"What's got you all excited?" Snow asked over her cup of coffee.
David, practically living at Snow's apartment these days, flipped the newspaper with a smile. "Emma's got a date."
Emma paused, mid-lace of her boots, raising an eyebrow at him. "It's not a date, just lunch with Henry and Regina. And how the hell did you know that?"
David didn't look up, still smiling. "You get a certain look in your eyes when you think about them."
"That's true," Snow agreed, her eyes warm with fondness. "She does smile a lot more these days."
"Hey, what is this? Am I on trial? Jeez," Emma flushed, lacing more quickly to escape their probing. She pulled on her winter coat and beanie.
David chuckled. "Have fun on your date. Say hi to Henry for us."
"Ugh," Emma grumbled at the door, letting her irritation at them both show, before it swung shut behind her.
Heat blasted the chill from Emma's face and fingers as she entered Granny's, which was packed with patrons. She spotted Regina and Henry at their favorite corner booth. Henry, who'd clearly been watching the door, waved energetically.
With only four days before Christmas, Bing Crosby crooned on the radio, and couples and families filled the tables. Regina, in a deep green silk blouse with silver threading and tailored black trousers, looked elegantly festive. Her perfume, as intoxicating as ever, drew Emma in like a love spell.
Butterflies swirled in Emma's stomach as she debated where to sit. Boldly, she slung her jacket over the booth where Regina's and Henry's coats already lay, giving Henry a quick half-hug before sliding in next to Regina. Emma immediately regretted her choice when her jeans brushed Regina's thigh.
"Morning," Emma said, a bit nervously. She cleared her throat and corrected herself. "Afternoon, I mean. Sorry."
"Hi, Emma!" Henry greeted brightly, closing the book she had assigned for extra credit over the break.
"Good afternoon. I see the princess curls have returned," Regina teased.
Emma had spent an embarrassingly long time with the curlers last night, not to mention the agonizing minutes in front of the mirror this morning, trying to find an outfit that would match Regina's flair. Emma ended up settling on a wine-colored blouse.
Emma slouched slightly, self-conscious, holding up the menu to shield herself. "Do they look bad? Be honest."
"No," Regina said with a genuine smile. "You look beautiful. Doesn't she, Henry?"
"Yes," Henry agreed. "And you both match!"
Emma and Regina exchanged glances, noticing their complementary red and green outfits. Emma's heart warmed at how much they resembled the families around them.
"Henry has been looking forward to this since last week," Regina continued, flipping over and perusing the menu. "And he's been taking good care of Kenan."
"Killian, Mom," Henry corrected, shaking his head with mock sadness.
"Good to hear, kid," Emma said, proud of Henry. She set down the menu, already knowing what she wanted. A young man, likely a seasonal temp for the holiday rush, approached their table.
"Hello," he greeted them tiredly. "What can I get ya?" He looked straight at Emma, earning a slight scoff from Regina. Emma, used to always being addressed first as a soft butch, fought not to laugh.
"Steak, medium rare," she said without hesitation. "And water's fine." She would have ordered a beer with David and Snow, but with Henry present, she opted out.
He jotted it down. "And for your wife?"
"I'll—" then Regina spluttered, turning red. Emma's cheeks burned, unsure whether to intervene or not to avoid Regina's wrath.
"She'll have the grilled chicken salad, hold the croutons, and a glass of sparkling water with lemon," Henry filled in brightly. "And for me, grilled cheese and hot cocoa, please." Henry stacked the menus and slid them over like a seasoned pro.
The waiter nodded approvingly and promised to bring their orders out soon.
Henry beamed at Emma and Regina. Emma, impressed by Henry's maturity, looked at him. "Does she get the same thing every time too?"
Regina opened her mouth to argue, but Henry, clearly enjoying himself, answered. "Only when she's on a date."
"Henry!" Regina exclaimed, clearly embarrassed. "What's gotten into you today?"
"Does your mom go on many of those?" Emma teased, subtly glancing at Regina, who was scowling at the table.
"Not really," Henry replied with a shrug. "Mom doesn't let anyone meet me unless they're really special. Like, really, really special."
Regina sipped her water, clearly flustered by the teasing. Emma decided to shift the conversation. "Well, I am your teacher," Emma joked. "So, I am pretty special. And it helps to keep your teacher happy, right?"
