**** A/N: I see no reason to keep you all strung along, so here you go.****

EPILOGUE

A lot had changed in the past 6 months.

After the day at Gold's shop, Emma insisted that they get married. She swore that her baby wasn't going to be born illegitimate. For some reason, after that talk with her Father, she was on a huge kick about traditions and responsibilities. Regina pointed out that they already had two kids that were and one more wouldn't make a difference. But, Emma was adamant.

Emma asked Regina to marry her officially with a ring down on her knees a week later. Regina said yes but refused on having a quick wedding. She said if she was marrying her, it would be the right way. And knowing that her pregnancy was soon going to take over her body was just not enough time for her to throw it together.

They decided on a compromise where they got married locally and a year from then, on their first anniversary, they would have an official ceremony. That would give Regina's body time to recover from pregnancy.

Regina confirmed her pregnancy and they had recently found out the sex. It was a boy! They had already decided on the name, Daniel Cortland Swan Mills. Cortland meant royal property as he was already his mother's little prince. And came from two lines of royalty.

Emma intermingled her time napping at work and her new passion online shopping. Then, she'd take one or both of the kids with her for the day while she did a post office run. Regina was aware that meant they'd come home on a sugar high and end up crashed within the hour. She let it be their little thing.

On those days, Regina would spend time at the mausoleum. Sometimes she came in and there was a white rose lying there. She knew that it was Snow. She had caught her one day as she came to visit. Snow was in the process of leaving the rose. They stopped and stared at one another not saying a word. Snow inclined her head slightly at Regina. After a while, Regina returned the nod. As was often the case between the two of them, no words were needed. Still without speaking Snow got into her car and drove away.

Regina was in therapy with Archie regarding her nightmares and her grief over her mother and also her father. Emma encouraged her after being slapped in the face one too many times during some of Regina's more active episodes.

Emma still worried about Henry's and her Mother's hearts. She couldn't believe that they had turned dark. Regina believed it was because Henry had tried actively sabotaging something that the fates had already made clear when they sent them Angelica. She said that once the two of them atoned, their hearts would become light again.

Neal and Regina had formed some sort of a truce. It happened shortly after a parent/teacher night that left Regina, Emma, and Neal all thoroughly humiliated. Henry had had to do a project making a family tree. Regina appeared three times, as his mother, aunt, and 2nd grandmother. Neal appeared twice, as his father and uncle.

At first sight, Emma had snorted out a laugh. Then, she looked over at Regina who had murder in her eyes. She tried to cover it and pretend it was a sneeze attack. Then, someone made a crack about keeping it in the family. She had to hold Regina back. She had to spend the entire rest of the night in-between a fuming wife and a brooding ex-boyfriend. She was grateful and surprised that Regina had even let her drive back home with her that night.

After that humiliation, they had all sat Henry down and explained that their family history was best kept private. Henry was completely confused after the conversation but had no idea what the problem was. He had only told the truth and done the assignment the way that it had been explained. He even pointed out in his defense, that he had gotten an A.

Emma looked over and said at least he included his baby brother. Henry had been proud of the fact that they were having a boy. He had glued a copy of the ultrasound to the poster board and labeled it Daniel Cortland Swan Mills.

He had even come around to being Angelica's big brother. After the Gold incident, they had grounded him for a month. He had been given a list of chores that were now his responsibility with more punishment doled out if he failed.

His time spent being grounded was soon overtaken by his little sister. With nothing else to do, he had taken to playing with her and even helping her with reading and writing. She could make all her letters and read pretty well but she still enjoyed being read to also. He had never known how much fun hanging out with a little kid was.

Emma used to worry about Regina and Snow but not anymore. She had come to learn and understand that when it came to Snow and Regina, the two of them had a language all their own. And if you looked closely, you understand it. She was proud to be one of the privileged few who understood it.

She saw it in the way that they would remember some shared memory at the castle and then both of them seemed to unconsciously move toward one another. She saw it as she watched Regina make the kids warm milk with vanilla and honey when they couldn't sleep or were upset. She had witnessed Mary Margaret do the same thing for Henry when they had all been living together. At the time she had thought nothing of it. But when she saw them place the mug down they would brush their hand across the arm of whoever they were making it for and smile into their eyes. And Emma knew. Regina had done the same for Snow. It made her happy.

Regina and Snow's relationship was still contentious. But there was the odd time when they would crack and Emma was able to see the truth below the surface. Emma had almost cried the first time she saw it. And it still brought tears to her eyes.

Snow had fallen while they had tried ice skating. Regina had been the closest to her and she had picked her up. After she helped her up, she had dusted her off. Then, for a moment there, she had even held her close. Emma wasn't sure but from where she was standing, it even looked like she had kissed her. She knew in that moment, that the love she had seen in Snow existed in Regina also. Snow loved Regina. And Regina loved snow. And that had to be enough for all of them.

Regina knew that Christmas with the family was a big deal. This year she wanted to celebrate in New York. She booked a suite at the Plaza for two weeks.

Regina had asked Gold with help on finding a way for the Charmings to cross the Storybrooke town line without losing who they were. The two of them had managed to work things out at least for that specific goal.

Emma's parents had walked around NYC like two of the biggest tourist dorks she had ever seen. They would gather the kids up in the morning, leaving her and Regina to stay in bed late. They would come back before lunchtime covered in We love NY or some other clothing that contained NY insignia. But, they put a stop to that a few days later. Emma and Regina had had to spend hours tracking her parents down. They had followed some weird doomsday people around and almost joined a cult. Twice. Regina put a spell over the hotel that only allowed them access to leave as long as they were accompanied by either herself or Emma.

They got a front row seat to fireworks and more. This trip was even better than the last. This time, the entire family was together.

True to his word, things with Gold had also gotten interesting. There was the odd time when Emma would catch Rumple looking at Regina with a thoughtful expression. And if she didn't know better, even a remorseful one. Though neither one of them ever acknowledged it aloud. Emma had even begun to see the two of them gravitating toward one another when Belle brought Rumple around for a family get together.

Life had gotten interesting. And happy. Things were good. They had found their happy ending.

****A/N: I have loved writing this story. It is prolly the story I am proudest of. But, I am glad that it has come to resolution. Thanks to everyone who's been with me through this journey. I am now going to concentrate on Sweet Child of Mine more but I also have something else planned already. I hope you continue to enjoy. ****