Regina had been so used to living alone for over ten years, so having Emma and Henry living with her had been a very big adjustment for all three of them. The first week felt a little surreal, falling asleep and waking up in Emma's embrace had felt like nothing but a dream. A very wonderful dream.

Regina's days were spent doing what she'd been doing since she moved back to Storybrooke, tending to the horses and the farm, sometimes with Henry's help after he begged Emma to let him stay home, sometimes on her own. The days she did get to spend with Henry were filled with laughter and adventure. It made her heart feel full in ways she hadn't realized she needed it to be filled, with a sense of a family of her own and the sound of a child's laughter that raised up that maternal instinct she had long since believed she never had and never would.

By the second week, they had established a fairly steady routine. Henry stayed home with her most days while Emma went to work, and her days were filled with chores, with spending time with a curious and full of high-energy young boy who had become the second most important person in her life, the first being Emma. She had a few moments where she feared she was taking away that special bond that Henry needed to be building with his mother, but Emma assured her that it didn't matter because she was a part of Henry's life too.

Regina hadn't spoken much with her own mother since the day she had come to apologize about her reaction to her and Emma's relationship. The few times they had spoken in the weeks since, the only topic of discussion was that of whether Regina had made a decision on the offered position at the town hall. Regina had been leaning away from taking the job ever since her move back to Storybrooke. She enjoyed the slow pace of life she had on the farm and she wasn't quite ready to dive back into a career just yet.

On the days where the afternoons dragged by slowly and Henry napped, Regina found herself sitting out back under the trees and sipping ice cold lemonade and thinking back on the last couple months of her life, especially those moments ever since she first met Emma at the Kitty Kat Lounge in Boston the week of Kathryn and Ruby's wedding. Emma would often come home to find her lost in thought.

By the end of August, Kathryn had sent out the invitations for the annual Nolan Family Labor Day barbecue her family held every year at the cabin. Emma had already been recruited by Ruby to help set everything up prior to the invitations being sent out and she was increasingly excited about attending the barbecue as they hadn't spent much time with Ruby and Kathryn since they had returned from their honeymoon.

Henry was just as excited as Emma was because if there was anything he loved more than anything, it was the notion of all the food he could eat—much like his mother. Regina had seen a lot of similarities in mother and son over the weeks despite the fact that Henry hadn't known his mother until the day before his father and fiancée had been killed in a mugging in Boston.

It was just before they were getting ready to head over to the Nolan's cabin, Henry was helping Emma load up some of the desserts Regina had baked for the party and Regina was standing by, watching them and listening to their conversation.

"We have to be careful, Henry, very careful, remember?" Emma reminded him as she handed him a smaller Tupperware container that had some cupcakes inside. "We don't want anything to fall over, okay?"

"Cause then Gina would've spent all that time for nothing," Henry said, repeating what Emma had told him as they carried the Tupperware containers out to her car. "I know, Mama, I know."

Regina caught the look of surprise on Emma's face at Henry calling her "mama". It was something that slipped out from time to time, more so as of late, yet it always seemed to catch Emma slightly off guard, almost as if she wasn't expecting it at all. Regina just smiled at her and Emma shook it off, handing Henry another small container that he strained to place into the trunk of the Mustang.

Regina picked up the large duffel bag Emma had packed and headed down to the Mustang, smiling as she handed the bag over to Emma so she could place it in the fairly full trunk. They were planning on staying over at the Nolan cabin, as per tradition when it came to just about everyone who attended year after year. They had already planned to stay over that night, after the bonfire and after they'd taken Henry to the sitter's so they could drink without worrying about him at all.

"I gotta go say goodbye to the horsies!" Henry exclaimed and he took off in a run before Emma could stop him.

"We're going to be late. Henry!"

"It's just a barbecue," Regina reminded her gently and she hooked her fingers on the belt loops of Emma's cut-off denim shorts, pulling her in close. "I know you two are helping Ruby out, but it's still early and nobody shows up until at least three."

