Regina listened to the steady beeping of the machine that told her she wasn't dead. The aching muscles and pounding head were more indications that she survived another day, though the deep set grogginess made her hold on to her doubts. Alive or dead, the chest pains were finally gone and she could breathe again.

Another hint assaulted her senses as she took in a long breath. She was just guessing, but Hell probably didn't smell like flowers and hand sanitizer.

Her curiosity won out over her heavy eyes. They fluttered open and were greeted by flowers and balloons every color of the rainbow lining the walls. Her eyes blinked, sure she was seeing things.

When her eyes opened again Henry's head popped in and blocked her view of the room. "Mom?" He asked carefully.

Regina's face blossomed into a smile. "Henry."

His face mimicked hers, lit up by relief and joy. He stumbled out of the chair by Regina's hospital bed and to the open door where he poked his head out to yell. "She's awake!" He hurried back to her, practically leaping on to her bed, but careful with the landing as to not squish her. His face disappeared into the crook of her neck.

She felt him shake as he tried to hold back his cries. With her arms wrapped around him she let him know it was okay, that she was okay. He made no sound, but her shoulder quickly became wet with his tears.

Blonde hair caught her eye in the doorway. Emma stood there holding a happy Sarah in her arms. Their eyes locked, Emma's green eyes instantly sparkled with tears of elation. "Hi." Emma managed sheepishly.

Henry lifted away and wiped at his red eyes. The swelling around his injured eye had significantly improved, but it was still a black and purple mess now framed by greens and yellows.

Her hand reached up instinctively wanting to soothe his pain. A pang of guilt added to hers, ashamed of letting him suffer for so long.

He closed his eyes and felt the light of his mother's magic as soon as he leaned into her touch. The throbbing pain he had become so familiar with was gone when he opened his eyes again.

Regina brushed her thumb against his cheek just a moment longer as she basked in his love and caught her breath.

He gently stripped her hand from his face and held it between his own. "Save your strength."

"You are my strength." She reminded him and turned her head towards Emma and Sarahbella. "All of you."

"Us too?" Half a dozen 'Get Well Soon' balloons pushed through the door with a chipper Snow and David holding Baby Neal.

Regina's head sank back into the pillows as she took in the sight of the room half filled with idiots, her idiots, all of them. "Sure, why not?" She grinned to herself, surrounded by family.

Sarah escaped Emma's grasp and crawled across the bed, right into Regina's arms which quickly engulfed her. "You're okay, mommy?"

Regina kissed the top of her head and then once more for selfish reasons. "Of course I am, are you?"

"Mmhm." She nodded against Regina's chest.

Emma nodded too, confirming her answer, but Regina checked her eyes and her arms needing to see for herself. Her eyes still had their sparkle and her smile still held her innocence. Sarah grunted as Regina gave her a brief, tight loving squeeze.

She was still so tired, somehow a mix of sleeping too much and not getting enough. "What happened?"

The mood shifted as did all eyes to Emma. "Your heart gave out." She finally choked out. Her lip quivered, unable to look away from the woman she loved.

Snow tucked the balloons with another half dozen in the corner. She came up behind Emma and rubbed circles on her back. "Why don't David and I take the kids for some lunch and give you guys some time to talk?"

"I'm not hungry." Henry complained, not wanting to leave his mother's side.

"Henry."

Snow's stern voice made Henry take another look. His other mother needed to be at her side now. He nodded in understanding and collected his little sister into his arms.

Emma bit her lip and clutched the railing at the end of the bed, waiting for the click of the closed door. "Don't scare me like that." All attempted composure broke; the flood gates of her tears broke open and let loose the current she had been holding back.

Regina beckoned with an open palm hanging slightly off the bed. It didn't take long for Emma to take it. She tugged until Emma figured out the plan and joined her in bed, crawling on top of her.

Regina's fingers got lost in blonde locks as she pulled Emma's head closer to hers. The machine's rhythm jumped as soon as their lips met, announcing what affect Emma had on Regina's heart. The taste of salt on Emma's lips was no deterrent. It only made Regina more determined to kiss her tears away, to feel Emma against her and reassure them both that she survived another day.

The machine's beeping increased again as Emma deepened the kiss trying to express how much she loved her. As flattered and amused as she was to hear Regina's heart dance for her she wasn't willing to risk putting too much pressure on it.

