Title: Make it Without You
Category: TV Shows » Once Upon A Time
Author: Alwaysbringback-up
Language: English, Rating: Rated: M (for language and sexual themes)
Genre: Angst/General

Chapter 27: This Promise

Pairing: SwanQueen

Disclaimer: I don't own any part of the OUAT universe. All characters belong to Adam and Eddie, the show's creators. I promise that my writing is done purely for recreational purposes only. No ill harm is intended.

A/N: Hey, guys! I am so so sorry for the delay in posting. Life has been crazy lately. I've been taking classes in order to become a Paramedic, for the last eight months, and life has been absolutely crazy. In conjunction with the class, I've had to do clinical hours, and the whole nine yards, so it's been hard for me to find time to write. I finally, after what seems like ages now, have found some time to write. It may not be up to standard, as it's been quite a while since I written anything. But I wanted to try anyways. This chapter takes place right where we left of last time, so you might want to re-read the last couple of chapters before this one.

So here goes nothing! I do hope you like it! ;)

"I love you, too, dear. We're going to make this work, I promise," Regina told her reassuringly.

Breathing the moment, we are sending out a message
This love
Here for a second
Just a sentence in the story of us
The sentence in the story of us

Regina couldn't stop the shiver that coursed through her body, as she felt Emma's lips brush against her neck. The gesture was innocent enough to say that least; as was the embrace that they were currently in the midst of. Regina hummed softly, as she felt that telltale throb between her legs begin anew, and she began to ache for Emma's touch once more. She felt embarrassed that she was so easily aroused, much like a horny teenager, but she couldn't help it. Emma was so beautiful, so perfect even now, that it was hard for Regina to fathom. The blonde was a lot stronger than she gave herself credit for, and Regina saw that every time that she looked into the blonde's eyes. Over the years, the older woman had often struggled for insight, always wanting to know more about the blonde's inner thoughts. And it seemed like the more she learned, the more she was blown away by the enigma that was Emma Swan. Emma had had a difficult life, to say the least, but somehow she had become a better person for it. The amount of love that the blonde held in her heart had no parallel. There was no one who was capable of more. And part of Regina still couldn't understand why the blonde had fallen in love with her. There were so many days that Regina found herself dwelling on all of her faults. There were days that Regina was sure that she was unworthy of Emma's love. And yet, when she gazed into the bottomless depths of Emma's vibrant green eyes, she knew with utmost certainty that she was loved.

"I don't know how I can ever thank you enough for loving me…supporting me," Emma breathed into her ear. "You mean so much to me."

"You mean the world to me, too, Emma," Regina spoke in a low, quiet voice. "And you owe me nothing. I just want you to know that I'm here for you, no matter what. The truth is, I don't know what I'd do without you. This last month put a lot into perspective for me." Regina felt tears spring unbidden to her own eyes, and her voice cracked on the word.

"Regina," Emma spoke gently.

"I'm sorry," Regina told her.

"Hey, don't be sorry," Emma told her gently. "Just tell me what's wrong. I hope you know this is a safe space. Look, you and me? We're in this together now."

"I know…I'm just scared," Regina confessed. "I don't think I have to tell you that this is difficult for me. There has to be a lot of trust involved in something like this. And as much as I know that you love me, part of me is still afraid I'm going to lose you. You're going to be hundreds of miles away from me, and if this last month taught me anything, it…"

"You're not going to lose me," Emma told her gently, as she pulled away, so that she could look into Regina's eyes. However, she found that the brunette refused to look at her. "Hey, look at me." Regina tentatively lifted her head and slowly met Emma's eyes.

"I promise you. I'm promising you, Regina. I love you. I love you, and I'm never going to let you go. Not ever. Because I'll have you know, that you are the one I'm pretty sure that I've been waiting my whole life for, Regina Mills. Remember that night you told me that you wanted to spend the rest of your life with me? Well, I'm ready to lay all of my cards on the table and say that I feel the same way. This is by no means a proposal… I…I don't have a fucking ring, much as I kinda wish I did. Because, the truth is, I wanna marry you. And I just hope that some day that you will wanna marry me, too."