"It's almost two."

"It is," Regina grinned and she tugged Emma in a little bit closer. "Plenty of time to be late."

"You're so bad," Emma chuckled just before Regina stole a kiss that took both of their breath away in an instant. "So bad."

"The worst."

Emma kissed her then, spinning her around and pinning her up against the side of the Mustang. The passion in their relationship had only grown in the weeks since Emma and her son had moved in, and they had experienced many stolen moments, just like the one they were having right then. They had been careful, especially with Henry around, not to let things get too out of hand until those quiet moments at night and those few times Emma came home during her hour she had for lunch each day, but there were also time where Regina just let herself become lost in Emma completely, where hands roamed and the heated passion between them grew tenfold.

Regina knew she should've stopped Emma, but as she found herself doing far too easily, she became lost within her, within the kiss, within the delicious press of a strong thigh between her legs and Emma's determined, roaming hands.

"Emma, we can't," Regina gasped as Emma's hands slipped under her shirt. "Emma—"

"We have a few minutes."

"Emma—"

Emma's lips silenced her and she succumbed, her very weakness being that of the woman she had fallen fully and completely in love with. It never failed to feel so overwhelming, so powerful, so full of lust and love every time Emma so much as just kissed her. It was a feeling she knew she could forever become lost in, and it was something she never wanted to go a day without.

Her thoughts ran away with her in that very moment, and she once again became lost in her blonde lover, her hands sweeping down her back to grasp at her firm ass, pulling Emma tighter and closer against her. She could feel her arousal building by the second, but reality caught right up to her, reminding her that it wasn't the time or place to allow herself to become lost within Emma Swan and every delicious, succulent inch of her.

"Emma," Regina murmured against her lips. "Not now."

"We have a few minutes."

"A few minutes not enough," Regina sighed, but she allowed a throaty moan to escape past her lips as Emma pressed a thigh harder between her thighs. "Emma."

Her lips twitched and she grabbed on to Emma's hands before she could slip them under her shirt. Regina shook her head, wishing that she could indulge, wishing she could allow Emma to touch her, to take her right then and there. The faintest sound of Henry laughing and then him calling out for both of them seconds later pulled the moment away, and Emma away from her, though not quickly enough.

"Can we go to the party now?" Henry asked as he ran over to them. "Auntie Ruby promised me a hundred hot dogs!"

"A hundred?" Emma asked in disbelief. "I don't think you can eat a hundred, kid."

"I can try!" Henry responded with a stubborn pout, one Regina had seen Emma sport far too many times over the past couple of weeks. "Can we go now, Mama?"

"Yeah," Emma exhaled sharply as she gave Regina a look that only promised they'd continue where they left off later. "Yeah, let's go."

Henry climbed into the backseat of the car and buckled himself into his car seat, but they didn't take off until Emma and then Regina checked to make sure he had buckled up properly. The drive to the Nolan cabin took nearly half an hour, and in that time, nobody spoke and the radio played the classic rock station Emma liked to listen to and one Regina only minded because she enjoyed hearing Emma sing along to the songs.

Upon their arrival at the Nolan cabin, Regina went off to find Kathryn while Ruby dragged Emma and Henry out back to start setting up for the barbecue. Regina found Kathryn in the kitchen with a few others and Kathryn's ex-stepmother, Liz, was commandeering everyone in the kitchen and assigning specific jobs to everyone that set foot in there.

"She's making my life a living hell," Kathryn whispered to Regina as she pulled Regina in for a hug. "Please help me find a way out of here."

"Regina!" Liz exclaimed and she bustled over to the two women before wrapping her arms around them both. "How are you, dear? I heard you left your cushy job in New York and moved back here."

"Hello, Liz," Regina sighed. "Yes, I moved back to town. I—"

"I also heard you have a lesbian lover now," Liz laughed obnoxiously. "Where is she? I must meet this woman!"

