Chapter 14

"Hmm, I don't know," Emma shrugged, dangling her hands between parted thighs. "I guess it feels like…" she inhaled deeply. "It never gets old, you know?"

Ruby nodded. So did Snow.

"Like every single day I see her and I get to be with her, all of it feels brand new again. Kind of like tasting something for the first time over and over again. I know I sound totally stupid," the blonde held up her hands defensively but smiled nevertheless.

Ruby shook her head. Snow's cheeks had coloured.

They were seated on a pavilion behind the high school, the three of them simply chatting among themselves as Henry was engaged in a game of basketball. For an hour already, it would seem that long. But to the three of them, the conversation was too delicious to even tempt them to get up and leave. So they had decided to wait on him until after the game.

"It's been two weeks already," Snow said. She seemed pleased. "I would like this to last longer."

"Yeah, make it like two decades," Ruby nudged Emma's shoulder. "I've never seen Regina like this. I mean, she's…totally changed. She smiles at me a lot. And that's…something."

"It's the Regina I first encountered," Snow said softly, playing with the ends of her yellow sleeves. "The one who rescued me that day. The same…look in her eyes as she smiled and hugged me. She was so happy back then. And now…" her eyes met Emma's, "…she's happy again. Thanks to you."

The blonde couldn't help but become all mushy inside. Especially when she considered how far they had come and how they had changed each other.

"You two don't fight, do you?" Lucas wanted to know. She frowned. "Like before?"

"Nah," Swan told them confidently. "I've learned to read her easily. So that if I bring up something she doesn't seem to like, I can pick it up right away and change the topic."

"Unless it's something you want to say…" Ruby leaned in a little. "Something that has to come off your chest."

"She knows when she must say things," Snow said. "She knows what's right."

"I find that I hardly have any disagreements with her now," the blonde lifted her head as Henry shot the ball through the hoop. The other boys cheered. "We've…settled."

"You've reached the same level," her mother provided with a nod. "It's a place that's hard to reach in a relationship. Sometimes it takes years. But once you open up yourself and realize that it's not all about you, that compromise happens. I'm glad that you two are there so soon."

"Thank the fucking moon," Ruby said smiling. "After all the grounds you've shaken with her. I'm impressed."

Henry waved at them. Emma was the only one who noted the signal and she waved back. The boys were heading off to gather up their things. Which meant that his practice had come to an end.

At times like these, she just wished that staying out in a different scenery could last for more than two hours. For more than it was already. She just wanted find some place where things didn't interfere with her everyday life. And Emma wanted to stay there for a while.

Not that she wasn't aching to run home and snuggle up into Regina's arms.

But some alone time. Taking time out to savour nature. Or the peace. Maybe the rustle of the leaves in the trees and the way the sun would sink low behind them, splashing the sky with orange and pink.

"I'll walk you home," Ruby told Snow as they lazily rose up, stretching their arms. "Ready?"

After she gave her daughter one last nod followed by a smile, the short hair brunette slowly descended the pavilion's steps behind Lucas' tall form. The latter had on stilettos, as was normal for her character.

Emma's eyes rested on their forms as they drifted towards the gate and exited, bumping shoulders along the way.

He took his time, as expected to change into fresh clothes. The blonde realized that her son was slowly metamorphosing into a young man who really paid attention to his physical appearance. If not for Violet, to match the other boys in his friend circle and anyone else who admired him.

In the meantime, Emma found herself admiring the sunset behind the trees and she savoured every minute of it. By then, Regina would be home, and after slipping out of her work clothes, she would settle in front of the television to catch Young and the Restless. Another episode, and another round of ridiculous drama.

The blonde could never understand why people found the show so darn interesting after all these years. Her cup of tea would have been some gritty crime show like NCIS or CSI. But Regina was all into the romantic drama. Although her life now had settled into a romance that was quite toe curling and promising.

When Henry finally showed himself, he reeked of cologne that lightened her heart a bit. Knowing that he was this particular about hygiene, she smiled inwardly and reflected on the possibility of Regina rubbing off on their son.

"Shot two hoops, but it wasn't good enough," he said as they walked along. She had offered to take his bag but he declined.

Emma playfully punched his left arm. "Was good enough to me."

