A/N This is the final part of my story. It's called an epilogue but I may have disobeyed the rules a little. I'm not sure what would and what wouldn't qualify as an epilogue, so I'm just going to say that in advance.

Then, most importanty. I wanted to thank EVERYONE who bothered to read my story! All those who followed, all those who reviewed and all those who favorited, THANK YOU! The response to this story has exceeded my wildest expectations.

I can't say how much I've enjoyed writing this story. It is the very first full lenght story I have ever written, and I am happy with how it turned out.

(more notes on the bottom)

It had been a whole year since their night on the ice. The night that changed everything. The night that opened her life up to possibilities she had stopped hoping for when she was still a teenager.

A whole year, Regina reminisced as she lifted several lids off the pots simmering on the stove, a whole year had gone by since her world had been turned upside down. She stirred the stew a little to make sure it cooked evenly before making her way back to her cutting board to resume chopping up all kinds of vegetables.

Everything was planned to perfection, just the way Regina liked it best. Emma had been gracious enough to let her hold the reins and to accommodate her every request. Well, as best she could, of course. The woman was still a disaster in the kitchen, therefore, Regina had just banished her all together.

Emma's to do list consisted mainly of setting the table, entertaining Henry and keeping out of the way. Which suited her just fine today.

Regina moved swiftly through the kitchen, effortlessly making multiple dishes at once. She had started just before noon to be sure everything would be done by dinner.

That morning, Henry had been too excited to stay in bed for longer than absolutely required. He had come knocking on their door, yelling at them to get up at just after seven. He may be growing taller by the day and he may be rapidly on his way to become a teenager, but on Christmas Morning he was definitely still a child.

Regina had already been awake, making mental lists and notes about everything she had to do today. Emma on the other hand had been startled awake by the sound. At first, she had looked a little disoriented, but then her eyes focused on Regina, who was watching her with an adoring smile, and all questions of where she was were wiped from her mind. She was right where she wanted to be. Right where she belonged.

Regina had made Henry sit down for breakfast before opening presents, knowing that he would want to play with his newly acquired video games the second he'd unwrapped them. Best to get something in his stomach before that, she had reasoned with Emma, who was also a little disappointed at not getting to open any presents yet.

Right now, standing in her kitchen, Regina was grateful that they had gotten up this early. At least she was sure she'd have all the food prepared in time for their guests arrivals. Guests. The idea of hosting dinners still required some getting used to. With the exception of Kathryn, she hadn't had all that many people over for recreational purposes over the past years.

She had just about finished the stuffing for the turkey, when Emma sauntered into the kitchen. Regina didn't hear her approaching, given that Emma was wearing her new fuzzy socks and Regina's head was near the exhaust hood. And Emma took the opportunity to surprise her.

She made her presence known by coming up behind the brunette and wrapping her arms around her waist. She placed her chin on Regina's shoulder to see over it. She hummed her appreciation at the sight of the delicious-looking bowl of stuffing.

Regina was startled a little at the touch, but quickly relaxed and leaned into her. It were those little displays of affection, that Regina was apparently never getting used to. A soft hand at the small of her back, a brush of a knuckle across her cheek, a whispered compliment, they all seemed so natural yet so foreign. Emma knew it was hard for her to accept her touch sometimes. She could still see the flickers of doubt in Regina's eyes. The way Regina wanted to shy away sometimes, even after a whole year she still didn't believe she deserved any of this attention. But every time Regina felt like she had to pull away, Emma just held on tighter. She wasn't going to let go. She had made a promise to herself a year ago, to make Regina see her own worth, and she wasn't about to break that promise.

"Did you get tired of being beaten by our preteen son?" Regina asked.

"Actually he kicked me out because I kept winning," Emma announced triumphantly. She drew back just enough to kiss that spot where Regina's neck connected with her shoulder and then she made her way to the fridge to get the juice carton.

"Anything around here I can help you with?"

"No thanks, dear. I like my supplies in the working state they are in."

"I never should've told you I broke a toaster or two. In my defense, I did manage to fix that last one!"

"There wouldn't have been any need to revive it if you hadn't broken it in the first place."