"Emma," Regina gasped, as she took in the implications of what Emma just said. Regina felt something ignite inside of her at hearing Emma's words. She had to make love to this amazing woman, who made her feel things that no one else had been able to do. She was surprised that she was this desperate to have the blonde again. After all, they'd already engaged in rather intense lovemaking, to the point where they were both thoroughly and completely exhausted. But for some reason, Regina's body responded to Emma's words as if she could easily take her again and again. The truth is, she never really stopped wanting the blonde. Regina felt Emma's arms release their hold on her, sliding over naked, heated flesh. She felt Emma's eyes on hers, and for a moment their gazes locked.

Your hand in mine
We are burning like two flickering lights
I'll pass this moment
We are flying through the days and the nights
flying through the days and the nights

A soft, "Oh," fell from the blonde's lips as she noticed Regina's blown pupils. Then a laugh was falling from thin, pink, lips. "Really? You're ready for more, already? I thought for sure that you would need a break." Regina felt her cheeks grow hot, as they suddenly flushed with color. Emma reached out for her, her palm sliding over where a deep blush now adorned Regina's beautiful face. Emma chanced a glance down to look at Regina's spectacular body, and her eyes immediately darkened in response.

I'm trying to keep
This image I see
I know we can't stay there

"What can I say, dear," Regina said with undeniable mirth, "You simply set my body on fire."

"You're insatiable," Emma teased.

"And you love me for it," Regina told her knowingly.

"Is that so?" Emma bit back with a waggle of her eyebrows.

She watched the blonde hesitate for a moment, pretending as if she was weighing her options, and then, Emma was pulling Regina into her, her hand slipping behind Regina's long elegant neck. She tugged her lover forwards, with surprisingly strong hands, and hungrily pressed her lips to Regina's eager ones, with a pronounced and desperately hungry sound. Regina returned Emma's kiss in kind. The blonde moaned loudly into the bathroom, as Regina's hands found Emma's shoulders, pulling the blonde even closer to her. Emma's thin, lithe body rose, her bare chest brushing against Regina's, as their open mouths found each other again and again. Regina focused on the feeling of the blonde's warm, smooth skin against her own. The fire inside of her turned white hot. She desperately needed to feel the blonde inside of her, once more.

But still I believe
That this you and me
Will always be somewhere

Cause I swear…

"My god, the things you do to me, Emma," Regina groaned. "You make me feel like I've never been touched before in my life." Her voice was almost pain filled as she experienced the feeling of desperation and need.

"That's because no one has ever loved you like I do," Emma told her. Regina opened her mouth to protest, but Emma didn't give her the chance. "Except for Daniel, that is. But I thoroughly intend on giving him a run for his money. And I think he'd be happy that you found happiness again. Even if it is only me."

"Only?" Regina sputtered. "Only?!"

"Regina," Emma sighed. "Don't get upset, I just meant…"

"No," Regina told her forcefully. "You listen to me, Emma Swan. You are everything that Daniel could have ever wanted for me. You are the sun, and the moon, and the stars. You are my entire universe. Now you had better let me show you just how much I mean that."

"How can you heal such a lifetime of pain, with so few words?" Emma asked her with misting eyes.

"I've waited so many eons for you," Regina breathed, as she held Emma's gaze, softly stroking the side of Emma's face with her hand. And Emma knew it was true. She didn't want to think about just how long the brunette had waited for a love like theirs.

"I'm yours," Emma breathed.

That when forever fades into a memory
Nothing will ever take
Take you away from me
This promise of mine
Is a promise in time

Regina tugged Emma to her feet. She pressed both hands to the side of Emma's face and tugged her forwards in desperation. This time, she held back nothing, kissing the blonde with bruising intensity. In fact, she was sure that the blonde's lips would feel her kiss there, even hours later. The electricity and fire that has always lingered between them came to life once more, as their bodies grappled with one another. Regina could feel Emma's hand on her… everywhere. They were ever moving, ever teasing. Regina doesn't know how to put the things she's currently feeling into words. Because she's not entirely sure she's felt something of this magnitude before. It's not just about the magic that they make together, both literally and figuratively, because it is so much more. It's about having a home. It's about knowing that you're safe, no matter what. Because she knows that Emma would give her life to protect her if need be. She knows, because the blonde had given her life for Regina on multiple occasions.

