Okay, friends. This is the longest one to date. I hope that makes up for some lost time.

As a small side note, I want you all to know that after some time away from the story, I reread it and notice grammatical mistakes or just overall redundancy; however, after reading it over and over when it's being written, my eyes become accustomed to those mistakes, and I tend to miss them. So, I do apologize for the occasional lack of fluidity, but I have every intention to continue making those corrections, as I have for some of the earlier chapters. Thank you so much for your patience and kind words. You readers mean the world to me.

Without further ado, I present to you Chapter 20, reminding you all that I only own my ideas and not these lovely characters. Hope you enjoy!

"Moms!"

Henry ran into the diner with his arms wide open, engulfing his blonde mother around the waist, smiling up at her from ear to ear. She ruffled his hair and wrapped her arms around his shoulders before he quickly released her and rushed to his other mother standing close by, hugging her tightly. Not far behind, Snow and David entered the establishment with matching grins, perfectly enthralled to see their daughter nursed to full health.

"Oh, Emma," Snow gasped. "You look wonderful."

She took a step forward to hug her daughter but paused mid-step, not quite sure if she would take kindly to a warm motherly embrace. But Emma felt a new appreciation for life and all she was blessed to have. After two decades of loneliness, she finally had the family she'd been searching for, and she so selfishly pushed them away for fear of being hurt. Nursing the bottle put all her feelings on hold, and now she was learning to be grateful for all that emotions have to offer, both the good and the bad.

She crossed the remaining distance and slipped her arms comfortably around her mother's midsection, resting her chin on her shoulder. Tears welled in the brunette's eyes as she held her daughter close, pouring all her pent-up love and affection into one embrace. Emma smiled over Snow's shoulder at her father who quickly joined the hug, cradling the back of her head as if she were still a child.

Henry sported a huge grin as he watched the heart-warming scene in the middle of Granny's diner. Regina's hands settled on his shoulders as she leaned forward to kiss the crown of his head, adoring the not-so-little boy she'd missed with all her heart. She knew all too well what the Charmings were finally experiencing after being rejected by their child for so long.

Knowing she couldn't hold her grown daughter for an eternity, Snow reluctantly released her, giving her shoulders a gentle squeeze. Looking past her, she watched happily as Henry began to speak animatedly to his mother about all she'd missed over the past five days. Regina listened attentively, seemingly oblivious to the rest of the world. She took the opportunity to cautiously ask Emma about her experience over the last few days, utilizing all her self-control not to break down at the mention of her baby's suffering.

As Emma neared the end of her story, she was interrupted by the sound of her own stomach growling loudly. With a chuckle, David said, "Well someone is hungry."

"I literally ate a whole breakfast this morning. I don't even know how I can be hungry," she laughed.

"You haven't eaten much of anything for several days, dear," Regina chimed in, walking closer to their huddle around the counter, Henry on her heels. "I'm sure you'll need more than just a few waffles to sate that appetite of yours."

"Let's eat then, shall we?" David said, motioning toward the large rounded booth at the front of the diner.

"A family dinner!" Snow exclaimed. "How lovely!"

As Snow, David, Emma, and Henry slid into the booth, Regina swallowed the lump in her throat. She waited for them all to get comfortable before waiving a small goodbye, tucking her hands neatly in her pockets, and walking toward the door.

"Where are you going?" Snow asked genuinely confused.

"Home," she answered matter-of-factly. "I just came to see Henry and drop Emma off. I hope you all enjoy dinner," she continued with a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.

"Regina, you are family," she responded, scooting around the booth. Everyone followed suit, leaving a spot on the end next to Henry, which he patted emphatically. "We couldn't possibly have a real family dinner without you."

"I… I don't know what to say."

"Then don't say anything and come eat with us," Emma teased.

Almost sheepishly, she took her place next to Henry, saying 'thank you' in a near whisper. Having grown up learning Regina's mannerisms, he patted her leg under the table and leaned his head against her shoulder in a way that she would have normally done for him. She turned again to kiss his forehead just in time for Ruby to come over and take their order.

During dinner, at Snow's carefully timed and tentative suggestion, Sunday dinners became somewhat of a tradition. Every Sunday afternoon, the family gathered in their booth at Granny's to share a meal and enjoy quality family time. No one's time was sacrificed for another's, and it ensured that Henry didn't have to feel pulled in so many different directions. No one wanted to make their complicated family matters any more convoluted, and they wanted to continue to mend those relationships they had been working so hard to improve.

Overall, Snow and David had become much closer with Regina, and their Sunday family dinners were simple reinforcements, leading them with small steps toward true friendship rather than acquaintanceship. Additionally, their quality time spent with Emma helped to build their parent-daughter relationship from a solid base.

She was now sober minded and aware that hiding from her feelings sent her down a dark path. With this hard-learned lesson always at the forefront of her mind, she knew she had to push past her fear of exposure and learn to cope in a much more responsible manner. She arose from the ashes feeling much like a new person. She recognized her parents for who they were, humans that make mistakes, ones not much different than her own. She punished them unjustly, just as she had Regina, and they stood by her side, loving her just the same, even when she was sick and refusing their help.

Henry spent his weeknights at home with Regina, focusing on his studies and excelling in school, but often used some free time to hang out with Emma outside of Sunday dinner. Now at Henry's request, Wednesday night was dubbed movie/game night, a time for Emma, Regina, and Henry to bond as their own family unit, a dynamic that seemed to be much harder for the women to adjust to; however, Henry knew exactly what he was doing, and he wasn't going to give up on love so easily.

A typical Wednesday night would proceed the same way: Emma would arrive, often fashionably late, to receive a small but playful jab from Regina at her common tardiness. A home cooked meal, or on some occasions one of Henry's favorite take out foods, was served before deciding if it was a game or movie night. Game nights were a little less awkward, as interactions between the former lovers were almost always game related, and their seats around the table created a safe distance to avoid that tension that both the Mayor and the Sheriff had a difficult time deciphering. Movie nights, however, left a slightly thick air to linger in the living room. Emma and Henry would half-heartedly debate over what movie would be watched as Regina amusedly observed from the couch, not caring in the slightest which film was chosen. She wasn't much of a movie buff herself but was just content knowing that watching movies was one of her son's favorite pastimes.