Emma scowled at her from over by the fridge, but it didn't faze Regina in the slightest. She was just about to lift the carton to her mouth when Regina shot her a warning look. Fine, she would get a glass.

Settled on one of the stools at the kitchen island with her glass, Emma watched Regina move confidently at the stove. She found herself staring at Regina a lot now that she didn't necessarily have to do it inconspicuously anymore.

She loved watching Regina focus so intently that everything else seemed to fade away. Cooking was one of those activities that seemed to relax the brunette very effectively. Emma knew it wasn't just the monotonous motions of slicing and dicing vegetables or the circular motions of stirring one thing or another. She had asked Regina once, why she liked it so much.

At first, Regina had been reluctant to share that piece of information, much like she was hesitant sharing any other personal details. But then she had just taken a deep breath and explained. It soothed her, because it was something she was good at. Something that didn't require much thought, which left her mind free to wonder elsewhere. Something to keep her hands busy as she tried to sort through her jumbling thoughts. Learning how to cook had been one of the first things she had picked up after landing herself in Storybrooke.

Along with cooking, cleaning was one of Regina's favorite things to do when she felt the walls closing in. Emma had had to physically pry the rubbing sponge from her hands a few times over the past months. Sure they had an amazing time together, but their growing relationship had come with a whole new array of worries and fears to deal with and it left Regina a little overwhelmed sometimes.

Emma was usually able to snap her out of it though. A few reassuring words, an 'I love you', a tender kiss and some distraction would typically do the trick.

Emma on her part needed some reminders sometimes as well. It was so weird to have an actual place to call home now. A family. Well, she'd had David and Mary Margaret before, and she loved them both dearly but that wasn't really the same. She had spent her entire life drifting, not belonging anywhere and lacking a home. But she had found it here, with Regina and Henry.

To walk into a house to be met with the smell of freshly baked apple pie. To have someone waiting for her after a tiring shift. Someone's cold feet pressed against her own warm legs in bed. Although that last thing wasn't always as appreciated, it was an entirely new experience for her.

She had very willingly moved in, once Regina had finally built up the courage to ask last February. But getting used to no longer being a guest in the mansion had taken a bit longer. Regina had purposely made her do a lot of homey things like shared breakfasts and movie nights to make her feel at home. She went out of her way to show Emma she was wanted and loved in their house. She had even allowed Emma to make up half of the grocery list, so there would be familiar things in the cupboards for her.

They both tried their best, and it worked. It worked very well, even. And then there was Henry of course. Henry had thought it to be odd at first for his two moms to be together. Like, together together. But he had given it a bit of thought and it didn't seem that strange after all. He too recalled the tension that had always been between them. Those lingering looks starting the moment they met in front of the mansion that night. In the end, he had just embraced the fact that he had both his moms under the same roof now and he was as happy as he could be.

"I don't see why I can't help stuff the turkey, but I'm not complaining. Watching you do it is just as much fun."

Regina just smiled in reply, her hand up to her wrist in the bird. Emma was probably right in assuming nothing could go wrong with that, but she didn't want to risk it. With her clean hand, she set the oven to preheat, before grabbing another hand of stuffing to put inside the bird.

"Thank you for this," Emma said sincerely. "For having Christmas here and including my parents."

"You're welcome, dear," Regina answered. "I can't, however, make any promises."

"I know, but you'll try your best and that's all I ask." Regina hadn't warmed up to her mother enough to call them friends yet. Mary Margaret hadn't either. They had gotten to a point where they both accepted and respected the fact that the other was important to Emma, and they had had a few half pleasant exchanges, but nothing very groundbreaking yet. Emma was just glad they got along well enough to have a Christmas dinner together.

"Maybe we should agree on a code word you can use, so I'll know when you want me to kick them out," Emma joked.

"How about 'get out'? Or 'I want you gone now'?" Regina retorted dryly, which made Emma laugh a little nervously. Was Regina really just kidding? "Don't worry, I'll behave. I am sure I can survive a dinner with your parents."

The turkey only had a few more minutes left in the oven when the doorbell announced the arrival of their first guests.

