emma couldn't ever recall a time that she actually saw love in the woman's eyes for anyone.
Until now.
"It's so… wonderful to see you back, Emma." actually tears made their way down the older woman's eyes. Even Regina was surprised by them. She could never recall anytime her mother ever cried. But, what really took everyone by surprise was that right after, Cora closed the distance between her and Emma as she embraced the blonde in a actual hug. A hug that Emma was first hesitant about but returned it as her arms slowly rested upon the woman's back.
"Thank you." was all Emma could say, still surprised by the woman's first kind action towards her.
"Mom?"
Emma's eyes fell upon a small figure standing by the end of the staircase that leaded to the front door, breaking her hug with Cora as her eyes released the unshed tears that had been pooled for quite a long while. Hearing Henry's gentle voice for the first time in years, taking her back to when he was just four years old broke her. He was a bit older now, but it was him. And, the fact that he actually remembered her after all these years was enough to make her cry every tear she had been holding back since her return.
Just as Emma's, Regina's tears were immediate as she and her parents witnessed a most awaiting moment.
Henry clutched his picture in his hands, looking down at it as if to confirm that he was no longer dreaming. This moment was very real. His mother was home. She had finally come back to him and his other mother. His brown eyes, that Emma could see looked more and more like Regina's looked up at her once again as his body soon jumped off the last step and ran as fast as it could carry him, arms stretched out ready to embrace his mother.
"Mom!"
Emma was quick to drop to her knees, her arms catching her son's small figure as soon he was close enough for her to pull him into her body, a small sob sounding from the blonde's chest as she finally held her son in her arms. Henry's little arms wrapped around his mother's neck like snakes. So tight, Emma didn't want him to let go. His small face buried deep in her golden hair, which was no longer in a ponytail, but loose.
Emma's sobs became more and more, her nose red from all her held back crying. Her own arms wrapping around tightly around Henry, her hand caressing his messy hair as she placed a long, loving kiss right on the boy's head. Looking at them now, Regina took notice that Emma's body had fallen completely on the floor, in a sitting position as Henry's own body was brought more into her own. The one picture the boy owned still clutched into his tiny grip.
"Don't cry, mommy." said Henry, his hands resting upon Emma's cheeks, wiping away at her tears. Tears of his own making their way down as he could feel his mother's sadness.
Emma couldn't help but smile at feeling Henry's small hands upon her face. He had truly grown to be just as caring and loving as both her and Regina. And, her fear of him not remembering her completely vanishing, because he did. He remembered her and he truly loved her.
She placed a kiss to the boy's forehead, her hand brushing against his messy hair as her eyes drank in every detail, old and new of the boy's face. It amazed her how much of Regina she could see in him, but what had her in awe was how much of herself was displayed on him as well.
"Please don't be sad." said Henry, his hands never removing from her face as his own brown eyes drank in his blonde mother's features just as well. Loving the sight of her green eyes. He would always look at them the most in the one picture he owned, but seeing now in person before him was much better.
Emma smiled so wide her cheeks hurt, her own eyes looking into Henry's, "I was sad. But, I'm not anymore. I'm crying because I'm happy." she sniffed gently, trying to compose herself from crying so much, her voice still sounding with emotion, "I missed you so very much, Henry. I'm so sorry for ever leaving you."
"Are you going to leave again?" Henry asked, a sadness to his voice now. His brown eyes looking at Emma with his best puppy dog eyed stare, almost pleading her not to leave.
Emma shook her head as her smile never left her, more tears making their way down her eyes as she could hear the sadness in her son's voice. She knew she not only had hurt Regina by leaving and staying away for so long, but their son too.
"No. I'm never leaving you or your mom, ever again."
"You promise?" Henry's eyes glowing in hope at his mother's words.
"I promise, kid."
Henry's finger gently brushed against Emma's dry cut that was above her forehead as worry filled his small brown eyes. What had everyone in tears was not the boy's worry towards Emma's injury, but what he did next. He lifted himself up enough to where his lips made contact with his mother's injured area, placing a gentle kiss to it. Emma's smile only grew towards her son's kind action.
"Mama always kisses mine better and they heal fast." Henry told Emma as he looked back at Regina, "Right, mama?"
Regina's smile was just as big as both of theirs, "That's right."
This heartfelt moment had become his and Emma's only, she didn't dare to speak or make a sound of any sort to not disrupt it.