Emma would take her place on the couch at the opposite end of the brunette, leaving a somewhat uncomfortable distance between them, a place that Henry would often fill, relieving Emma of her rapidly increasing anxiety and racing thoughts. But as he realized they were using him, not in a harsh way but rather more of a convenient one, to avoid one another, he decided to pick the large arm chair with the ottoman as his most comfortable movie watching spot, giving that big awkward space its rightful home.

At the end of each movie, Henry's blonde mother would hug and kiss him goodnight, always with an unnecessary but equally appreciated reminder that she would see him soon, usually with the promise to do something action packed, like a hike into the recently thawing woods. Then he would bound up the stairs to bed, and Emma would take that cue to leave, waving a small and uneasy goodbye to Regina. She'd thank her for the meal (which she always helped pay for, often with an argument from her counterpart, before just hiding the money somewhere in the kitchen) and for having her over before slipping out the door into the still chilly night.

Maintaining his strong advocacy for love, Henry observed their behaviors and changed up his routine. On the movie night that he and Emma couldn't decide between Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace and Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark, they settled the disagreement with a battle of Rock, Paper, Scissors, giving Henry the title of Three Time Champ. He put in his movie of choice, Star Wars, and noticed that Emma was moving to sit at the opposite end of the couch. Jumping into action, he slipped past her and quickly settled comfortably into the seat near the arm rest, propping his arm up and smiling smugly while munching on popcorn.

Emma could offer no objection, as this would be visible evidence that she and Regina had been avoiding one another, ignoring the fact that this was already obvious to everyone else involved. Subconsciously, she held her breath as she sat snuggly between her son and her now… friend? She wasn't sure what this was, but she was certain it was uncomfortable.

As the movie began, the theme song streamed loudly through the speakers, the bright yellow words of the opening crawl brightening the dark living room. Regina, doing her best to pretend Emma's presence hadn't bothered her in the slightest, focused intently on reading the scrolling words, hoping to better understand this nonsense they enjoyed. Emma, on the other hand, was not one for subtly and was stiff as a board. Several times, she glanced down at their hands that were nearly touching one another on the couch. She felt like a middle-schooler, tempted to reach out and brush the back of her fingers in the hopes of enticing her to hold hands, all the while avoiding all physical contact just the same for fear of rejection.

The last several months had been wonderful, everyone falling into their own routine, finding their place in this world, and adjusting to their new family dynamic. But everyone had a few months head start on her. While she was knocking back glasses of whiskey neat, Regina was left to take on the world alone. She needed her when the curse broke, and Emma selfishly turned her back on her. How could she want her now? She'd established herself as an upstanding citizen and earned the respect of those around her, including her own parents, who were working on securing her a place in Townhall to assist in running Storybrooke. She was living the best life she could be, and there was no way she'd even entertain the idea of letting her back inside those walls.

As Emma's thoughts clouded her mind, she felt like she wanted to curl up within herself, wishing she had a shell, but was distracted by the feeling of a soft weight upon her shoulder. Regina had fallen asleep, and her head gently slid from the back of the couch to rest comfortably on Emma's arm. Her heart rate increased at just the simple contact, and she again felt like a schoolgirl with a crush. A smile crept up on her as she observed, for the first time in a while, how peaceful Regina looked when she slept, and she was determined to maintain that peace, no matter what it took. She rested her cheek against soft brunette hair and breathed in the familiar scent of her shampoo. She visibly relaxed at this new position and before she knew it, Regina's soft rhythmic breathing and warm presence lulled Emma to sleep as well.

She woke to a stirring beside her and opened one eye, taking in her surroundings. Her mind was still a little hazy from sleep, but even so, she quickly realized she was much more entangled with Regina than she had been when she fell asleep. While sleeping, the brunette wrapped both arms around Emma's right one, pulling it closer to her chest. One hand snaked its way down to intertwine their fingers, and her head was nuzzled into the crook of her neck. Regina's recent movement seemed to be her lazily pulling her legs up beside her, leaning more fully onto Emma's athletic form. She looked to her other side to find Henry fast asleep as well, bunching up his blanket and using it as a pillow.

As the Star Wars theme song played on a loop on the menu screen, the Sheriff weighed her options. She could simply let everyone sleep, relishing in this intimate moment she had been craving for so long. She wanted to spend all her nights like this, as a real family. Simultaneously, it didn't seem fair to enjoy it this way. She'd need to work things out with Regina when she was awake, ensuring that she could spend endless nights with her like this, and not just one night that would give her a taste of the good life. Waking them was the right thing to do.

"Regina," she whispered, giving her hand a gentle squeeze. "Let's get you to bed."

"Hmm?" she mumbled, rousing slowly.

She opened her eyes and immediately noticed their not-so-friendly position. But still half-asleep as she was, she didn't think too much of it. She hummed in contentment as she returned her head to Emma's shoulder, mumbling "Okay," against the warm skin of her neck. She yawned and stretched, covering her mouth with her hand, before sitting up straight and preparing herself to stand. And as she did so, she became more aware of her current relationship with the blonde and was flooded with embarrassment. She yanked her hand away as if it were hot to the touch, her eyes wide and cheeks red, even in the dim light of the living room.

"Emma, I'm so sorry."

"It's okay," she whispered. "Don't worry about it." Regina opened her mouth to apologize again, struggling to find words, but she added, "I fell asleep too. I was really comfortable."

Regina nodded her head and tucked loose hair behind her ear before standing and walking toward Henry's side of the couch. She leaned over and rubbed his forehead sweetly, gently waking him from his slumber. Looking much like she just did, he yawned and stretched before realizing he'd nodded off in the living room. He grabbed his blanket, kissed his mothers goodnight, and put himself to bed, leaving the former lovers to themselves.

Emma helped to clean up the living room, shutting off the movie and returning the remotes and coasters to their rightful places while Regina took in the popcorn bowl and glasses of water. As she finished, she walked to the foyer to retrieve her jacket and keys, and Regina came to see her out, folding her arms over her midsection while she waited.