"I'll get it!" Henry hollered from the living room.

Emma checked the table setting one more time, before following after Henry to greet whomever was at the door. She had done a good job, if she said so herself. Regina had praised her for her work, although she did push at a few plates and glasses to line them up a little better. It didn't bother Emma. She never really cared for things like this anyway.

"Hi Henry, Merry Christmas," Kathryn's voice sounded from the hallway. "Are your mothers still upstairs," she paused for a second, "helping each other get ready?"

Emma didn't need to see the accompanying knowing smirk on Kathryn's face. She could hear the innuendo in her voice loud and clear.

"One of them can hear you!" She called before rounding the corner to the foyer.

"So can the other," came Regina's scolding voice from the top of the stairs. Her heels clicked on the hardwood of the stairs and Emma couldn't help but turn her head to see her descend the steps.

Emma's eyes followed Regina down the stairs, the others completely forgotten as she took in the sight. Regina was clad in a tight black dress, that stopped just above the knee. She had red heels on, that seemed to match Emma's red dress perfectly. How could one person look so perfect? Her hair styled to perfection, but really was it ever anything but? She had touched up on her makeup and wore the small earrings Emma had given her that morning.

Regina's eyes found Emma's the second she was in sight and held their gaze as she glided down the stairs and then toward those emerald eyes that seemed to draw her in.

"You can pick your jaw up from the floor now, dear," she whispered as she wrapped an arm around Emma's waist.

"You look absolutely breathtaking," Emma said, as she actually sounded out of breath.

"You're not so bad yourself," Regina replied smoothly, kissing Emma on the cheek. Emma had worn one of the few dresses she owned today for the sole purpose of impressing Regina. She would, of course, deny any such claims if she were asked.

"Yes, you both look gorgeous. Now if you could stop undressing each other with your eyes for just one second and greet your guests of honor?"

Regina snapped her eyes to her friend, ready to berate her for using such language in front of their son, but she just caught Kathryn's hands covering Henry's ears before she dropped them. At least Henry hadn't heard. Kathryn looking as innocent as ever as she stepped around the boy and into the house. Regina embraced her and held her friend close just long enough to give her a fair warning.

"Are you sure you want to keep up with those comments tonight, Kath? I can assure you I can give you a run for your money. I wonder how your boyfriend looks with a deep blush on his handsome face."

She drew back with a challenging look on her face. She just loved to tease Kathryn about Frederick. Having followed through on her New Year's resolutions, Kathryn had actually signed up for yogalates. Apparently, the gossip hadn't been wrong in saying the teacher was hot. By the start of March, Kathryn and Frederick were officially together and Kathryn could finally stop pretending she was into any kind of exercise.

"I was just kidding, Madam Mayor. Lighten up," Kathryn still had the teasing tone to her voice, but her eyes flashed with a hint of fear at Regina's promise. She wasn't going to say anything tonight, that was for sure.

"Hey Kathryn," Emma greeted as she too received a hug. "Hey Frederick."

Frederick handed the bottle of wine they'd brought over and Emma went to put it away in the kitchen.

"Am I the first to arrive?" Kathryn asked no one in particular as she entered the living room. "Good, then I have a chance to have a drink before Mary Margaret arrives. Or two."

Kathryn wasn't mad about her being with David. She was never in love with him. But the fact that she had shared a bed with him for at least a few nights made for some awkwardness. Mostly, their personalities just didn't seem to match. Mary Margaret was a little too happy, a little too soft for her. And Kathryn was a little too direct for the other woman to handle. But they were civil.

The Charmings arrived a few minutes later, just around the time the oven beeped and the turkey was done. Regina was very pleased to see everything going according to her schedule.

Regina had outdone herself preparing this dinner. There were more dishes than Henry knew the names of, but he still had seconds and thirds of everything. To Emma's relief, there were no awkward silences throughout the entire thing. This year's annual Secret Santa was the talk of the night, which seemed to excite Mary Margaret to no extent. She was just refraining from actually clapping at the table. It was a good thing she was holding cutlery.

