AN: Emma has a young daughter but Killian is no longer in the picture

Emma walked around the bench before dropping down beside the already seated woman.

It was a peaceful afternoon in Storybrooke. The sun was warm and the air was filled with the laughter and squeals from the children on the playground, a little way away from the pair.

After a few quiet moments of watching the undisturbed surface of the small pond in front of them, Emma looked to her right, taking in the other woman's profile. Her gaze swept over everything; from the wisps of just-beginning-to-grey hair set loose from the hair tie they were once held in; to the creases at the corners of dark eyes; to the way the woman slowly rotated a simple gold band around her finger. Nothing was overlooked.

"Do I know you?" the blonde asked softly.

The other woman kept looking straight ahead however, Emma noticed the beginnings of a frown.

"You sort of look like someone I know," Emma continued, "Yeah, she's really something. Expressive eyes, breathtaking smile, gorgeous, you know? Witty, really puts the ass in sass," she finished with a wistful grin.

At this point the other woman looked towards her.

"She really puts her ass into a lot of things. Pencil skirts, dresses, pant suits," the blonde paused, "leather pants."

The woman raised an eyebrow. "Miss Swan, what are you…"

"Like I said, you look familiar," Emma cut her off.

"Look familiar? What…," the woman's frustration quickly escalated when Emma gave her a blank stare; as though they'd only just met. "You've known… you… Emma!" She finished in exasperation.

The blonde couldn't contain her laughter. "You should see your face, Regina. Like a freakin' tomato. Calm down before you strain something."

The mayor glared at her before turning back towards to the pond.

"Come on. I was just trying to lighten your broody ass mood over here," Emma nudged Regina's shoulder with her own.

"I'm not broody."

"Uh huh, right. Anyway, I came over here to invite you to dinner."

Regina turned to Emma once more. "Dinner?"

"Yeah, you know that meal you have in the evening? Sometimes share it with others, family etc. Dinner. I'm inviting you."

"I know what dinner is, you idiot," Regina huffed.

"Well if you're going to be rude about it," Emma made to get up and leave.

A hand at her wrist stopped any further motion.

"I'm sorry. Dinner would be lovely. Anything special?"

The sheriff noticed something akin to hope in the mayor's eyes. Not knowing what to make of it, she decided to carry on.

"Yes. I want you present for the life time grounding of my daughter."

In spite of Emma's firm expression, Regina still had to query, "Life time grounding? Isn't that a bit excessive and whatever for? She's barely four years old, for goodness sake."

"Exactly!" Emma sat up, making a pointing gesture to emphasise the word.

"She's four and she's started talking back to me, giving me attitude and too much sass for such a small body. So that's it, she is forbidden to grow up any further and you'll be there to witness it. I can't afford to be dying premature greys." She ran her fingers through her long, golden hair.

Regina smirked, "Emma, you can't forbid her to age. It's impossible. You just need to stop telling her tales in response to the questions she has. She's too smart for the ridiculous things you come up with."

"I knew she'd been spending too much time with you. Giving her lessons in sass, I'm sure. You sending me a bill at the end of the month?" the sheriff rolled her eyes.

"Is it my fault that she'd rather learn the truth from me, than hear the story about how pears are really apples from outer space or when earthquakes happens, it's earth fighting another planet?"

"Hey, outer space apples was genius!"

"Honestly," Regina rolled her eyes. "Anyway, she likes me." Regina preened; her sombre mood forgotten.

"She's not the only one," Emma sighed, looking at Regina's hand still gently grasping her wrist.

"What time should I stop by?"

"You know you're welcome any time but we'll make it seven. So we'll see you at six thirty," Emma grinned. "Now that that's out of the way, what's got you so moody over here like a loner?"

The older woman's shoulders slumped. Instead of the expected snarky retort she replied with a simple, "With Henry gone, I've just been feeling lonely lately."

A few minutes passed with Regina staring at her lap and Emma wanting nothing more than to give the woman reassurance and comfort. Without any thought she asked, "What about an announcement instead of a grounding?"

"What?" Regina was genuinely confused.

A smile grew on Emma's lips, "An announcement. We'll see what Liza thinks about her mother taking her favourite person on a date."

Regina's gaze narrowed for a moment before her entire expression softened.

"Just because I said I was lonely, doesn't automatically mean that I'm to the point of dating you." She rolled her eyes good naturedly.

Looking affronted, Emma pointed out, "Gina, you'd be lucky to date someone as amazing as me. Thank you very much."

"Yes, I would be," Regina whispered.

Emma smiled.