"She—she's out back with Ruby," Regina stammered, well aware of all the eyes on her at the moment, Liz doing what she did best and putting the focus on someone else. "What can I do to help?"

"Mimosas!" Liz exclaimed, letting go of Regina and Kathryn to join Belle and Tink at the counter.

"Kill me," Kathryn said through a tight smile.

"Only if you kill me first."

"Murder-suicide?" Kathryn asked and the two erupted into giggles.

They helped prepare platters of appetizers and got through Liz's drunken ramblings before the rest of the guests began to show up for the barbecue. Regina found Emma out back playing tag with Henry and a couple of other young children. Regina took a seat one of the dozens of tables that had been set up around the yard and watched Emma chase Henry down.

When Emma noticed her sitting at the table, she tagged Henry and called a time-out for herself. She jogged over to the table and sat down beside Regina, smiling as she leaned in for a quick kiss. Regina couldn't help but smile and pull Emma in for another kiss almost immediately.

"Having fun?" Regina asked.

"Oh yeah," Emma chuckled. "You?"

"I am now."

"And you call me the charming one," Emma murmured, leaning in for another kiss just as Kathryn's ex-stepmother strolled over to their table.

"Is this her, Regina?" Liz asked and from the slight slur in her voice, Regina knew the woman was already well on her way to getting drunk. "Is this the lesbian lover?"

"I prefer to be called Emma," Emma said as she held out a hand to shake Liz's.

"And I prefer to be called Liz," she chuckled obnoxiously. "You were at the wedding, weren't you?"

"She was in the wedding, Liz," Kathryn said as she walked up behind her. "Daddy is here."

"Oh is he?" Liz looked at her in surprise. "I suppose he'll be wondering why I'm here."

"You two have been divorced for ten years and you still come every year," Kathryn replied. "He brought his new wife with him."

"New?" Liz asked with a raised eyebrow. "You mean young," she chuckled and she looked down at Emma. "Nice to finally meet you, Emma."

"Nice to meet you too, Liz."

Regina shook her head as they watched Liz made a beeline for Kathryn's father and his new, and very young, wife, one that Regina had yet to meet herself. Kathryn sat down on the other side of the table and let out an exasperated sigh.

"That woman, I swear, she comes here just for the drama," Kathryn muttered. "Did you know that she and my father had an affair for five years after they got divorced?"

"Why didn't they stay married?" Emma asked. "I mean, if they had an affair for five years after they divorced, why wouldn't they have just stayed married all that time?"

"Daddy gets bored easily," Kathryn said. "He's been married about seven times now. Eight?"

"What's the new wife's name?" Regina asked.

"Tara or something like that. Tanya maybe? I have no idea. He met her in Athens during a business trip and they eloped the second week after they met. I haven't spoken to him since before Ruby and I left to go on our honeymoon."

"When did he and Ruth get divorced?"

"Like two months ago," Kathryn replied with a shrug. "She didn't want to tell anyone at the wedding. I don't even think David knew until after the news caught on that Daddy had gotten married in Athens."

"It's a good thing someone in the Nolan family likes commitment," Regina said with a small chuckle.

Emma looked at Kathryn and then over at her father and his new wife in surprise. "She looks really young, Kat."

"I heard she's twenty-three."

"Jesus," Emma balked. "Your new step-mother is younger than you?"

"She wouldn't be the first one. Before Daddy married Ruth, he was engaged to this nineteen-year-old girl from San Diego. That fell through when he found out she lied about her age. He has a strict no under twenty-one rule. To be fair, he was married to my mother for nearly ten years, his longest marriage to date."

"Who was the shortest?"

"Liz," Regina and Kathryn replied together.

"Wow," Emma chuckled and she casually draped an arm around the back of Regina's chair. "It seems like there is never a dull moment in your family, Kat."

"Which is why I spend Christmas in Belize. Ruby and I are going for two weeks this year. You two should come! Henry too. The villa we stay in is gorgeous. Regina, you remember the villa, right?"

