*note: Welcome to the end. Happy reading :)

Chapter 21: Home

Regina felt a small body curl into her arm. She opened her eyes.

The room was dark but she could make out the lavender shade of the Dr. Isles' guestroom walls. The mattress she was lying on was soft and familiar. So were the bodies wrapped around her.

The small one was Henry. His was pressed onto her upper arm. He was snoring softly, curled up on his pillow beside her.

The other sleeping body was Emma's. Both of her arms were wrapped around Regina, holding her against her chest. Breaths were falling on Regina's forehead.

Regina vaguely remembered how she got here. She remembered the smell of the hospital, the bitter taste of her vomit, Emma's voice, Henry's hand on her face, shots pushed into her arms-the memories floated in and out of her brain. She remembered walking, her legs wobbly, drugged, with Emma by her side to a car.

When was it? Yesterday? The day before? Tonight? Two hours ago?

She had lost all track of time. The alarm clock by on the dresser beeped. It was 4:30 in the morning.

Regina slowly sat up not wanting to wake the sleeping child.

"H-uh! Wha- Regina?!"

Emma shot right up.

"What do you need? Water? Are you feeling cold again? I can't believe I fell asleep shi-

"Emma…" Regina spoke quietly, her voice was extremely dry, "I just…woke up, I'm fine."

"Oh" Emma sighed, "you kept…drifting in and out last night…I was supposed to stay awake and watch you but I dunno when I fell asleep…" she yawned and rubbed her neck. Dark rings were under her eyes. She looked completely exhausted.

"When was the last time you slept?"

"Not since…that day…" Emma shrugged. She touched Regina's hair and tucked a loose strand behind her ear. Her fingers brushed her cheek.

"Where is she?" Regina asked.

"Locked away" Emma stated dryly.

"I lost sight…" Regina mumbled, "seeing you like that…you were so far away from me…I couldn't stand it I-

"Sshhh" Emma pulled her in, "I know…baby I know…it's ok…" Regina buried her face in Emma's shirt. She listened to the heartbeat, alive and strong. Her warmth radiated through her skin and flushed Regina's. She thought she was losing this, this life she was holding in her arms, when she had walked into Cora's mansion with the stolen gun.

"You lied to me," Regina suddenly remembered. She pushed Emma away.

"I…what?" Emma looked at her, confused.

"You!" Regina punched her chest, "you lied! To me! Me! And you walked into that death trap!"

"I thought I could save those girls!" Emma hissed, lowering her voice, "Ow! aw! Regina, stop it! Owh!"

Regina stopped. Emma's groan sounded like she was actually in pain, even though she hadn't put that much strength into the punch.

"Emma…are…are you hurt?"

"No" her girlfriend looked away.

"You're lying," Regina stated, "again."

When Emma didn't speak, she reached out and felt around her torso. There. As soon as her hand pressed onto Emma's shoulder, she winced.

Regina quickly parted Emma's shirt and pulled it down her shoulder. Her heart stopped.

The skin that used to be pale and smooth was horribly discoloured and scarred. Burned.

She started crying.

Emma cradled her into her chest, hushed her, held her tightly but her tears didn't stop.

"I'm ok. It's just a little bruise."

"Little? You call that little?!"

"I'm ok."

"You're stupid and ridiculous and reckless with your life!" Regina wailed crying into Emma's neck. She heard her girlfriend laugh.

"You're the one who nearly got poisoned to death I should be the one throwing a fit!"

"Don't you start with me Emma Swan you were lying in coma…fucking coma… burned and broken and dying how dare you?! You're irresponsible and inconsiderate! Did you even stop to think what I would do without you if something happened? Did you?!"

"I knew you'd never let me go inside if I had told you-" Emma mumbled

"-and for good measures too!" Regina snapped, still very much tearful, "Urgh! I hate you so much!"

"I love you though," Emma smiled and hugged her tightly, "I love you with all my heart" she whispered. Regina sniffed loudly.

"I'm all cried out" she muttered into Emma's collar.

"Good. Now kiss me." her girlfriend leaned in.

"I still hate you…" Regina said and kissed her. She had missed Emma's lips and their soft touch. She had missed the powerful energy they send through her body, making her heart sigh in pure bliss.

"How did Henry get in our room?" she asked, still snuggled in Emma's arms.

