Hey everyone! Sorry this chapter took so long, but I had some doubts about where this story was going. I'm gonna ask you all to review if you really want me to continue with this, otherwise I might just leave it and not update anymore.

Flashbacks are in italics.

As stated, I don't own Once or any of the characters except Dani.

Brown eyes looked into green as the mayor realized…maybe she could survive with some help.
—-

Six months. That's how long it had taken for Regina to finally and completely trust Emma to watch Dani alone. Of course in that time there had been countless dinners, play dates, lazy days at the park, and plenty of conversations between Emma and Regina about what Emma's intentions with Dani were.

"Regina I just want to help. I think Dani is an amazing girl, and you look like you could use the help. I'm not trying to get into your pants or steal the kid." Regina's cheeks blushed a light pink at the crude mention of sex. The thought had crossed her mind that Emma was using her for some alternate reason. The pain and hurt she had felt from men using her daughter to get close to her had been shot down long ago. There was only one man for Regina and he was dead. She searched the stranger's eyes for signs of lies and found none, only…love? Well, that was a development.

Regina had to admit, Emma was great with Dani. The little girl loved hanging out with Emma, playing hide and seek in the backyard, going to the park and having Emma push her on the swings. Life was great for Danielle Mills, she had twice the love, attention, and hugs then she had before.

The first day Regina allowed Dani to be left with Emma, the mayor was running late for an important meeting. Her babysitter had canceled on her last minute, and Ruby couldn't get off work. Grabbing her keys off her dresser, she smoothed her black pencil skirt before running her hands through her hair. "Dani are you ready to go?" She called into the hallway. The mother was met by silence.

"Dani?" Regina walked into the hallway, glancing at her watch before sighing softly. She would have to call the office and reschedule the meeting for a later day. Regina walked into the girl's room, finding her under her covers, shivering slightly. "Baby what's wrong?"

"Mommy I don't fe-" before she could finish her groaning, Dani threw up on her bed spread. Regina sighed softly and walked into the bathroom, grabbing Dani a pail. She had hopped the morning would be easier. But such was the life of a mother. Gathering Dani in her arms, Regina groaned, hearing the front door.
She walked down the stairs, fully ready to tell off whoever was at the door. Opening it quickly, she stood, mouth open, ready for sharp words. Her words fell flat however upon seeing Emma at her door.

"Emma," she smiled softly, "I'm sorry, I don't have the time to entertain you this morning. I'm running late and Dani just got sick."

Emma walked into the house, plucking the young child from her mother's arms.

"Yeah, I know. Kathryn called me to come check on you since you hadn't called her. I can take care of her. It's not a big deal. You go to work." Emma grinned before placing Dani on the couch and covering her with a blanket. She turned back to Regina, grabbing the mayor's brief case and handing it over. "Go on, we'll be fine."

Regina wasn't keen on leaving her daughter, but the meeting had to take place today, or wait 6 months and that couldn't happen. "I…"

"Go Regina; we'll be fine. I know where everything is, and if she gets sicker, I'll call you." Emma smiled.

Looking upon her daughter and finding her curled up under the blanket, her small figure relaxed, almost back asleep, Regina nodded slightly at Emma. "Alright. But I want a temperature report every hour, and I'll come see her at lunch." Crossing the living room, Regina knelt down to her daughter, running her hand through the soft hair on her head. "I love you Danielle. Mommy will be a phone call away if you need me. Will you be alright with Emma?"

The girl looked up through hooded eyes. "Yes mommy. Go work."

"See? We'll be fine." Emma was practically pushing her out the door. "I'll text you in a bit with her temp, and we'll go from there."

Regina looked back at her daughter, hating that she was leaving, but knowing Dani was in good hands. "Thank you Emma." She gave a small smile and was out the door.

No sooner had Emma turned back to the girl when her phone rang. Sighing, she answered it. "Madam Mayor, you just left, I haven't had time to take her temp yet. Give me five minutes before you start checking up on her okay?"

"Emma, do shut up and listen. Her bed sheets need to be washed. She got sick on them. Do you mind?" Regina's smirk could be heard from through the phone.

Emma groaned softly. She would do anything for Regina, but she hated laundry. "Yes Regina. I'll do it, but let me take care of your kid first. Go to work, and let me take care of things around here." With a quick click, the phone call was ended.

"Hey bug. How are you feeling?" Dani opened her eyes to Emma sitting next to her on the couch. The dryer going in the back of the house, the sound traveling through the quiet of the Mills' household.

"Em? Is mommy home yet?" Dani grabbed her stuffed bear and climbed into the blond's lap. As Emma took her temperature, the little girl snuggled into the warm body.

"Not yet buggy. Soon though. Should we get something to eat, and then we can call her?" Dani nodded against Emma's chest. It was strange for Emma, to feel such compassion for someone else. Emma had never been a people person, always moving around from place to place, never staying long enough to gain friends. But this felt different, like she could find roots, someone she cared about. As she looked down at the small child in her arms, she realized that she cared, because she loved Dani…and Regina. She couldn't imagine her life without them. After six months with the pair, seeing them almost every day, Emma wanted more. She wanted to wake up next to Regina, to be like a mother to Dani.

The blond took a deep breath. Where had all that come from? She had never wanted children; she didn't want to bring them into a world that hated her almost as much as she hated it. Nothing in her world had made Emma want children. Growing up in the system, she saw what happened to unwanted kids, to those mistreated and with the sheer misfortune to be in her shoes. She never wanted to bring a child into a world that let their children suffer like that. But as she held Dani safely in her arms, she realized just how much she wanted this all the time.

This chapter was getting really long, so I split it into two. I should have the update in a bit, that is, if anyone actually wants me to continue this story. Please let me know if I should keep going. I had big plans for this, but I don't know if anyone actually likes it.

Also, huge thanks to hollyfan4eva. Wouldn't have even written this chapter without her kicking my ass.

-EvilRegal4Evr