"Yes," Regina nodded and she exchanged a look with Emma. "Perhaps another year, Kat. I think it'd be best if we stay home and start our own Christmas traditions together."

"I'm going to wear a Santa outfit," Emma chuckled. "And Regina is going to be my naughty elf. Right, babe?"

Regina playfully rolled her eyes, but a part of her was really looking forward to making new memories and creating new traditions with Emma and Henry. She tried not to get emotional, but it was hard because all it took was one look from Emma and a few tears fell and rolled down her cheeks.

"Hey, you okay?" Emma whispered and she leaned forward to kiss away Regina's tears. "I can be the naughty elf, okay?"

Regina laughed softly. "It's not that," she whispered. "I was just thinking about all the memories we have yet to make, all the new traditions we'll have together."

"Really?" Emma laughed and kissed away the last of the tears that had fallen. "So, you're still going to be my naughty elf, right?"

"Emma."

"Naughty elf?" Ruby laughed as she joined them. "What are you two talking about?"

"Christmas."

"Which is like five months away, Em," Ruby replied. "So, Regina is going to be your naughty elf?"

"Yep," Emma grinned proudly and Regina playfully pinched her side. "Halloween first. Babe, how do you feel about couples costumes?"

"Couples costumes?" Regina asked with a raised eyebrow. "Please tell me you do not want to dress up and take Henry out trick-or-treating wearing matching costumes."

Emma laughed and shook her head. "Not matching, not exactly. It's more like a theme, like salt and pepper, mustard and ketchup."

"You want to be condiments for Halloween?"

"No, no I was just saying," Emma sighed and it was Ruby who started laughing first, loudly at that. Emma cast her a glare and stuck out her tongue at her best friend. "Loser."

"I'm a loser? You're the one who wants to be condiments with your girlfriend for Halloween, Em," Ruby laughed even harder. "Anyone want a drink?"

"We're not hitting the hard stuff until after I drop Henry off at the sitter," Emma said. "But I'll have a virgin lemonade. Babe?"

"I'll have the same," Regina said and she poked Emma once more in the side. "It's just called lemonade, Emma."

"Have you had Ruby's lemonade?" Emma asked her. "She practically puts an entire bottle of rum in the pitcher with the juice itself."

"Sounds like a quick way to get completely wasted."

"That's the plan," Ruby laughed and she bent down to whisper something into her wife's ear before she headed over to the large bucket filled with ice and various of beverages. Beside it was a table with six different large containers of mixed drinks, clearly labeled since there were children present.

Plenty of Kathryn's family showed up within the next hour, most of her extended family lived outside of town and made the trip there just for the day. They were the ones staying overnight and some of Kathryn's cousins started pitching some tents not too far from where the tables were all set up. Regina had been to the annual barbecue every year, even in the years she'd been away at college and then in New York City. If there wasn't drama between Kathryn's ex-stepmother and her father and his current wife, there was drama with some of the out of town cousins.

There were a lot of young children around Henry's age and they ran around the large yard, laughing and squealing in delight when one of the cousins brought out a few super soakers and started chasing after them. Regina saw a lot of familiar faces and some new ones, but it didn't make it feel any less than a family gathering. Emma and Henry were fitting right in, just like Ruby was, and just like she had when she first started attending the annual barbecue when she was just a young girl.

Her mother was the only one noticeably missing and for a while, Regina debated whether or not to call her mother and invite her to the barbecue since she had never missed a single year in over twenty years either. When some of the men started up the barbecues, Regina told Emma she'd be back shortly after she asked Emma for the keys to her car, and she headed up to the house and around to the front with the keys dangling from her hand.

What she hadn't counted on was Emma's car being blocked in with no way out. With a frown, she headed back into the house and ran into Tink just as Tink came bouncing down the stairs with a little two-year-old girl in a pink dress in her arms.

"I need to borrow your car," Regina said and Tink just looked at her in surprise. "Emma's car is blocked in and I need to go pick up my mother."