"He was devastated when we brought you into the hospital. Poor guy had just gone through the trauma of seeing me in coma and then you were poisoned. He wouldn't stop crying. I didn't know what to do…I was worrying about you and worrying about him. I thought he'd make himself sick crying so much like that. We just sat by your bed for two days, he wouldn't let go of me, or move from your side. I had to force him to go for bathroom breaks he was that scared."

"Yeah he did that when you were out …" Regina shook her head, "you need to tell him stories when he's being like that. It calms him down."

"I wish I knew that two days ago," Emma sighed, "last night after we drove here, he wouldn't go to his room. So I just tucked him in beside you and read to him until he fell asleep."

"He's such a good boy…" Regina smiled at the sleeping child, "we're complete strangers and yet here he is, crying himself to sleep over two people he barely knows."

"I think we're the only family he's ever known" Emma sighed, looking at the boy as well, "we are not strangers. We're his family."

"We are his family," Regina agreed. She leaned over and kissed Henry's forehead.

…

Two weeks later

"H-how? Like…how…"

Emma gaped at the huge estate. The lake house stood, hidden behind a stretch of woodland and surrounded by crystal blue water. Snow had covered the entire land and the rooftop of the modest house. It had gathered on the stones walls, the front steps and the railings of the boardwalk.

This winter wasn't cold enough for the lake to have frozen over. The house had huge glass windows overlooking the snow covered shores.

"I'm glad we got this place back," Regina sighed happily, wrapping her coat covered arms around Emma, "it's such a beauty isn't it?"

"It's gorgeous!"

Tall lamps stood on the side of the winding path that led to the front door. She followed Regina.

They are going to spend a week here, alone and together, until Christmas. Henry was staying with Detective Rizzoli and Dr. Isles, they were more than happy to take him in.

"Make sure you're back for Christmas dinner" Dr. Isles reminded them as they had left that morning, "I like having the entire family here."

They promised.

An entire week in this beautiful winter paradise, Emma thought, with the girl she loves. What else could she ever ask for?

…

Regina lit candles all around the living room. The fireplace was burning maple wood. The sweet scent warmed the air.

The curtains were parted from the tall window. Snow was falling all around the little house. The lake glittered under the moonlight.

She lied down on the white bed sheet she had spread on the soft mattress on the floor. Naked.

She watched the warm glowing candles, flickering everywhere. Their tiny reflections twinkled on the glass window like little stars.

She was waiting for Emma.

They had gone shopping earlier, buying food and snacks for the week.

Emma had done some shopping of her own, which she absolutely refused to show her.

"But what did you buy?!"

"Something."

"Aren't you gonna show me?"

"It's…for you…well…us…it's a surprise"

"but-

"Ooh white chocolates!" Her girlfriend had wandered off.

And that was that. They had come back and Emma told her to wait in the living room.

"Oh and, baby?" Emma looked straight into her eyes before heading off towards their bedroom, "Take your clothes off."

Now she waited for her girlfriend to show up, wondering what Emma had in mind.

She didn't have to wait long.

In the warm light of the candles she saw Emma's shadow appear in the hall. Regina sat up on the mattress.

She had nothing on except a new pair of black briefs. It clung tightly to her pale skin.

Regina gasped as she realized what she was wearing underneath.

Regina bit her lower lip, staring wantonly at Emma's front as her girlfriend walked closer. Emma stood tall in front of her and whispered, "surprise."

Kneeling, Regina slowly placed her hand directly above the swell of the boxers and rubbed. She smiled wickedly, looking up at Emma, "I was hoping you'd get one soon…I imagined you wearing one so many times…"

She lowered Emma's briefs, releasing the toy from its confines. A black harness was keeping it tightly in place between her lover's legs. Regina wrapped her hand around the base, she slowly stroked it up and pushed it back against Emma. Her girlfriend gasped.

"Did you feel that?"

"Yeah…"

"Right on top of your-

"Oh yeah."

The green eyes darkened with desire as Regina's lips wrapped around the head.

"Mmm…"

"Oh god…"

"D'you like seeing me like this? On my knees…taking you in my mouth…

"Babe, you're killing me…"

"…loving you…"

She licked the entire length. Emma lowered herself on the floor and kissed her lips. Her tongue touched hers. Regina sat on Emma's lap and wrapped her arms tightly around her lover. Her legs crossed over Emma's waist. The silicone shaft pressed onto her stomach. Emma's hand reached between their bodies and rubbed her clit.

"I love you so much…" Emma trailed kissed on her shoulder, then up her neck and down. Regina purred.