Regina, grateful for the change in topic, perked up. "Speaking of, Henry, did you bring your gifts?"
"Yep!" Henry said, leaning to dig through his backpack. He produced two lumpy, poorly but charmingly hand-wrapped presents in shimmering gold paper. Regina then set an elegantly wrapped gift next to them in silver paper with a professional-looking ribbon, like something out of a Christmas catalogue.
Emma's heart warmed at the thoughtfulness. Despite her age, she never tired of receiving gifts, probably due to her lonely Christmases as a foster kid, where presents were often donations or hand-me-downs.
"Should I open them now?" Emma asked eagerly, and they both nodded.
She opened Henry's first: a leather-bound journal and a mug that read #1 Teacher, stuffed with high-end hot cocoa and a cute stress-relief cobra.
"Remember how you said you loved my stories?" Henry said, kicking his legs excitedly. "I wrote you one, where you get to be the chosen one and defeat all the bad guys. You have really cool magic in it. And I put all your favorite things in— especially your yellow bug. The cobra is for stress, so you can squeeze him when our class gets on your nerves."
Emma's eyes grew wet with happiness as she leaned over the table to ruffle Henry's hair.
"Okay, now mine," Regina said, smiling too.
Guilt washed over Emma for not bringing them anything. When she mentioned it, they both shook their heads. Relieved, Emma promised to treat them to something fun down the road.
Feeling the package, Emma smirked. "I thought it would be a book, but this seems like a frame."
"Just open it, Swan," Regina sighed.
Emma carefully unwrapped the gift, trying not to tear the beautiful paper. Her smile widened at the sight of the framed photo inside: the class picture from their zoo trip, perfectly sized to replace the one she'd thrown away of her and her ex. They had taken several photos that day— one with silly faces, one proper at Regina's insistence, and another with Regina included because the kids insisted Belle switch to be the photographer. Regina had chosen the one where they all smiled naturally after Emma's silly pose broke the ice. A perfect snapshot of a perfect day.
"I love it," Emma said, looking at Regina adoringly. She cradled the photo to her chest. "I can't wait to put it on my desk."
The three of them enjoyed their lunch as Henry animatedly talked about books, a new TV show, Killian the gecko, and even tidbits about his classmates.
"Who calls our house all the time?" Regina asked, picking at her salad. "Was that the boy who invited you to his birthday?"
"Yeah!" Henry replied. "Mohan. He loves dinosaurs too, maybe even more than me!"
"That's hard to believe," Regina said, with a pained look. "Henry only talked about dinosaurs from ages six to eight. He wouldn't respond unless it was about them. He memorized the scientific names of every dinosaur and their periods before he could tie his shoes properly."
"To be fair," Emma said, "dinosaurs are awesome."
"Not you too," Regina groaned.
"What about you, Emma?" Henry asked eagerly. "What are you doing for the break?"
"Uh," Emma hesitated. She had no plans. No family to visit, no money to travel. Not wanting to disappoint Henry, she shrugged. "Oh, this and that."
"Emma," Regina said, disapprovingly. "You don't have any plans?"
"This is the best part of it so far," Emma admitted, gesturing to them.
Henry beamed, and Regina's expression softened, though she tried to look stern. Emma tried to save herself. "Maybe tomorrow, as a thank you for the gifts, I can take you both ice skating? My friend Elsa invited me. She's good, like Olympic levels of good, and she has extra skates."
Henry jumped up excitedly, turning his pleading gaze to Regina.
"There's no way I can say no to that face," she sighed. "Alright, we're in."
Regina clung to Emma while Henry offered moral support by holding her elbow.
"Come on, Mom!" he encouraged. "There are really little kids doing it, so you can too!"
"I'm trying, I'm trying!" she yelped, nearly slipping until Emma steadied her.
Storybrooke Lake, frozen over, teemed with couples skating. Christmas lights twinkled over the shops in the distance, creating a picturesque backdrop. The quaint Maine town buzzed with holiday cheer, storefronts adorned in festive decorations. The air carried the scent of pine and the joyful sounds of laughter.
Elsa skated gracefully nearby, keeping a watchful eye on Regina. She wore a sparkling blue outfit, her blonde hair braided down her back. She danced on the ice, her movements seamless and breathtaking.
Henry, eager to skate faster, glanced at Regina. "Mom, can I go skate with Miss Elsa?" he pouted.