"You were too caught up in talking to Ruby and grandma to even pay attention," he didn't seem upset.

She tugged him across the street and shrugged afterwards. "I saw you shoot one. I've seen you shoot like a million over the past year."

Henry smiled. "What were you talking about up there? Back in the Enchanted Forest edition? Or…"

She grabbed him around his shoulders and laughed. Of course tried to detach himself but failed.

"We were talking about your mom," Emma said, her blonde hair touching his shoulder as they walked along together.

"Yeah? What about her?"

"You know…stuff."

Henry laughed. "The fact that you love her so much, you two end up wearing each other's clothes now?"

"Hey!" She ruffled his hair.

"Don't think that I haven't noticed," he told her humorously. "You two haven't even moved in together but she's been spending so many nights at your place. I'm glad the two of you are happy. Although I get really uncomfortable when you start kissing her."

"Really?" she considered his face. He was blushing.

"Yeah, like yesterday when she came to pick us up at the library and you two kissed in front the guys," he sighed. "I still can't hear the end of it."

"What are they saying?" Emma smiled.

"Stuff like…gosh, your moms are lesbians. They think lesbians are hot. Typical guy stuff. And mostly…" he tugged her arm when she started laughing, "…mostly they're the ones who talk crap about gay rights and stuff. But when it comes to you two…they're fans."

She didn't expect any different. "It happens," Emma said to him. "Guys are generally more supportive of two women kissing than two men."

"Well I'm supportive of the entire LGBT community," Henry said to her, unearthing a look of awe. "Because since I was a kid, and mom would leave me at the Diner with Ruby to watch me, she'd tell me about not judging anyone. And about which girl she was crushing on. Hey," he held onto Emma's arm and his eyes widened. "Did you know Ruby used to have a serious crush on Regina?"

Emma had been expecting that for a long time. But to actually listen to Henry bring it to light, she was somewhat surprised.

"Who didn't have a crush on Regina besides Granny?" the blonde asked her son.

He in turn, laughed it off. "You never know. Maybe Granny did too."

"I don't doubt that…" Emma narrowed her eyes whilst smiling. "Kind of like knowing that it's unavoidable and she would –" the familiar sound of a car horn behind them interrupted her sentence.

Both she and Henry stopped walking and spun around to consider who it was. When the nose of the Mercedes Benz was noted, and the driver waving at them, Emma's heart literally fluttered about in her chest.

What the…

She was supposed to be home by now.

Henry seemed as stunned as she was.

"Regina!" he waved back and considered the blonde, "what's she doing here?"

"Beats me," Emma shrugged at him.

Both of them jogged over to the car parked by the curb. The window rolled down smoothly as Regina's well made up face and red painted lips greeted them. She was chewing gum, and still checking the rear of her car in the mirror.

"Hop in, you two," the brunette still had both hands on the wheel. "Before I have to fight someone who wants to give me a ticket."

Emma scoffed. "Babe, I'm the Sheriff. In case you forgot."

Those brown eyes turned on her. Regina narrowed them. "I'm the Mayor," she returned without a smile.

Henry snorted. Without wasting any time, he pulled open the door to the backseat and hopped in, throwing his bag into the space.

"Who're you trying to sass up?" Emma planted both hands on her hips and smiled. "Me?"

The older woman chewed slowly. "Get in."

"Or else what?" The blonde smirked.

"Darling, you really don't want me to start listing your punishments in front of Henry."

"No, you don't!" their son agreed from the backseat. "Or else I'm going to run all the way to grandma's house. I swear."

Eventually, the blonde climbed into the front seat alongside the smirking brunette. She had no idea where the journey was going to lead, but believed that they were merely offered a free ride home. Especially noting how the older woman was still in her work attire; a black pants suit with a red satin shirt underneath.

But when the car rolled by the turn off into Mifflin Street, emerald eyes turned to consider the side of Regina's cheek. She seemed…she was glowing for some odd reason. Her skin appeared so radiant. Something was happening. Something…strange. Then as if reading her mind, the older woman turned to consider the blonde. She smiled.

"Hey, now's a good time to tell me if you two are taking me out of Storybrooke," Henry piped up from the backseat. He came forward and hung onto the backs of the front seats, arms dangling. "I need to at least pack some clothes."

