Chapter 24

Stood in front of the burnt out building, arms crossed, Regina bites her lip while staring at the place. Feeling a presence beside her, the brunette glances over briefly before turning her attention back to the school. Watching her sadden girlfriend, Maleficent also looks towards the school. "I wondered where you went off too..."

Hearing a hint of playfulness, the young Principal knew that the blonde wasn't mad with her but still concerned. "..sorry..I just needed to see for myself. Especially now mother has been locked away indefinately.."

Reaching for her hand, Maleficent pulls her close. "Its over now Regina. You can get this school up and running again in no time"

Nodding slowly, the brunette gulps then chuckles nervously. "I'm surprised you're still here.."

Frowning, the older blonde rubs the woman's arm with her free hand. "What do you mean?"

"I'm trouble? The evidence speaks for itself.." Gesturing to the school, Regina continues. "I may not have started it..I may not have asked for it but it happened..just like a lot of other things. Next time, I don't want it to be you..hurt.."

"Everyone comes with a past..whether its neglectful mothers..abandonment..regretful college years. But, its a part of who we are..who you are and I love you for your past because its shown me how amazing you are, how strong you can be and no matter what you say or what happens, I always will" Maleficent responds before pressing a kiss to the brunette's temple.

Leaning into her touch, the young Principal gives a sigh. "I want to go home.."

Wrapping her arm around the woman, the blonde guides her away and back home.

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Walking back inside their house, the two women were met by the children. Henry wanting a hug and Emma looking rather guilty as she fiddles with her hands and shuffles on her feet. Lifting the boy into a hug, Regina looks wary at the small blonde who is now biting her lip. "Emma? Munchkin whats wrong?"

Pursing her lips, Emma glances over to Maleficent. "We..Henry and me..we..was playing hide and seek while Mary Margaret made us a drink and..and I hid in Mallie's side of the closet and..something dropped but I didn't break anything.." Shaking her head abruptly, the small blonde continues wide eyed. "But I found this?.." Taking the small ring box out of her pocket, she holds it up to the older blonde who looks speechless.

Shocked, the brunette opens her mouth to speak but can't then looks towards her stunned girlfriend. Oblivious to what it actually is, Emma grins with a nod. "Its very pretty.."

Gulping, Maleficent takes a deep breath and attempts to shove the box into her own pocket awkwardly. Noticing the movement, Regina looks sad then places Henry back down. "Lets get you that drink you both wanted..." Leading the children into the kitchen, the brunette catches one last glance towards the blonde.

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"We need to talk"

Trying to look confident, Regina looks towards Maleficent on the couch after putting the children to bed. "You owe me that much if you're having second thoughts about us"

Frowning, the older blonde shifts forward on her seat and reaches for the brunette's hand to encourage her to sit. "I am not having second thoughts I-"

"Really? Because earlier on with Emma..you couldn't get rid of the situation fast enough and I heard you..." Biting her lip trying not to get upset, the young Principal looks over at her girlfriend to confess. "I..heard you..the night I came home from the hospital..you said you couldn't wait to ask me something and..well you thought I was asleep but I heard you"

Hating the fact that she had made the brunette cry, Maleficent shakes her head feeling guilty. "I meant what I said that night and you're right..there is something I wanted to ask you but not in this way..Emma threw me off guard because she found what I have been keeping secret from you until it was the right time..until you were better and everything with your mother, with the school were resolved..Regina.." Turning inwards, the blonde cups Regina's face within her hands and looks into her eyes to show how serious she is. "I love you. I love the children. I love our family and all I wanted was to take the next step..it may be soon I know..but.." Trying to hold it together without her voice breaking, but failing miserably, Maleficent grows teary. "When..you..were lying there..on the ground..I thought I lost you and I didn't have a clue what I was going to do..it felt like my world came crashing down and I know Daniel was right telling me to think of Emma and Henry but..right then..I just needed you and I felt like I was broken. Having you here right now, means everything to me..and.." Dropping one hand, the woman searches her pocket for the ring box. "This is for you..I love you Regina." Watching the young Principal take hold of the box with a tear stricken face, Maleficent looks hopeful. "..marry me?.."

Only able to nod abruptly getting even more teary, Regina bites her lip with a sniffle as she hands the box back over so the blonde can do the honours. Giving a smile, Maleficent blinks back the rest of her tears and opens the box to slip the ring onto the brunette's finger before suddenly being pulled into a tight hug. Hugging back, the blonde chuckles lightly then pulls herself back to look at her now fiancee. Smiling happily as Maleficent wipes her tears away, Regina leans closer and kisses her softly. Going to return the kiss, the blonde pauses and moves back quickly at hearing an outburst of clapping. Glancing towards the staircase, both women smile at seeing two very awake children, sat on the middle steps while clapping excitedly at what they had just witnessed. Emma knowing exactly what happened by the ring and Henry just joining in at everyone being happy.

Rolling her eyes at the pair, Regina opens her arms out with a playful scold. "Get down here!"

Grinning, the small blonde stands and helps her brother down to the bottom step before both siblings bolt in the direction of the two women on the couch. Climbing up, Henry sneaks his way into the middle of them as Emma wraps an arm around both their necks to hug them. "I knew we be a proper family someday. Its all we need, me and Henry, is our mommy and our momma"

Giving the smaller blonde an extra squeeze at the title she's been given, Maleficent kisses both their heads before landing a final peck onto Regina's lips.

A/N: sorry for shortness, long day and wanted to give you something. It all just seemed to fit! :)