Regina waved an arm frantically while Emma held tight to her black peacoat. "Yes, go ahead!" she agreed, her face scrunched in concentration as she struggled to stay upright.
Henry, with his youthful agility, zipped ahead to join Elsa, who matched his speed with ease.
Emma smirked at Regina's unsteadiness, savoring the rare moment of being needed. Regina leaned heavily on Emma, unguarded and fully dependent.
"Don't start," Regina ordered, pointing a gloved finger dramatically. Seeing Emma's smirk, her irritation only deepened. Emma suppressed a laugh and put on a sympathetic face.
"I'm starting to feel a little tired," she lied. "Now that Elsa's got Henry, want to sit down a minute?"
"Yes," Regina responded quickly, her voice cracking. She cleared her throat, trying to regain her composure. "Yes, for your sake, let's take a breather."
Emma rolled her eyes and guided Regina back to the shore, though they hadn't ventured far. Regina leaned heavily on her, unsteady but determined.
They stumbled to the bench where their boots waited, quickly swapping them out. As they returned to the shoreline, Henry's laughter echoed through the air. Elsa twirled him around, his face bright with joy. Regina's expression warmed as they watched.
"She's amazing with him," Regina admitted. "Your friends are good people." She nodded toward the lake. "These are the kinds of plans you should make for winter break. No one should be alone."
Emma gave her a look. "What, are you assuming I'm lonely?" She added playfully, "Or that I don't have a special someone for Christmas?"
"Well, as far as I know, your special someone ended up in the trash," Regina replied dryly.
"Touché," Emma sighed.
Regina hesitated, then finally asked, "Do you have someone like that?" Her tone carried a hint of disappointment.
"What if I did?" Emma teased. "Would you be jealous?"
Regina didn't take the bait. She folded her arms, looking unimpressed. "It's not funny. I just don't like being out of the loop. I thought we were friends." Her pout tugged at Emma's heart, making her regret the teasing.
Emma bumped her shoulder playfully. "Hey," she said with a smile. "We are friends."
"Well, good," Regina replied, her eyes gleaming with that luscious, liquid look when she pouted. "Then tell me. Any special women in your life?"
"Ugh!" Emma groaned, swatting at her and laughing. "I fell for it!" She shook her head with a huff. "Fine. No, there's not. Well, there's one, but she's annoying as hell and mean to me, but her kid is in my class and he's pretty damn cute."
Regina's smug smile grew, and Emma rolled her eyes.
Suddenly, a hush and several cries emerged from the skaters, drawing their attention back to the lake.
"Oh my God, did the ice break?" someone nearby whispered. Emma's heart pounded as she searched frantically for Henry. Regina seemed poised to dash onto the ice in her boots. Thankfully, Elsa grasped Henry's hand firmly, guiding him toward the shore.
Henry stumbled into Regina's arms. "I'm fine! I promise."
With Henry safe, Elsa skated back out to where the ice had broken. A chill fell over the crowd. People checked on their loved ones, heads straining to see in the dark. A whistle blew; a lifeguard called an all-clear. Whoever had fallen in was immediately rescued. Sirens blazed as a fire truck and ambulance rolled into the park.
Returning, Elsa rolled to a stop in front of them, the ice powdering beneath her skates. "High schoolers by the no-skating sign," she explained, shaking her head. "They were smoking and throwing rocks, then one jumped in. On purpose. Sometimes, I'm so glad we teach the younger grades."
"I'm glad everyone's alright," Henry said, though his teeth chattered so badly that Emma tugged off her winter coat and wrapped it around him as an extra layer. The cold bit quickly through her bones, even through her wool sweater.
"Let's get a warm drink," Emma suggested, shivering.
They bid farewell to Elsa, who needed to catch up with her sister and her sister's fiancé and crossed the street to a hip coffee shop playing indie music. Regina and Henry saved a table while Emma grabbed hot chocolates. The place was crowded, likely with other park-goers seeking warmth.
As Emma carried the drinks to the table, she bumped into someone. The drinks sloshed, hot brown liquid bubbling from the small holes in the lids, but she steadied the tray just in time.
"I'm so clumsy," a familiar voice apologized profusely.
"Sorry… Ingrid?" Emma's eyes widened in surprise.