"You are so beautiful baby…." Emma's hand caressed her sides, sending desires through every nerve in her body. Her thumb flicked her clit slowly, driving Regina insane.

"Inside me…" Regina breathed in Emma's ear, "I need you inside me."

Emma held her with one hand, steadying her body on her lap. Her other hand grabbed the toy and guided it into Regina's slit. Regina raised her hips to let her lover slip into her wetness.

"Ohh!"

"You are so wet…"

"Mmmh!"

Their hips moved together. Emma pushed forward and pulled out, Regina met her thrusts, driving the toy deep inside her.

"It's big…" she whispered.

"Am I hurting you?"

"A little…yeah…"

"Do you want me to stop?" Emma was looked at her, worried.

"No…" She wrapped her legs tightly around Emma's waist pushing the shaft through her folds, "don't…don't stop… don't stop…"

"Okay baby…" Emma whispered into her neck as Regina held on to her, thrusting herself into her, "I won't stop..."

The shaft was filling her completely, touching every inch of her, rubbing the underside of her clit and setting her insides on fire. Their bodies slapped against each other and their limbs tangled. Their sweat mixed together and dissolved. Their breaths laboured, heart raced. Emma sighed. Regina moaned. Emma bit into her neck, and she dragged her nails over her back. Emma palmed her breasts and rubbed her nipples. She clenched her tightly inside her wetness.

"Oh…Emma…oh Emma…"

She rode her lover, driving herself into oblivion. She took Emma deeper each time she pushed down.

Emma lowered her on the pillow and moved on top of her. She spread her legs far apart and drove inside her. Regina screamed. She was open wide under her lover taking her length completely.

They were onto each other like animals. Emma was devouring her, leaving nothing untouched, nothing unpenetrated. She was being fucked raw and she loved it.

"Do you feel me inside you?"

"Yeah-uh-huh…"

"Tell me what you want."

"Harder…"

"Tell me."

"Fuck me harder!"

"Tell me."

"Fuck me har-mmh-harder-oh fuck…make me come…Emma…oh god…come inside me…oh fuck me Emma…"

"You want me to come inside you?"

"Yes! Ohh-f- fuck!"

Emma thrust harder and Regina screamed again. Her mind exploded into millions of tiny stars. Her sex was on fire. Her wetness leaked onto the silicone shaft drilling inside her. She pressed into Emma's body as her orgasm shook her body. Emma didn't stop.

She moved deeper. She rolled her hips up and down, rubbing the base of her shaft on her clit. Regina couldn't breathe. Her clit was sensitive already and Emma was driving her towards another strong orgasm.

"I'm close…" Emma gasped, pushing into her, "come with me."

"Yeah…" Regina breathed, "come inside me."

Their desires exploded together. Regina clung to Emma desperately as her entire being quaked, violently. Emma clutched her ass and stayed buried inside her, eyes closed, giving her everything she was worth. They held on to each other as the waves of passion slowly subsided, leaving them sweaty and breathless.

Slowly, Emma slipped out of her. The toy was glistening with Regina's juices. Emma took it off but Regina stopped her from discarding it.

She took the head that was covered in her wetness, and pressed it on Emma's clit. Regina rubbed her juice on Emma's pussy, stroking her pink bundle.

Emma breathed heavily. Regina dipped the toy into her lover's slit. Emma's wetness mixed with her own.

"Regina…ohh- fuck!"

"You made me come so hard…" Regina whispered, "d'you feel that…it's all for you…all yours…"

She pushed the toy that was inside her moments ago into Emma. Her lover moaned in pleasure.

Regina pushed in and out. She lowered her mouth and sucked Emma's clit.

It didn't take her long to get her lover thrashing and moaning. Emma's hands gripped her hair tightly, shoving her mouth into her. She removed the silicone shaft and drank from Emma.

Regina crawled up and snuggled into Emma's bare chest. She kissed her pink nipple before pressing her cheek on top. Emma wrapped her arms around her, keeping her close. Their naked bodies fit perfectly together. They felt the softness of each skin on the other.

"You look just…magical after sex…" Emma sighed into her hair. Her fingers were caressing Regina's cheek. Regina licked her lover's finger and smiled at her.

"You make me that way…the way you touch me…and make love to me…you make me magical."

"We should definitely do this again," Emma mumbled.

"We have the entire week!" Regina chuckled and snuggled closer.

The candles had burned out. The fireplace held glowing embers.

"I love you, Regina," Emma whispered, kissing her forehead.

