The road to recovery is always an uphill battle, never an easy path, but the bond created during such strenuous times only helped heal Emma, Henry and Regina in the end. They stuck by each other, supported each other and strengthened the bond between their relationship.

After everything that occurred with Bae, came to a close, Emma headed back to her life in New York. She allowed the two weeks leave to heal from her injuries, both mentally with Remy and physically from the car accident. She spent those days weighing the pros and cons of her future, but she knew in her heart what had to be done.

She marched into her Captain's office and informed him that she could no longer be an undercover detective. She explained her reasons, stressing about the dangers and how that was no longer suitable if she ever wanted to settle down. And she was ready to settle down. David was compassionate and understood her plea, but he already knew all of that was coming and he had a little surprise for her.

"Swan, you've been under my wing for almost ten years now," David cryptically said, failing miserably to contain the grin stretching deep into his cheeks. "I'm not about to let you walk out that door without a fight."

"Okay..." she skeptically drawled, eyeing him warily, "But I-"

"I would like to officially promote you to Lieutenant."

"Lieutenant," she repeated flatly because her brain couldn't quite comprehend what was truly happening.

"Yes, Lieutenant of the Investigation Squad."

"You're joking, right?"

"Come on, Swan, you know you're the best damn detective out there and I'm not about to watch you just throw away your career."

"But the promotion is here...in New York?"

"Yes, but your risk of danger will be cut in half. Of course, you will still go out and interrogate people, but you won't be undercover anymore. No more gambling with your life. You'll have your own squad and supervising them. You'll mostly be behind the desk for your safety," he thoroughly explained to persuade her into staying.

It was an opportunity she couldn't pass up, but she went home that evening and discussed everything with Regina. It had been the longest conversation she had ever had on the phone, but in the end, Regina had convinced her that it was a dream job and she couldn't pass up the promotion. Her girlfriend was supportive, beyond understanding, and assured her that their relationship would be just fine.

The first six months of Emma's job as Lieutenant, was difficult...straining, as she attempted to adjust to the new work load while juggling a relationship. However, Regina was amazing, offering to visit every other weekend with Henry until Emma felt more stable. And during that time when Emma was figuring out her new career, Regina and Henry were back in Storybrooke, working on themselves and rebuilding their small family.

After facing the reality that Emma wasn't his mother and that the curse wasn't real, Henry decided to give Dr. Hopper and his therapy sessions, a real chance. He started opening up more, explaining how his grandmother's disease frightened him and how losing his grandfather broke him. It took him awhile, but eventually he did open up about meeting his birth mother and how his dreams of her were shattered, which completely tore him apart.

Regina worked hard on rebuilding her relationship with her son, vowing to reduce her hours at work and even hiring an assistant to help alleviate some of the pressure. Luckily, with Henry's healing process, he was more accommodating and he actually enjoyed visiting Cora, which was one less thing for Regina to stress about when she needed to tend to her mother.

Once Emma was situated with work and started to feel more comfortable with her duty, she started visiting Storybrooke again whenever she could find the time off. It wasn't long before she and Regina sat down and discussed their relationship.

"What's wrong?" Regina whispered into the night, pressing warm and teasing kisses across Emma's naked chest.

"Nothing," Emma sighed, but they both knew she was lying which motivated Regina to withhold anymore kisses until the blonde started talking. "Alright, fine. We've been together nine months now, right?"

"Yes," Regina answered, hovering above and staring intently into those mesmerizing green eyes.

"That's a long time...longest relationship I've ever had...only relationship really..."

"Stop rambling, dear."

"Right." Emma inhaled deeply as she curled a chunk of hair behind Regina's ear, then swam her fingers through those locks until she was gently massaging the back of her girlfriend's neck. "I really hate this long distance between us. I want you and Henry to move to New York with me. And I know, that's a huge step, but we've discussed before how great it would be for Henry. He needs to get away from all those bullies, he needs a fresh start. Plus, think of your mom, we can put her in a nice home. And I know my apartment is small, but we can find a place together. I'm actually a great saver, and I have plenty of money for a down payment on a cute little house in the suburbs and besides, I'm making great money with my promotion, so you don't have to worry about working right away-"

"Emma, breathe," Regina husked, drifting closer to connect their lips in a slow and passionate kiss. "We are both ready to move to New York."