She settled onto Regina's shoulder and just listened while Regina took deep steadying breaths and eventually the machine returned to its normal rhythm. Her own cries had dried up and turned into sniffles.

"Is Sarah really okay?"

Emma nodded. "There's not a scratch on her, and she doesn't remember anything." She paused before realizing, "Other than you collapsing at the end. You hit your head pretty hard."

That explained the throbbing in her head. She reached a hand and flinched when her fingers brushed against the surgical tape holding her head together.

Emma pulled down the offending hand and trapped it in hers on the bed at Regina's side. "Our kids are going to need so much therapy."

Regina rolled her eyes, but she had to agree and feared they weren't the only ones. "How's Belle?"

"She's gone."

"Gone how?" Regina shifted with worry.

"She had Gold cremated and left town. She thought it would be safer for everyone."

Regina sat up, forcing Emma up as well, processing everything she had missed. "How long was I asleep?"

Emma glanced at the clock above the door. "Like sixteen hours."

Regina's eyes widened in shock, it was more than triple her usual night's rest. "Why didn't you wake me?!"

Emma gave Regina's hand a squeeze and looked sternly into her eyes.

Regina huffed as if it were a poor excuse. The remnants of pain meant nothing when there was so much to do.

"Regina," Emma softened. "Please rest."

The huff turned into a relenting sigh as she reclined back to the safety of her pillow. She blinked her heavy eyes resisting the urge to sleep another sixteen hours. Emma made it harder by tucking a strand of brunette hair behind her ear, and smiling down at her, and, most importantly, just being there.

…

The room was dark when she woke up again. It was lit only by the moonlight filtering in through the blinds and the light coming in from the partly opened door.

The lack of a blonde in her bed quickly became apparent. Before she could get rid of the rasp in her throat to call out for her, voices carried in from the hallway. She fought through the haze of her fatigue to listen.

On the other side of the door Emma stood with her arms crossed listening closely, trying to understand what Whale was saying. "If it wasn't a heart attack, then what was it?" She finally got to ask.

"Broken Heart Syndrome."

Emma's eyebrows scrunched. "That's a thing?"

"It presents itself similar to a heart attack, but without any evidence of clotting. Regina's heart is remarkably healthy considering her age."

Regina held back her growl of protest. She had never known anyone more determined to be on her shit list.

"Given her history, the combination of persistent emotional distress and physical exertion just finally became too much. Her heart was overwhelmed and shut down. She's tough, but as far as I can tell she is still human." Whale briefly pressed his lips together sympathetically. "A person can only take so much."

Regina's head rolled on her pillow, fresh tears pooling in her eyes. Her past felt like a sea of endless suffering. Suffering she'd endured and suffering she'd inflicted.

There was one lesson she never took to heart. She waved it off as the musings of a sad old man. But seeing how his story ended, it had to be true. Rumplestiltskin was right, villains don't get happy endings. The people she loved would never be safe.

She shut her eyes as naturally as she could manage when she heard the door close fully. After a moment of not hearing any movement she risked a peek and found only the darkness for company.

Emma ran a hand through her hair as she reached the coffee vending machine in the waiting area. It had been the longest two days of her life and she needed about a gallon of caffeine and sugar. She made her selection of the strongest brew and watched the hot liquid begin pouring into the paper cup.

A parade of running footsteps pulled her from her distraction. Nurses and doctors ran passed and up the hall. "She's coding!" One of the nurses yelled as they passed Doctor Whale. He dumped his chart on a cart and took the lead in a sprint.

"No." Emma held her breath as they neared Regina's room.

Whale didn't slow down as he reached her door. Emma almost breathed, but Whale took a sharp turn and burst open her door.

"No!" Emma took off running as the doctors and nurses poured into Regina's room. The short walk to the vending machine suddenly became an eternity back.

She came to a sudden stop in the doorframe, bracing herself, knowing she was going to hate what she saw, but all she saw was a bunch of people standing around an empty bed. Whale turned off the flat lining heart monitor and shrugged when he noticed Emma. "She's gone."

"Damn it, Regina."

…

The lights were on in the mansion as Emma pulled up. With the kids at her parents' she took a sigh of relief knowing it was either Regina or a burglar. If it wasn't Regina, at least she would get to punch someone.