"I love too, hun" she buried her face into Emma's neck and closed her eyes.

…

A week later.

Christmas Dinner at the Isles residence was a grand ordeal. Maura was leading the procession.

"Regina, is the sauce ready?!"

"Nice job with the potatoes Emma. Can you dip them in Regina's sauce?...What? Why are you two laughing?! What did I say?!"

"Jane you were supposed to leave an hour ago! I need more butter! Farmers' Market! Now!"

"Paws off the pudding, Henry! You too, Jo Friday!"

Before the day was over, they had pulled off a nice Christmas dinner. Maura made the roasted turkey, baked potatoes; stir fried garden vegetables and spinach puffs. Regina made a delicious special apple pie with sprinkled cinnamon. Emma and Henry managed a mud pie with three thick layers of chocolate and fudge filling with a mountain of whipped cream on top.

"Ours is the best!" Henry high-fived Emma after they dumped chocolate syrup on their pie. Regina laughed, brushing flour off Henry's cheeks.

"You kids and your addiction to everything unhealthy…" Maura shook her head, chuckling still.

"Oi! Who's gonna help me with the tree?!" Jane called out.

"I will!" Henry jumped.

"Me too!" Emma followed. Jo Friday barked and ran around with his stuffed toy.

Maura and Regina each grabbed a glass and a bottle of wine and followed them into the living room.

By the time Hook and Graham arrived, the entire place had transformed. Ornaments hung from the Christmas tree. It was covered in streamers and tiny lights. Henry had coloured and cut out little angels and hung them on the tree. He was wearing a Rudolph sweater Dr. Isles got him and the matching socks that were from the detective.

"Merry Christmas!" Hook cheered, Graham hugged everyone in the room. Jo Friday ran circles around the guests.

Dinner was loud. Henry passed his vegetables on to Emma's plate, and Emma passed both of theirs onto Regina's who was too busy talking with Dr. Isles to notice. Jane was getting drunk on eggnog with Graham and Hook, and hollering "Deck The Halls" on top of her lungs. Her dog barked along. Bass was the only quiet one in the house, munching away at his strawberries. Henry had put a tiny Santa hat on his head.

They finished the apple and mud pies. Graham took pictures with his camera.

"Wow!" Henry jumped excitedly as he opened the present Emma and Regina got him. A large fairytale collection named Once Upon A Time. He flipped through it, his eyes getting wider as he saw the colourful pictures.

"Thank you-thank you-thank you-thank you!" He ran into Emma's arms and hugged her. Then he hugged Regina and kissed her cheek, "you two are the best!" he smiled brightly.

They opened their gifts and chatted casually. Hook and Henry had an arm wrestling match. The boy won.

Maura and Jane where whispering at the back of the room. Emma saw Dr. Isles glare at the detective who had her arms crossed stubbornly. They were definitely arguing.

"I wonder what's going on with those two…" Regina said beside her.

They found out later as Hook and Graham left. Regina carried a very sleepy Henry to bed. He was still clutching the story book.

"Emma," Jane was the first one to speak, "have you thought about what you want to do with Henry?" Maura only glared at her detective.

Regina returned beside her.

"You will be eighteen in a few months, you'll be your own person. Henry is still very young and he needs a home. A stable home."

"The shelter being destroyed…" Jane finished, "you need to find him a home."

"No." Emma spoke firmly, "Henry is not going anywhere." She looked at Regina who smiled at her encouragingly.

"We're keeping him," Emma looked at Jane and Maura, "I don't want him to bounce around foster homes when he has a family right here. He has me. He has Regina. We'll take care of him."

"Hook told me today," Regina spoke, "that the court is releasing the mansion under my care. Daddy's lawyers made a great case, they're letting me keep a few of our accounts and savings. Henry will be just fine with us."

"You two are so young, you have your entire life ahead of you…it's not easy taking in a child and providing for him-

"Jane" Emma cut her off, "Do you know what it's like when your family abandons you? When no one wants you around anymore? It's a weight you carry around your whole life. The pain becomes a part of you. I have spent days and nights wondering what was wrong with me. I lost my mother. My brother left me on the steps of that shelter and never looked back. I would do everything in my power to protect Henry from the pain, the loneliness. I'll work my ass off. I'll make sure he always has what he needs, he goes to school, grows up to be a great guy. He doesn't need a shelter, he has me."

"And me" Regina held her hand, "Let us keep him, please."

Maura sniffed loudly.

"Are you crying, Maura?" Jane looked her way, surprised.