Emma's felt Regina's urgency, and to be honest, she wasn't sure she ever felt anything quite like it before. Sure, they'd kissed, hundreds of times. And they'd been about as far inside of one another as someone could go. But for the first time, Emma truly felt like Regina was holding nothing back. The brunette was finally surrendering everything to Emma, and there was something that felt so damned good about it all. She felt pure, unadulterated passion. She felt love, and raw desire and passion overflowing in every touch and caress.

Regina's hands are suddenly in her hair exploring the soft curls that she's come to love these last few months. The truth is that she'd wanted to run her hands through it so many times over the last few weeks, but hadn't been allowed so much as a single touch before tonight. Now, she was determined to begin her love affair with Emma's hair in earnest. Regina closed her eyes, her fingers tangling in Emma's hair, as she pulled her into another. Emma couldn't keep the moan from escaping her own throat as she savored the gentle probing of Regina's tongue in her mouth. Regina felt Emma's fingers tug on her hair as the blonde struggled to keep a hold on her.

The kiss did not break as they stumbled together in the dark, so lost in eachother that they did not care what became of the things around them. Regina started walking backwards, pulling Emma towards where she knew the bed would be.

Regina, however, miscalculated where the doorway should be. Her back struck the wall bordering the doorway, and she mewed in displeasure at the disruption. She's gasping for breath, desperately trying to replace the air in her lungs that Emma is stealing. Emma makes her head spin. Her body feels like it is on fire, and she wants, no needs, to quell it so badly. She desperate for more, and never wants it to stop. God, Emma knows just how to touch her. Everywhere the blonde's nimble hands run over her body, burns, as she lights her very nerve endings on fire. She should have known it would be this good. It always was.

Emma releases her hands from Regina's hair, and picks up Regina's body effortlessly, moving her hands expertly under her backside to lift her up from the floor. With one tug of the blonde's hands, Regina moves forwards, and the juncture between her legs collides with Emma's waist just so. Both moan loudly into the kiss as they relish this newfound closeness. Emma's plants her hands on the wall to either side of Regina's body, as the brunette's legs wrapped around Emma's back. Emma lets out a unrestrained moan, as Regina bucks her hips against Emma's tightening abdomen, seeking even more closeness with her lover.

"You've been holding out on me," Regina tells her through hungry kisses as the blonde smiles almost wickedly at her.

"I still have plenty surprises up my sleeve," Emma said, as her eyes twinkled in mirth. "After all, I have to keep you happy in the many years that are to come, don't I?" Emma released her hold on the wall, instead, settling for placing them on Regina's hips. Slowly, she began to move for the bed in the middle of the room, a bed of tangled silk bed sheets that they'd made love on one time already.

"You never have to worry about that, my darling," Regina told her. "I'm yours."

And as we looking back
On who we used to be
With everything I have
I swear you'll always see
This promise of mine
Is a promise in time

Emma walks them towards the bed in the middle of the room. Emma couldn't stop another moan as she feels Regina's slick center glide against her tightened abdominal muscles. She feels it acutely, as her core responds with a throb of need.

Finally, after what seems like ages, Emma reaches the bed in the middle of Regina's room, and eases Regina's body down onto the mattress. What Emma doesn't count on, however, is Regina's refusal to let go of her. Emma lets out a sound of surprise as she loses her balance and goes tumbling forwards. As the brunette hits the mattress, so too does Emma. Emma laughs loudly into the bedroom as she plants her hands just to either side of Regina, just managing to avoid falling onto the brunette with all of her weight. Regina gives her no apology.

"Hey," Regina breathes as she lifts a hand to the blonde's face, caressing her cheek with a warmth and affection in her eyes.

"Hi," Emma's eyes shine in the dim light, and Regina sees love reflected back at her. Regina guides Emma's mouth down onto her own, moaning softly in ecstasy as she feels Emma's warm tongue beg entrance into her mouth. She grants it without delay. Soon enough, she feels warmth explode in her chest, in a way that only a kiss from her true love could.