With springtime approaching, Emma was happy to ditch her winter coat and don her signature leather jacket, the familiar bright red stirring up feelings and memories that Regina already couldn't seem to keep from her mind. Everything seemed to have settled down. Everything except her. She didn't need to start a family when she already had one, but an essential part of her family was missing: Emma. She was physically there, but the distance between them made it feel as though she were forever away. This odd tension was honestly probably worse than their poorly hidden sexual frustration when this whole mess first began, and Regina couldn't explain it. She just knew she wanted it to stop.

"Emma, I…"

The words started to come out, but she quickly cut them off. She was caught up in the moment of their nap on the couch and now wasn't the time for random confessions of love. Emma didn't feel the same way anymore. Too much happened between them, and now they would never be anything more than friends. Maybe that was for the best. They had Henry to think about, and she didn't need to go complicating things. She already knew that Emma wasn't going to be her happy ending the moment the curse broke.

"Yes?"

The younger woman stepped cautiously into her space, and Regina felt like the thoughts in her head and the air in her lungs were stolen from her. She was nervous that Emma might have been close enough to hear her thumping heart. Green eyes searched brown, and the pause grew in length, each woman waiting for the other to take that step and cross that line into something more than friends.

"Nothing. Nevermind."

"Oh," Emma said, evidently disappointed, taking two steps back and out of her space. Immediately regretting her decision to keep her thoughts to herself, Regina took one step forward, but it was too late. "Goodnight." Emma mumbled, quickly pacing toward the door. As she opened it, the Mayor stood in the doorway, watching her walk toward her car. Before she got too far, she called after her.

"Goodnight, Emma. Sleep well."

After pausing in her steps and turning to look at the stunning woman on the porch, she smiled softly and replied, "You too, Regina. Sweet dreams." Tucking her hands in her jacket pockets, she walked the rest of the way to her bug to endure the rest of what was sure to be a long night.

[X]

'What was she going to say to me? Was she going to ask me to stay? Was she going to tell me I was out of line? She was probably going to tell me this is never going to happen. Fuck.'

Emma had been staring at the ceiling for hours now, tormenting herself. She'd tried to sleep and only succeeded in tossing and turning until she was more frustrated than tired. She couldn't stop thinking about how good it felt to be cuddled up so closely to her, thoughts of 'could have been' moments running through her mind.

'I should just give up,' she thought, sighing to herself. 'She's happy now. We're never getting back together.'

With the feelings of sadness and defeat came the urge to drink. She snapped her eyes closed the moment she recognized the feeling as if she were truly going to just shut it out. She took a few deep breaths and slowly recited the Serenity Prayer, the one she took upon herself to learn despite her lack of AA group support. Then she slid out of bed and retrieved her journal from her top sock drawer. Following Dr. Hopper's advice, she wrote down her negative thoughts that were tempting her to use in a column along the left side. On the right, she challenged herself to match each negative thought with a positive one, trying her best to focus on things she was grateful for. Although slow at first, her thoughts began to flow more easily the longer she continued to write, and she was able to complete her complimentary list, plus a few extras for good measure.

Feeling a little better, she decided to keep journaling, trying her best to use the tools Archie gave her to process the things bothering her rather than keeping them bottled inside until she implodes. She wrote her current concern across the top of the page: "Relationship with Regina". Then, similarly to her list of thoughts, she began to jot down the pros and cons of just coming clean about her feelings and telling Regina the truth. As she processed, she easily identified that many of the cons were directly related to her fears or her assumptions about what the other woman may be feeling rather than anything based in truth. Her anxiety was getting the best of her but putting it all on paper helped her to sort out objective facts from subjective fears.

Reluctantly and with much hesitancy, she decided this was what she needed to do. Dwelling in self-doubt and self-pity would get her nowhere, and she wanted to start things off on the right foot, laying her feelings on the table and doing her best to blindly trust the woman she loved even though she'd been burnt before. She wanted a life with Regina. It wasn't going to come easy, but nothing worth it ever would. Trying to feel more confident in her decision, she decided to make a third and final list. One by one, she listed all the reasons she loved Regina, scribbling down every one that came to mind. And with each reminder of why she fell head over heels for the illustrious brunette full of equal amounts of compassion and sass, she felt more compelled to put herself out there in the hopes that she'd once again rekindle that fire. She wrote until her eyes felt heavy and her mind felt clearer. Returning the journal to her sock drawer, she crawled back into bed with a smile on her face, all urges since forgotten.

[X]

"Hey, Ma!"

"Hey, kid," Emma said into the phone, balancing it on her shoulder with her ear, using her hands to organize a large pile of case files she'd purposely procrastinated finishing. "What's up?"

"I wanted to ask a quick question."

"Okay, shoot."

"I was wondering if you'd mind if we moved movie night for the week," he said, knowing her well enough to be fairly sure she wouldn't oppose. "Jacob asked if some friends and I could sleep over his house on Wednesday."

"Yeah, that's no problem at all. We can work out a different night later. Just make sure you ask your mom."

"I did," he said with a laugh. "And she said it's okay but to make sure I ask you."

"Oh," she said, slightly blushing, thankful he was only present electronically. "Yeah, it's cool with me, kid. You need a ride? Did Regina talk to his parents?"

"Mom said she'll take me as long as you agreed," he answered, again with a chuckle. "Right after she called his parents." Emma laughed as well, realizing she and Regina were on the same page when it came to parenting, even if they were on completely different chapters when it came to everything else.

"Okay, have fun and be safe."

"We're probably just gonna play video games. I don't think anyone will be getting hurt. Except maybe a few people in the game," he joked.

"Yeah, yeah, whatever," she teased back. "Later, kid."

"Bye, Ma! Thanks again. Love you!"

"I love you too, Henry."