"Regina?" Emma called out as soon as she was through the door. Her head turned with the sound of a thump on the second floor followed by something dragging. She bounded up the stairs, skipping steps.

Two duffle bags greeted Emma when she reached the top. They were stuffed full and overflowing with Henry and Sarah's clothes. Henry's book of fairytales and Sarah's toys were stacked on top. There was no way those zippers were even going to get close to closing.

She followed the sound of shuffling, and drawers opening and closing down the hallway to the master bedroom. The door was already wide open. A trail of Emma's socks and underwear flowed from the dresser to the walk-in closet. And not in a good way.

She found Regina in the closet, carrying an arm full of Emma's shirts, and throwing them into a large suitcase. She was pale and sweating lightly. The hospital gown and lack of pants did nothing to keep her cool.

Emma stepped in just as Regina stumbled, catching her by her arms and keeping her upright. She waited until Regina's breathing evened out and then asked gently, "What are you doing?"

"You have to go." Regina's lip quivered. She couldn't bear to look at her.

Emma bent her knees without letting go of Regina, trying to catch her eye. "Where?"

"I don't know." She admitted, "Anywhere, New York?"

"Okay." Emma held on to her a little longer making sure Regina had the strength to hold herself up. "Let's pack your stuff. We could totally use a vacation." Emma turned and reached for Regina's shirts to take them off the hanger.

"What? No." Regina reached an arm out to brace herself against a wall. She finally mustered the courage to look the blonde in the eyes when she turned back. "You and the kids, Emma, you have to go. It's not safe here."

Emma dropped the shirt onto the pile on the suitcase, taken aback. She blinked, trying to understand what Regina was getting at. "First of all if you really think New York is any safer, you really need to get out more. Sure, less flying monkeys…unless you count the crooks on Wall Street." She earned a hint of a smile. "Secondly, we're not going anywhere without you."

"You don't understand." She slouched further against the wall as the last of her energy drained. "I'm cursed. The people I love will always suffer."

Emma paused, there was no dying Regina really believed what she was saying. She stepped in and took Regina by the arm before she could collapse on her again. Wrapping an arm around her waist she carefully guided her out of the closet and to their bed.

Regina sat like a ton of bricks. It was the last movement she had the will to do on her own, and only because gravity did the work for her. Emma did the rest of the work, helping her lie down and getting her legs up onto the bed.

Emma disappeared into the bathroom for only seconds. The faucet turned on and off, and Emma reemerged with a damp wash cloth.

She sat on the edge of the bed, bringing the cloth up to dab away at Regina's face, wiping away all the sweat and cooling her off, but no matter how much she wanted to she couldn't wipe away the frown. "Hey," Emma whispered. "Talk to me. What's going on?"

Regina bit her lip as her eyes pooled once again. "Daniel died because I loved him. It's only a matter of time before…" She couldn't get the words out.

Emma shook her head, not wanting her to find them. "He died because Cora killed him. She can't hurt anyone anymore, and now neither can Gold."

"Before I met Daniel I thought there was something wrong with me. I knew my parents didn't love me, not the way they were supposed to, not the way I loved them. Mother always said love is weakness, and I knew I was weak because it's all I ever wanted. But then when I met Daniel I didn't feel weak. He looked at me, and I felt it, that piece I was missing, that warmth and feeling of being wanted, of knowing unequivocally that he loved me too. For the first time I didn't have to ask and I didn't have to wonder. I knew he loved me the way I loved him. He made me feel like everything was going to be okay…" Regina smiled sadly at the memory. Her tear filled eyes looked into Emma's. "Much like you do now. But," She shook her head and the tears ran free. "It wasn't. And now I'm not sure if it will ever be. I won't put you and the kids at risk. I won't lose you the way I lost him. I was born from a woman without a heart, maybe that's why I'm so hard to love. Maybe I was meant to be alone."

"Regina," Emma abandoned the wash cloth to hold one of her hands between both of hers. "Loving you is the easiest thing I've ever done. We can't live our lives afraid of what might happen. The world could end tomorrow, but it would all be worth it knowing today I'm with you."

Regina smiled through the tears and almost laughed. "When did you turn into such a sap?