"We aren't…leaving Storybrooke," Regina said, gripping the steering wheel and eyes focused forward.

"Then…where are we headed?" Emma asked out loud.

The brunette sighed. "Calm down. Before I throw you out."

"I'm not…" the younger woman began in a rush. Realizing that Regina was smiling, she scowled. "Look, whatever, Darcy."

The reference apparently drove Henry into a wave of deep interest. He leaned forward a little and laughed. The comparison between the couple in the book was really hilarious. Realizing that the brunette was indeed as sophisticated and at times really stubborn like Darcy. And Emma could be entirely childish and quite like Lizzie Bennet.

"It's perfect," he said.

The brunette frowned. Their eyes met in the rearview mirror. "What is?"

Emma sighed, raking fingers through her hair. "I'm going to sit here and pretend that I understand every reference to the book you two are going to make."

"I can't believe you've never reread Pride and Prejudice," Regina glanced at her, obviously astonished. "You choose to read all these…thrillers that fill your head with nightmares. Instead of settling down with a good classic."

"That's something Darcy would say," Henry's face appeared boyish as he settled into the feeling of deeply appreciating the conversation on good literature.

"I also have the estate on Mifflin Street," Regina continued, her eyes connecting with Henry, "I own a sizeable library. Am wealthy enough. Sophisticated."

"Would you like the three of us to go back to my parents' apartment so I can sit down and do some needlework whilst you ask dad for my hand in marriage?" Emma contributed whilst turning sideways in her seat.

The brunette scrunched up her face. She gripped the steering wheel tighter then relaxed a little. "Nah. I prefer to propose to you under my apple tree. The same one you took a damn chainsaw to in your earlier days in town."

They had a good laugh over that one. The younger woman couldn't help but envision that scene. A proposal. That would come some day for sure; she wanted to believe. She wanted to believe that it was possible. That it would happen definitely. And if she wasn't satisfied with the prolonged period of waiting, then she would obviously jump ahead and make the offer first.

She wanted to give them at least another year the most because they had known each other so long already. And making that final leap wasn't going to be awkward at first. But it would feel damn right. Comfortable. Making ends meet officially.

All the while whilst she was dreaming about getting down on her knee to propose to Regina, the brunette had swung into a narrow path that led to the beach. The nose of the car pushed forward as the conversation died down between mother and son. And Emma couldn't help but wonder what in the world the brunette had up her sleeves.

In fact, from the moment she realized that the car neared the waterfront cuisine bar that had been becoming popular as the days went by, both the blonde and Henry smiled.

She had been there twice. Both times to savour the delicious chicken burger topped off with a serving of seasoned fries and the best green sauce in the entire world. And both times, she had been there by herself. To let off some steam. To get away from the hustle and bustle of the town and wind down after a long day or a long day.

"I just thought that we could grab an early dinner, just the three of us," Regina said when they got out of the car and she locked the doors. Her keys jingled as the waves crashed onto the shore just ahead. "After all, we're closer as a family now. So it's only fitting that we have the opportunity to share moments apart from at home together."

"I like it," Henry said, swinging his arms back and forth. He was beaming at both his moms.

"I'm famished," Emma said in return and without waiting, she led the way.

Regina threw a glance at her son and both of them shook their head whilst smiling. Of course the blonde would head on out first. Knowing that her stomach would constantly steer her actions.

They found a nice table just on the balcony overlooking the waterfront as the sun sank lower. The evening rolled in, with darker tones gradually whilst they settled in and awaited their orders. At times, nothing was said between them, but the savouring of the moment. And then, Henry felt it necessary to address something that had been settling on his chest for some time.

He cleared his throat since Emma was gazing into the sunset and Regina was deeply considering her with loving eyes.

"Moms, I just want to say that…" both of them turned to look at him immediately. He smiled, and lowered his eyes. Henry fumbled with the bottom of his shirt. "I'm so happy that you two have reached where you are. And it's something that I've actually wanted ever since I first met Emma so many years ago and I brought her here. I just wanted…a family again. Over the years," he noted how Regina's eyes glistened.

