This was supposed to be a one shot but I got carried away so enjoy and let me know what you think!

Chapter 1

Strolling into the library, Regina is met by the Charmings. It was early afternoon on a Friday and the Mayor had just begun packing up her office when an abrupt call from David brought her here. After listening to his explanation at finding what appeared to be someone's lodgings, the brunette tried to keep calm at how the happy couple jumped straight to the conclusion that it was a big bad, like they do on many occasion. Truth be told, Regina was deep down grateful for the knowledge that for once, it wasn't about her and the majority of the town had now accepted the fact that she was trying. Trying to be good and trying to be a better person. Staring at the pair before her, the brunette gives a silent breath.

"Has anyone informed Miss Swan? I mean she is Sheriff after all and if there has been an intruder..." Raising an eyebrow while giving an obvious look, Regina questions the former Princess and Shepherd.

"She is already on her way" David responds with a side glance.

"Right..good" the brunette replies as she peers over at the items the former shepherd collected. "Do we have any idea as to who they belong to?"

"No but who ever it is, they are clearly new in town..otherwise they would have a place to stay"

"..and that's never a good sign" Snow interjects, finishing off her husband's answer.

"What's never a good sign?" Walking into the library, Emma glances between the trio waiting for a reason as to why she was called there and what her mother was referring to.

David steps forward to reassure his daughter. "We found evidence of a person staying here and-"

"Snow has assumed it to be a new villain.." Regina points out with an eye roll.

Looking in disbelief, the sheriff crosses her arms while staring at her mother. "Seriously? I very much doubt that a villain would be sloppy as to leave a trail of their residency and instead would be pretty bold in revealing themselves while tormenting us daily, which I must add has not happened and..besides..it's probably just Leroy after a drunken bender, I did have him in a cell 6 times this past week.."

As the mayor sniggers and paces around in a circle, wishing to not be there when she could have been relaxing at home, both Charmings take into consideration as to what their daughter has said and deemed it to be a valid point. That was until a rather drunk pirate made his way through the double doors with a sway.

"Oh escuse me..I didn't realize there was..a..a social...gathering.." Hook grins and holds up his rum flask for anyones offering. Settling his stare on Emma, the pirate smirks. "Hello Swan..care for a..early nightcap as you have found my quarters?"

The blonde looks surprised at Hook's sudden entrance and ignores his question before sighing. "Problem solved..now I need to go meet Henry at the bus stop"

"What about him?" David asks referring to the pirate who is currently partaking in a glaring match with the Mayor.

"Well what do you want me to do about him? Take him home? He hasn't got a place to live in..and if you want to deal with having him in the station on a permanent basis with me, fine, but I think we should just move him along..maybe Granny's?" The Sheriff suggests to her working partner.

"I have a few ideas why don't you give me five minutes with him...alone.." Regina responds through gritted teeth.

Sensing the tension, David grabs Hook by his shoulder quickly. "Granny's it is"

Watching the two men walk back out, Emma then glances over with a small smile towards the brunette who instantly returns the gesture. "I will go meet Henry and have him back to you by 6"

"That's fine by me" the Mayor nods then heads towards the door herself before pausing briefly to look at Snow. "Oh another thing, please allow me a night to myself without an emergency call because of some ridiculous reason? Try and enjoy the peace and quiet we are currently experiencing"

Snow simply nods lost in thought then glances towards her daughter curiously as Regina steps out the library, shortly followed by Emma.

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"Hey kid" draping an arm around her son's shoulders, Emma pulls him into a side hug as they begin to walk away from the bus stop and down the street. "Good day at school?"

Henry smiles up at his mother and nods. "Yeah it was good..how about yours? Anything unusual happen yet?"

"Aside from Hook turning up drunk and making his usual not very subtle pass..no"

Sniggering the boy shakes his head. "I'm surprised mom didn't throw a fireball"

"Close enough..but it was all okay in the end. Now what do you want to do as I have you all to myself until 6?" Emma raises an eyebrow as she ruffles her son's hair embarrassingly, causing Henry to tilt his head away with a playful scold.

"I don't know..is mom at home already?"

Frowning at the question, the blonde replies. "Yes she said she was going home after the whole Hook incident why?"

Grinning, the boy moves away from his mother's grasp. "Great! I'm gona go stay with my grandparents. That way you can go to the mansion without any fuss..don't worry I will keep them occupied!"

Looking slightly uncertain, Emma comes to an halt as Henry already makes a move across the street. "Wait..no Henry..that's not-"

"I can't hear you!" The boy shouts out having heard everything but playing dumb as he heads towards his grandparents loft.

Rolling her eyes, the sheriff places her hands on her hips briefly with a frown as to what to do then begins strolling in the direction of the mansion.

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Turning into Mifflin Street, the blonde Sheriff subconciously dips her hands down the top of her shirt, pulling a chain out into view which holds a plain silver band. Twirling it around her finger, Emma smiles to herself as she steps up onto the porch and knocks.

