Both women were still too injured for much physicality, so they simply laid naked in each others arms, caressing every inch of soft, supple flesh. Emma lay completely on her back to ease the pressure off her ribs, while Regina leaned over, one leg wrapped tightly around Emma's upper thigh. She was propped up on her forearm, caressing Emma with her other hand. Her face was buried under Emma's hair, pressing her nose and lips behind Emma's ear.

Emma was smiling, her fingertips gliding down Regina's side and across her buttocks. It was times like this that made every fear, every ache and injury fade away, leaving nothing in this world but the two of them.

Regina knew there was much to be done, but they were all clearly exhausted from their little excursion, and Regina trusted Phillip to hold down the fort so they could all get some rest. She did order all the villagers to be given food and shelter, the start of rebuilding trust between the crown and the people. She could do little more until she had gotten proper rest and at least a little time to heal. Not to mention some quality time with her beloved captain.

Emma turned her head to the side and rubbed noses with Regina. "I didn't know what had come of you when I was in that box. I thought the worst."

Regina reached up and ran her fingers through Emma's locks, pushing them back from her face. "I felt the same. Not knowing was...terrifying. I thought I had lost you," she whispered as she pecked Emma on the lips. "I don't think I could survive without you, Emma."

Emma smiled. "Well, it is my job to keep you safe."

Regina shook her head. "No, that's not what I mean. I mean, yes, you are the best captain I could ask for-but I mean you, Emma. If anything ever happened to you, I-" the lump in her throat forced her to stop and let tears leak from her eyes.

Emma shushed her and gently traced her cheek. "It's alright. I'm here. Nothing will happen, I promise. Regina, I swear to you, I'm not going anywhere. You're stuck with me," she smiled as she wiped Regina's tears away.

Regina just smiled into Emma's loving face and sighed in contentment. "How did I get so lucky? Having you in my life?"

Emma's lips twitched. "I'm the lucky one," she whispered before pressing a soft, tender kiss to Regina's lips.

XXXXXXXXX

Emma and Regina sat in the garden, waiting nervously. Well, Regina was the nervous one, Emma was simply impatient. She noticed Regina chewing her nails furiously, and went over to place a comforting hand on her shoulder.

"It'll be fine, just relax," Emma insisted.

Regina was about to respond when she heard the clanking of chain mail. She looked over to see several of her men accompanying two small boys into the garden. She stood nervously as the entourage stopped in front of her. The men bowed, and Regina motioned for them to leave.

Emma walked up behind Regina and smiled down at the boys. The sight of them made her miss Henry. Regina had sent a raven several days ago, not long after Snow's execution, calling for Henry to come to Castle White. The kingdom had at least stabilized, and both Regina and Emma felt it safe enough for him to join them.

Regina looked sheepishly down at the boys, noticing how skinny and dirty they were. "Do you recognize me?"

The boys, heads still down, eyes on the floor, both nodded their heads. One, whom Regina assumed was the braver of the two, looked up at her. His dirty blonde hair stood in comparison to the red of his brother's. "You're the Queen. You helped father with his plow."

Regina smiled softly. "That's right. Do you know what happened to your father?"

The blonde boy, looking Regina in the eye nodded his head. "He died. Just like mother."

Regina knelt down so she was at eye level with the boys. The red head peeked at her, but eyes quickly darted away once they met Regina's. "Your father was a brave and noble man. He died a hero. He saved my life," Regina put her hand on the blonde's shoulder.

He looked at her, eyes twinkling as a small smile broke across his face. "Like a knight?"

Emma's heart broke at the boy's words, forcing the tears back down her throat. Regina smiled broadly at the boy, noticing how the red head had looked up as well. "That's right. Exactly like a knight! Sir Lawrence!"

The boys looked at each other and smiled shyly. The blonde looked back up at Regina. "I wish I could be a knight someday."

Regina put both hands on the boys shoulders, squaring him to her. "You can. You can be whatever you want to be. I promise you that!" Regina looked over to the red head who was now looking hopefully at her. "Both of you." When they both seemed to lighten a bit she stood up and looked back to the blonde. "What are your names?"

The blonde looked up. "My names Gregory and that's Jacob."

Regina smiled and glanced over at Emma. "Alright then. Gregory, Jacob, this is Captain Emma Swan. She lives with me here in the castle. We have a son named Henry who is about your age. We were wondering if-since your parents are both gone-if you would like to join us here. We could be your new family, the five of us. What do you say?"

Gregory looked intently at Jacob who despite himself couldn't keep the hopeful smile off his face. When Jacob nodded vigorously, Gregory turned back to Regina and nodded as well.

Regina grinned at a beaming Emma, and they looked adoringly down at the dirty boys. She was just about to order them to the bath when the quiet of the garden was broken with a gleeful cry.

"Regina! Emma!"

Regina turned to see Henry sprinting through the garden, only to be scooped up and spun around by Emma. She saw the twins retreat into themselves a bit, and put a comforting hand on both their shoulders. As Emma laughed and released Henry, she gladly welcomed his hug before scooting down to eye level. "It's so good to see you Henry!"

"I missed you Regina! I thought you forgot about me!" The boy said, still ecstatic at his arrival to Castle White.

Regina grinned and clutched his upper arms. "I'd never forget about you, Henry. Welcome! And listen, Emma and I have a surprise for you!"

Emma walked over and swallowed, a bit nervous how Henry would take the news. She gave Regina a reassuring nod.

"Henry, this is Gregory and Jacob. Boys, this is Henry."

The three boys looked at each other shyly, fingers in mouths and postures withdrawn.