Emma's the first to give into temptation. She can't resist the temptation any longer, and kisses her way down Regina's neck, to her collar bone, and beyond, in order to worship breasts that are the very epitome of perfection. With unparalleled patience, Emma presses open-mouthed kisses to the valley between aching peaks. Regina's chest heaves up in down, as she becomes breathless from the sensation of Emma's warm wet mouth on her body. She reaches up, her fingers tangling in in Emma's hair, as she starts tugging, trying to direct Emma's mouth where she needs her most. Still, Emma is stubborn. She refuses to move from her new home. A sort of tug of war begins, as they both assert themselves. Regina groans in impatience as Emma lets the anticipation mount. Finally, after what seems like an eternity, does she press the first kiss to Regina's breast, over where the brunette's heart resides. She quickly redirects her attention to hardening nipples, in a way that leaves Regina unable to do anything else but cry out loudly into the dark bedroom. Emma sucks gently, almost rhythmically, in time to the very pulsing of Regina's heart. And for a moment, Regina thinks she's going to orgasm before Emma's even entered her. Every inch of her body was now seemingly sensitized to the blonde's touch.

Dance till its over
Till the morning brings
The first ray of sun
Just hold me close
You know the road we're on has only begun
The road we're on has only begun

Regina is just as determined to pay similar attention to Emma's body, and so she reaches upwards, palming Emma's backside in her own hands, as she begins kneading at the flesh there. Emma moans loudly into the room, as their lips connect once more. In a fit of desperation, Regina tugs her lover down against her own body, so that no space is left between them. Hips collide together, and begin to move in earnest as they both seek gratification.

"Oh," Regina can't help but gasp, as she feels her slick heat collide with Emma's for the first time. Despite their current positions, it's utterly unexpected, and she feels a telltale ripple move through her core as a direct consequence. "Oh god," Regina moans breathily.

"Fuck," Emma rasps as she feels her body respond to Regina's. Feeling Regina's own intimate parts against her own is something they'd never tried before, and she had clearly underestimated just how good that it might feel. "You feel so fucking good against me, baby."

"I need you," Regina groaned as she released her hold on Emma's ass, in favor of pulling Emma's mouth against her own. She moaned loudly into the kiss, as she felt Emma grind against her once more. She felt another telltale lurch of her gut, and she knew that she was close already. "Please. Oh god. I forgot how amazing this feels."

"Regina," Emma groaned again, as she felt the brunette's lips migrate to the unmarred skin of her neck. She could feel Regina suck at her pulse point in time to their ministrations and Emma, felt herself grow exponentially hotter.

"I'm not gonna last," Emma told her. "I can't believe I'm saying this already, but I'm so fucking close."

"Me too," Regina told her as she met her eyes. "It's okay to come, baby. I'll be there right along with you."

"I can't believe we've never tried this before," Emma spoke in amazement, as she let herself get lost in the sounds that their bodies were making together. "Oh," Emma gasped as she felt her inner muscles flutter, as if to point out that there was nothing inside.

"Emma?" Regina could read Emma like an open book. Just one shift of the blonde's body, and she knew what her lover needed.

"I need you," Emma suddenly whimpered, nearly sobbed, "I need you so badly." Regina reached up and rolled them, so that she was now the one on top. Emma's legs were bent upwards, making a nice little V for Regina to settle into. Regina hovered over the blonde, looking into bottomless green eyes as she took in the moment. She let herself appreciate every feeling, every emotion, as she focused on the woman she loved, now lying beneath her.

All the people we've become
And those we've yet to be, somehow
I wanna show them just how beautiful you're looking through my eyes right now
If they could look through my eyes somehow

Regina kissed Emma hard, her tongue pushing deep into Emma's mouth as the blonde responded in kind. Regina used the distraction in order to buy some time, and began sliding her hand quickly down to give her lover what she needed. She moaned, loudly, as she placed her hand between the two of them, pushing her fingers into Emma's warm, wet channel. Emma made another noise, much akin to a whimper, and sighed in relief, as her muscles finally had something to cling to. Regina began to move inside of her lover, focusing on the wet sounds that every action of hers made. She began a slow rhythm, using her own hips to drive each thrust home. Emma's cries grew louder, each one less restrained than the one before. They'd never made love like this before, and Regina felt more closely connected to the blonde than they ever had before. She knew that they would be trying this again.

