"They're disgustingly cute."

"I know. Isn't it great?"

Ruby and Killian grin and high-five, happy witnesses to the cuteness that is happening at table eight where a knight, a queen, and a young prince share a meal.

"Hey, can we get some service over here?" Marian laments jokingly, sitting with Roland and Kathryn just a few tables over. Frederick swoops in wearing his knight armour, happy to serve them and steal a kiss from Kat while he's at it, and Granny watches all the canoodling from her perch in the hidden kitchen entrance, rolling her eyes so hard that it's a wonder they haven't gotten stuck that way. (She might be secretly pleased that everything seems to have ended well, but it doesn't change the fact that this is a professional establishment, damn it, get back to work!)

"Happy endings all around, it seems," Killian says after a moment, sighing somewhat longingly after even Belle makes an appearance and kisses Ruby's cheek on her way to the kitchens for a snack. Ruby gives his shoulder a sympathetic pat.

"Chin up, Rogers. You'll find your own prince charming soon enough."

Emma hops up from her table and approaches them by the back of the room a moment later, armour clanking as she scratches at her hair.

"Hey, I forgot there's a new hire coming in soon for an interview, and, well—" She tilts her head, glancing back lovingly to her table where Regina and Henry are laughing about something. "Would one of you mind—?"

"Yeah, sure, we can do the interview," Ruby says with a smile. "Go on, Swan."

"Thanks. You two are the best," Emma sighs with relief, grinning at them before scampering back to her table. Killian pouts as Ruby watches the door.

"I'm glad Gus got offered that commercial gig," he murmurs, "but it's a damned shame to see him go."

"He was an awesome waiter and so fun to work with," Ruby agrees.

"And bloody adorable," Killian laments. "What if the new hire is ugly?"

"You're so shallow," Ruby laughs, perking up as a man is led into the room by Ashley, who promptly points him towards them. Oblivious, Killian turns towards Ruby and starts listing off all the handsome male employees they've lost to talent agencies, while Ruby watches the man's approach with lifting eyebrows.

"Um, Killian—"

"I'm just saying, Ruby, I stay here 'cause I love working here, but every time we lose another handsome man to talent scouts—"

"Hi there. I've got an interview here at six thirty?"

Killian's jaw snaps shut with an audible click and Ruby barely suppresses a snort as the pirate's kohl-lined eyes go wide. The other man, for his part, just smiles obliviously at them with the kindest baby blue eyes, his cheek dimpling on one side as his eyes crinkle at the corners.

"Right, yeah, the boss said you were coming. Your name was?" Ruby thrusts out her hand and the man offers a warm, firm handshake.

"David."

"I'm Ruby," she grins, before her eyes light up with an idea. "And this is Killian. Hey Killian, would you mind doing the interview? I just remembered there's something I have to help Ashley with up front."

"I— what?" Killian mumbles, wide eyes turning on Ruby, and she's quite sure she's never seen the usually charming, flirty man so awkward in her entire life.

"David's interview," she says slowly, teasing. "You can handle it, right?"

"Oh. Oh, yeah! Sure!" Snapping to attention, Killian clears his throat and offers out his hand with a sheepish grin, nearly melting into a puddle of goo when David shakes his hand with that lopsided smile of his. Maybe it's his imagination, but David's ears are pink and his blue eyes seem to sparkle. "Yeah, right this way, I'll handle your interview up in the office."

The two men head off down the hall towards the back staircase and Ruby just smiles to herself, pleased. Before they disappear up into the office, she catches the last of their conversation.

"So, did you have a character in mind that you'd like to play?"

"Well, I was thinking of maybe being Prince Charming?"

The problem with half sisters who don't really talk much outside of obligatory family gatherings is that misunderstandings are bound to happen.

Especially when one is dating the other's ex without her knowledge.