"I've met my real dad. I've seen how mom wanted me to have a family to connect with. But she really struggled to make me happy whilst she wasn't really comfortable at all. You too, mom." His eyes met the brunette's. "You've really had it so bad and I'm so sorry for everything that has happened to you."

"You're going to make her cry," Emma's smiled from across the table.

Regina's lips quivered as she weakly smiled. "You have no need to be sorry, Henry," she croaked.

"No, I am. Because I was the one who turned Emma against you in the beginning –"

"Old stories, kid," the blonde waved it off with a little chuckle.

"Each fight brought us closer," Regina said, gazing at the other woman.

Henry sighed. He wasn't finished. "I just always wanted you two to be happy. And I've got to say that I loved my dad a lot. But the other guys you two were with. Especially Hook," he scrunched up his face. "I didn't really like them."

Emma shrugged. "Killian could never be a father to you because he didn't ever understand what the role meant. How important it was to a child." Her eyes connected with Regina's. "I remember when I found out he killed his dad and my grandfather. What a cold hearted scoundrel he was."

The brunette was smirking. She really enjoyed those moments when the younger woman reflected on the bad taste of Killian Jones.

"And Robin had Roland and for some odd reason, he didn't seem to care about me at all," Henry confessed. "Not that I took feelings from it. But every single time he got the opportunity, he always wanted me to babysit Roland. He never even wanted to talk to me."

"Robin was an outlaw," Emma licked her lips after sipping some coke. "He found himself a sexy woman. He had all these years roaming the countryside with all these men. And he just wanted one thing –"

"Swan!" Regina's brown eyes had widened.

The blonde almost choked as she was sipping some more soda.

Henry had to laugh heartily after that.

"The kid's almost eighteen! He knows about…" Emma shrugged, "…you know. Sheesh." She coughed some more. "I almost freaking drowned! In a can of coke!"

"I will deal with you later," Regina glared at her, but not too harshly. Her eyes settled on Henry. "Sweetheart, Robin did care about you. He just had a funny way of showing it."

"The man used to shoot daggers with his eyes in my direction," Emma cut in, her voice rising. "We never could carry on a conversation and he would always get in between you and me whenever we were talking. I thought it was so damn rude, the way he just planted himself between us."

"She was jealous," Regina explained to Henry with a smirk. "Obviously expected."

He nodded. "Seems like he was jealous too. Just saying."

"Of course he was," the brunette noted. "He always lamented on how I was pining over Emma. And he oftentimes questioned my relationship with her. I was so tempted to tell him that she dragged me into my vault and tried to kiss me before." Her brown eyes sparkled. "Just so that he would worry."

There was silence.

Within that silence, something changed in Henry's eyes. He suddenly stared from one woman to the other with widened eyes. His lips remained slightly apart.

"Wait," he leaned forward and considered their faces. "Did you…" his stare settled on Emma, "…did you really do that?"

"Before or after Tsunami Robin and Hook?" the blonde settled back in her chair, legs parted of course.

Regina snorted.

"I'm talking about before," Henry leaned forward, "in fact, you know what? I want to know if the two of you ever tried anything on each other like at the beginning."

More silence.

Emma stared at Regina.

"There was this time when she got really high," the blonde began, "it was after we got back from Neverland. We were in the Diner," brown eyes grew as wide as saucers. "And everyone left except for your granddad, me, Ruby, and…" she smiled at Regina. "…Your mom. She had a few. She was pretty high that night."

Henry was so interested in the story, he smiled from ear to ear. "Yeah?"

"David started dancing with Ruby, and I was laughing at them when your mom," she jerked her chin at Regina, "she suddenly yanked me up and pulled me closer to her. Then just when I was recovering from the hell she was doing, she started dancing all over me."

"I did not!" the brunette said defensively. Her cheeks coloured though.

"Couldn't remember a second of it," Emma told Henry. "You can ask Ruby. She remembered. Regina grabbed onto me and wouldn't let go. Then she started telling me how I was so sexy, and me being the Savior made her feel so mushy inside. And she kept asking me to take her home."

Stunned, the older woman sat back, and folded her arms.

"I did take her home," the blonde said. She pressed her lips together and studied Regina's face. "She fell asleep in my arms and I just tossed her on the bed, clothes and all. And I left her there."