From inside the mansion, the owner huffs to herself as she had just got comfy with a book within her study before Henry arrives back home, accompanied by his other mother. Although tempted to ignore the visitor, the brunette's curiosity over who has disturbed her gets the best of her as she stands from her seat and makes her way towards the front door, cautiously opening it as she is wearing her casual jumper with leggins. Peering around the door, the Mayor raises an eyebrow then opens it fully for the blonde woman to enter. "You're knocking now Miss Swan?"

Chuckling as she crosses the threshold, Emma shrugs. "Never know what you might be up to in this big house by yourself..."

Stepping closer as the Sheriff closes the door behind her, Regina smirks as she slides her arms around the blonde's neck before glancing up. "But I'm not by myself.."

Shaking her head, the blonde automatically wraps her arms around the brunette's waist to pull her as close as possible. "No I guess not.." Grinning, Emma looks down at the woman. "..and you never will be"

Biting her lip in an innocent way, the Mayor appears hopeful. "Promise?"

Leaning forward, the blonde whispers against Regina's ear. "I married you didn't I? Til death do us part babe"

Smiling happily, the brunette reaches up cupping the woman's face within both her hands and kisses her softly while mumbling into it. "I love you Emma"

Ending their kiss with a series of small pecks, Emma then nuzzles their noses. "I love you too my beautiful wife"

Dropping her arms, Regina gestures towards the kitchen so she can prepare a drink for them. "So where exactly is our son if you're here? He was supposed to be with you until dinner"

"Yes but he had other ideas..that lead to us having some time to ourselves. He went to stay with mom and dad" the Sheriff explains as she follows the woman through the doorway then watches as the brunette first heads towards the kettle but upon hearing that their son will not be home for dinner, changes route towards the fridge to retrieve the wine.

"So he won't be home for dinner.."

Circling the island to meet her wife, Emma shakes her head while taking out the glasses for her. "No..which is why tonight you're going to have a night off. Let me cook dinner"

Letting out a snigger, the Mayor raises an eyebrow curiously as she pours the wine. "You want to cook dinner? Seriously?"

"Hey! I can cook!"

"Yes, one dish dear and I am not really in the mood for Mac and Cheese" Regina responds then holds a glass out for the woman who deflates in sadness.

Mumbling with a pout, the blonde replies while sipping on the wine. "I can cook more than one dish..if you must know, when I'm not here and at my apartment, mom has been...giving me lessons because I want to share all the responsibilities with you"

Smiling in awe, the Mayor takes the woman's glass back before placing both of them down on the kitchen counter then pulls Emma into a tight hug and presses a kiss to her shoulder. "You did that for me?..for our family?..."

"Of course I did..we're a team now arn't we?" The Sheriff hugs back then sighs at her phone going. Stepping out of the embrace, Emma answers having seen the caller I.D and leaves Regina to watch intently while returning to her wine glass. "Hey dad..everything okay?"

"Emma, yes everything's fine..Henry told me that you were swamped with paperwork so he is going to stay with us tonight as Regina is having her alone time..I was just wondering if you wanted me to come to the station and help you out?"

"Oh..no..that's not necessary thanks" glancing over towards Regina seeing a guilty look spread across her face as she can hear the whole conversation, the Sheriff offers a comforting smile before continuing to talk with her father. "I've got it covered..thanks for taking Henry"

"Not a problem, anytime..just promise me, well, your mother that you will go home at a reasonable hour? You know you moved out the loft to have your own life..don't let work take over on that"

Rolling her eyes, the blonde sighs again. "No dad..it won't and I promise. Bye" hanging up, Emma looks towards her wife again who like herself earlier, has lifted a chain holding a small ring from inside her blouse and is playing with it.

Gripping onto it tightly, the brunette takes a deep breath sadly. "I hate that Henry is lying for us..I know he wants to help us but he shouldn't have to do this.."

"I know...but if anything he wants to because he wants this more than anyone..maybe even us. Henry wants our family and so do I. I don't know what we should do..I mean yes the town has finally accepted who you want to be but I can't, I won't, let them hurt you and then Henry and I lose you..just as I know you feel the same about me..which was why we agreed to stay quiet on this" reaching for the woman's hand to give support, Emma looks at a loss.

"Quiet for how long though Emma..I was scared of losing my family if they find out but right now..I'm even more scared I'm going to lose you anyway because we might end up drifting apart..we don't live together, we barely get to be together or even see one another unless it is work or Henry related and then we have to act like we're just about civil"

Hearing the crack in her wife's voice, the blonde squeezes her hand tightly. "We will not drift apart..yes this is extremely hard but I promise it won't be for forever. I love you too much to give up. Why don't we start gradually? Like become friends in public..see how they react.."

Feeling rather defeated, Regina slumps against the counter. "We could..try..I just don't want you getting any hassle from it"

"I won't. Besides even if I did, it doesn't matter to me. I'd take all the hassle if they leave you be. Now lets just forget all that and enjoy the time we do have thanks to our son and let me make you dinner" wrapping an arm around the brunette's front, the Sheriff rests her chin on the woman's shoulder awaiting a response before gaining a small childlike smile and nod from Regina as the brunette continues to twirl her ring around her finger.

A/N: cont?