After much planning, stalking, and a bit of illegal breaking-and-entering, Zelena finally stretches out on top of the comforter of a queen sized bed, the fabric soft and cool against her bare skin. In the most sheer and lacy emerald green lingerie she owns, and with her fiery red hair cascading suggestively over her shoulders and atop her breasts, Zelena knows she's a mouthwatering vision, one she hopes will change Emma's mind and have the blonde returning to her arms.

Little does she know, Emma is returning from a date this evening with Zelena's own younger sister.

"Oh, hang on," Regina hums as Emma fiddles with the lock on her front door, checking her phone when it buzzes persistently in her pocket. Cat Grant flashes on screen and Regina rolls her eyes, knowing better than to ignore a call from her old mentor and friend. "I have to get this. You go on, I'll be there in a minute."

"Alright," Emma says with a lopsided smile, leaning in to sneak a soft kiss to Regina's blushing cheek before heading into the townhouse first. She can already hear Regina sassing her friend on the phone right before she gently shuts the front door to give the woman her privacy, leaving it unlocked for whenever Regina is done her phone call. Tossing her keys into the bowl by the counter, she figures this is a good chance to quickly tidy up the place. Regina and Henry have been here quite a few times already these past weeks, but there's been a delicious tension simmering between them tonight ever since their dinner date started, and she can't help but hope they'll finally take things to the next level tonight.

Giddy with anticipation, Emma checks her text messages and turns her phone to silent mode as she strides into her bedroom, wondering if she has any candles sitting around that she could light up to set the mood.

"There you are, lover," a familiar voice purrs.

Emma's head jolts up, wide green eyes taking in the half-naked elder Mills sister lounging on her bed, and her throat goes dry with horror.

"Zelena?" she croaks, frozen in shock. Like prey trapped in the gaze of its predator, Emma can only watch in mute terror as Zelena slinks gracefully from the bed and invades her personal space, grabbing her firmly by the hips and pulling their bodies flush.

"It's time to end this silly little game of ours and finally reconcile, don't you think?" Zelena murmurs, her voice like silk.

And suddenly Emma's thrown onto the bed, sprawled on her back with Zelena pouncing on top of her, and all she can do is yelp pathetically as the front of her shirt is yanked open by her ex's eager, greedy hands.

"Emma, are you okay? I heard—"

"Oh my god," Emma chokes out, flailing uselessly from where she's been pinned to the bed as Regina gawks at them from the bedroom door.

"Oh my god," Zelena nearly screeches, staring down accusingly at the woman she's currently straddling. "You're shagging my sister?!"

"Oh, my god," Regina mutters, burying her face into her hands to hide the flush of mortification on her cheeks, because of course her psycho of a sister would pull this kind of stunt and land them in the world's most awkward situation ever. This is what Emma gets for dating Mills women. "Please tell me Mother isn't here as well."

Zelena nearly throws herself off of Emma, rushing to grab her trench coat from the floor where she'd left it earlier to cover herself up. Her face is nearly as red as her hair, fuming with shame and embarrassment and betrayal all at once, and Regina almost feels sorry for her.

Almost.

But Zelena has always purposely made her life hell while laughing the entire way, treating everyone's lives like a game, and she knows Zelena will bounce back just fine from this eventually, even if it does sting for a little while. Hell, maybe it will knock her down a few pegs. God knows she could use it.

"Did you know?" Zelena screeches, pointing an accusing finger at Regina while Emma scrambles to stand up and regain her dignity. Regina just sighs, settling her hands on her hips and giving her older half-sister an unimpressed look.

"Did I know that you were a horrible girlfriend to the woman I'm now dating? Yes. I didn't think it necessary to rub it in."

Zelena turns on Emma. "How could you do this to me?"

"I told you we were over!" Emma says helplessly, caught between standing up to her ex or cowering behind her girlfriend. Both options are unappealing.

"Oh, we're definitely over now, you traitorous cow!" And then Zelena slaps Emma, legit full on bitch slaps her, and pushes past Regina to storm out of the townhouse with another animalistic shriek of fury. The front door slams shut behind her.