"It's already feeling much better." said Emma.
"Do you play soccer?" asked Henry, curious now to talk to his mother all day long.
Emma chuckled at her son's sudden interest, enjoying every moment of it, "I haven't played in a long time, but I do, yes. Your mom told me you like to play it too."
Henry's eyes shined with excitement, "Will you play with me? I always play with uncle August and uncle Graham. Daniel plays with me sometimes too. I always beat them. His mama's friend."
Emma's smile faded just a little as her eyes met with Regina's, her smile fading as well at the mention of Daniel's name. A reminder of just how much things had changed in the past three years lingering around Emma now. Of course Daniel would want to form a part of her son's life as well as her wife's, and with her gone he really had it made. Emma couldn't blame Regina for keeping her promise to his late wife- she didn't blame her for that, but she couldn't help to feel jealous either. If she felt jealous of the mere thought of him being around Regina, trying to romance her again in her absence, she really hated the thought of him being anywhere near Henry, trying to be a father figure to a son that wasn't his.
"First you finish breakfast, Henry. Then, maybe she'll play with you for a while." said Cora.
"Why don't we leave soccer for tomorrow, let mom rest up for today." Regina suggested to the boy.
"Okay." Henry pouted, wanting so desperately to play with his mother. His eyes soon lid up again as he looked over at Emma who was still sitting on the bare pavement with him, "Will you tell me one of your stories like you used to, before bed?"
Emma couldn't help but smile, her eyes wanting to tear up again at the very idea that Henry remembered the many nights of storytelling she would provide for him. Telling him stories, next to holding him was one of the top things she missed doing with her son. And, now she would get to do them again. This time forever.
"Of course I will. Go inside and finish breakfast, I'll sit by you in just a minute." said Emma as Henry ran right inside the house to do as he was told.
Emma stood up from the floor with Regina and Henry Sr.'s help, smiling brightly at the man.
"Well, let's all go inside and celebrate with some breakfast." he gently patted Emma's back, wrapping his arm around her shoulder, "You have to tell us everything. You were certainly gone for a long time."
"Too long, sir." Emma agreed.
"I'm sure you must be hungry." Henry replied as they made their way inside the house.
Regina followed close behind, stopping suddenly as her cell phone rang, her face becoming angry as soon as she read Daniel's name displayed across her screen.
"What's the matter, dear?" Cora asked her daughter.
"It's Daniel." Regina spoke softly, looking over at Emma who kept up walking inside with older Henry.
Cora had no idea what Daniel had done, but seeing how angry Regina suddenly became after radiating with happiness upon Emma's return, she knew it had to have been something unforgivable.
"Let's go inside, dear. You can call him back later. Surely, he can wait." Cora suggested. Regina smiled at her mother as their arms linked together as they headed inside the house. Cora was right. Daniel could wait. If because of him her and Emma had to wait three years to see each other, he could wait an hour or two. She wasn't even quite sure how she would handle talking to him right now, let alone seeing him. She needed time to think it over and address it to Emma before a decision was made.
It didn't take them long to settle around the dining table. As promised Emma sat between Henry and Regina, feeling nothing but pure happiness at being back where she rightfully belonged. The strange and nerves sensation completely vanishing as she now had filled everyone in on what exactly happened to her. Kathryn included.
"He knew this whole time?" Kathryn scoffed, "That son of a bitch."
"Kathryn." Regina firmly said as she motioned towards Henry being present at the use of her language.
"I'm sorry." her blue eyes shifting towards the boy, "Don't ever repeat that, Henry. Even though I am right."
"I can't begin to believe that he would lie about something like that." said Cora, clear shock in her voice. "I mean, I never cared to know the man, but after this…" Cora scoffed, "To think he wanted to try and get back with you." she said to Regina.
The room fell silent as they all looked over at Emma who was more upset than anyone there, to say the least.
"Forgive me, Emma. I probably shouldn't have said that." Cora told Emma.
"It's nothing I haven't known before." replied Emma, looking down at her hand as she felt how easily Regina's fit inside hers perfectly as her wife took her hand underneath the table.
"Daniel has always known that I could never see him that way again, and after finding this out, I don't plan on seeing him ever again." said Regina.
"He'll be coming around, you know that. Especially when he doesn't even suspect that Emma is back here." said Kathryn.