"Seriously?"

Regina nodded excitedly, but no words ever made it passed her lips because Emma had flipped her over and expressed her gratitude over and over again until they both passed out when the sun was coming up.

Those days seem like a lifetime ago now. Together, Emma, Regina and Henry picked out a cute little ranch on the outskirts of New York City and have been living happily for the past two years. A perfect suburban area with a great school for Henry. Regina and Emma were both surprised how quickly he adapted to his new school and they were both ecstatic when he started bringing new friends home. About five miles away, there is a wonderful home for Cora, so they can visit often. And it's a plus that they aren't too far from Emma's work either.

Regina had taken a year off from work to spend time with Henry and also deal with settling Cora into her new home as well. She was the one who turned their new house into a home and made them all settle in comfortably. Now, she's ready to start working again, next term she will be running for Mayor of New York City.

"You seem lost, dear," Regina teases as she sweeps by Emma, smirking that deliciously devious little grin. "This is our kitchen, you came in here for more champagne for the mimosas."

"I know," she laughs, gripping Regina's wrist and jerking her girlfriend flush against her body. Her fingers swim through a sea of raven waves and then latch onto Regina's neck to hold her into place as she presses their lips firmly together, successfully shutting up her girlfriend's smart tongue.

"Mmm, as much as I love those surprise kisses, we have guests waiting for another round," Regina claims, but her arms are draping around Emma's neck, so her fingers can play with the fat, golden curls, just like she always does and it's definitely Emma's favorite thing that Regina mindlessly does to her.

"I know, but I'm so happy," she chuckles, shaking her head as she rests her forehead against Regina's. "I never thought in a million years, that I would have all this. A home, first of all, crazy, but a home that possesses two people I love with all my heart, even crazier."

"Are you drunk?"

"Stop, I'm trying to be honest here," she laughs again, generating a broad grin to bloom across Regina's face. "I can't believe I'm hosting Thanksgiving with my family and friends. This is amazing," she breathlessly murmurs.

And because she's being extra dopey and sappy this morning, Regina's lips are drawing in closer to press a firm kiss to pale lips, reminding Emma that she is loved and they are happy. Regina's plump lips easily part Emma's, so her velvety tongue can dip inside and claim her girlfriend all to herself.

"Mom?" Henry's timid voice breaks through their intimate moment, forcing their kiss to end, but their hold on one another never tears apart. "David told me to come and see what's taking so long," he shyly announces, lingering awkwardly near the kitchen, not fully committing to entering all the way.

Because he's eleven now and is too embarrassed by public displays of affection.

"We are coming, kid," Emma confirms as Regina's arms slide off her shoulders and snatch up the forgotten bottle of champagne.

Regina breezes through the kitchen, running her fingers through her son's hair so effortlessly before she sashays back into the living room. One side of Henry's face scrunches up as he pivots to face Emma.

"Do you always have to be kissing my mom like that?" He whines, encouraging her to belt out a carefree laugh.

"Yes, I do. I'm practicing in case you aren't around and I need to wake her with true love's kiss," she playfully says, refilling the bowl of guacamole.

Henry sighs, climbing up onto the kitchen island stool and helps pour the bag of chips into the bowl. "I was a kid back then, when are you going to stop teasing me about all that fairytale stuff?" He exasperates, avoiding her gaze because of his flushing cheeks.

"Probably never."

"Aren't you supposed to like, suck up to me and buy me whatever I want and spoil me rotten to win me over since you're dating my mom?"

"No," she scoffs playfully. "You're lucky I even talk to you, I hate kids," she grumbles, but he's laughing and she's smiling just as wide back at him.