"She's not here yet?"

"No."

Tink headed into the living room and found her purse, fishing out the keys to her car before hesitantly handing them to Regina. "Please don't get into a fender-bender while you're in my car, okay? I just finished paying off the loan."

"I haven't been drinking," Regina said tightly. "Don't worry, I'll take care of your precious car."

Regina stormed out of the house and to Tink's ridiculous green colored Cooper Mini and got in. The car was small enough she easily got of from the tight spot it was in beside two large vans. The drive to her mother's house was quick and she barely had the car in park before she was out the door and rushing into the mansion without knocking.

"Mother?" Regina called out as she walked up the four steps into the foyer? "Mother, are you here?"

"Kitchen," Cora replied and Regina hurried into the kitchen and found her mother seated at the island counter and sipping from a cup of hot tea. "Hello, dear. What a pleasant surprise. What are—"

"Why are you still here?" Regina asked her. "You should be over at the Nolan's cabin right now."

"I wasn't aware I'd been invited."

"Don't be ridiculous, you are always invited."

"Kathryn uninvited me from the wedding."

"Because you were being horrible!" Regina sighed. "Come on, they already started cooking the meat. If we leave right now, we'll get there just in time to mingle a little before we eat."

"I have nothing prepared to bring along."

"Bring a bottle or two of cider, Mother."

Cora sighed before slipping off the stool. "I suppose," she said quietly. "I brought up a couple of bottles from the cellar earlier. They're in the study by the liquor cabinet. Be a dear and grab them while I quickly change."

"What's wrong with what you're wearing?" Regina asked and Cora rolled her eyes. "It's a barbecue, Mother, not a meeting at town hall."

"Still, I have a reputation to uphold, dear. I'll be just a minute."

Regina didn't argue with her since she wasn't going to win in the end. Regina headed into the study and grabbed the two bottles of cider sitting on a small table beside the liquor cabinet. While her cider was good, her mother's was highly potent and beyond delicious. Regina knew she'd be having a few glasses of cider later in the evening if it all wasn't gone by then.

Regina waited by the front door, the bottles in a canvas bag and Tink's car keys in her hand. Cora came down almost ten minutes later, having changed out of her yoga pants and loose fitting t-shirt into a pair of her causal slacks and a pristine white and sleeveless blouse. She had even put on a little more makeup than she'd been wearing before and Regina, eager to get back to the Nolan cabin, hurried her mother out the door and into Tink's green Cooper Mini. She ignored her mother's remarks on the car and drove back to the cabin, parking Tink's car in the same spot it'd been parked earlier.

The smell of hamburgers, chicken, steak, sausages and hotdogs filled the air and Regina's stomach grumbled as they made their way around the house and down to the yard where almost a hundred people were now mingling around while waiting for the feast to be served.

Regina placed the bottles of cider on the refreshment table and left her mother to mingle while she went off in search of Emma. After a quick sweep through the yard and Emma nowhere to be found, Regina hailed Ruby down, pulling her away from Kathryn in the middle of dancing to the music that was blaring.

"Where's Emma?"

"Last I saw she was headed inside. Someone spilled punch all over her by accident."

"Let me guess, Liz?"

"Yeah," Ruby laughed and the two looked over at Kathryn's ex-stepmother who was now nearly passed out in a hammock under the trees. "She should still be inside getting changed. She just left a few minutes ago."

Regina headed up the back stairs to the back door and went inside. A few of Kathryn's aunts were in the kitchen and after a brief hello, Regina headed up the back stairs to the second floor. She didn't even hesitate as she headed to the room Emma had stayed in before she and Henry had moved in with her and found Emma standing at the foot of the bed in only her cut-off shorts and a bra as she pulled out a clean tank top from inside the duffel bag they'd packed with a change of clothes.