"Oh, Emma!" Ingrid's voice rose in delight. "I'm so happy to see you!" She grabbed Emma's arm, overly familiar, sending prickles of discomfort through her. That strange, uncomfortable feeling returned, along with the unease from Ingrid's piercing blue eyes.
"Can you let go, please?" Emma asked. Ingrid released her arm, tittering, and Emma realized she was tipsy—maybe even more than that.
"Sorry!" Ingrid sang, her tone childlike and patronizing. But then her eyes hardened, the cheer vanishing from her expression. Ingrid's face always seemed to pull down at the corners, exuding a deep sadness and loneliness.
"I'd better get back," Emma said, stepping back, guard up.
"Wait," Ingrid held out a hand. "I think you deserve a heads-up about some news, since you're such a wonderful teacher and all," she said with a smile that felt cold.
"What's that?" Emma asked warily.
"Storybrooke Academy is out of money. It'll be closed by March. Camelot Charter plans to buy it out and turn it into a satellite school."
"What?" Emma gasped. Her heart pounded. "Is that true? What does that mean?"
"Yes," Ingrid said, not sounding sad at all. "They'll restructure the school, fire the useless staff, and keep the good teachers like you and Elsa. Most of the students will have to leave, since Camelot has a strict vetting process."
"You sound happy about this," Emma accused. "It's terrible. It will hurt so many innocent people and kids!"
"Well, I don't see it that way," Ingrid replied with a cruel shrug.
Before Emma could argue further, a firm hand rested on her shoulder, gently pushing her back. Regina stepped in front of Emma with a stern click of heeled boots, looking deadly.
"Well, well, if it isn't the washed-up traitor who couldn't cut it in the PTA." Regina's lipsticked smile was sharp as a knife.
"Regina," Ingrid greeted in surprise, her confidence faltering. "What a… surprise to see you here."
"You know, it's funny," Regina continued, ignoring her. "After sending your child to a new school, many of Storybrooke's biggest names transferred. Isn't that odd? Almost as if they were being recruited."
"Yes," Ingrid gave a shaky laugh. "How odd, indeed."
"Almost as if a certain charter had a vested financial interest in securing those transfers."
Ingrid's eyes widened, the whites fully visible. Her breath hitched, and she took an involuntary step back. "Apologies," she stammered, voice trembling. "I think I see my ride." She hurriedly excused herself, a strong smell of bergamot perfume trailing behind.
Regina turned back to Emma, concern replacing her smirk. "Did she say anything to upset you?"
Emma exhaled sharply. "Man, remind me never to get on your bad side. That was intense." She grinned. "But seriously? You're cool as hell, Regina."
Regina's smile returned briefly, then faded as her eyes shifted to the slightly spilled drinks. "We should finish these before they get cold."
They returned to their table where Henry waited. The warmth of the drinks thankfully remained, helping to chase away their lingering chill, and Emma recounted what Ingrid had said about Storybrooke Academy.
"They can't do that!" Henry cried, outraged. "What will happen to all the kids?"
"Don't worry," Emma said firmly. "We won't let that happen."
The potential school closure loomed like a nightmare. Kids without money, good grades, or spotless records wouldn't be allowed in a charter school. They'd have to endure long bus rides to distant public schools, likely ones no one ever heard of, leaving kids like Lilo, Riley, or Jacinda to slip through the cracks.
Regina furiously tapped away on her phone, text tones pinging as her messages received immediate responses. Emma couldn't imagine anyone ignoring a text from the Queen of Storybrooke. After a few more minutes, a triumphant grin spread across Regina's face.
"I think I have a solution," she said, a glint of triumph in her eyes. "I've rallied the biggest players, and Gold says he can leverage his connections with investors. We'll host a massive fundraiser gala for New Year's at the school."
Emma nodded, a smile spreading across her face. "Hit the pocketbooks, I like it." She leaned back, genuinely impressed. "You managed all that in ten minutes? You're amazing at this."
"I have my ways." Regina smirked, attention briefly returning to her phone.
"Maybe we could run another auction?" Emma suggested. "The one at the autumn event went well. Mary Margaret and I collaborated on some pottery pieces before the break, and she probably has more projects lined up." Emma hoped this would ease tensions between her and Regina. Besides, Snow would do anything to save the school.
Regina hesitated, clearly wanting to decline, but finally relented. "Sure," she said, wrinkling her nose. "But if she starts giving any friendship speeches, I'm kicking her out."