"No you don't, you like me," he smugly replies, transforming into the exact replica of his mother, persuading Emma's dopey grin to spread even wider.

"You're the only kid I have ever liked," she confesses, reaching across the counter and ruffling his hair.

He jerks away from her attacking hand, but he's chuckling softly, until he suddenly becomes very serious. "So, um, Emma?"

"Yeah, kid?" She questions, dipping her finger into her favorite Regina dish and popping the mess into her mouth.

"You think...um, you're going to marry my mom, someday?" He awkwardly investigates, refusing to meet her wide-eyed gaze.

She swallows thickly, and exhales slowly as she contemplates how to answer. She leans down on her forearms and gathers his hands into hers to gain his attention.

"Why do you ask?"

"I don't know," he shrugs nonchalantly, but she sees the wheels turning in his curious little brain. "No reason I guess."

She squeezes his hands and ducks down to connect their eyes. "You know we are a family, right?"

"Yeah, I know," he wholeheartedly agrees.

"Then what's wrong? Something is obviously bothering you, kid."

"No, I just want to make sure you're not gonna leave. I mean, you could get bored with us and just go."

She flinches from his statement, so flabbergasted that he would think she would just ditch them, when she's been around for three years now. "Why would you think that? I'm not going anywhere," she chuckles lightly to break the tension building up between them. "You think if I marry your mom, it will make this all more permanent?"

"I guess," he mumbles, shrugging again.

So, she shrugs, mocking him and uses his tone to poke fun of him some more. "You guess? Stop trying to act so cool and tell me what's up."

"Nothing," he exclaims, his hands slowly pedaling back from her grasp. "I just...like having two...people around," he murmurs under his breath.

"Ah," and then it clicks. "You like the idea of having two parents," she states with conviction. "You like all the extra attention," she teasingly quips, gathering up both bowls to bring back into the living room.

"Maybe," he noncommittally mutters.

"You know you kinda weaseled your way into my heart. No matter what happens between your mom and I, you're kinda stuck with me," she says and then shoves a bowl into his hands and nods toward the living room. "Come on kid, people are dying for your mom's guacamole."

"Alright," he agrees through a sideways smirk and leads the way into the living room. His free hand is already dancing through the air like he's been signing his entire life and she smiles so proudly at him. "We're back."

The most handsome man, with his auburn tresses styled so perfectly, steps in front of Emma and snatches the bowl of guacamole from her hands. His dark green eyes sparkle with mischief as he plops back down beside his girlfriend and offers her the very first taste. He glances back at Emma, his hands moving quickly and encouraging her to shove him against the couch.

"Oh shut up," she says in annoyance, her hands moving much more elegantly now as Milo chuckles and burrows himself into his gorgeous girlfriend, Ivy, as protection against Emma's playful attack.

About a month after Emma handed over all the information she had on Milo to her Captain, David had called her and informed her that his friend did find Milo. He actually wasn't living too far away from Emma's studio apartment, so one weekend while Regina was visiting, they drove fifteen miles north and knocked on Milo's door.

He was over the moon to see Emma, he didn't even waste a second before he pulled her into a tight hug that had tears instantly filling her eyes. He invited her into his townhome, introduced them to his beautiful girlfriend, Ivy, and rambled on and on about his life.

Shortly after being placed with his mother again, she slipped up and he was sent to live with another foster home. A great one really. They were a lovely couple, that adored him and offered him everything he needed for his education and to help with his hearing. They eventually adopted him when he was thirteen and thankfully, they were around when he was fifteen and completely lost his hearing. They hired the best speech therapist because Milo still wanted to use his voice when possible, and they were there every step of the way to help make his transition easier for him.

Milo now works as a counselor for children with impaired hearing and that's actually where he met Ivy. She teaches sign language and is a speech pathologist and Emma absolutely adores her. Ivy worked with Emma, so she could sign more fluently with Milo. Eventually, Henry and Regina wanted to be included and Ivy was thrilled to teach them as well. And for the last three years, Milo has been very present in their lives. She finally has her little brother back.