"Ow," Emma mumbles, standing dazed and just kind of awkwardly pressing a hand to her cheek where a bright red imprint of Zelena's hand marks her skin. Regina approaches and gently cradles the blonde's face, her brows creased with concern.

"Are you okay?" she asks. Emma grimaces.

"Yeah. I guess we don't have to worry about her anymore after this. But damn, your sister has an arm on her."

"She was a softball pitcher in high school," Regina admits, her lip twitching.

Emma snorts.

In the end, the two just collapse onto the bed together, laughing helplessly as Regina holds a bag of frozen peas to Emma's cheek and eskimo kisses her.

A month into their relationship, Regina and Henry join Emma at her place to cook dinner together.

It's wonderfully domestic, the way Emma and Regina move around each other in easy harmony, the way Emma carefully guides Henry's hands as she teaches him how to stir the sauce and the way Regina snaps a hundred candid photos on her phone and sets her favourite as her lockscreen wallpaper. They fit each other as if they were made to be, natural and comfortable and indubitably happy.

"What do you think?" Emma queries, leaning forward with a napkin in hand to wipe up a splotch of sauce from Henry's chin, the boy making a bit of a mess as they all sit at the dining table to enjoy their hard work. Henry beams, mumbling out an approving noise with his cheeks stuffed full of food, and Regina gently admonishes his table manners even as she looks upon her girlfriend and her son with soft eyes and an even softer smile.

"It's wonderful, Emma," Regina murmurs, gently clasping onto Emma's wrist, her thumb stroking against the blonde's pulse point, and Emma's cheeks turn pink and she just grins, stuffing more food into her mouth to avoid blurting out the first thing that comes to mind.

I'm in love with you.

They clean up side-by-side afterwards, Emma washing as Regina dries, Henry having slunk off to explore Emma's home. His curiosity leads to his discovery of large boxes tucked away in Emma's closet, extra costumes and prop pieces that haven't yet made it to the restaurant. He reappears in the living room in fake chainmail too large for him, hanging from his small frame and nearly brushing the ground, as well as a knight's helm that makes his head feel ten pounds heavier.

"Henry," Regina says sternly, scolding him for going through Emma's things without permission, but there's laughter in her eyes and Emma just grins, clearly amused by the boy nearly drowning in plastic chainmail.

"Hold up, Ser Henry. You're all decked out, but what about us? Where's our costumes?"

So Henry runs off, disappearing into the closet and soon returning with costumes for both Emma and Regina to put on.

"Put it on!" he squeals, clearly pleased with his choices, so the women smile and acquiesce, stepping into the bathroom and bedroom to change separately. Regina reappears first, wearing fitted leather trousers and a baby blue riding coat that softens her features.

"This is actually really nice," she admits, running her hands down her sides and appreciating the jacket's fine material. It's nothing expensive, but it's not a cheap Halloween costume, either.

"You look really pretty, Mommy," Henry offers, using both hands to hold up the visor of his helmet so that he can appraise her new wardrobe.

"She's the prettiest, isn't she?" Emma says, appearing in the doorway with a lopsided grin. Regina's mouth goes dry.

Emma's hair is loosely braided back, just a few loose curls framing her face. She cuts a sharp figure in her princely garb, tight black trousers and a fitted black coat with red trim and gold buttons, a roped sash snug around her hips to tie it all together.

"Wow! You look so cool, Emma!" Henry gushes, bouncing around her, clutching at his helmet to keep it steady. Emma smiles down at him before her verdant gaze flickers up to Regina and her smile turns wicked.

"Do you like it?" she asks innocently, setting her hands on her hips so that the jacket hugs her muscular shoulders tighter. Regina swallows hard.

"Very much so," she manages to say.

Thwack!

A plastic toy sword smacks Regina's knee, and it doesn't hurt, but she jumps in surprise nonetheless. Henry scampers off with his weapon, cackling wildly, and Emma immediately snatches up a plastic sword from the box of props and points it in his direction.