"Fair enough," Emma agreed, suppressing a laugh.
Next to them, Henry's head drooped onto Emma's shoulder, his small frame exhausted from trying to keep up with the adult conversation. Emma's heart softened.
"I think it's time to get him home," she whispered, and Regina nodded.
Weeks flew by in a whirlwind of planning and preparation, and finally, the night of the gala arrived.
When Emma stepped into the school's gym, the transformation took her breath away. Soft, twinkling fairy lights draped across the ceiling, while white cloth tables adorned with crystal centerpieces and fresh flowers added an air of sophistication and class. The atmosphere buzzed with hope and anticipation, perfect for impressing the wealthy investors.
Emma butched up for the night, donning a sleek black suit and tie, her curls pulled back into a neat ponytail. She caught sight of Mulan, who dazzled in a tailored suit and fresh undercut. Emma grinned—they'd both had the same idea. A touch of edgy makeup around Mulan's eyes emphasized a glittery sheen she only sported on special occasions.
"Looking handsome as hell," Mulan hyped her up. "Where's your lady?"
Emma, already scanning the room, easily found Regina—she always could. Regina mingled with the guests, her deep burgundy gown and matching ruby necklace sparkling under the lights. Her hair was pinned up in an elegant, queenly fashion that made Emma's heart skip a beat.
"Aw, girl," Mulan teased, though her voice held genuine happiness for Emma. "You are so down bad. Adorable."
In a trance, Emma's feet carried her over to Regina, nerves forgotten. "You look absolutely stunning," she breathed, voice low with admiration.
Regina's eyes met hers, and she politely excused herself from the group. "Thank you," she said, confidence radiating. "You look very handsome. Swoon-worthy, even, in that suit."
Emma beamed. "Thanks. My friends and I are here to support you tonight."
Just then, Mulan appeared beside Emma, her charming smile in place. Emma gestured to her like she was a movie star.
"Miss Fa," Regina greeted, squinting slightly as recognition dawned. "Hold on. Do I know you from somewhere outside of school?"
Mulan grinned. "You might have seen me performing. I used to do drag."
Regina's eyes widened. "At Ursula's, right? You were incredible! Your warrior routine was really hot."
"Thanks," Mulan replied, turning red. "It's been a long time since I performed, but I still enjoy dressing up."
"Well, you look amazing," Regina said.
"Thanks, Miss Mills," Mulan said, her eyes sparkling at Emma, pleased with Regina's huge shift in agreeability. "We've all got your back tonight."
Regina was soon pulled into another group, everyone recognizing from the PTA, the school board, her family's company, or law school. Emma and Mulan stepped aside to help around the gym, but Emma's eyes kept drifting back to Regina.
As the night progressed, Emma noticed Regina sharing multiple glasses of wine with guests, seamlessly navigating conversations and networking. Despite knowing Regina was a pro at this, Emma couldn't resist checking on her, just needing a reason to be closer.
"You holding up okay?" she asked, approaching Regina with concern.
Regina gave her a funny look. "Emma, I do this for a living, you know."
Emma flushed slightly. "Yeah, I know. Just… wanted to make sure you're alright."
"I'm fine," Regina assured her.
Emma felt foolish for worrying and immediately felt overbearing, taking a page from Snow's book. She sheepishly dismissed herself, looking for a way to be helpful elsewhere.
When the auction began, Emma watched as items, including the pottery she and Mary Margaret had created, were sold for impressive amounts. Other charming handmade projects by the kids included finger-painted canvases, handwoven friendship bracelets, and meticulously crafted clay animals from the middle schoolers. The room buzzed with excitement and generosity as relatives of students splurged on the art.
It was going so well that, at one point, Emma dragged Regina over to Snow, who was overseeing the auction table. Regina begrudgingly thanked her.
Snow looked mildly surprised but nodded. She gave Emma a knowing look. "Well, thank you, Ms. Mills. The kids worked very hard on these projects." She smiled graciously. "And this event is looking to be a total success. Thank you for your hard work for our students."
Regina nodded curtly. "We might actually pull this off."
Emma watched from a distance as Regina and Snow tried to cooperate. A small step, but it meant a lot to her.
The night continued, and with each passing hour, the success of the gala became more apparent. When the final tally was announced, cheers erupted throughout the gym. They had exceeded their goal, securing the future of Storybrooke Academy.