"I love you," Regina told her over and over. "You're so beautiful. There are times that I look at you and I…I just can't believe that I'm so lucky. The truth is, I never thought that I'd get to have this. I thought I was always destined for unhappiness… for a villain's ending. But I'll be damned if you haven't made me believe in this."

"You do deserve happiness," Emma told her. "You've worked so hard to overcome the things you've done before. I…I could never love anybody else the way that…" Regina cut her off with another bruising kiss, this one much more thorough and deliberate. No other words were needed. Regina could feel Emma's fingers cling to her slender digits on each thrust, and she knew the blonde was getting close.

"You're so close," Regina told her. "I can feel it. You're almost there, baby. Just let go for me."

"I can't," Emma told her, her own muscles tensing up as she fought back her own orgasm.

"Yes, you can," Regina told her.

"No," Emma said hoarsely, her voice strained, as her entire body tightened up, preparing for its release. "I meant that I want for us to come together."

"You underestimate how close I am to coming, baby," Regina told her. "I'm barely holding on myself." Regina let out a gasp as she felt Emma's fumbling touches against her clit. She screwed her eyes shut as she felt Emma's thumb make sweeping circles over the bundle of nerves.

"No," Emma told her, "Open your eyes. I want you to be looking into my eyes when we both come apart." Regina let out a shuddering breath as she tried to hold off her impending orgasm. She couldn't hold on any longer. Not like this. Her eyes flew open as the sound of her orgasm was torn from the back of her throat. Her body shuddered harder than it had ever had before, during her release, as wave after wave after wave of her orgasm was ripped from her body at the same time she felt Emma clench hard around her fingers. She watched Emma's eyes with rapt attention as the blonde came undone over and over again. Every wave of the blonde's orgasm was both felt and heard, as the two clung to one another in the darkness. Together they rode the waves, until they finally began to wane. Chests heaved together in the darkness as they both sought to replace the air in their lungs that they desperately needed after their intense climax.

I'm trying to keep
This image I see
I know we can't stay there (stay there)

But still I believe
That this you and me
Will always be somewhere (somewhere)

Wordlessly, they stared into the others eyes, both speechless by what had just happened and the connection that they'd both shared. To be entirely honest, they weren't sure that words were needed. Finally, Emma was the first to cave, a laugh escaping her throat, as her eyes twinkled in mirth. A heartbeat later and Regina was joining in, in earnest.

"Holy shit," Emma said, as her eyes never left Regina's

"I can't believe that I'm saying this, but I was thinking something along those same lines," Regina told her, with mirth dancing in her eyes.

"I mean… You said earlier that that was the best sex you'd ever had," Emma said slowly, "So I guess my question is, where does that leave us now?"

"A whole other universe," Regina told her honestly. "How have we never done that before?"

"I mean…we were always in such a hurry, afraid that we'd be caught, that I don't think we ever really took our time. This time, it felt like we had all of the time in the world."

Cause I swear
That when forever fades into a memory
Nothing will ever take
Take you away from me
This promise of mine
Is a promise in time

"Because we do," Regina told her. Regina felt Emma shift against her, and she felt, and heard, the harsh breath that left Emma's lips as the blonde felt Regina's wetness against her. Regina nearly recoiled, still sensitive from their last round of love-making. But the second she saw the desire in Emma's green eyes, she knew that they were not done. Not even close.

"I want to taste you," Emma breathed suddenly, as she met Regina's eyes with an unwavering gaze. "Can I?"