As she finally began to leaf through her files, tidying up loose papers and making sure her signature was in all of the appropriate spaces, she found her mind wandering again to her brown eyed alluring former lover that seemed to occupy her every thought as of late. Despite her front row seat on Emma's train of thought, she couldn't seem to work up the courage to take that next step, always telling herself that it wasn't "the right time", knowing damn well that it was a weak excuse for her giving into her fears. But if there was ever going to be a "right time", this was it. Before she had time to convince herself otherwise, she grabbed her phone and quickly dialed Regina's number. As the phone rang, she became increasingly more nervous, suddenly sweating and very tempted to just hang up.

"Hello?"

It was too late. She bit her lip and slowly released a breath she didn't realize she was holding. The pause was a little too long for a normal conversation, but Regina didn't seem to mind.

"Hey."

"Hi, Miss Swan."

Another silence.

Her name held no bite, and inadvertently was delivered in that husky voice that always did inappropriate things to Emma's body. Although to others this conversation would already be uncomfortable, Regina was rather amused. No matter how much time passed or what they have been through, she couldn't help but think it was a little entertaining when Emma couldn't stop herself from being adorably awkward. She pictured that if the Sheriff were standing at this moment in time, she'd have her hands pushed deeply into her pockets, subtly rocking on the balls of her feet in the way that Regina discovered was her signature tick.

"Sorry, uh." She swallowed hard, her mouth suddenly feeling very dry. "My plans for tomorrow were suddenly cancelled," she said in jest, trying to feel more confident. Humor was always the way to go, as they always talked to each other like this.

"Wow, that's quite the coincidence," Regina responded with light sarcasm, happily playing along. "My plans were cancelled as well. It's almost as if we had the same plans."

"That's wild. So, you're free then?"

"It would seem that since my prior engagement was cancelled only twenty minutes ago, I haven't yet scheduled anything else. I believe I'm now free for the night."

This was it. This was her big moment. 'Don't screw this up,' she thought, momentarily pulling the phone from her ear and taking another deep breath. 'Don't be nervous. It's just Regina.'

"Would you maybe want to make plans with me? Since we're both free and all."

Now it was Regina's turn to freeze up. She wasn't expecting that, and the prospect of spending time alone with Emma was equally frightening as it was exciting. She'd been wanting this for so long now, but she just didn't think the younger woman felt the same anymore, especially considering their rather troublesome interactions. But the accidental cuddling incident on the couch had been on her mind for weeks, and when nothing had come of it, she pushed herself to overcome her own bitter disappointment. In this moment, she was faced with the now obvious reality that it hadn't slipped Emma's mind either.

"That sounds lovely. Did you have something in mind?" she asked, doing her best to sound sure of herself. "I still have the ingredients for a beef roast I bought for dinner tomorrow if that's something you're interested in."

"Yeah, that's great!" Emma quickly exclaimed, the rapid speed of her response starkly contrasting the start of the call. She mentally kicked herself for failing to control her excitement. Trying to sound more casual, she asked, "What time were you thinking?"

"Let's say seven. Unless you prefer a different time."

"Nope, that's perfect."

"Excellent."

"Well it's a date then."

The words fell out of her mouth, and she suddenly wished more than anything that she could rewind just a few seconds and take that back. Her eyes were wide, and she was again tempted to just hang up the phone, but knowing that would make things worse and possibly ruin this whole endeavor, she painfully waited.

Regina was suddenly full of butterflies as she smiled to herself, placing her hand on her stomach almost physically trying to calm her nerves. She blushed and bit her bottom lip in nervous anticipation. Her diction struck a chord within her, and she suddenly felt fixated on the word "date".

"A date, yes," she said. "I'll see you then."

"Yeah, I look forward to it," Emma added, a slight shake to her voice. "I'll talk to you later."

"Yes, I'll talk to you later."

When she ended the call, Emma jumped up from her desk, throwing her fist in the air in celebration of her victory. Nervousness depleting, she now felt vastly more confident than before, Regina's acceptance of her request for a date diminishing her fears. Now she just needed a plan to ensure the date went really well, guiding them in the direction of stepping into a committed relationship. Suddenly feeling more motivated to get her work done so she could brainstorm, she set to work, diligently and properly checking to be sure all work was completed appropriately, knowing all too well that her boss was not fond of her not finishing her paperwork; however, Emma smirked as she thought about who really learned a lesson that afternoon.

[X]

'What should I wear?' Regina thought, staring into her large closet. She was nibbling at the inside of her cheek, wearing only her maroon bra and underwear. She dropped Henry off at Jacob's house about thirty minutes prior, and when she returned home, she decided that the clothes she was wearing were not suitable for the occasion. With the roast in the oven, she leafed through what felt like an endless number of outfits, not feeling that any of them were quite right. Coming upon clothing she'd nearly forgotten she owned, she settled on a black lace camisole under her dark red silk blouse, topped with a blue blazer, and finished with a pair of form fitting black slacks. As she fluffed her hair in the mirror and checked her make-up for the fourth time, she heard a knock at the door.

She rushed to it, heels and all, with absolute excitement, those little butterflies taking up residence in her stomach. She opened it to find Emma standing on her porch dressed in a tight black button-down dress shirt underneath a shiny black leather jacket. Her shirt was tucked neatly into a pair of light gray skinny jeans she wore with a black belt. Down the middle of her torso hung a metallic silver neck tie, the loop sitting somewhat loosely just beneath her collar. Her golden curls flowed angelically over her shoulders, accentuating the dark colors of her outfit, and she had the slightest touch of mascara on her lashes, bringing them to full volume.

"Hi."

"Emma, you look…"

Regina was openly staring, all thoughts of manners and etiquette forgotten. The dark outfit enthralled her, seemingly representing the very mystery that was Emma Swan. It contrasted perfectly with her pale skin, making her appear as if she were truly made of porcelain, and she felt her mouth water at the thought of sinking her teeth into the soft skin just below her jaw, pressing hot kisses against her pulse point, marking her for days to come. Her mind was flooded with images of all the exciting things she could do with that tie that did not involve formal wear, and she questioned how a simple neck tie could illicit such a reaction from her. She adored that despite her lover's best efforts at formality, she still felt most comfortable in a pair of skinny jeans, successfully completing her classy yet casual outfit, finished off by a pair of short black boots.