"He'll find out if he stops by here." Emma spoke, clear anger in her voice, "Besides, I'm hoping for it. I have a thing or two I'd like to say to him."
"Emma." Regina gave her wife's hand a gentle squeeze, wanting her to calm down and knowing exactly what would happen if Emma were to run into Daniel. Just like she knew it was inevitable. It was bound to happen sooner or later.
The tension only built up more once Regina's cell phone rang, Daniel's name flashing across the screen as the brunette looked at her phone. She had to answer. If she didn't, she knew well the man would show up uninvited and the sooner he came around, the sooner Emma would most likely want to give him that piece of her mind.
"Excuse me for just a moment." Regina quickly stood up as she walked into the living room area, answering her phone as she soon heard Daniel's voice on the other end.
"Regina, is everything okay? You had me worried when you didn't pick up."
The very sound of his hypocritical voice made her stomach turn in knots. She almost wanted to give him a piece of her mind then and there, but the time would come for that. Right now she wanted peace, happiness with Emma.
"Regina? Are you there?" Daniel spoke again, worry in his voice.
"I'm here." Regina answered dryly.
"I'm sorry, I must have caught you at a bad time. You must be at work by this time, I can always call back later or I can stop by the bakery for a coffee on my break. You know how much I love your coffee."
"No, don't stop by," she said dryly. She could practically hear his smile on the phone, it made her angrier, she sighed trying to make her tone not sound so off so he wouldn't suspect a thing. "I'm sorry, we are just incredibly busy right now, I honestly can't talk."
"That's alright. Call me later?" he replied.
"Sure." Regina rolled her eyes at her own reply, "I'll call you if I have the time. I honestly don't know when we will be done here. But, I'll call."
"Just take it easy, don't over work yourself."
"I'll try." the brunette replied.
"Bye." was the last thing she allowed him to say as the brunette quickly hung up the call, releasing another long held sigh as she turned back around, jumping in surprise as she soon saw Emma was standing behind her.
"It was him, wasn't it?" asked Emma, anger lingering in her eyes as she looked into Regina's.
Regina nodded, "Yes. I had to answer, or he would have kept on calling- or worse come here in person and God knows what would of happened."
"I honestly never imagined myself saying this, but you should have let him come. Let him so he can see that I made it back despite his lies. That way I could have dealt with him myself." replied Emma.
"Emma, I understand your anger. I'm angry too, I wish to say a thing or two to him for what he did to us…" Regina quickly wrapped her arms around her wife's neck, loving the familiar feel of being in Emma's arms as she felt them snake around her just as fast. "But, we have to wait. There's a time and a place for everything, and right now wouldn't be the best moment, given that Henry is here. Think of my father too. His heart isn't good, any situation could cause him to have a heart attack."
Emma sighed, frustrated but understanding all at once. She knew Regina was right. As much as Emma anxiously wanted to punch his teeth in for what he did, it would have to wait. Henry didn't need to see such a thing, nor did she want to disrespect the Mills' home.
Regina placed a quick chaste kiss on those familiar thin, pink lips she so longed for as she smiled her best pearly white smile, "Besides… you just got back. I want us to enjoy each other today, and for Henry to be able to enjoy both of us without any drama or problems of any sort."
This brought a smile to Emma's lips as her eyes soften before the brunette. "I can't argue there."
"Tomorrow, I promise we will resolve this matter together." replied Regina, her smile never leaving her lips. "Come by the bakery later, I'd love for you to see it. Bring Henry, but please be careful not to be seen by Daniel. Not yet."
"I never imagined sneaking around with you for a day." Emma teased.
Regina chuckled, "Be sure to call your mother, she must be wanting to hear from you." she placed another kiss to Emma's lips, "I have to get to work. Please, be careful if you do go out."
"You be careful too, especially if you run in to a certain someone." Emma replied.
Regina couldn't resist as she placed not one, but two more kisses on to her wife's lips as she parted from her arms, "I'll see you later. I love you."
"I love you too." Emma smiled at the sight of Regina. Even as she made her way out of the living room she looked even more beautiful than the blonde remembered. Henry ran up to both his mothers as they entered the dining room.
"Henry, be good for your grandparents and your mom." said Regina to Henry as she placed a kiss to her son's cheek.
"I will." Henry quickly looked up at Emma, "I finished breakfast. Can we play soccer now?" he asked filled with excitement.