"How dare you harm my lady love? I must defend her honor! En garde, villain!"

She rushes off, dramatically swinging her sword at him slowly enough that he is able to block the attack with his own, their toy weapons clanking noisily together before Henry flees into the kitchen to hide behind the center island. Emma chases him around, a big kid romping around after a little kid, and Regina watches them with a wide smile that transforms her entire face. My lady love, Emma had said. And maybe it was part of her playing in character, but it warms Regina's heart nonetheless, lighting up even the darkest corners of her soul that had felt cold and alone for so long.

In the middle of clashing swords with the boy, Emma looks up and meets her eyes from across the room, bright and happy and so full of love, and Regina bites her lip and thinks of the very same thing Emma had thought earlier.

I'm in love with you.

CatCo's highly anticipated summer issue is released, and it's making waves.

With the ability to make or break restaurants with her sometimes scathing reviews, Regina's glowing praise of Enchanted has every foodie and food critic flocking to the establishment to get a taste for themselves. They're booked up every single month, the phone always ringing, and Emma does end up having to hire someone to manage the overflowing lineups outside that nearly circle the block.

"I really hope this is worth the effort," Cat Grant bemoans, stepping out of her car as Regina greets her just in front of the restaurant. The entrance has been practically transformed into a mini red carpet as security guards keep civilians and paparazzi behind the ropes, barking out reminders that the restaurant is booked for a private function tonight and that there is no public access.

"Enchanted is always worth the extra effort," Regina says with a smirk, exchanging cheek kisses with Cat to give the cameras a few good PR shots of them. Cat Grant is in a slinky velvet dress that only just passes for medieval royalty, a simple band of diamonds gracing her blonde updo. Regina chuckles at her 'costume' and turns to watch as two more slender figures step out of the car after Cat.

"Kara, good to see you again," she offers the blonde reporter, shaking her hand and appreciating the simple blue princess dress the younger woman wears. She remembers being fond of the slightly awkward but endearing reporter who she'd first met as Cat's assistant before finally moving up in the ranks as a reporter for CatCo.

"Miss Mills, hi," Kara chirps, fiddling with her glasses as she smiles bashfully at the beautiful but intimidating food critic. Their departments never mingled much but Kara's love of food extended to her love of reading about food, and Regina is well known as the Queen of the culinary column.

"So you're Regina Mills," the brunette next to Kara says, and Regina takes one look at the sharply dressed young woman in a maroon prince's suit and immediately likes her.

"You must be the 'Luthor girl' Cat keeps complaining about," Regina surmises, teasing. Lena Luthor smirks at her and Cat Grant rolls her eyes dramatically at all of them.

"Alright, enough of that. Let's get inside, I want to see what all the fuss is about... Well come on . Let's go, lesbians."

They move towards the restaurant, the rest of Cat's entourage following shortly in their various medieval costumes, and microphones are held out past the barricades as reporters and paparazzi try to get the scoop on why such a high profile group of people are hosting an event at this particular restaurant.

"Why, the owner is a good friend of ours, of course," Cat lies smoothly, pausing to preen for the cameras. "And the food is absolutely divine, I'm surprised they don't already have Michelin stars. Enchanted is an original delight and we at CatCo are so excited to celebrate its success tonight with our friends and family."

Camera flashes go off and more questions are shouted from the crowds. Cat waves a dismissive goodbye and leads the way inside, her eyebrows doing all the speaking when they enter the waiting room.

"Your Majesty," Ruby greets at the rickety podium, dressed in a tight barmaid's outfit as she curtsies dramatically before holding aside the cloth covering the door. "Right this way."

Cat sniffs and lifts her chin, striding through into the main room as the others follow.

"I like that one," she says, and Regina snorts with laughter.