"It's too much, isn't it?" Emma asked nervously at Regina's silence. "Shit, I knew the tie was too… masculine. I'm gonna go home and—"

"No, you look… breathtaking."

The younger woman's cheeks turned crimson red, and she cleared her throat, looking to the ground for a moment to hide her bashful grin. She rocked once on the balls of her feet before catching herself, pushing her heels firmly to the brick floor of the porch.

"And you look absolutely stunning," she responded, her eyebrows raised in admiration. "Where has that outfit been my whole life?" It was Regina's turn to blush, but she still remained relatively cool under pressure.

"In my closet, dear. That's where most people keep their clothing." She was rewarded with the Sheriff's eyeroll accompanied by her pearly white smile.

"Well it looks much better on you." Regina wasn't expecting such a genuine compliment in response to her wit, and she tried to remind herself to not be so easily swept off her feet. "You know where else that outfit would look great?" Emma asked, pulling her bottom lip between her teeth.

"Where would that be?"

"Nevermind," the blonde chuckled. "I'll save that line for next time."

"You're using corny pick-up lines now, Miss Swan?"

"It's only fair," she said matter-of-factly. "It's our first date."

"It's not our… oh."

Although she was initially going to refute that statement, she'd realized, break or no break, this was their first date. They were together for months, but all in secret, and hadn't decided to tell Henry until the day Emma drank the sleeping curse. Only spending alone time together on occasional secret lunch breaks, in between therapy sessions, and a few nights when Regina was still having nightmares, the two had never truly been on a date.

"I hadn't realized," she said quietly.

"Good thing I came prepared," Emma responded with a wink. It was only now that Regina realized she had her hands behind her back.

"Come in, please," she said, quickly moving aside. Emma followed, only stepping just within the threshold, not allowing room for Regina to step behind her and close the door. Instead, she used the toe of her boot, careful not to put a footprint on her white door, to maneuver it behind her before leaning back and pushing it closed with her shoulder blades, careful to avoid her lower back where she was still hiding her surprise. She used each foot to slip the boot off the other and kicked them off to the side and out of the way. With a mischievous grin, she paused for another suspenseful moment before pulling out a bouquet of tiger lilies. Regina gasped in response, pressing her hand to her chest in awe.

"They're gorgeous," she admired, reaching her hand out to take them from Emma, grazing her fingers in the process.

"I know that roses are the typical date flower, but you're much more than just a typical woman, so I felt you deserved something a little more… unique."

Emma's words struck Regina right in her heart strings as she felt a small lump form in her throat, the kindness of the gesture threatening tears. As she gingerly set the flowers down on the table beside the door with the intention to soon grab a vase, she noticed that the younger woman still had a hand behind her back.

Emma then pulled out a large bottle full of red liquid that suddenly seemed to mock her. As quickly as she was filled with happiness, it depleted just the same, along with the color in her face. Everything seemed to be going well, and now the blonde was openly and very boldly throwing away her sobriety with a bottle of wine. She obviously wouldn't partake in this huge mistake, and she was unable to hide the disappointment taking over her every feature.

"Relax, Regina," the Sheriff said, trying to stifle her playful giggle. "It's just sparkling grape juice." The woman across from her audibly sighed with relief. "A date needs fancy wine," she continued before gesturing to herself, "but some of us need to be treated like children. So, sparkling grape juice it is." The mirth left her eyes as she shrugged. "I'm just sorry you don't get all the high-quality things you deserve."

She rubbed at the back of her neck with her free hand, feeling rather guilty and ashamed about her own addiction, but Regina had other things on her mind. Emma had gone to great lengths to make her happy tonight. No one ever bought her flowers before, and had they done so, she was certain they wouldn't have put as much thought into it as Emma had. She bought an alternative to wine simply so Regina could feel it was the fancy date Emma pictured she wanted, regardless of the direct attention it brought to her biggest insecurity. Regina didn't care about what they drank at dinner or what floral arrangement would be the centerpiece of the table. She cared that she so selflessly dedicated much time and effort into perfecting their very first date. She'd never been put first before, and this thought alone overwhelmed her.

"Emma," she said softly, taking the bottle from her hands and setting it near the flowers. The blonde dropped her hand from her neck and looked up at her, giving Regina the perfect opportunity to get lost in her eyes. Her heart swelled, taking in her beauty, both inside and out. She was filled with so much emotion that it simply gushed out of her.

"I love you."

"I… I love you too," she said nervously, not expecting those words so soon. She felt a warmth wash over her and a barely noticeable tingle beneath her skin. Her nervousness quickly transformed into excitement, and she smiled widely, saying, "I wasn't expecting that so fas—"

Emma's response was muffled against Regina's lips as she yanked her by her leather jacket collar and pulled her into a searing kiss. Easily falling in rhythm, she wrapped her hands around the older woman's waist and brought her impossibly closer, their hips pressed against one another's. As she moved, she heard a small thud beside her on the floor but was entirely too encompassed in her current passionate endeavor to pay it any mind. Regina's hand slid its way up the back of Emma's neck and into her hair where she gently tangled her fingers in golden tresses. The other came to rest on her cheek, her fingers lining her sharp jawline, and Emma could feel against her skin a sensation no different than what she felt in her own hands.

A warm breeze whirled around them, but both women continued to relish in this exchange of desire that was long overdue, until Regina felt a light burning sensation within her chest. It quickly spread from her heart to the entirety of her torso and to the end of every extremity. She broke the kiss with a gasp, closing her eyes and succumbing to the feeling as it lessened to that familiar vibration beneath her skin.

"Whoa," Emma finally said, breaking the silence. "What… was that?"

"I think I have my magic," Regina answered, turning her hands over in front of her, inspecting them. As she looked down at her fingers, she noticed Emma's magical cuff lying on the floor. She bent over and picked it up, holding it out in her open palm.

"Did you do that?" the blonde asked, still confused.

"No, I didn't. At least not intentionally."

"Test your magic. I wanna see it."

Emma, still apprehensive about the concept of magic, was rather intrigued to see it willingly used for the first time and not by accidentally creating natural disasters. Enjoying Emma's curiosity, she placed the cuff next to her other belongings on the table and raised her open hand. She summoned her magic, and immediately, there was a bright red flame in her palm. Her accompanying smile was unlike anything Emma had ever seen.

