Disclaimer: I own nothing. If I did... well, I don't.

So... It's been a while...

I honestly didn't know what I was going to do with this fic, and then SOMEHOW I managed to finish it. :) I know there were a few of you who REALLY wanted a kiss, and so here you go!

I hope you enjoy!

Chapter Two

"What do we talk of marks and brands, whether on the bodice of her gown, or the flesh of her forehead." cried another female... Another female...

Regina swatted at Emma as she tried to distract her from her book.

Not long after cooking for Henry and eating, Emma and Regina settled themselves in front of a warm fire. Almost on instinct, Emma stretched herself out on the floor and leaned back against the couch, dragging the brunette down with her. As she settled between her legs, Emma wrapped her arms around Regina and pulled her flush against her while the mayor settled down with her book.

On any given day, Emma loved to watch Regina read. With her reading glasses perched on her nose, the Mayor would nibble on her bottom lip gently in concentration as the words washed over her. Emma happened to find it incredibly endearing. On this particular night, however, she was finding The Scarlet Letter to be nothing more than a hindrance.

It may have been the fire; the crackle of flames caressing wood as its heat enveloped their skin. Maybe it was the rain pounding gently outside, grazing against the windows before sliding down. Maybe it was Regina herself, her back firmly pressed into Emma's front, her body nestled between the blonde's outstretched legs. Whatever the reason, Emma could not fight the urge to touch.

One hand drew aimless designs on the inside of Regina's thigh, while the Sheriff placed light kisses to her bare shoulder. Loungewear may have been a very new concept to the mayor, but the woman wore her camisole and yoga pants well, and Emma enjoyed the tranquil allure it gave. Emma casually wrapped her free arm around Regina's middle, gently pulling her closer as the other woman tried to twist away from her caress.

"I'm trying to read, dear," Regina bit down on her lip, pointedly trying to stay focused.

"And I'm trying to seduce you," Emma punctuated the statement by lightly biting her neck.

"Emma," Regina's stern tone was taken over by a gasp, as she leaned into the addicting touch, "I promised Kathryn I would return her book this weekend."

The blonde bit back a mischievous grin, "Can't I have one kiss?"

Regina turned her head to glare at the blonde, "Ms. Swan..."

The rest of Regina's comment was cut off with a breathless moan. Emma's hands had tightened on her body reflexively, causing the eloquent mayor to lose her train of thought.

Emma brushed her nose against Regina's, watching caramel eyes shut in anticipation, "Just one kiss."

Regina held back just long enough to rid herself of her glasses and the book in her hands before turning in her girlfriend's arms. Without hesitation, Emma pulled Regina onto her lap and kissed her soundly. Their lips parted in hunger, tongues battling for dominance as their hands trailed over each other's bodies. The Sheriff took Regina's bottom lip between her teeth, relishing in the hungry groan she received in response.

Emma traced her fingers along the bottom of Regina's shirt, desperately grazing smooth skin, causing Regina's hips to rock her impossibly closer. The women didn't dare let their actions become more fevered, well aware of their son's presence just upstairs. Their relationship was no longer new, but they were in no hurry to completely scar the ten year old.

Regina pulled her fingers through Emma's hair, smiling as the blonde whimpered. In response, the blonde gently raked her nails down Regina's back, catching Regina's moan on her lips as a thunderclap shook the house.

Before she knew what was happening, Mayor Mills was thrown off of Emma's lap. It took a few moments for Regina's lust-induced brain to comprehend that she had been bucked onto the floor.

"What happened?!"

"Nothing," Emma's reply came far too quickly.

Regina shot her a look of disbelief, before a flash of lightening illuminated the tremors that had taken over Emma's body.

"Hey," Regina reached forward and grabbed her hands, "Are you afraid the storm?"

Emma bit her lip, desperate to keep the embarrassment off her face. The Sheriff's fear of storms had manifested when she was very young, and no matter how hard she'd tried, it never seemed to disappear.

Regina drew her thumb across the blonde's cheek, "Emma?"