"What did he say?" Ruby inquires, her glowing eyes bouncing between Emma and Milo for some guidance.

"Nothing," Emma over enunciates and shoves Milo once more for good measure, just to make sure he isn't going to tease her again about her and Regina sneaking off.

"I highly doubt it was nothing from the way your cheeks are burning," Zelena teases, reaching out to poke Emma's blushing skin to prove her point.

"Mom, leave her alone," Robin defends, slapping her mother's hand away.

"Anyways, I know you guys are all stuffed from breakfast, but I thought you still might want to pick on something," she explains, gesturing toward the appetizers spread across the coffee table while she collapses into the spot next to Regina.

Mike Hadley is the first to reach for the appetizers, but his kind eyes are catching Emma's gaze. "You really didn't have to do all of this, the breakfast was plenty," he compliments, stuffing a chip full of guacamole into his mouth.

Emma smiles so brightly at the man who has easily become family over the past two years. After Remy's passing, the man was left without a family, so Emma jumped at the opportunity to invite him into her new makeshift family, that she slowly created with all her new friends. Sometimes, when Mr. Hadley looks at her, she knows he's reminiscing about his daughter and maybe because of that, he treats her like he would his own daughter in a sense. And she honestly loves their relationship, she kind of thinks of him as an adoptive father figure.

"Oh, Emma, the breakfast was so lovely," Mary Margaret sweetly compliments. "Now, are we going to make this an annual thing?" She playfully questions, sipping her wine as she leans into David's side.

"We were hoping," she breathes out, smiling at her girlfriend who is already nodding away. "All of you guys are our family now and we really hope you can make it every year," she vocalizes, while her hands move expertly for Milo. "And we know you guys have to leave soon to attend Thanksgiving dinner with your other families, but we are so happy you guys could come here first."

"I'm down," Ruby happily concludes, "But next year I'm gonna have to bring Granny."

"Of course," Regina immediately agrees, but Emma is bouncing her head in agreement as well.

Luckily, after everything, Ruby forgave her and they have become the best of friends. Belle on the other hand, refuses to speak with her, considering Emma is the reason her sons are locked away now. But she knows it's because Belle feels like Emma was using her the whole time for information on her family and even though, in a sense, that's the case, Emma genuinely liked Belle. At least she didn't lose Ruby, that's what she tells herself when she's missing Belle's companionship.

"So," Emma raises her glass and smiles a mile wide, "I would like to say that I'm thankful for my job and my house, blah, blah, blah," she jokes, rolling her shining green eyes, "but really, I am so thankful for all of you. I have an amazing girlfriend, with the coolest kid, and her awesome family for being so welcoming," she praises, glancing over at mother and son and Regina's family, "and I have my best friends as well, I'm truly grateful for all of you guys," she says, her gaze drifting around the room to make a special connection with Ruby, the Nolans and Milo and Ivy.

"And we are thankful that you brought all of us together," Regina concludes, tapping her glass against Emma's before everyone else clinks their glasses together and toss back their mimosas.

XXXX

"Happy Thanksgiving, mom," Regina sweetly greets her mother, kissing her gently on the forehead.

"Hi grandma!" Henry ecstatically says, sweeping through the room to claim the chair beside Cora, next to the window.

"Beddu," Cora softly whispers and Emma breathes out a sigh of relief, because that means today is a good day for Cora, which she was hoping for since it's a holiday.

"Happy Thanksgiving, Cora," Emma says, flashing her most adorable grin as she kisses the woman's temple.

Cora seems to have blanked on her name again, but it's fine, because she is smiling brightly at Emma, expressing that she does recognize her.

This place has done wonders for Cora. Yes, her mind is still slipping away, but Regina is adamant the progression has slowed down since the move and she has had far less episodes in the evening. Maybe it's because this facility feels more like a home than a hospital. Maybe it's because there are more activities and volunteers to keep her mind active. Or maybe it's because of all the quality family time. Regina spends most of her days with her mother and Henry visits quite often after school as well. And on Emma's days off, she always makes an effort to come visit.