"You have that affect on me." Emma teased. "But I meant it. None of it's your fault; what happened to Sarah, to Daniel, to Cora. Life isn't easy, and okay, ours is a little more complicated than normal, but I promise you, whatever life throws at us, we'll kick its ass. Together. If you really don't feel safe here then we'll go, but as a family."

Regina's fears and reservations cracked as a real smile broke through her turmoil. "I'm safe with you." She remembered.

Emma smirked, unwilling to let go of the opportunity. "Who's the sap now?"

Regina rolled her eyes while simultaneously reaching up for a pillow. Emma was still smirking when Regina introduced it to her face.

Neal was returned to his grave and a place was made for Gold's ashes beside him. There was nothing they could do about the runes on Neal's coffin, but the runes etched in stone didn't stand a chance against pick axes and explosives.

Storybrooke, once more, became the sleepy little town in Maine. With the last remnants of a threat destroyed there was one last thing Emma felt she had to do.

She wiped the stone dust from her jacket as she walked the dirt path. The trees kept the cemetery dark even in the middle of the afternoon.

She must have passed the headstone a hundred times, going to Regina's vault, but only now that she was looking for it did she see it, Daniel's name engraved in marble.

She walked up to it with her hands buried in her pockets. She forgot to think of something to say on the way over, she only knew she needed to talk to him. She stopped in front of it and realized she would just have to wing it, but she stood their awkwardly, Zelena was probably laughing at her from the grave next to his.

"Thank you." She found the name for the feeling she had for the man that she would never know. "Thank you for loving her, and giving her hope and happiness when she didn't have any. She lost it for a long time, but I'm gonna do my best to make sure she doesn't lose it again." She dug around in her inside jacket pockets for a photograph to show Daniel. It was a picture of the four of them, Regina, Emma, Henry, and Sarah, all smiling and happy at the so called baby shower. "This is our family." She turned the photo back to herself and smiled at it fondly. "It's not something I ever expected to have, but now it's something I'm sure as hell never letting go of. Part of it wouldn't exist if it weren't for your love for Regina, and for that I'm forever grateful."

…

Regina slowly made her way down the sidewalk. One arm was looped into Henry's and the other was trapped on Sarah's head. The little girl held it there and proclaiming she was helping.

Regina's recovery was slow, but she was getting stronger every day. Everyone was so attentive. It would have driven her crazy if it wasn't so sweet. The children were especially gifted of getting her to follow the doctor's orders of cardio exercise, even when she didn't want to.

A week ago she made it as far as the end of the walkway before Emma had to carry her back in. Today she was determined to make it to the end of the block. Perhaps it was an ambitious goal, but she had both her children with her for support and encouragement. They were with her every small step of the way.

They were almost half way there when Blue rounded the corner. Regina froze in place, stopping the kids with her. She was too slow to cross the street or turn back. If Blue was there for her she would easily catch her. Chills traveled up Regina's spine as Blue smiled. It wasn't a malicious smile, but it was a sight Regina had never seen directed at her.

Sarah almost lost her footing as Regina suddenly pulled her back and behind her.

"Henry, take your sister home." Regina ordered.

Henry didn't move, knowing full well he was the only reason his mother was still standing. He used his hand to lock hers on his arm when he felt her trying to take back her weight. "I'm not leaving you."

He picked a hell of a time to adopt his blonde mother's chivalrous ways. Blue was closing in, somehow their lack of options turned to less.

"Hello." Blue greeted kindly.

"Hi." Sarah poked her head from behind Regina's legs, but she was quickly pushed back again.

"I was just on my way to see you." Blue's smile remained true.

Regina's suspicions heightened. Her posse of fairies was likely hiding around the bend ready to strike. They had no business left to discuss. "I already paid for the damages." She reminded.

"Yes, it was a very generous donation, but unnecessary. Of course I can never understand what you went through, but I can't hold it against you. You were just a mother in search of her daughter."

Mother and son turned their heads to each other, equally expecting to see pigs fly. The clouds were too thick to be sure, but they had to be up there.

"Yes, well," Regina adjusted her grip on her children. Unsure of what Blue wanted her to say, she took a step to go around her. "If that's all…"

"Wait." Blue reached out a hand.

Henry's arm went up in defense. He shifted his body, pulling his mother back to shield her.