"Welcome, Your Majesties," Emma greets, the knight smiling warmly at them upon their entrance. She, Frederick, Killian, and a few other servers dressed in armour or kingdom uniforms stand in a neat line to greet Cat's party as if they really were royalty. The entire main floor of the restaurant has been rearranged to suit their needs for this evening, long rows of tables slid together to mimic a great hall. Emma's team quickly and smoothly seats the guests, with Cat Grant at the head of the table, Kara and Lena on her immediate right and Regina to her left. Henry is already there, sitting on a stool next to the bards by the hearth, dance-bouncing in his seat as they play their hearty music.

"I'm pleasantly surprised," Cat admits later, after they've all enjoyed a rich dinner of carrot-avocado tabbouleh and lamb roasted a perfect red-bronze with sorrel salsa verde, paired nicely with an expensive bottle of Ribera del Duero and a slice of lemon meringue for dessert. Half of the party remains seated at the long table, sipping their drinks or picking at desserts as they talk and laugh. The rest are scattered around the restaurant, some lounging by the bar and getting plied with alcohol by a gleeful Leroy, while others enjoy the music by the fire or dance in the open space. Regina and Cat are alone for the moment at the head of the table, talking quietly as they sip their third glasses of wine.

"I told you this place was something special," Regina says with a soft smile, looking over her shoulder and laughing gently at the sight of Kara twirling Lena in her arms, the two young women swaying and circling around each other next to the musicians. They invite Henry to dance with them, the little boy bouncing around at their hips.

"It's certainly unique." Cat glances over to where Emma stands chatting and laughing with some of the other servers, momentarily relaxed as they have very little to do while the guests lounge about. Emma had sat with them during dinner, clasping hands with Regina under the table and indulging Cat's many questions, both professional and personal. "You picked a good one."

If Regina didn't know any better, she'd say Cat looked almost proud.

"She's wonderful," Regina admits softly, smiling in Emma's direction with a warm, loving gaze. "She's so good with Henry, and she takes care of every single one of her employees. She cares so much about other people."

Cat takes one look at her expression and groans.

"Okay, no need to get all gross and mushy on me, Mills. I get it, she's perfect and you're in love or whatever. Just put a damned ring on it already."

At that, Regina coughs.

"What?"

"I know you. Don't act like you haven't already dreamed up a dozen different ways of proposing."

Cat arches a perfectly plucked eyebrow at her and Regina blushes hotly.

"Wh— I— It's too soon for that," Regina protests.

"Please, I married my first husband within eight months, and my second husband in five. Don't even get me started on number three..."

"Exactly why I don't want to jump the gun and get married right away," Regina deadpans, unimpressed. Cat actually cracks a smile at that.

"Whatever you say, Regina. But I've always said life is too short to spend it worrying about what the future holds. If you want something, go after it." Standing, Cat downs the rest of her wine and sets it down with a thud, giving Regina a sly wink. "Now, I'm going to go have a chat with those strong handsome men over there. Think about what I said."

Cat strides off, hips swaying as she approaches David and Killian where the two men are already flirting with each other at the back of the room, and Regina doesn't bother warning her that they're as gay as they come. Good luck, Cat.

"What was that about?" Emma murmurs against Regina's ear, causing the brunette to jump slightly in surprise before chuckling and leaning back into the blonde's warmth.

"Oh, nothing. Just Cat Grant being Cat Grant."

"Mm. Dance with me." Emma steps back, hand outstretched and eyes twinkling, and Regina can hardly deny her that. Letting Emma pull her up out of her seat, she follows her to the clear space in front of the hearth and the musicians, settling her hands on Emma's shoulders as the blonde gently leads her around in easy circles, her dress swirling around her legs as she's spun.

"You can dance," she points out, delighted. Emma just grins, deep dimples appearing in her cheeks.

"What can I say? I've got a few tricks up my sleeves."

"Oh?" Leaning close, Regina murmurs in her ear, "What else are you good at?"

Before Emma can splutter out a reply, their hands are being snatched up by Kara, the younger blonde tugging at the both of them.