Regina sweeps through the room, reorganizing and checking to make sure everything is accommodating for her mother and Emma's heart swells with so much love for this woman.

"Mother, we enjoyed a Thanksgiving breakfast this year with the family," Regina mindlessly explains just to keep her mother involved. "It was very nice, something different, you know?" She chuckles, refilling Cora's water glass from the pitcher.

"Yeah, and Milo came," Henry adds on, beaming so brightly, expressing just how much he idolizes the man.

"What the hell kind of name is Milo?" Cora bites out, her eyes wandering toward the window to stare out into space.

"It's a silly name, right?" Emma muses, plopping down on the armrest of Henry's chair.

Cora's dark eyes slide back into the room, landing on Emma for a moment. She scrutinizes the blonde before her, in a hideous, red leather jacket. She assesses the wholesome green eyes staring back at her and Cora has no clue how she knows this woman, but her smile is familiar and makes her feel warm, so she offers the stranger a small smile in response.

"Mother, be nice."

"Regina, darling, when did you get here?" Cora surprisingly inquires, peeking over her shoulder as Regina fluffs her mother's pillows, hiding her deep sigh of disappointment.

"I just got here, mother."

"Lovely," Cora hums to herself. "Maybe you can convince that old hag to give me a cup of tea."

Emma and Henry immediately bite down on their lips to keep their snickering at bay while Regina rolls her eyes.

"What old hag? Everyone here is very nice," Regina attempts to reason, but her mother is vehemently shaking her head.

"No, I wanted some...and she didn't give me any," Cora stammers as her memory fogs again and she's not quite sure what she's saying any longer.

"Would you like some tea now, mother?"

"That would be lovely, dear."

"I'll come with mom," Henry quickly jumps to his feet because he loves how all the nurses gush over him as he walks through the halls.

Once mother and son are out the door, Emma slinks into the chair Henry left vacant and smirks. She leans into the portable table between her and Cora and starts shuffling the deck of cards to the right. Cora's eyes are intently watching her fingers, but Emma pretends that she doesn't notice. She quickly assembles Cora's favorite solitaire game and begins playing.

The room is quiet, except for Emma's fingers against the cards. When she sees her first move present itself, she pauses, peeking discreetly through her long lashes and sure enough Cora reaches out and places the card where it belongs.

"Go again," Cora says confidently, nodding for Emma to continue.

"You sure? There's no more moves?" She skeptically inquires, encouraging Cora's eyes to scan the game once more.

The woman nods again and taps the table in front of her. "Again." Emma smiles to herself and quickly lays down the next set of cards. "Again," Cora instructs, tapping the table once more. "Come now, dear, give me something good." Emma chuckles and nods along, placing the next set of cards down. "Beautiful," Cora happily praises and moves the cards accordingly.

"So, Cora, you keeping my secret?" Emma playfully questions, while her hands move on their own to set up the next play.

"Yes, I haven't told Regina a thing," the older woman immediately responds, her thoughts as clear as glass, creating the sappiest grin to spread wildly across Emma's entire face. Cora reaches into the space between them and lightly pats a blushing cheek. "You're such a good girl, Emma," she softly coos, inspiring a warm set of happy tears to fill those familiar green eyes. "Now, deal again," she firmly demands, causing Emma to laugh and sniffle away her tears.

Even though she met Cora during her worst of times, this woman still remembers her from time to time. And Emma has never felt more important to a family before in her life.

XXXX

Regina lays breathless on their bed, her perky breasts rising and falling as she struggles to catch her breath. Her wild hair is fanned out across the pillow, her cheeks are burning crimson, her lips are swollen and a beautiful shade of red from their activities (not at all from her lipstick choice), and Emma is falling even more in love with this woman.