Blue jumped back surprised by the young man's reaction. She brought both her hands up with fingers spread to show she meant no harm. She waited until Henry's shoulders relaxed just a fraction before addressing his mother and putting her hands down. "I owe you a lifetime of apologies." Disappointment flashed across Blue's face before she composed herself enough to continue. "All I ever saw was what you could have been, instead of what you were. You were a child, an innocent, but I was so afraid of what destiny said you would be, of the hold Rumplestiltskin and your mother had over you. When your mother was out of the way, it was too late; the darkness had already begun to take root inside you. I realize now I should have tried anyway. It was my duty, and I failed you, Regina. I'm so sorry it's taken me so long to see that you aren't your mother. Your heart my not be pure, but it's in the right place." Blue paused abruptly; it was perhaps a poor choice of words considering Cora kept her heart in a box. "I was making the same mistakes with Sarahbella. My bias towards you clouded my judgement of what she could be. I'm sorry, Regina, truly."

Regina's mouth opened and closed, temporary rendered speechless. She wanted to assume it was all a ploy to stay close to Sarah, but the sincerity in Blue's words was not lost on her. "Hmm." Regina finally hummed. She nodded to the fairy, not in acceptance, but acknowledgment. They both had a long way to go before forgiveness was really an option.

Blue returned the nod and excused herself, wishing the trio a good day.

As her footsteps begun to fade behind them, Regina turned to her son. "Shall we go home then?"

Henry glanced over, disappointed. He wasn't letting her get out of it.

Regina sighed dramatically, but put one foot in front of the other. Secretly smiling to herself as her son and daughter carefully kept pace with her.

…

Emma honked her horn as she passed her family. She gave them a smile and thumbs up as they turned to look at the car driving by. Sarah waved enthusiastically. She almost slipped out of Regina's grasp, but a few calming words from her mom stopped her bouncing.

She pulled the bug into the driveway and stepped out to head inside. Regina and the kids didn't have far to go. She figured she could get dinner started instead of incurring Henry's wrath, and being accused of spoiling Regina. It wasn't her fault Regina liked being carried.

A white envelope sitting on the nearby table caught her eyes as she hung up her jacket in the foyer. 'Swan-Mills Family' was written across the face in elegant curvy letters. She picked up the unsealed envelope to investigate its contents. It was a card bordered by etched white flowers and 'You're Invited' scrawled in the middle in same text.

Emma's brow furrowed as she opened and read the invitation. "Regina!" Her voice rang through the empty house. She stomped away to the front door and swung it open. "No one in this family tells me anything!"

Several Months later

Something clattered to the ground in the hallway. Regina wasn't quite done putting on the dark red dress, but she stepped out of the closet to listen for anything amiss. She heard obvious sounds of feet scrambling in the hallway, racing up and down.

"Don't run in the house!" Regina yelled, but the scampering continued. She would be less concerned if they weren't running on the second level where there are stairs to tumble down. A thud sounded through the wall of someone running into. "Kids!" She put on her authoritative voice, though she was filled with worry as she rushed to open the bedroom door.

A black and white blur ran through the partly open door at her feet. The door was pushed further open and a mass of blonde hair smacked into her face as Emma hurried in after it.

The Dalmatian puppy zigzagged across the room. It dove in and out from under the bed, all with Emma's boot in his mouth and Emma struggling to catch him.

She watched amused by the whole thing before finally taking pity. "Sit." She commanded as she made her way to the full length mirror, in the corner of the room.

Patch, the Dalmatian puppy, plopped his butt on the carpet. His tail thumped against the floor as it wagged happily.

She inspected the fit of the dress and liked what she saw. "Drop it." She told the puppy without looking back.

His jaw unlocked and opened letting the boot fall out. It was covered in dog drool and had slight teeth impressions, but was relatively unharmed.

Emma snatched it up and gave Patch a good glare. "How do you do that?" She asked Regina. It seemed like Regina had complained nonstop about getting a dog, but she was the only one he listened to.

"Do what, dear?" Regina pretended to not really be interested, but the smirk in the mirror gave her away.

It wasn't the first time Emma had had to chase after Patch to get her shoe back. In fact, she could swear the chase always ended in the same room as Regina.

"Could you help me with this?"

Emma's thoughts washed away at the sight of Regina's mostly exposed back. The brunette had only managed to zip up her dress half way.

Of course, Emma was happy to oblige. She tossed her boot into the closet.