"Dance with us!" Kara laughs, pulling them towards Lena and Henry, and soon they're all linked by the hands, dancing in circles and swinging each other around amidst breathless laughter, the bards and the other guests cheering them on and some even joining in. Eventually the music slows down, people pairing off to sway in each other's arms, Henry dancing atop Belle's feet, Kara and Lena slow-dancing together, and Emma and Regina watching them with soft smiles.

"They kind of remind me of us," Emma murmurs, chuckling under her breath. Regina snuggles in a little closer, her head tucked under Emma's chin as they sway back and forth together.

"Mmm, they are cute, aren't they?"

"Mmhmm. And that is kind of hilarious," Emma says under her breath, stifling a laugh as she spots Cat happily swaying between David and Killian. The men, bless their gay hearts, are exchanging amused glances and have graciously let the woman flirt with them to her heart's content.

"Cat always wants what she can't have," Regina chuckles, shaking her head. "At least the boys look like they're having fun with it. You should have seen her mooning over Kara's cousin, Clarke. Poor Kara was mortified."

Emma laughs at the mental image of Cat Grant trying to seduce Kara's cousin, but before she can ask anything more about it, the thud of harsh footsteps reaches her ear and she turns to see Robin of all people forcing his way into the restaurant looking absolutely livid.

"Really, Cat? Really?" he snarls, his finger pointing accusingly in her direction as he makes straight for her. Killian pulls Cat behind him and David steps forward, his broad chest puffed up protectively and his kind face suddenly hard and warning, and it's the only reason Robin halts in his tracks instead of potentially getting into a fist fight.

"I'm sorry, who are you again?" Cat asks with an arch of her brow, pretending not to recognize him, and Robin turns an even darker shade of red as many of Cat's guests start laughing.

"You brushed off my appointments five times! I tried to get Sherwood on your front page five times and you choose to feature this ridiculous place on a whim? They don't even have any Michelin stars!"

"That's enough, Robin," Emma growls, stepping up next to David and squaring up against Robin with her jaw tightly clenched. "This is a private function and you're trespassing."

"And you!" Robin snaps, gladly turning his anger on her. "First you steal my employees and my customers, and now you steal my front page headline?!"

"She didn't steal anything," Regina states coolly, approaching them now with her trademark icy glare in place. Having never been on the receiving end of it before, even Emma looks a little nervous. "I wrote that article. I'm the one who's been to both your establishments. And frankly, it's a wonder that you have any Michelin stars at all since Sherwood pales in comparison."

"How dare you—"

Robin steps towards Regina at the same time Emma moves between them, but her protectiveness is unwarranted because Robin is suddenly hauled up and backwards like a pup by the scruff of its neck, his eyes wide with surprise as he's lifted onto the tips of his toes.

"The best time for you to leave was the moment you stepped in the door, but the second best time is right now," Kara says cheerfully, easily carrying him out the door and gently tossing him to the ground. Robin lands on his ass and stares up at her in disbelief as she closes the door and leaves him to the mercy of the pissed off security guards, not to mention the crowds of paparazzi who eagerly snap photos of the disgraced restaurant owner thrown out of Cat Grant's party.

Everyone inside is staring with slack jaws and wide eyes when Kara returns.

"What? I felt threatened," Kara says with an innocent blink, fiddling bashfully with her glasses as if she hadn't just picked up and thrown a fully grown man out the door.

Lena drags Kara out of sight down the back hallway and no one says anything when they return a half hour later with smudged lipstick and wild hair, though Emma can't stop laughing and Regina just grins.

"Oh, it's an absolute experience," Cat Grant says later, when cameras are trained on her and reporters are shouting questions. She's expertly posed for the photographers outside as her friends stand nearby and her entourage slowly make their way down the red carpet and back into their waiting cars. "We had the best night here at Enchanted. Where else can you enjoy a Michelin star meal while being transported to a fantasy world?"

She answers questions selectively, smiling a shark-like smile as the crowds fawn over her. Emma and Regina stand in the front door of the restaurant, watching Cat play the crowd and smiling brightly every time cameras turn towards them for a shot of the beloved restaurant owner.