Henry was laughing so hard.

"You savage," the older woman glared back. "No shame. You know, if it was me taking you home, I would have at least tucked you in. I would have stayed with you."

"Lies!" Emma threw back. "Henry, do you believe this?"

"I would have!" Regina protested. "I swear."

He settled back and admired how they argued with each other, with love in their eyes nevertheless. It was times like these he dreamed of. Sharing a moment like this with his kind of family. Two moms. Two amazing women. His role models. He loved them so much.

Sitting there, he felt so…satisfied with everything thus far. How everything had turned out. When he had brought Emma to Storybrooke, he had no idea that the two of them would end up together. But he had wanted them to get along, just enough to stop fighting. So here they were.

Emma had promised to give Regina her happy ending.

And she WAS her happy ending.

"I would have slept like a cat at your feet," the brunette was saying. "Curled up. But guess what? The Savior…MY Savior, didn't even stick around to make sure I was okay."

"Alright, alright," Emma held up her hands defensively. "Alright, man. I'll make it up to you. I'll buy you chocolates…"

Regina pouted. She folded her arms again and appeared like a petulant child. "I don't want your chocolates."

Henry shook his head, enjoying the scene.

"So you want me to like literally turn myself into a cat and curl up at your feet?" emerald eyes sparkled. "Would that make you happy, your Majesty?"

"No," Regina avoided eye contact. She pouted even more. "Don't talk to me."

Emma sighed. She sipped on her coke.

"Cosmo," the brunette whispered.

The younger woman stared across the table. She inhaled deeply. "What did you just call me?"

"I called you Cosmo!" Regina sat forward and made a face.

Emma's lips twitched. She flexed her fingers and sat back. Then sat forward. "I'm no freaking Cosmo."

"You are!" the brunette pelted back.

"I'm not!" the blonde returned.

"Are too!"

"I'm not!"

"Cosmo!"

Henry sat back, arms folded and he sighed. "And I'm the one they call a 'kid' all the time," he muttered with a smile.

"Am not!"

"Are too!"

He could get used to this.

He could really get used to this.

His new life.

With two crazy moms.

"Guess who's not cooking tomorrow," Regina sassed back in her hoarse voice. She gestured at herself. "Me."

"No wait," Emma held out a hand, her eyes darting to Henry. "Wait one goddamn minute."

"I'm not cooking."

"Well," Henry shrugged, he was enjoying this, "there's pizza?"

The younger woman beamed at him. They highfived. "See? I raised this kid right. In the few years I've had with him. He knows what's up."

Regina scoffed. She inhaled deeply and remained quiet.

"Two large. Extra cheese. Don't go easy on the pepperoni," Henry contributed.

"Yeah! Oh hell yeah!" Emma's emerald eyes were shining.

"It's a pity that you wouldn't be able to pay for those. Since you haven't been paid for the month yet and you've drained all your funds on car repairs. And…" Regina smirked when the blonde stared back. "I'm not paying for any junk food. As promised –"

"Mom!" Henry was crestfallen.

"No junk food. Whatsoever in my house. None." The older woman folded her arms.

"That only leaves us with one solution…" Emma said softly.

"And what's that?"

The blonde's smile widened incredulously. "Means you still have to cook. Since I use extra cheese and oil and all the fatty stuff you can't eat."

The older woman's grin faltered. She scowled. "Guess I'll just deprive you of something else since you've done this to me."

"I've done nothing to you!"

"You have!" Regina's lips twitched into a smile.

"You can't…deprive me!"

Henry groaned. His head lolled around on his folded arms upon the table. Here we go.

"Sit there. Be quiet and control yourself, you idiot."

"Call me Cosmo one more time," Emma invited, beckoning with her arms. "Come on. Let me lunge over the table and literally fight you."

Regina blinked slowly. She considered Henry peeking at her from within his folded arms.

"Cosmo," she whispered.

The blonde growled. Rising up, she leapt around the table and engulfed the older woman in a tight hug, burying her face into amazingly silky dark hair.

"My family," Henry muttered. "My insane little family." He sighed.

That's the end, everyone! Thanks for reading!