With a slight inclination of the head, the smallest fraction of a nod, Emma received her permission. Regina lost the breath from her lungs as their positions were suddenly reversed. Her back hit the mattress so hard that she bounced back up into Emma's body. But the blonde was scarcely aware of it, as the blonde lost herself in her desire. Eagerly, she began to kiss her way down Regina's perfectly sculpted neck to the hollow near her collarbone. Regina's hand wrapped around the back of her head, holding Emma's lips against her as she licked and nibbled her way down to the territory beneath. Regina's head tilted back as hands, followed in the wake of her lips. Regina let out an impatient noise, as she felt Emma's fingertips trail along the skin of her inner thighs. With a tug, Emma pulled Regina's legs apart, and Regina's legs fell open. In that moment, Regina felt oddly exposed. She was undeniably soaked, and she felt her cheeks color with embarrassment as she felt Emma's eyes on her center.

And as we're looking back
On who we used to be
With everything I have
I swear you'll always see
This promise of mine
Is a promise in time…

"You're so utterly beautiful," Emma whispered breathily. And just like that all of Regina's insecurities were gone. Dark chocolate quickly darted up to Emma's face, taking in the sense of wonder etched into soft, delicate features, and she knew she was in good hands. Emma moved back down, trailing kisses along the way to her destination.

Regina's body hummed in anticipation as thin lips slowly encroached on their destination. A moan and a gasp escaped from her lips as Emma's lips met the hypersensitive skin of her inner thigh, then another as the blonde nuzzled soft, dark curls, drinking in the scent of her arousal.

"Oh God," Regina gasped, her hands burying themselves in Emma's hair as she tried to direct her to where she needed her lover most. Emma needed no further direction. Regina tried not to scream as a tongue darted out to taste her, for the first time. Regina's body arched backwards onto the mattress as her hands released the woman, left to clench into fists at her sides as Emma took one bold, sweeping lick, then another and another. She was already so close to another orgasm, and she could scarcely believe the things that Emma could make her feel. No man had ever worshiped her like this…not even close. The truth is, she had never felt anything so incredible in her whole life. Regina squeezed her eyes shut as suddenly two fingers pushed into her, drawing in and out with purposeful strokes.

"Em…" Regina couldn't even finish the word as her breaths became ragged, and uneven. She was left struggling to grapple with the extreme amounts of pleasure. It was almost too much. Almost. It was pleasure and it was pain. And she so desperately needed release. Regina's body tightened up into a tightly wound coil as Emma's swirled her tongue around her, once, twice, before flicking her with her tongue.

"You taste so fucking good," Emma told her, before diving back in. She seemed to be relishing the taste of Regina, a taste of tartness and sweetness, and just a little bit of salt. She decided that she wanted to live there, between her lover's legs, forevermore. She could hear Regina grow more and more vocal with each pass of her tongue and her fingers. Regina shuddered as she became hypersensitive to Emma's touch. But Emma didn't let her pull away.

"Oh," Regina gasped, almost sobbed, "Emma, it's too much. I…I can't."

"Shh," Emma nuzzled her, her nose bumping clumsily into the juncture of Regina's. It was the only clumsy mistake Emma had made during their lovemaking so far. "It's okay, love. Just come for me. You feel so good around my fingers."

"It feels…I feel so," Regina told her, as Emma started moving back up her body. And yet, her fingers remained fixed to the juncture between the brunette's legs.

"Taste yourself," Emma commanded as she took Regina's lips in a searing kiss, pushing her tongue forcefully into the older woman's mouth. Regina moaned without restraint, as she experienced the taste of herself in Emma's mouth, while tasting Emma at the same time. "You taste so good, baby. I love you. I love you so much." Regina felt her the telltale twinge in her abdomen, as her orgasm built and built. "Now let go," Emma commanded. And Regina did. She came undone with a deafening cry. Emma pressed her lips to Regina's in a desperate kiss, while her fingers continued to drag out the brunette's climax. She swallowed, the brunette's screams, as her lover came down. Regina couldn't take it anymore. Her hand darted down to Emma's hand, wrenching it from inside of her own body. She instantly regretted the action however, as she came down harder than she had before. She crashed back down to the earth without a parachute.

"It's okay," Emma husked into her ear, in a voice weighted with unfathomable desire. "You're okay, baby. I love you. I love you so much. I swear that I could live forever in this place, spending the rest of my days with you." Regina eyes drifted shut as Regina felt the heavy exhaustion that she'd felt hours before.

"I'm sorry," Regina told her in a deep exhausted voice, "I'm so tired."