"What about Robin Locksley?" another reporter asks loudly, waving his microphone in Cat's direction. "Wasn't that Robin Locksley who was thrown out of here earlier? The owner of Sherwood?"

"It was," Cat says with a calculated sigh and a roll of her eyes. "Poor man is green with envy. He forced his way into our party to rant and spew hatred about how it should have been Sherwood instead of Enchanted on the front page of the latest CatCo magazine. He almost attacked me in his rage."

There's an outcry of anger and disbelief at Robin's audacity, the crowd full of Cat's fans, not to mention all the reporters and paparazzi who love any kind of drama the media queen can provide them.

"She's scary good," Emma murmurs, hands on her hips as she stands tall in her knight armour, smiling and waving every so often. Regina just smirks, posed comfortably next to Emma as she arches a brow and offers the photographers her best profile shot.

"Please, Gordon would eat him for breakfast," Cat continues, laughing off one reporter's question as she turns and heads back towards Emma and Regina, making a show of kissing them both on their cheeks before finally heading for her waiting car. "I stand by my magazine. Enchanted is a must-have experience!"

And then Cat is swept away in her black limousine, taking Kara and Lena with her, and leaving Emma and Regina to the flashing cameras and the delighted press. Emma's cheeks are pink but she's absolutely beaming, her chest puffed up with pride at her restaurant, her baby, succeeding so wonderfully.

"You deserve this," Regina murmurs in her ear, keeping a polite distance between them, unsure if Emma is comfortable with photos of the two of them together romantically now that the blonde finds herself in the limelight.

Emma proudly kisses her for the entire world to see.

"Yeah, trap her ass!" Marian laughs, as Kathryn gleefully shouts, "wife her!"

Their reactions are exactly what Regina needs to feel at ease with her—perhaps slightly premature—purchase. Her very expensive, very sizable purchase of a crown-shaped cluster of diamonds embedded in a gold engagement band.

Zelena, for whatever reason, had taken to moping around Regina's house like an annoying house guest who won't leave, and so she's there when Regina finally shows the ring to her two best friends, brooding in the corner of the room and grumbling something about moving back to Europe.

"Do you have the proposal planned out already?" Marian asks, eager for information. Kathryn just sighs dreamily, presumably already imagining the whole thing in her head.

"Well, sort of, but I'll need a lot of help," Regina admits, as her idea is rather grand and she can't exactly pull it off herself.

"What do you need? Anything at all," Marian and Kathryn promise, and Regina could cry at how genuinely excited they are at helping with her proposal, even if it's only been six months and she's perpetuating the U-haul Lesbian stereotype to a T.

And so they plot.

Enchanted is a whopping success and the restaurant is always busy, so it's a bit of an endeavor sneaking everything they need up onto the rooftop terrace of the building without Emma being aware. Belle has keys to the roof door access and Ruby sneaks them in one at a time up through the back, with Marian and Kathryn setting up while Killian and David keep an eye on the children.

Henry and Roland are all but adopted by the restaurant staff, always seen playing in the tavern in their tailored costumes, dancing to the bards' music or interacting with other children dining with their families. Emma is more than happy to join them, meeting and greeting every new face that enters her restaurant and bonding with return customers over good food and a nice mug of mead. She's wonderfully oblivious when Regina finally sneaks into the kitchen on the day that everything else is ready, enlisting Eugenia's guidance as she tries her hand at designing a special meal just for them. (She's an excellent critic, but not the most experienced chef.)

"Don't eat dinner with the guests tonight," she'd warned Emma earlier that day. "I want to eat with you."

"Okay," Emma agrees easily, though she'd not questioned where Regina disappeared to, simply content to sip her drink and mingle with customers. Finally, Regina reappears in the tavern at just past seven, a pleased look on her face as she waves for Emma. Leaving Henry and Roland under David and Killian's watchful eyes, the knight follows Regina down the back hall and up into the office, her gaze curious and questioning.