"No it's just…it's…oh gosh Jane lighten up! Look at them, they're…perfect!" Maura hugged Emma and Regina tightly, "and you two have us. Jane and I will always be here for you. You're family now."

Jane shrugged and smiled, "you are family."

Emma grinned brightly and the detective winked at her. Maura hugged Regina.

"One more thing," said Regina, "I'm going to rebuild the shelter."

…

They all stared at her in disbelief. Emma especially.

"I never understood why my father insisted on running that shelter. I thought it was a waste. Bad investment. But now…" she looked at Emma, "now I know that it was the only thing that made him a much better person than my mother. He put his money into a good cause. He gave the abandoned children a safe home. He gave Emma a home. I want to continue his work. There are so many Emma-s and Henry-s out there, waiting for someone to find them. I'll do it. I'll rebuild the shelter."

Maura was crying at this point on Jane's shoulder. The detective raised her glass, "here's to little Emma-s and Henry-s, and to Regina for her good heart. We wish you three all the happiness in the world"

"Cheers!"

Later Emma and Regina returned to the guestroom for one last night. They are going to return to Regina's mansion tomorrow. With Henry.

Emma whispered in Regina's ear, "How did all that come out of the Ice Queen's mouth?" as they lay down in bed.

"Ice Queen's gone" Regina smiled, "you turned her into a better person."

"Do you promise never to stop loving me?" Emma asked. She held her breath, waiting for her girlfriend's answer.

Regina knew how difficult it was for Emma, to believe in the promise of a future together that they discussed in the living room. Emma lost so much. Her mother. Her brother. Her best friend. She wanted to make her believe. She wanted Emma to know she would never, not even in her dream, abandon her. Regina took Emma's hand and placed it on her heart.

"Right here," she whispered, "you get to live here. Forever. I love you with all my heart, Emma Swan. Your shelter is right here, with me, within my heart."

She watched as tears flooded the bright green eyes. Regina reached up and kissed her love. Emma sighed into the kiss. She was home.

They held on to each other, waiting for the sun to rise.

…

Epilogue:

Dear August,

Thank you for another wonderful letter. I'm getting a laptop next month, so hopefully we'll be able to email each other. Letters take too long.

This year has been insane. The construction of the shelter is moving full swing. We've got the first floor completed. Huge amounts of donations have been coming in from Regina's family friends, helping us with the financial situations. Mr. Mills will be released next spring, until then Regina's in charge of the project. And when I say in charge I don't say it lightly. She's been bossing everyone around, including me. We had a shouting match on site just last week, the entire crew was watching. It ended with me apologizing and carrying her back home for the day to cool her down. Anyway.

When I'm not volunteering or not working at the station, I'm taking night classes at Boston U. I told you I wasn't sure about what I wanted to study, so Regina took me to a career councillor on campus and helped me figure it out. I got into a social work program, focusing on helping homeless teens. Detective Rizzoli wrote me a stellar recommendation letter, Dr. Isles called in the dean's office telling him all kinds of good stuff bout me. I got an early acceptance. I even scored a bunch of scholarships so my tuition has been paid for. Thank you for offering to pay, bro, that was kind of you.

I bought a car! It's a second hand, yellow, beetle! I love it! Regina and I go for drives a lot. Henry loves going to the lake house for picnic and fishing. We take him with us all the time.

Thanks for the t-shirts you sent us and the cowboy hats! Henry absolutely loves his and the little action figures you sent him. We'd love to come visit you, and will do as soon as the shelter is up and running again. Why don't you ride up here and give us a hand? I really want you to meet my girl and my little boy.

Life turned out pretty great, August. If you hadn't pushed me, I'd have never grown into the woman I am now. There's so much to do now, so much to plan and enjoy. I've got a little kid looking up to me. I've got a woman who loves me, and who I love so much.

Sometimes I wonder, what if I ruin everything? What if this shelter I found crumbles down again? Moments like that I think about what mom used to say, what you tell me all the time. I'm the tough one. I got this.

We got this, brother.

Take care of yourself and don't be a stranger.

Love,

Your little sister, Emma.

…

*The last note:

My dear readers,

It's been a wonderful journey. Thank you for your support and lovely words. Your thoughts and encouragements have helped me be a better writer. I truly enjoyed writing this fic for you. I hope I did the story justice with the ending. I've tried my best. Feel free to check out the other fics from yours truly here.Thank you all so very much!

Goodbye folks!:)