She was quiet as she walked up behind Emma, her eyes raking over every inch of delectable skin of display before her. Regina had spent many hours trailing her lips over Emma's skin, from each little freckle that donned her skin to the next. She smoothed her hands along Emma's back, grinning at Emma's small yelp of surprise and then the lusty moan that followed sent a shockwave of arousal straight through Regina.

Emma dropped the dark grey tank top she'd pulled out of the bag and leaned back into Regina as Regina kissed along her left shoulder and wrapped her arms around Emma's waist. She licked along the side of Emma's neck lightly before Emma turned around in her arms and captured her lips in a deep and passionate kiss.

"Do you remember the first time?" Regina murmured against Emma's lips. "The first time we were together?"

Emma moaned. "Yes," she gasped as Regina grabbed tightly on to her ass. "You took me, make me yours. I'll never forget the way you made me feel."

"What way is that?"

"Hungry for more."

"More?" Regina asked as she moved her hands to the button on Emma's shorts and deftly flicked it undone. "I can give you more. A lot more."

"Regina, there are like a hundred people outside right now."

"And?" Regina asked as she swiftly pushed down the tight shorts and backed Emma up to the edge of the bed. "Like that's ever stopped us before."

"We don't have much time."

"We hardly do."

"We'll have to be quiet."

"We always are," Regina chuckled and she pushed Emma down on to the bed and quickly moved to straddle her hips. "Now, are we going to waste our time talking or can we put our lips and tongues to better use, hmm?"

As much as Regina loved being on top and in control, she loved when Emma took the upper hand, flipped her over, and fucked her into oblivion. She hadn't gone off in search of her girlfriend in hopes for a quickie, but like any time she had a moment just to get lost in Emma, she fully indulged in it and milked it for every second she could get.

[X]

Emma wrapped her arms around Regina as they sat on the blanket together and she couldn't seem to keep her hands or her lips off gorgeous girlfriend. They had thankfully not been caught earlier when they fucked hard and fast in the bedroom upstairs just before dinner was about to be served. Even after having a cheeseburger, two hot dogs and half of Henry's sausage he couldn't finish eating, every time she licked over her lips she could still taste Regina.

Emma looked around the yard as the sun began to dip low in the sky. Most of those with young children had already begun to leave and she spotted Henry sitting with Kathryn, his eyes beginning to droop after a long afternoon of running around and too much good food.

"I should take him to the sitter," Emma whispered into Regina's ear. "I shouldn't be gone too long."

"Hurry back, darling," Regina whispered, turning to capture her lips in a short, sweet kiss. "I really want to give Ruby's lemonade a try and soon, but not without you."

Emma groaned quietly, kissing her once more before mustering the strength to let her girlfriend go and get up from the blanket they'd been camped out on for the last hour. She loved when Regina had a little bit to drink. She loosened up in ways she never did sober, and she let Emma do things to her that she wouldn't let her do while they were sober either.

Emma went over to get Henry, picking him up with a heavy grunt. "Come on, kid, time to go and see Myrtle, okay?"

"Okay," Henry said tiredly as he placed his head on her shoulder and yawned. "I'm sleepy, Mama."

"You'll be in bed soon enough, kid," Emma whispered and she placed a kiss to the side of his head before she turned to Kathryn. "Can I borrow your car, Kat?"

"Keys are on the hook by the front door."

"Thanks."

Nearly twenty minutes later, Emma pulled up in front of Myrtle's little grey house and carried Henry up to the front door where Myrtle was waiting for them. Henry asked her to tuck him in and she did, carrying him into the spare room and tucked him into the small twin-sized bed with Batman sheets and an old quilt after she quickly changed him into his pajamas for the night. Like most nights, Henry wanted a story and since she didn't bring along any of the books she read to him at night, she told him a story of a princess who met her true love by chance, a story that was so much like her and Regina's she was surprised Henry, as bright as he was, didn't make the connection until just moments before he fell asleep.

"You gonna marry Gina one day, Mama?"

"Maybe," Emma said softly. "Maybe one day."

"Okay."

"I'll come get you in the morning, kid, and the three of us will go out for breakfast at the diner, okay?"