Since they had all, including Regina, participated this year they had something to talk about.

The town had warmed up to Regina over the past year. Seeing her out and about with Emma had done a lot for her reputation. She was no longer believed to have any bad intentions. The savior would never chose to be with anyone evil. It had taken some getting used to, but like Henry and a few others close to them, most had seen it coming from miles away. The undeniable chemistry they'd had since the start hadn't gone unnoticed, it turned out.

So with a little encouragement from both Emma and Henry, she had put her name in the bowl this year. None of them got anything noteworthy, but the process had been enjoyable all the same. They filled the time by recounting stories of almost getting caught while delivering presents and of their surprise when their own Secret Santas revealed themselves yesterday.

Emma's hand found Regina's under the table, and as their fingers laced together for a moment, their eyes met and the thought resounding in both their heads was exactly the same.

This was the best Christmas either of them had ever had.

There was no need take that back road this time. Regina knew where they were going this time. They parked behind Jefferson's house, and took the short route, following the power cord to the frozen pond they had first been to exactly 366 days ago.

Skates and thermos in their bags, they made their way to their special place. Henry running ahead. He knew the way better than either of them, since he had spent last winter skating there with Grace.

Regina looped her arm through Emma's as they watching him take off in front of them.

When they reached the ice, both in a firmly tied pair of skates, Emma held out her hand to help Regina onto it. She no longer needed it as an encouragement. She was not afraid of the ice anymore.

She still had haunting nightmares about those magic lessons among other things, but now that Emma's arms were there to assure her it was all okay now, she could overcome even those. While she was awake, her demons usually kept a very low profile nowadays.

She took the hand anyway, just because she could. They skated together. Now that Regina wasn't held back by bad flash backs anymore, she turned out to be an amazing ice skater. Where Emma mostly looked like a hockey player, she resembled a figure skater. Emma had the upper hand in speed, but Regina could glide backwards like a pro.

The three of them exhausted themselves just skating circles, playing tag and learning new tricks, jumps and turns. Emma could see them making a tradition out of this. The three of them, going ice skating. It seemed like the perfect ending for Christmas Day. Well, almost perfect anyway.

"Hey guys," Henry panted, skating to a stop in front of them. "Would it be okay if I went to wish Grace Merry Christmas?"

His eyes lingered a little longer on Emma's as he asked permission. If Regina even noticed, she didn't say anything.

"Yeah sure, kid," Emma responded airily as she returned his look.

"Wish Jefferson and her the same from us," Regina added.

Henry made his way off the ice, switching his skates for his shoes and rushed off into the darkness towards the house just concealed behind the trees.

"I wouldn't mind taking a break myself," Emma offered, gesturing to a log she and Henry had dragged to that exact spot three days ago. The log they had sat on a year ago had gone bad by now, so Emma found a new one to replace it with.

Regina nodded and lead the way to the bank where they had gotten on.

"Ice skating is pretty exhausting, isn't it?"

"If you keep challenging everyone to race you, I suppose it is."

"I'm really glad we're here again though."

They both sat down, close together on the log.

Regina reached up to tuck a strand of hair behind Emma's ear and sighed, "So am I."

Emma leaned in and kissed her. Regina's arms instantly wrapping around her neck when her hands found the brunette's hips.

This felt so familiar. Yet every kiss was new. Every kiss still made her whole body tingle. Every kiss still set her heart on fire. A single kiss could still wipe her mind clean of any thought. Emma knew this would never get old, but hopefully they would. Together.

If they were going to make this their own tradition, she might as well do it right. She got the hot cocoa from her bag, handing Regina a mug like she had back then. This mug, however, wasn't as ugly as the last one.

She poured them both a cup. Regina's eyebrows shot up when she tasted the chili powder.

"That's right," Emma grinned. "I remembered."

They finished their cups, savoring the warmth and the taste.

This was her moment. It was now or never. Well, not never, but it should be now.

She got off the log to untie her skates and slip her boots on again. Regina doing the same from a sitting position.

Emma dragged it out, pretending not to be able to get her laces untied for a while just to be sure Regina would be done first. And maybe she dragged it out a little longer, as nerves were starting to build.