"Go get your ball and meet me outside." Emma smiled at Henry as he ran upstairs in search of his soccer ball.
"You two have fun." said Regina.
"We will." Emma replied watching her and Kathryn make their way out the front door.
Kathryn quickly turned back to face Emma before leaving, "Don't worry, Em. I'll take good care of her."
Emma was a kid again. She couldn't help to feel like one herself around Henry. Just like Regina, their son brought out the best in her, feeling the happiest as they kept up with their soccer game, kicking the ball around the backyard. She was now making up for all that lost time and loving every minute of it. They had been playing all morning and despite Emma feeling tired, not having the same energy as a kid Henry's age would have, she didn't stop one bit.
Emma ran right behind Henry, giving him the advantage towards the goal area they had both agreed to be their imaginary goal net. Henry shrieked as he felt Emma grab lift him up on to her shoulders as he scored a goal. Henry broke out into a fit of giggles as Emma soon flipped him over her shoulder, holding him carefully by his waist as she tickled him with her other hand.
"Kathryn called and told me the news. I had to come see for myself to believe that you were really here."
Emma's eyes met Graham's as he stood outside now, a big smile on his face, she could even swear she saw tears.
"Graham." Emma placed Henry down carefully as she met Graham halfway as they both embraced each other in the biggest hug that had ever given one another.
Graham grunted as Emma threw herself into his arms, "I can't begin to tell you how great it is to see you."
"Look at you!" Emma smiled as she caressed Graham's cheek, his skin feeling soft and smooth on her fingers, "All cleaned shaved. It suits you."
"Where the hell have you been?" asked Graham.
"It's a long story." Emma replied, looking down along with Graham as they felt Henry hug them both.
"There he is!" Graham ruffled the boy's hair, "How have you been, Hen?"
"Good. We're playing soccer." Henry replied, making both Graham and Emma smile.
"Want to hang with us for a while? I was thinking about taking Henry over to Regina and Kathryn's bakery, she's wanting me to see it. Join us. I'll tell you everything on the way over." said Emma.
Graham smiled at his best friend, "I'll drive us."
Graham knew the whole story on they're drive over. Emma looked up at what was now Regina's own bakery, reading the big red letters out front as she looked over at Graham.
"The Cookie Crumble?" Emma asked him.
"Henry picked it." Graham said.
"Did you?" Emma looked down at her son as he held on to her hand.
"Do you like it?" Henry nodded as he looked up at his mother with a smile.
"I love it."
"Who's this walking in? This can't possibly be Henry!" Kathryn played along as she saw Henry enter with Emma and Graham.
"Aunt Kat, it is me!" shouted Henry.
Kathryn leaned over the counter, practically batting her eyelashes at Graham, "Is there something I can get for you, handsome?"
Graham smiled at his wife as he leaned in on the other side of the counter, "I'll have the usual, please." he leaned in more, pressing his lips on to Kathryn's as they shared a quick, adoring kiss.
"Regina's in the back if you'd like to go on in." Kathryn told Emma, looking back at Henry, "Hen, come pick out your usual cookie while I get your uncle his coffee."
Henry released his mother's hand as he went behind the counter as Emma made her way into the back room, voices were now muffled as Emma walked more inside. Her eyebrow raised as her head tilted as she drank in olived silked legs as Regina was mounted on a ladder, focused on searching for a specific item.
"Magnificent view." Emma spoke, causing Regina to look over her shoulder, surprised to find anyone in the room with her.
"Dare I ask just how long have you been standing there?" asked Regina as she made her way down the ladder.
"Enough to see something I really like." Emma smirked as she walked up to her wife, closing in the very little space they had left between them as each hand rested upon wooden shelves as she boxed Regina in with her body.
It was Regina now who raised an eyebrow, "Does this feel a little too familiar to you?" she asked, meaning the time she had barged into Emma's bedroom and she had been boxed in between her and the wall.
"You're not going to bite me again, are you?" asked Emma, recalling that when she kissed her by force she had gotten bit.
Regina chuckled, remembering that same moment all too well, "I won't make any promises." she murmured as her lips made contact with her wife's neck, knowing all too well that was Emma's weak spot. Surely enough, Emma bit down on her lip as she felt how the brunette's lips kissed and her teeth teasingly bit down on her pulse point. Regina always knew how to turn on her wife on and it was working as Emma's hands were already wrapping around, moving their way down to cup her ass.