As the event wound down, Emma found Regina again. "We did it," she cried, but catching sight of Regina's exhausted frame, Ema's joy turned to concern.
"You okay?" Emma asked.
"More or less," Regina replied, looking tipsy. "I definitely can't drive."
"I'm taking you home," Emma ordered. "Come on."
By the time they pulled up the long driveway to Regina's house, Regina had sobered up, thanks partly to Emma pushing her to drink water and eat a granola bar on the long drive up the winding hill to Regina's estate. Emma couldn't recall Regina eating anything substantial the entire night, always working herself so hard. Killing the ignition, Emma exited the car and opened Regina's door for her, ever the gentlewoman.
Regina wobbled slightly, her usual grace in heels compromised, needing to latch onto Emma for support. Emma's hand instinctively went to Regina's lower back, the touch lingering a moment longer than necessary.
"I'm not a princess, you know. I'm fine," Regina grumbled, annoyed. She fumbled in her purse for her keys.
"Sure you are," Emma teased.
Regina shushed her with a finger to her lips, leaning close, the contact making Emma's heart skip a beat. "Henry's probably asleep… we have to be quiet," she whispered, breath warm and inviting.
Regina finally managed to unlock the door. As she met and dismissed the babysitter and checked on Henry (who'd already gone to bed), Emma strolled around the main foyer. She admired Regina's sophisticated style. The space was elegant and modern, just like her. High ceilings with recessed lighting, a grand staircase with polished wood railings, and very sleek and minimalist decoration. Red roses in an intricate crystal vase added a touch of coziness to the foyer, radiating a pleasant, fresh scent. A far cry from her old apartment, and even Mary Margaret's too.
"Nice place," Emma murmured, genuinely impressed, when Regina returned.
"Thanks." Regina gave a small, tired smile. "Can I make you some tea before you go? I could use some myself."
"Sure," Emma agreed, surprising herself, and followed Regina. The kitchen matched the foyer's immaculate style, with granite countertops and state-of-the-art appliances. Regina filled a kettle with water and set it on the stove.
"So, did you have a good time tonight?" she asked, leaning against the counter, her gaze steady on Emma.
"I did," Emma said. "It was great to see everyone come together for the school. You killed it."
Regina nodded, pleased, pride in her eyes. The kettle whistled, and she poured the hot water into two mugs, handing one to Emma. As she accepted, their fingers brushed briefly. The two women stood in comfortable silence for a moment, sipping their tea.
"You know, for all the times we butt heads, I really do appreciate everything you do for the school," Regina said, suddenly a little shy. "Tonight showed me just how much you care."
Emma looked at her, surprised by the sincerity. "Thanks, Regina. Hey, I appreciate what you do too."
"We make a good team, don't we?" Regina's eyes drifted to her tea, expression fond.
"Yeah, we do," Emma agreed.
They finished their tea. Emma set her mug down, though she wanted to stay. "I should get going. Long day tomorrow," she sighed, the words feeling wrong as they left her mouth.
A subtle disappointment flickered over Regina's face, but she nodded.
They returned to the door, and Regina held it open. "Drive safe," she said.
Emma nodded. "I will. … Goodnight, Regina."
"Goodnight, Ms. Swan," Regina replied, her voice sweet but tinged with sadness. The door closed reluctantly.
Emma took a few steps towards her car, then stopped. Leaving felt entirely wrong. She turned back, feeling a pull she couldn't resist. She walked back to the door and knocked softly.
Regina opened it, surprise in her eyes. "Emma?"
Without a word, Emma stepped forward, closing the distance between them. Her heart raced as she gently cupped Regina's face and leaned in. They met in a soft, tentative kiss; Regina surprised her by returning it wholeheartedly. When they finally pulled apart, lips moist, Regina's eyes searched Emma's, vulnerable.
"You came back?" she whispered.
Emma's thumb brushed against her cheek, and Regina's eyes shone. "I couldn't leave without doing that."
"Well, it's about damn time."
Emma laughed softly, resting her forehead against Regina's. "Yeah, it is."
Regina hesitated, biting her lip. "Do you… want to stay?"
Heart pounding in her throat, Emma wet her lips and nodded, eyes sultry. "Yes, I do," she said, and Regina pulled her inside, with another kiss, this time full of heat, letting the door close behind them for good this time.