She stood right behind her, almost too close to even fit her hand between them. Her left hand trailed against Regina's shoulder until the material slipped off, while her right hand slowly pulled the zipper down.

"That's the opposite of helping." Emma might have listened if her voice hadn't turned breathy. Regina's eyes struggled to stay open as Emma kissed her shoulder and up her neck. "We're going to be late."

"It's not like they would start without us." Emma met her eyes in the reflection, but Regina was not impressed. "Fine," She sighed zipping up Regina's dress as if the very act was killing her. "To be continued." She planted a quick kiss on Regina's cheek and hurried into the closet to get properly dressed.

…

"Emma, we have to go!" Regina called from the bottom of the stairs. The kids were waiting with her, Henry in a suit and red tie and Sarah in red dress that lifted when she twirled. The three were spruced up and ready for the special day. If only the last member of their household wasn't so easily distracted. "Emma!"

"I'm right here." Emma was already half way down the stairs. Her red dress was shorter and brighter than Regina's, but just as fitting. Regina's eyes stayed on her, a small smile growing with Emma's descent. "What?" Emma asked on the final step.

"Have I ever told you how beautiful you are?"

Emma tucked a blonde curl of hair behind her ear to distract from her blushing cheeks. "Only every day."

And it was something Regina planned to tell her for the rest of her life. "Shall we?" She presented her hand.

Emma slipped her hand into Regina's and stepped off the last stair. The Swan-Mills family gathered their purses and jackets and filed out the door.

Regina turned back in the door way. She had almost forgetten to set the alarm. "Patch!"

Claws tapped against hardwood when they weren't slipping and sliding. The pup was still getting used to the always polished floors. He slid to a stop in the middle of the foyer with his tongue sticking out and his tail wagging, eager to please.

"Gaurd the house." She instructed.

His bark was more of a squeak, but it got the message through. No one was getting passed him.

...

The black Mercedes pulled into the long driveway at Jefferson's Manor. It was packed with cars parked on either side lining the driveway end to end and some double parked. Getting out was going to be hell, but Regina found a tight spot to squeeze the car in to.

Emma swept Sarah up into her arms before the little girl could run ahead. The front steps were tall and extravagant just like the rest of the house; a perfect venue for a wedding.

"Finally! You're late." Granny threw her arms up as soon as the Swan-Mills family came through the door. The long foyer was empty except for them. The others who weren't late were already in their seats and places.

Sarah reached for Granny to take her and settled into the woman's arms. "Momma's fault." She whispered loudly.

"Traitor." Emma poked her in the side, eliciting a giggle. "We'll see you out there." She leaned in and kissed Sarah's cheek. Regina followed suit and kissed her daughter as well, but bit her lip having trouble walking away.

"I got her." Granny reassured.

Regina nodded accepting that Granny wouldn't let her out of her sight.

Large double doors led them outside. The door clicked shut behind them. Bodies shifted in their seats to turn back and stare. Henry snuck away to the side, abandoning his mother as they froze in place

A long red carpet in the middle aisle contrasted against the dark green grass. Both sides were filled with people dressed in reds. They stood out from the greens of the tall trees and surrounding garden. At the end of the aisle stood a white gazebo where their friends would soon exchange vows.

"Emma! Regina!" Snow waved from the front row. "I save you seats!"

Their hands easily found each other and intertwined as they walked down the aisle. They returned smiles and waves from their friends as they passed by.

Henry beat them there and sat at the end with David and Baby Neal, letting his mothers have the seats closest to Snow.

"You're both so beautiful." Snow beamed as they sat down. The wedding hadn't officially begun, but she was already close to tears. "I can't wait to see you two up there."

"Mom," Emma whined.

"Maybe someday." Regina added casually.

"Wait, what?"

The soft melody emitting from the speakers increased in volume, signaling the beginning of the ceremony. Everybody stood from their seats to watch as the double doors opened.

Sarahbella was the first to emerge. She tightly gripped the wicker basket's handle, visibly taken aback by the sheer amount of people looking at her. She spotted Regina at the end, smiling and encouraging her forward. She smiled back and took a handful of flower pedals from the basket. The little girl repeated the motion as she walked all the way down, increasing her speed as she went, and never taking her eyes off her mother.

Regina knelt down as her daughter grew near, knowing exactly what she needed. Sarah ran right into her arms and the rest of the basket's contents dumped onto the floor as Regina picked her up.