"Okay."

"Night, Henry."

"Night, Mama."

"I love you," Emma smiled as she smoothed a hand over his brown hair. "I love you so very much."

"Love you too," Henry murmured sleepily, his eyes already closed and his thumb nearly snaking its way into his mouth.

Emma stood in the doorway for a little while just watching Henry as he fell into a deep and peaceful sleep. She was more than grateful for him every day now, more so than she'd ever been in his short life. They had come a very long way and while it wasn't the way Emma had once imagined it to be, it still brought them together, finally, after almost five years of never being able to see her own flesh and blood.

Myrtle urged her to go back to the barbecue with a sweet and toothy smile, promising her that Henry would be all right as she always did whenever Emma left him with her. Emma paid the old woman with a little extra on the top, and she took her leave, but not before going in to kiss her son good night once more.

Emma was careful driving Kathryn's car back to the cabin. It was worth more than what she had earned in the last ten years, maybe even more than that. Aside from her obvious paranoia over Kathryn's car, all she could think about the closer she got back to the cabin was that of enjoying a night with Regina, of letting loose in every single way with her.

The driveway wasn't as crowded as it was when she'd left to take her son to the sitter's for the night, but the spot Kathryn's car had been parked in earlier was taken over by a white van. Emma rolled her eyes and eased her way between two pick-up trucks and shifted the gear into park just before she not only heard, but also felt the crunch of metal against metal.

"What the fuck?" Emma groaned and she readjusted the rearview mirror, putting into focus the green Cooper Mini that had rear-ended her. "Are you fucking kidding me?"

Emma fought with the seatbelt before she got out of the car and stormed to the driver's side of the person behind the wheel of the Mini. Emma angrily pulled open the door, ready for a fight, but when Regina slipped out of the driver's seat with a dazed look upon her face, all Emma could do was laugh.

"Seriously?" She asked before quickly checking over Regina to make sure she wasn't hurt.

"This was not my fault!"

"Babe, I was parked," Emma chuckled and she wrapped her arms around Regina, both of them laughing as Emma picked her up and spun her around. "Not the first time you rear-ended me while I was parked."

"Emma, I didn't mean to. I thought—I didn't see you."

"What?" Emma asked with a shake of her head. "How did you not see me, babe?"

"I wasn't paying attention," Regina muttered under her breath.

"What was that?"

"I wasn't paying attention," she said again with a dramatic roll of her eyes. "How bad is it? Oh, Tink is going to kill me and why are you driving Kathryn's car?"

"Mustang is still blocked in," Emma shrugged. "Why are you driving Tink's car?"

"Same reason. I had to take my mother home," Regina laughed lightly. "How bad is it, Emma?"

Emma glanced at the two cars and relief fell upon her when she saw there was just barely a dent in the rear of Kathryn's car and the Mini was unscathed. "We're good. Barely even a dent. They won't know if we don't tell them."

"We have to tell them."

Emma shook her head and pulled Regina towards the Mustang parked a few cars over. "No, we're not going to tell them, babe. I won't let you."

"You won't let me?" Regina raised a challenging eyebrow. "And just how do you plan on doing that, hmm?"

Emma kissed her as she backed Regina up against the side of the Mustang. They both couldn't seem to contain their laughter and broke away from the kiss. Emma just pressed her forehead against Regina's and let out a long exhale.

For a brief moment, Emma thought back to the day she first arrived in Storybrooke for Ruby and Kathryn's wedding and to that moment when Regina had rear-ended her Bug. It was a collision that definitely helped shape the beginning of their relationship. The Regina she had met that day was not the woman Regina truly was underneath the cold, hard mask she wore then. The Regina she'd fallen in love with was the one she had in her arms in that very moment.

Her life had changed with a small series of events in a short amount of time, but every time she looked back on everything, she would do it all over again if the end results were exactly the way they were now.

She was happy. She was in love. She had her son, and she was home.

The End