"Take off your armour," Regina laughs when Emma tilts her head. "We're going up onto the rooftop."

"The rooftop? Why?" Emma looks amused but obeys regardless, storing her costume away in her locker and changing into trousers and a comfortable flowing tunic. Regina is already dressed in a similar fashion, waiting by the narrow staircase at the far back of the office that leads up to a rooftop terrace they've never really used.

"You'll see, darling," Regina murmurs, simply heading up and pulling Emma along by the fingertips.

When they step out onto the terrace, Emma gasps.

It's beautiful, the entire terrace warmly lit up by fairy lights strung up above their heads. The sky is dark, the moon hidden behind clouds, but their little bubble feels warm and alive thanks to the rows of lush, blooming potted flowers leading them towards a round table in the very center, cloth covered and neatly set with dinner for two. Regina gently tugs a speechless Emma forward, coaxing her into a seat and uncovering their food with a flourish.

"Oh, wow, that smells good," Emma moans, lashes fluttering as she breathes in deeply. "Did you...?"

"Make it? Yes." Regina blushes prettily. "Eugenia gave me pointers. It's nowhere near as good as what you can make, but I wanted to do something special for you."

"Hey, this is amazing," Emma insists, touched that Regina would make such an effort for her, even if it's not her strong suit. "I can't believe you did all this. How did—?"

"I had help." Regina reaches across the table to take Emma's hand, giving her fingers a squeeze. "You're worth it."

And no, Regina may not be on par with a professional Michelin star chef, but Emma savors every last bite, enjoying it not just because it's delicious, but because Regina made it just for her.

"Thank you, that was so good," Emma says earnestly, green eyes sparkling afterwards as she gently pats her stomach. Regina just smiles and goes to retrieve the dessert plate from a nearby cart, holding it carefully and then setting it down in the middle of the table between them, her hands shaking just slightly.

It's an ice cream chocolate fudge cake concoction that Regina knows is Emma's weakness, made into the vague shape of a swan.

"You made this? For me?" Emma says softly, in awe. Regina smiles, eyes warm, her hands fiddling nervously on her side of the table.

"Turn it around," Regina murmurs, her voice wobbling just a little. Emma rotates the dessert plate in front of her, curious, and loses her breath when she finally notices the glittering diamond ring winking up at her from the side of the plate, neatly seated on a mint leaf with a drizzle of caramel sauce circling it like a halo.

"Regina?" she whispers, looking up in disbelief. Regina smiles, cheeks a beautiful shade of pink, her brown eyes as warm and gooey as the hot fudge dessert between them.

"Marry me," is all she says, breathless and hopeful and to the point. And instead of replying, Emma skirts the table and straddles her lap, kissing her with the fiery passion of a thousand suns until they're both flushed and ragged and gasping for air. Emma's thighs are warm around Regina's lap, her arms firmly circling the brunette's shoulders, and Regina's hands grip Emma's hips with an almost desperate desire.

"Was that a yes?" Regina asks, blinking dazedly, her lips swollen and her lipstick smeared.

"A thousand times yes," Emma laughs, kissing her again, her face aglow with happiness. Regina reaches across the table and plucks the ring from the plate, and Emma holds out her hand so that her new fiancée can slide the diamond onto her finger. "I always thought I'd be the one to propose," Emma muses with a dopey grin.

"Well, I couldn't resist doing it first, darling," Regina says, adoration in her voice as their hands clasp together, fingers entwined. "I love you."

"I love you too," Emma says proudly, absolutely beaming. And then she's leaning into Regina's space again, face scrunched with concentration, and Regina puckers her lips only to frown when she's not given a kiss.

"Emma?"

"Pardon my reach," Emma says cheekily, carefully pulling back with the dessert plate held between them, and Regina just laughs as her fiancée stuffs a spoonful of ice cream and cake into her mouth and kisses her again, chocolate sauce and all.

The End.