Regina caused the flame to grow in size and height, spreading heat throughout the foyer like an impending meteor. Unable to avoid the word any longer, she was certain that this was intoxicating. The magic overwhelmed her senses, and thoughts of her reign in the Enchanted Forrest swarmed her mind, reminding her of the exhilarating rush that having power gave her. With power came control, and she had many who would do exactly as she wished with no hesitation. She felt the increasing urge to dominate, to reassert her power and take her place as…

'No. That is not me anymore,' she thought. Rumple taught her to use her negative emotions to control her magic, and so easily and habitually she was consumed with her old selfish thoughts. She recognized that, in a way, power was her own addiction in the past. She was taught that controlling others with fear and magic was the only way to find happiness. After twenty-nine years of not possessing her magic at all, it would be expected that the first sensation of it running through her veins would illicit those exact emotions. But in those same twenty-nine years, she learned what true happiness is, and she found love.

She glanced up at Emma and noticed that, although she was trying her hardest to hide it, she appeared uneasy. Immediately lessening the fire until it cooled and disappeared, she assessed her lover again, catching her releasing a small sigh.

"Are you okay?" the blonde asked, her remaining anxiousness still apparent.

"Well, I was going to ask you the same question."

"Oh, yeah for sure," she answered, tucking her hands in her pockets. "I'm fine."

"Your body language says otherwise, dear." She reached out to hold her hand, but before she touched her, she asked gingerly, "Did I frighten you?"

"No," she answered, shaking her head and taking her extended hand. "I'm just trying to understand. I guess I just got worried."

"About what?" The younger woman bit the inside of her cheek and shook her head. "I'd like to diminish your fears, if I can."

"I want tonight to be perfect. I don't want to screw it up."

'I don't want to screw it up.'

This was Emma's exact fear when their relationship first began, sitting on the couch that night drinking cider. But tonight was a fresh start for them, and they were going to do this right. Too much had happened for it to be ignored, and resolving any remaining points of contention would vastly limit future issues.

She stepped forward, much closer to her lover this time, reaching for her other hand. She pressed their clasped hands to her chest as she said, "You won't. I'm here to stay. I promise you that." She slowly kissed each of her fingertips, lessening Emma's uneasiness with each touch.

No one had ever stayed. Emma's past was full of loneliness and broken promises. But this time would be different. Her past no longer defined her, just as Regina's past was now history. She felt this welling confidence in the depths of her heart when Regina spoke those simple words.

"If you're ready and willing," the older woman continued, "I'd like to try and honestly communicate with one another. I think open lines of communication can only benefit us long term. Do you agree?"

"Yes," she said affirmatively. Regina waited patiently for her to gather her thoughts, but instead, Emma used the time to gather her courage. "I don't really know how magic works. I guess that I quickly thought of when you would have last used magic and that was…"

"Go ahead," Regina encouraged, knowing she needed to acknowledge her past for what it was and reconcile it with who she is now.

"When you were still the Evil Queen." She swallowed hard. "I don't mean to offend you in any way. But I really have never seen you look that way… so," she struggled to find a word to describe it.

"Thrilled?"

"Yes, thrilled. And I just didn't know if magic was enough to make you… I don't know."

"Emma, you can speak freely. You won't offend me. I need to know what worries you."

"I was afraid that magic might be enough for you to… return to being the Evil Queen." She snapped her eyes shut and gritted her teeth. Saying it aloud made her feel dirty, like she was doubting Regina in a moment when she was desperately trying to rekindle their relationship.

"I'll be truthful, dear. It was thrilling. It brought back many emotions, ones I am regretful for enjoying at one time in my life." She sighed. "Bad habits are not easy to break, but I have been fortunate enough to have forced time away from such uninhibited power, and it brought me such wonderful blessings." She smiled again, brushing her thumbs over her fingers. "It brought me you and Henry, the two most important people in my life." Mocha brown locked on to emerald green, as she whispered, "No amount of power or magic is enough to pull me away from you. I'll always choose you, Emma."

Unable to refrain any longer, the athletic woman lifted her lover in the air, causing the former queen to uncharacteristically squeak in surprise. She immediately wrapped her legs around her slim waist and her arms around her neck, ducking her head and meeting pale lips. She whimpered as she lost herself in the well-remembered synchrony of their kisses, and Emma couldn't help but smile against her lips, finding her matched passion endearing. Out of breath, Regina rested her forehead gingerly against Emma's, grinning from ear to ear.

"You best put me down, dear. I'm going to break you."

"No, you won't," she said emphatically, further flexing her biceps beneath her tight shirt. Instinctually, the older woman slid her hands down slim shoulders to her firm muscles, knowing that Emma was aware her toned arms were one of the brunette's many weaknesses. Slim fingers stroked her upper arm before finding their way back to her neck and under the collar of her shirt. She allowed the silk material of her neck tie to run smoothly between her fingers, reuniting their lips once more, until they were rudely interrupted by the buzzing of the oven timer.

The blonde groaned, and Regina playfully nipped at her bottom lip before being gently let down. Emma slid her jacket from her shoulders and placed it on the coat rack while Regina retrieved her bouquet off the nearby table, trailed closely by Emma with their bottle of faux wine. The bottle was set on the table in passing as she followed the sauntering hips of her lover into the kitchen to fill a vase with water for her lovely gift. She took over the task of watering the flowers while Regina removed the roast from the oven, the delicious aroma spreading through the entire room.

"Regina, that smells amazing."

"Thank you. Hopefully it doesn't disappoint."

"All of your cooking is fantastic. I look forward to it literally every week."

Regina again found herself blushing, making this officially the most times her cheeks have reddened in quite some time, as normally she was more emotionally controlled. But Emma had a way of making her weak in the knees, and she didn't feel compelled to hide her emotions when Emma made her feel so safe.

"I'm flattered. Although I'm sure you're exaggerating a little," she poked, winking at her.

"Okay, you got me. I have a tendency to overplay some situations. But never when it comes to your food." She placed her hand on her heart and one in the air, saying, "I swear it."