She smirks to herself, completely impressed how she managed to win this gorgeous woman's heart and slowly crawls up her naked body. She shivers when their bodies mesh perfectly together and she leans down to kiss her girlfriend once more.

"Do you know why I love you?" She murmurs lazily into their slow and sensual kiss.

She feels the way Regina's puffy lips part into a broad grin and her heart takes off racing. "Because of my expertise in the bedroom?" Regina teasingly quips.

"I hate the way you would secretly leave things at my house before we moved in together, like you were subtly staking your claim and gently moving in." Regina furrows her brows, perplexed by the admission, but Emma continues. "I hate how you always steal the covers at night and how you always leave your makeup everywhere in the bathroom. Like our whole house has to be obsessively clean, but not our bathroom, not your makeup."

Regina's head snaps back, further into the pillow as her eyes frantically roam all over Emma's face in utter confusion. "I thought the question was why you love me? Not hate me."

Emma laughs, dipping her head down to capture those lips one more time. "Those are all reasons why I love you," Emma confesses, but Regina is too annoyed to truly hear her statement.

"You know, you're no walk in the park, Swan. I still hate how you would try and sneak out in the middle of the night when we first started dating. And don't even get me started on the way you eat. You can slow down now, nobody is going to steal your food anymore," she exasperates while Emma giggles on top of her, not being able to control herself. "And your flirting? How can you flirt so easily with anything that just waltzes by? And shall we discuss how you can never pick up your damn clothes-" Emma cuts her off right there with a dominate kiss that tells her, she should probably stop speaking now.

"I love how your eyes sparkle and your voice softens when you speak to Henry. I love how concerned you always are with my wellbeing; checking to make sure I eat enough or sleep enough. I love how you play with the ends of my hair, do you even realize that you do it?" Regina's eyes gloss over as she slowly shakes her head. "I love everything about you, even the things that annoy me and that I hate, I still love them about you, how ridiculous is that?"

"Emma, I-" Emma swoops down for another slow kiss that expresses how in love she actually is.

"Regina, I never thought I would be lucky enough to find love after my parents' accident. I tried really hard to close myself off because I couldn't take the risk of being hurt again. But the pain, made me who I am today and because of it, you love me. The real me. I never thought I could open up the way that I have with you and Henry and I don't ever want to lose this feeling. I don't ever want to lose you, so Regina, will you marry me?" She sheepishly asks, producing a sparkling white diamond attached to a white gold band, that she retrieved from her nightstand the moment they were done making love.

Regina swallows thickly, the wetness twinkling and sparkling so beautifully against her rich, chestnut eyes. "Yes," she gasps breathlessly, producing the dopiest grin upon Emma's face.

She starts to slide the ring onto Regina's finger, but her fiancé is quickly pulling her face down for a searing kiss that steals their breath away. Emma smiles even wider into the kiss when she feels the cold band against her cheek, and she finds it rather cute how the ring isn't even pushed passed the knuckle just yet.

Emma quickly pulls away, sliding the engagement ring all the way down while both sets of eyes admire the sparkling diamond that is whispering just how expensive it truly is.

"Emma Swan," Regina states firmly, cupping her face and pressing their noses together. "I absolutely love how goofy you are whenever Henry is around. I love how you kiss my temple every night and whisper goodnight when you think I'm asleep. I love how you constantly take care of not only me, but my mother and son as well. I am so in love with you and I am absolutely in love with the way you love my son as if he is your own. I could not have asked for a better partner in life and I cannot wait to spend the rest of my life by your side."

"As my wife," Emma cheekily replies, grinning from ear to ear.

"As your wife," Regina wholeheartedly agrees, pulling Emma back down for another deep kiss that promises a beautiful future together.

A/N: Thank you again to all that have followed along with this story. It was something different for me, more of a suspense and out of my comfort zone, so thank you for the love and support during this new creation. I truly appreciate all my dedicated readers and the followers for sticking by me even when I'm unsure about something. You guys are amazing!