When she finally zipped her second boot back up, Regina was already done and waiting for her to get up. But she didn't.

She looked up at the woman she had shared the best year of her life with. It was so easy, yet so hard sometimes. It was everything Emma could've wished for and more.

"You look beautiful," Emma said softly. The same exact words Regina had said when their positions were reversed a year ago.

Regina's eyes twinkled as she too recognized the similarity.

"I love you," she responded in an equally soft tone.

"I love you more," Emma shot back, at which Regina just shook her head in denial.

Now or never, Swan. Now or never.

"Seriously, you are the most beautiful person I've ever met. You're so stunningly beautiful, I can hardly believe you'd willingly spent your time with me. But for some reason, you seem to want to be around me just as much as I around you. And we have something together. You and me. Something special, and something I don't ever want to give up. Waking up next to you every morning, is like waking from my dreams to find out reality is even better. Regina, you deserve the world. But unfortunately, I don't have the world to give."

Emma paused for a moment, to half unzip her jacket and slide her hand into the inside pocket. She retrieved a small box, holding it in her fist until the right moment. The only movement came from Regina's eyes as they followed Emma's hand. They were quickly filling with tears now as Regina realized where this speech was headed.

"What I can give you," She continued, "is MY world."

This was the point where her finger fumbled to pop the box open. It took a second to get it, with her fingers being so cold, but eventually she revealed the ring inside. It had a thin, silver band with one modest little diamond molded onto it. It shone brightly even with the minimum light, and Regina gasped at the sight.

"Regina," Emma rounded up the speech. She was talking through a very tight throat now as her own eyes were starting to swim with tears. "You've allowed me to get to know the person behind that mask. That person will never stop amazing me. And that is the person I would be incredibly, incredibly honored to marry. So, what do you say? Will you marry me?"

Regina felt like she had been hit by a truck. It wasn't completely unexpected, their relationship had gotten pretty serious over the past few months. Yet she had never allowed herself to think of marriage. She had had her marriage, and it was the worst time in her life.

She never thought she was going to marry again. But then again, she never thought she'd find love again either and here she was. But could she really go through with this? Villains didn't get happy endings, did they?

Emma deserved so much better. Emma deserved SOMEONE better. But if that were true, then why did this feel so right? Why was Emma here, holding a ring? This was all so confusing. Yet it was also crystal clear.

Just do what you did a year ago, she told herself. She had managed to do it more and more since then. Drown out the doubts and let your heart speak. Separate what you feel, from what you think you are supposed to feel.

She felt cold fingers on her hand and she made herself focus on Emma's face again. The gentleness in her features, the small smile that tugged at the corners of her mouth, the undeniable love in those green eyes. The need for an answer, any answer, written all over her face.

"Please get up," Regina said almost inaudibly. "I don't want anyone to kneel for me anymore."

"It's okay if you want to think about it," Emma sputtered, trying to keep the hurt from her voice as she got off her knees.

Regina rose with her, placing both hands on either side of Emma's face and brushing back the blonde hair.

"Yes, Emma Swan. I will marry you."

"You will?" Emma sounded genuinely surprised as she pulled Regina tightly against her.

"She will?" Henry yelled, as he just came running back down the forest path leading to Jefferson's. He had obviously been in on the proposal plan.

"Yes."

To my giftee, skepticpotato, I hope I was able to make a gift you like.

Special thanks to my sister, who has spent many hours reading my story, correcting the stupid little errors I failed to see, who suggested a proposal for the epilogue and who's idea it was to make Henry orchestrate the drawing of Regina's name.

I have seen a comment or two asking me to write more, and I just wanted you to know that I would really love to! (Perhaps not with daily udates again)

I am also asking all of you to give me a prompt to work with, so I'll have a place to start. Coming up with a good idea is half the work, after all ;)

My tumblr username is the same as the one on here, and I can be found on twitter as "ashippersheart". I just thought it'd be easier to contact me on either one of those, although I'm sure I can figure out how my inbox on fanfiction works as well.

THANK YOU EVERYONE!