Regina took a deep breath. "Henry, Gregory and Jacob lost their parents too, just like you." Regina watched as Henry just listened, not taking his eyes off the boys in from of him. "I thought we could welcome them into our family. With you, me and Emma. How does that sound?"

Henry thought for a moment, wheels in his head turning. Suddenly he looked up at Regina. "So, they would be my brothers? I always wanted a brother to play with."

Neither adult could find their voice, as tears pricked their eyes. Before they could, a new voice hit their ears.

"We could be your brothers," the voice was small and meek, but entirely bold and loud in context. All eyes fell soon Jacob, who just spoke for the first time that day.

Regina's hand found Emma's as they watched the three boys chasing each other through the garden. Their little family had just grown.

XXXXXXXX

Over the next few months, Regina received help from several other kingdoms in her efforts to breathe life back into the White Kingdom. Because of their help and Regina's leadership, nearly everyone who had been displaced by Robert was now back in a new and more comfortable home, no one was hungry, and most people were back to work.

King Stefan had sent a humanitarian entourage to the White Castle with medicines, building supplies, and many able bodied men to help rebuild. His daughter Aurora had been sent as a diplomat, and Regina and Emma spent many hours in her company.

It was one particular evening where Emma caught onto something. They were sitting in the banquet hall for a celebratory dinner for all King Stefan's help, and many lords and ladies milled about with the guards. Emma had held out her chalice to be filled when she spotted Phillip acting oddly. He was half hidden behind a pillar, staring intently at something. She looked to see what he was looking at when she spotted a blushing and smiling Princess Aurora looking back at him.

When Emma looked back at Phillip she saw him smiling coyly back, and he couldn't help but chuckle to herself. She casually walked back next to Regina who was chatting with some diplomat. She put her hand on Regina's hip and whispered something into Regina's ear.

Regina grinned at Emma and nodded. She quickly ended her conversation with whomever she was speaking with and turned to Aurora.
"Princess, I suppose you've heard all we've been through since Leopold's murder?"

Aurora nodded. "Indeed. I can't believe what you and your men have been through! It must have been a trying time indeed!"

"Yes, it was. We couldn't have done so without Captain Swan, here," Regina smiled as she put her hand on Emma's shoulder.

Emma played along. "Oh, no, highness. I wasn't the hero in this story." She looked on as Aurora cocked her head in question. "Really it was Phillip. We never could have won without his heroics."

"Phillip?" Aurora questioned.

"Why, yes, Phillip did save us on more than one occasion." Regina turned to where Phillip was watching. "Phillip, come here! I want to introduce you to someone!"

Emma pursed her lips together as Phillip approached shyly. She watched as his shy face turned red.

"Princess Aurora, this is Phillip, one of the finest soldiers in my army. Phillip, this is Princess Aurora," Regina glanced between the two, seeing the sparks fly already.

Phillip blushed as he bowed deeply, taking the offered hand, kissing it gently. Emma watched as their eyes met, both instantly smiling. "Pleased to meet you, Phillip," Aurora said.

Regina smothered a smile before putting her hand on Phillip's shoulder. "Phillip has been our savior on more than one occasion, isn't that right, Phillip?"

Emma watched Phillip blush as Aurora beamed. "I'd love to hear all about it!" Phillip offered his arm, and he and Aurora walked off with dreamy looks on their faces.

Emma stood next to Regina as they watched them walk off. "Well. That went well," Emma mused.

Regina just mumbled. "Hmmm."

Emma looked at Regina with furrowed eyebrows. "What?"

Regina watched after the pair in thought. "I was just thinking about that Fairytale with Prince Phillip."

Emma was still confused. "What about it?"

Regina swirled the wine in her chalice in thought. "Phillip is a fine soldier. He's smart. He has a good heart. He would make a wonderful leader, don't you think?"

Emma's mouth dropped open a bit. "I suppose so. Why?"

Regina finally looked at Emma with a mischievous grin. "Well. I won't be in the White Kingdom forever. I need to tend to my own again eventually. Once I get this place on track," she looked back at Phillip and Aurora chatting. "...I'll need to leave someone in charge."

Emma raised her eyebrows as she looked back at Phillip and Aurora, gazing into each others eyes. Emma suddenly smiled, realizing Regina was going to offer Phillip his own Fairytale. Emma turned and tenderly placed her hand on Regina's face, turning it to meet her eyes. "You...you are unreal, you know that? You're like a fairy godmother, handing out happy endings to everyone you meet."

Regina chuckled as she wove her fingers with Emma's. "I don't know about that. What I DO know is that right now, I have never been happier." The two women smiled at each other. Regina's face got serious. "And I've come to another realization."

"What's that?"

"I'm the Queen."

Emma chuckled. "Last I checked, yeah," Emma looked at her curiously.

Regina raised an eyebrow seductively. "I've already bucked tradition when I didn't relinquish my kingdom to Robert."

"Yeeeees?" Emma was confused.

"So," Regina half smiled. "I'm going to do it again. I'm taking my Captain as my wife. And I don't give a DAMN what anyone thinks about it."

Emma's face went from shock to a heart stopping smile. The two women got lost in each others eyes, as the world melted away. And there, in the throne room of the White Castle, in front of hundreds of their people, they kissed. They kissed softly, tenderly, lovingly, in a promise of the future. And only the thunderous applause and approving smiles from those around them roused them back from the clouds. They embraced with shining smiles, looking shyly around at happy faces.

This, it seemed, was the beginning of their happy ending.

THE END

***Thanks for following this story! I hope the ending didn't seem too rushed for you. What do you think...worthy of a sequel?! Thanks for all the reviews, I'd love to know what you thought about the last chapter, good or bad. Cheers!