A concurrent of awes echoed in the crowd at the mother and daughter embrace.

The attention went back to the double doors as Ruby and Tinker Bell stepped out in flowing white gowns. Everyone else might as well have not been there for they couldn't take their eyes off each other. Granny gave them a small push from behind and finally they remembered how to use their legs. Even walking down the aisle hand in hand, to them, no one else existed.

The music softened and turned off as the women reached the gazebo. The guests settled into their seats. Regina tucked the basket under hers and sat Sarah on her lap.

"Friends and family." Artie began his officiating duties. It wasn't long until Tink and Ruby were exchanging vows, promising to love each other for the rest of their lives, in sickness and in health, for better or for worse.

Emma's hand found Regina's once more. She took them to rest in her lap and leaned against her girlfriend. Sometimes she forgot they weren't already married. Regina had felt like her forever for such a long time, and to Emma that's what marriage was supposed to be. She didn't need a piece of paper to bind her to Regina, her heart already had.

Though she wasn't against having that piece of paper either, especially if it came with cake.

…

Party goers gathered around to catch the bouquet of flowers. Tink and Ruby held it together with their backs to the crowd. They swung their arms in unison and let go at the count of three. High pitch screeches vibrated through the large room as people jumped and dove in hopes of catching it.

With an extend arm and a little bit of lick, Hook snagged the bouquet on his hook. He grinned, proud of his conquest. Hopefuls cleared the dance floor with bowed heads as Hook strutted over to a table where Whale was sitting alone.

He presented his winnings with a wink. Whale blushed profusely as he accepted them.

Emma and Regina were off to the side watching the antics. Regina took advantage of the height her pumps provided to stand behind Emma with her arms wrapped around her, and her head on her shoulder.

The music bumped, calling back the guests to dance the night away. Some were more skilled than others, but that didn't hinder the fun. Henry and Sarah joined in.

The little girl hopped on to her brother's newly shined shoes and took his hands to hold on. Henry danced for them both. He could never quite keep up with the music, but he danced to the beat of his little sister's laughter.

Soon the women's cheeks would hurt from smiling, happy just to see their children happy.

Regina tightened her hold on Emma from behind. Her palm grazed the blonde's flat stomach. "What do you think about, maybe, extending our family?"

Emma covered Regina's hands with her own, pleasantly surprised. "Seriously?"

"I wouldn't bring it up if I wasn't serious." Regina chuckled.

They swayed to the music in silence long enough for Regina to assume they were done with the subject.

"So uh," Emma suddenly spoke again. "How does it work? I mean, do we still get to…" Emma turned her head to look at Regina. "You know?"

Regina rolled her eye, but she did it with all the love in the world. "Yes, Emma, we still get to 'you know'."

Emma grinned. It was all she needed to know. "Okay, let's do it." She took Regina by the hand to lead her and find a quiet, private place.

"I didn't mean right this second."

"Why not?" The blonde smiled back at her girlfriend as she weaved them between tables and guests.

When Emma smiled at her that way she could tell Regina the clouds were marshmallows and she'd believe her. 'Why not' was all the convincing she needed.

They tiptoed around the Manor hand in hand, suppressing their grins and acting casual whenever they came across anyone. Emma opened and closed doors in search of the perfect room, never letting go of Regina's hand.

She found the room with the biggest bed and pulled her in. Emma's lips were all over Regina before the door fully closed.

The End

A/N: An Abundance of Love is now complete. Thank you for reading and going on this adventure with me. I don't really know how to express how grateful I am. You all have been nothing but kind to me and it will probably stay with me for the rest of my life, because I'm lame like that. Seriously, special thanks to those of you who left reviews, they kept me going because i wanted to see what you would say next.

This is the first fic i ever started and shared, and now it is the first multichapter story that I ever finished. There are things that I ended up cutting out just for the sake of time and plot, but out of my 24 pages of notes I ended up using almost everything. (Most of the fluff was winged in though. It got away from me sometimes.) :P

I learned a lot and I look forward to the next one. I started "Can't Buy Me Love" last January, and promised a second chapter that i never got around to, but now it's going to be my focus and multichapter. It's going to be a lot of fun. For me anyway ;)

Thank you again, I hope you enjoyed An Abundance of Love.