Emma took a moment to calm down before speaking, "It's stupid."

"No, it's not. Why didn't you tell me?" Brown eyes searched green in worry.

"I thought I was over it..."

Emma was cut off as thunder boomed overhead, resonating longer and much louder than before. The sound vibrated through the mansion, before the lights flickered and turned off.

It was in that moment that everything seemed to create a chain reaction. A loud crash erupted in the kitchen, causing Emma to shriek in surprise, and Henry to run around frantically before calling out to Regina.

"Mom?!" the panic in Henry's voice rang down the stairs.

"Henry?"

Regina started up the stairs with careful speed, well aware of the dangers that came with running in the dark. That left Emma to investigate the kitchen.

Regina only made it as far as the landing when Henry came running up to her, and hugged her tight.

"What's going on?" Regina asked, smoothing back her son's hair in comfort.

Instead of lifting his head, Henry mumbled into his mother's stomach, "It's really loud."

"It's only a storm, Henry," Regina glanced from her son to Emma, as the blonde felt her way up the stairs, "It will pass."

The reassurance wasn't much help, "Can I sleep with you tonight?"

The boy punctuated his question with a hopeful look from one mother to the other.

Ever the sucker for puppy eyes, Regina nodded, "Of course you can."

The mayor cautiously made her way towards her bedroom, one arm still wrapped around her son, the other brushing against Emma's. It was only as they entered that a flash of lightning streaked across the sky, casting frightening shadows across the expansive bedroom. Despite the lack of sound, Henry's hold on Regina tightened, and Emma inhaled sharply.

When Henry first displayed his fear of storms, Regina taught him to count the storm's distance from where they were. Nearly seven years later, Henry had yet to give up the habit.

"... two, three..."

Regina took Emma's hand in hers, carefully leading mother and son toward the bed, "You are both safe. It's okay."

The next crash of thunder rang out louder than ever; causing Henry and Emma hide themselves inRegina's sides.

Henry bit down on his lower lip anxiously, "It's getting closer."

"And louder!" Emma shot Regina a look, "How is this peaceful, again?"

Regina didn't answer. The older woman used their distraction to slip her pants off. She could forgo the comfort of her silk nightwear for one night as having Henry and Emma with her more than made up for it.

She wasted no time sliding into bed and patiently waited for her son and her lover to join. Emma shuffled into her usual spot on the brunette's left while Henry was happy to lay half on top of Reginathe same way he usually did when there was a really bad storm. Regina sunk into the middle of the bed, taking comfort in having Henry thoroughly tucked into one side of her, and Emma wrapped around the other.

Regina ran her hand up and down Henry's back, in time with the beating rain. As lightning once again danced through the window, it was the mayor herself who pulled her family closer, humming softly to the heads that lay on her chest.

Only minutes had passed before Henry was fast asleep, leaving his mothers to lie together quietly.

Emma can't stop herself from breaking the silence, "I'm sorry about this."

Regina stopped humming to Henry, "About what?"

Emma could only trace patterns on Regina's chest, too embarrassed to look her in the eye, "The storm."

"You can't help it," Regina tilted Emma's chin up until their eyes met in the darkness, "And there is absolutely no place I'd rather be."

Emma's face softened, and she leaned up to kiss Regina softly. It never ceased to amaze the sheriff just how loving Regina could be. She would always say the exact right thing, and that made Emma happier than words could express.

When Regina continued humming to their son, it did not take long before the Sheriff started her descent into dreamland.

Regina was almost certain her lover was asleep, when Emma's voice pierced through the darkness, "I love you, Madame Mayor."

The older woman tensed up for a few seconds. She was still not used to hearing the sentiment directed at her. Regina shifted Henry slightly, settling in for the night, as the storm continued to rage on.

"I love you too."

So, yeah. I hope you liked it, and I REALLY hope it was worth the wait.

~ Sid

P.S.- I have another, LONGER fic that I am working on, if any of you are interested. So stay tuned! :)