The older woman simply kissed her cheek in response before carefully cutting the roast and placing each slice neatly on a serving dish, scooping the vegetables into a separate bowl. With the table already set, Emma took each dish and set it on the perfectly placed hot pads, followed closely by Regina with two wine glasses, never having thought she would be needing them. They sat to eat, enjoying pleasant conversation full of laughs and small compliments to one another, easily falling back into their comfortable ways. When they finished eating, Emma finally broached the subject again.

"So, how exactly did you get your magic back?"

"I don't know," Regina answered, gingerly wiping her lips with her napkin.

"I know I'm not well versed in magic, but I might have an idea." Her lover raised her eyebrows in curiosity. "But it might be super wrong, so you can't laugh at me."

Raising her hand and placing one on her chest as Emma had early, she loving mocked, "I swear it."

"You wanna know when I first felt that tingling feeling again and that really weird wind?" Regina nodded. "I felt it when you said you loved me."

"I do love you," she said, a hint of sadness in her voice, "but it isn't the first time I've said it since the curse broke." She swallowed down the hurt of whispering her confession of love at her hospital bedside and once again when Emma stormed her way through this very same dining room, calling her a monster. "If that were to return my magic, I'd have it by now."

"I know," Emma whispered, her own guilt resurfacing at every missed opportunity to return those meaningful words. After a moment of pause, she said confidently, "I think I felt it because, even though the curse is broken and there are no more dark secrets, I really believed you when you said it."

"I meant it, Emma. Every word. Every single time I said it." She sounded nearly desperate, needing her to know that she never stopped loving her.

"I believe you, baby," she said. "You have the greatest capacity to love out of everyone I know."

With tears welling in her eyes, she choked out, "I don't think so."

"I'm sure of it," the blonde affirmed, "and I intend to spend the rest of my life assuring you that you are capable of so much more than you give yourself credit for. You have a big heart, Regina. And I will ensure that I never take that for granted again." One tear snuck out and streamed down Regina's cheek, but it was quickly intercepted by Emma's soft thumb. Even with the tear gone, she gently stroked her warm skin.

"I need you to know something." She waited for her lover to make eye contact, capturing her full attention. "I love you, Regina Mills. Every single part of you."

Her tears fell freely now, and she sniffled in a last-ditch effort to reign in her emotions. She didn't want to say it at first, but she was still hurting, and she felt she had to get it off her chest. No more secrets.

"I really thought you'd never love me again…"

"God, Regina, I'm so sorry I ever made you feel that way." She dropped her hand from her face, suddenly feeling somewhat unworthy to be comforting in any way. "I do love you with my entire heart. And I'll work hard every day to show you that there is nothing on this earth… or any other universe," she said with a smirk, "that will ever keep me from absolutely adoring you."

"I'll always love you too, Emma."

She leaned in for a kiss, and Emma happily accepted her offer, leaning from her chair and kissing her lover with a renewed passion. Although the kiss remained mostly chaste, the women seemed to barely be able to separate themselves for more than a few minutes at a time. That is until another important thought crossed Regina's mind.

"At the door… that was the first time we've kissed. Well, first time since you were fully aware the curse broke."

"Wow," Emma chuckled. "We've got a whole lot of magic going on up in here."

"I'm not sure what that may have influenced from a magical standpoint. But I felt it was… an interesting piece of information."

"Okay, well true love's kiss broke the curse," Emma questioned, "so why did it take all this for you to have magic again?"

"Two people have to truly feel love for one another for true love's kiss to work. It was enough to break the curse because you loved that part of me. And only that part of me." She smiled softly, realization of the power of their love dawning on her. "Now you know I'm a woman who possessed magic with a very awful past. And you choose to love me anyway." She leaned in for another gentle kiss. "Your love for 'every single part of me', Savior, was enough to return my magic to me."

"I'm no savior," Emma answered, disappointment seeping through her words. "That title was misgiven to me. You broke the curse."

"Emma, you saved me," she said, reaching out and squeezing her hand. "You saved me from my own darkness. If not for you, I never would've willingly chosen to break my own curse, the one thing I sacrificed everything for. You taught me, whether you meant to or not, that love is not weakness, and vulnerability is okay." Lightening the mood, she joked, "Which is surprising given how absolutely insufferable you were."

"Well, I thank you for not letting me sleep there forever," she said with a laugh. "But I can reassure you that falling in love with you was the easiest thing I've ever done. So, if that somehow qualifies me to be some type of savior, it was not difficult."

"I'll admit," Regina answered, "I very much did not want to fall in love with you." She chuckled at Emma's feigned offense. "I fought my feelings at every given opportunity. But you, my love, made that simply impossible." She reached forward and affectionately stroked Emma's arm.

"Basically, you're saying that you fell in love with me and saw that love is like an okay thing, so then when I drank that stupid curse, you decided to kiss me instead of leaving me there to rot," she joked.

"In the simplest of terms, I suppose so."

"Cool. Because that makes us both saviors. We make a really great team."

"That we do."

"But seriously, you have no idea all that you've done for me."

"I couldn't have possibly done—"

"No, really," she said, her brow furrowed. "To me, the world has always been a miserable place. I've never belonged anywhere. I've never felt… safe." She ran a hand down her face, taking a moment to remind herself that sharing her emotions was healthy for her. "So, I've always run. I ran from everything that I thought could hurt me." Regina's voice seemed to be trapped behind the lump in her throat as she tried to find words suitable enough to follow such heavy words. "But I couldn't outrun myself. I've always felt broken and unlovable. I come with so much of my own baggage and many of my own mistakes."

She intertwined their fingers and allowed her gaze to rest on their hands, mulling over how, if at all, she would put her feelings into words. Despite all the things she wished to say, Regina knew to remain quiet, allowing Emma that time to herself, remembering vividly the first time she shared something lying in her bed that shaped her into the person she was.

"You love all the broken pieces of me. I feel safe for the first time in my whole life. In you," she confessed, "I've found home."