"Oh, Daniel! You're here!" Kathryn's voice sounded from the front of the bakery, as Regina quickly placed a hand over Emma's mouth, keeping her close to her body to prevent her from going out there.
"I'm here to see Regina, she said you were very busy since this morning, so I thought I'd come by and bring you two some lunch." he smiled as he held up a bag of take out that was big enough for clearly three and not only the two of them.
Kathryn took the bag from his hand as she sat it down on the counter, "Thank you, I will tell her. Unfortunately she's not here right now. We ran low of some materials a while ago and she went off with Graham and Henry to pick some up."
Thankfully, as fate would have it, Graham had stepped out with Henry in that moment, due to Henry being so determined to also get an ice cream to along with his cookie. Graham being the ever spoiling uncle, was happy to obliged. So, for Kathryn to make up such a quick story was pretty convincing. Besides, Daniel never imagined Kathryn ever lying to him, not when Emma was miles away and with no recollection of who she was.
"That's too bad, I was hoping to see her and Henry." said Daniel.
"Yeah. I know how much you always want to see them," her tone was a bit sarcastic but she was quick to cover that up as well to where Daniel was nowhere near suspicious of her behavior. "I'll be sure to tell her you stopped by. I'm sorry if I seem like I'm rushing you off, but I really have to get back to work."
"Of course. I'm sorry to take up your time." he smiled, "Have a nice day."
"You too." Kathryn smiled as he walked out without looking back. She sighed, looking at Regina and Emma who had made their way out of the back room, "You two owe me big." she told them.
"Thank you, Kathryn." said Regina.
"You two have been apart for three years, you deserve this. Besides, he hasn't been honest either. As far as I'm concerned, he deserves no honesty from me."
With the amount of work they both had, it wasn't long before Emma and Henry were back home. She was delighted to spend all day with their son as they agreed to spend the night at the Mills home. Emma was dressed in a pair of her pj pants as her mother and David had brought her over some clothes, agreeing to still stay back at the ranch for the time being.
Henry knocked as he made his way into what was Regina's old bedroom, "Mom, you said you would tell me one of your stories."
"That's true, I did." Emma smiled over at him.
"Can I lay in here with you while we wait for mama to come home?" Henry asked, showing off his best puppy dog eyes.
"How could I say no?" said the blonde as she pulled the covers back while Henry snuggled close to her as Emma covered him up. "What story would you like to hear about tonight?" she asked him, already enjoying the old familiar feeling of all the other times she would be with Henry just this way, inventing him stories that he would enjoy.
Henry tapped his chin with his index finger as he thought about his mother's question, his eyes growing wide as he spoke, "One about pirates!"
"Pirates? Alright, let's see…" she gave it a second's thought before she came up with a story she had never told him before. "Once upon a time, there was this pirate who always liked being alone. But, despite him being all alone on his ship, he was happy because he had all the treasure you could ever imagine." she looked down at Henry, "Do you know what his favorite thing to do was?"
"What?" Henry shook his head, so intrigued by his mother's new story.
"He liked to open up the biggest treasure chest he had, gather up both of his hands, dig them into the treasure and scoop it up." she smiled as Henry did, "He would love to admire all of his treasure, every night. That was until he looked out at sea one night, when the moon was full and he set his eyes on something far more beautiful than all of the treasure he had. Do you know what it was?" she asked him.
"A mermaid!" Henry said, almost wanting to jump up from the bed in excitement.
Emma chuckled at his reaction, loving how he was still over taken by her stories, "You're right. It was the most beautiful mermaid he had ever seen. The only one, in fact for this mermaid was shy, but when she saw him, and saw how alone he was she didn't feel so shy anymore."
Emma's eyes met Regina's in that very moment, as the brunette had been standing by the doorway all that time, listening to Emma's made up story as well as Henry was. Only Henry was far too into the story to even notice his other mother as she smiled down at them in her old bed.
"Did she have black hair like mama's?" asked Henry, already having a clear picture of this characters in his mind.
"You bet. And ever since the night he saw her, the pirate knew that he never again wanted to be alone…" her eyes met Regina's once again as she continued, "That he would give all of his gold then and there, because his true happiness had been in front of him all along."
A/N 2: I read every single one of your reviews and you will all get what you are hoping for. Daniel's time to face an angry Emma will happen soon. I promise. Don't forget to leave your lovely reviews!