"Then sleep," Emma told her gently as she positioned herself at the brunette's side. "I'll be here when you wake up, I promise." Regina drifted off into sleep, relishing in the comfort of the notion that her lover would be there when she woke.

Hours later, when the first beams of sunlight spilled across her pillow, Regina let out a sleepy groaned, and shifted on the mattress. She felt her body protest. She was sore, a delicious kind of pain occupied much of her body, and she felt a smile pull at her lips. She shifted on the mattress, and felt something warm and heavy shift against her in response. Slowly, she cracked an eye open, squinting against the morning light. She could feel Emma's soft, wavy hair, tickling the bare skin of her chest and shoulders. Sheets were tangle around her legs and feet, leaving much of her body bare, and exposed to the cool morning air. But she wasn't cold…not even close. In fact, she felt hot, igneous, with Emma's warm body pressed against her own. Slowly, Regina turned towards the body at her side, feeling Emma's slide across her middle, moving until it was clutching her side. Regina allowed herself a quiet moment to appreciate the beauty of the slumbering blonde before her. She was painfully beautiful, and Regina felt her heart clench for a moment in wonder. She realized that she desperately wanted to wake up to the blonde like this, every morning for the rest of her life. And the blonde was about to leave. That notion hurt.

The brunette was so lost in her own thoughts, that she didn't notice the blonde's eyes blinking open. It wasn't until the soft moan that escaped Emma's lips that Regina realized her lover had awoken. Emma reached up, her palm sliding against Regina's cheek, that Regina let go of her earlier thoughts.

"Hey," Emma's eyes were startlingly bright in the morning sunlight. They were the grass in the light of spring. They were everything that she associated with Emma. Emma and Regina moved at the same time, their lips finding each other in a kiss that took on new meaning. It was slow, patient, affectionate, so filled with love that they lost themselves in it. They both mewled softly into the kiss, making noises of pleasure as their hands moved over naked flesh. Finally the kiss broke, and they locked eyes.

"I could get used to this," Emma told her. "Waking up to you…"

"Me too," Regina told her, as she tugged the blonde closer, wrapping her arms around her lover in an embrace. "I wish you didn't have to leave."

"I know," Emma breathed into her ear, earning her a shiver from the brunette. "I don't ever want to leave this bed."

"But we have to, don't we?" Regina asked gently. "Because sooner or later, someone's going to break down my door, looking for you. And you've got to go to New York."

"Tell me not to go, and I'll stay," Emma told her, "Consequences be damned."

"I can't do that," Regina replied. "Much as I want to."

"What time is it?" Emma asked as she chanced a glance over Regina's shoulder. Regina felt Emma stiffen against her as the blonde answered her own question.

"That bad, huh?" Regina asked her, her voice lilted just a hint of a tease.

"We have to get up," Emma told her, "It's already past eight, and I've got to start packing." Regina hated how much that word stung. She knew it was more about the blonde leaving than anything else.

"Plus," Emma sighed, "I imagine that my Mom is going to make an unwelcome intrusion into my life any minute now."

"I'll help you pack," Regina offered gently, "It'll go faster with the two of us."

"You'd do that?" Emma asked her, her voice tinged with surprise.

"Of course," Regina replied as she met Emma's eyes, her lips tugging upwards in a smile that took just a little too much effort. "Come on," Regina said as she pushed herself upwards in bed. "You and I are going to do this the way that we always do things. Together."

Cause I swear…

That when forever fades into a memory
Nothing will ever take
Take you away from me
This promise of mine (this promise of mine)
Is a promise in time (this promise)

A/N: So yeah... This chapter was basically smut. Sorry...not sorry. ;) You guys don't mind that, do you? Anyhow, I hope you like it. Please give me a quick review on your way out so I know what you thought. I promise there's some more plot to come soon, including a resolution between Emma and Snow, as well as Emma and Jake.

I have so much love for you all! Thanks to the ones who have stuck around this long!

P.S. The lyrics in this chapter are from a song called, "The Promise," by Sam Tsui and Casey Breves. Please look it up on youtube if you have a chance. I absolutely love the video and the song!