Unable to refrain any longer, the brunette stood from her chair and engulfed her lover in a hug. She stood to fully accept the gesture and held Regina close, burying her face in her neck, inhaling the unique sent that always brought her a nearly serene calmness. She finally allowed her tears to fall, and the older woman squeezed her tighter as she felt them against her neck.

"You're not broken," she murmured, cradling the back of her head. "You're a strong, independent woman that has shown the whole world that you can overcome any obstacle that comes your way. And I promise to always love you the way you deserve to be loved. You deserve happiness, Emma, and I will do anything I can to give that to you."

They remained in their comforting embrace for quite some time, allowing the weight of their conversation to settle and slowly ease away. With each gentle caress of soft skin and whispered profession of love, the world around them seemed brighter. Emma suddenly felt weightless, acknowledging for the first time that maybe running wasn't always the best option and that letting someone in was truly freeing. With heightened happiness, she pulled away from her lover and smiled warmly at her.

"Alright, enough of this sappy talk," she teased. "It's no way to spend our first date." Regina laughed and shook her head.

"I think that's a good idea."

After sharing yet another kiss, they began to clear the table, Emma unknowingly stepping quickly into Henry's role during clean up. When the dishes were neatly in the dishwasher, Regina revealed a red velvet cake she'd baked, bringing forth a child-like excitement from her lover. They shared their desert, easily returning to their amicable conversation, until both their plates were made clean. As they finished, Regina noticed a small spot of icing on the corner of Emma's mouth. As she reached for her napkin to rid the stickiness from her face, Regina, in an attempt to be romantic, leaned forward.

"Allow me."

She swiped her thumb gently over the crease of her mouth, successfully removing the sweet sauce from her cheek. As she did so, Emma turned her head and took her thumb into her mouth, closing her eyes and wrapping her tongue around her finger. Regina felt a heat wash over her at the younger woman's sudden seduction. Emma released it, and the brunette dragged her wet finger across her bottom lip to her chin before caressing her jaw.

"I missed a spot," she husked, slowly standing from her chair and inching closer.

Still holding her face with one hand, she used the free one to wipe at the other cheek, ridding her of an imaginary remnant of dessert. Closing the distance, she flicked her tongue over the spot she'd supposedly cleaned, following it with a warm kiss. Emma pulled Regina towards her, her hands resting on her hips, stroking her back softly through the silk material beneath her jacket.

"Mm, why do I have the feeling that there's nothing there?" she asked playfully, letting her hands sneak dangerously close to the hem of her shirt.

"I must have been mistaken," she purred, feeling much more confident in the direction this was heading.

She kissed her with fervor, her tongue snaking out to stroke her lips, relishing in her quickly granted access. The kiss quickly became heated as Emma's tongue matched the rhythm of her lover's. Regina grabbed hold of the younger woman's tie and pulled, successfully bringing herself forward to straddle her on the chair. Emma moaned in response, finally allowing her hands to find their way beneath her blouse and camisole, stroking the soft skin of her back.

Her slim fingers grazed the clasp of her bra, and she used all of her will power to avoid tearing it off her right there in the dining room. Instead, she dragged her fingernails down the length of her back, eliciting a long, deep moan from her lover atop her. She attached her teeth to the olive toned skin of her neck, nipping her way up to her ear lobe, which she bit and tugged on gently.

Regina mindlessly started to rock her hips and used her grip on Emma's hair to hold her firmly to her neck. She then slid her fingers down her arms and to the front of her shirt where she deftly undid the button immediately beneath her collar. Loosening the knot of her tie, she flipped it over the blonde's shoulder and continued to undo the buttons down the front of her shirt, revealing another material obstacle in the form of her tank top. She groped at her breasts through her shirt, eagerly working to bring forth a hardened nub beneath her remaining clothing. A muffled groan came from her neck as she felt a small sting where Emma decided to bite her.

She slipped her fingers around Emma's throat and gave a gentle squeeze along the sides. She was rewarded with a gasp and an upward thrust of her hips. With her grip, she guided Emma away from her, resting her head back against the chair, watching as her pupils dilated and her pink tongue shot out to wet thin lips. She moaned, unable to stop the vocal satisfaction that Emma's submissiveness provided her. She knew all along that Emma rather enjoyed Regina in a more dominant position, especially given their encounter in Emma's office, but her ego always encouraged her to at least put up a fight.

Keeping this in mind, she dragged her fingers down the column of her throat to eagerly finger the sharp angles of her collar bone. With her other hand, she playfully began twisting silver silk between her fingers, inching closer, eliminating Emma's wiggle room with each tightening curl around her finger.

"What do you say we go upstairs, hmm?"

"The bedroom is much preferred to the… ah…" she moaned, Regina now sucking on her pulse point, "… to the dining room, but truly… ahhh… I'll take what I can get at this point."

"Excellent," Regina said, releasing her hold on the tie. "Do you trust me?"

"Yes."

"But do you trust me with magic?"

"Yes," Emma again answered confidently.

"Good."

She smiled that same smile that once had Emma concerned, but now with a clearer mind, she recognized it as something she knew well: Regina liked being in control, and that didn't particularly pertain to magic; however, she found herself extraordinarily aroused at the idea of letting Regina take control for a while, even if just this once. She'd certainly make a point to establish her dominance again another time.

"Now what would you say if I offered to have us both in my bedroom in a matter of seconds?"

"I'd say the faster the better," she answered with a wink, her fingers toying with the button of Regina's slacks.

"Would you like me to use magic to get us there?" Regina asked, untucking her shirt from her belted jeans.

"Now you're just torturing me. I'm ready."

With a softer, nearly motherly tone, she said, "Hold onto me, dear. I promise you'll be safe."

Emma was still a little nervous due to the newness of it all, but she trusted Regina whole heartedly. She gripped her hips and closed her eyes. The older woman kissed her forehead and slipped one hand around her neck. With her free hand, she summoned her magic, flicked her wrist, and encompassed the two lovers in a cloud of purple smoke.

A whole lot was packed into one chapter, so let me know what you think! I truly love reviews, both made of kind words and constructive criticism. Thank you for taking the time to read, and I hope you stick around for the next (rated M) chapter. ;)