Chapter Text
“I love you, you know that right? Even though you can be a total pain in my ass I love you.”
Ruby then stumbled forward and hugged Zelena tight before she looked over the redheads shoulder at Mal.
“I don’t know you as well but I love you too.”
Mulan ran a hand through her hair before slowly extracting Ruby from Zelena.
“Clearly Ruby is a happy drunk.” Emma chuckled as the tall brunette turned and began to hug her as well.
“You I love the most!” she announced before Regina stepped to Emma’s side.
“Wait. No. I probably love Regina more because we have history… don’t think I don’t know what you did for my kind back in the Enchanted Forest!” Ruby beamed before her head fell forward and landed rather heavily on Regina’s chest.
“Ruby!” Mulan exclaimed as the Mayor let out a deep chuckle, one hand now patting the brunettes back.
“God this is comfy.” Ruby mumbled into Regina’s chest as Emma placed a hand between them and steadily edged Ruby back with Mulan’s help.
“But it’s just platonic love, ladies. My heart belongs to Mulan in its entirety even though you really do have comfortable breasts Regina.”
Zelena began to cackle loudly as Mulan groaned and tugged Ruby away, an apologetic look on her face as Emma let out a chuckle.
“Well she’s not wrong.” She added as Regina shot her a warning look.
“Okay Romeo time to go.” Mulan added as she threw the older three women another apologetic look before Emma pecked Regina on the cheek and followed Ruby and Mulan to the front door, the former grumbling all the way about the early morning start at the diner as Mulan chuckled.
“An early shift with a hangover too, let’s hope Granny takes it easy on you!”
Ruby rolled her eyes before placing a hand on her forehead.
“Yeah. I do feel kinda dizzy. Make the room stop spinning, babe.”
Mulan slowly guided her girlfriend out of the front door before she turned.
“I’m really happy for you and Regina, Emma.”
Emma smiled and pulled Mulan into a one armed hug as Ruby stumbled forwards.
“Group hug! Don’t leave me out, I’m standing riiight here!”
Ruby then fell forward and was thankfully steadied by both Emma and Mulan’s quick reflexes.
“I’m chief bridesmaid, ohhhh yes I am!!” Ruby then began to sing song at the top of her voice as Mulan placed a hand over her mouth gently.
“Ooo kinky!” Ruby muffled in between Mulan’s fingers as the Deputy blushed, quickly removing her hand.
“You’re pretty loud, Rubes - I don’t want the neighbours to make noise complaints!”
Ruby wriggled her eyebrows.
“Does that mean you’ll have to handcuff me too, Warrior Princess?”
Mulan blushed again as Emma quirked a brow.
“Warrior Princess? Have you guys been watching too much Xena?!”
“Ignore her. She’s drunk.” Mulan mumbled as she tried to pull Ruby away.
“It’s my pet name for her, especially when we’re inbetween the sheets and-“
“And that’s already too much information.” Mulan interrupted as Emma snorted and Ruby began to giggle.
“Like you don’t have names for Regina in the bedroom!”
Emma swallowed hard.
“I… maybe?!” She finally admitted as Ruby grinned like a cheshire cat.
“Mayor Love Bug? Pookie? Sex goddess?!” Ruby began to sing again as Emma glanced behind her, hoping Regina wasn’t standing there with that look on her face.
“Rubes! Pipe down! Jesus you really are drunk.” Emma muttered as Ruby dramatically sighed.
“I prefer merry, thank you very much!” Ruby mumbled as she suddently lurched forward and cupped Emma’s face between her hands.
“Please make me Chief Bridesmaid. That way I get to choose the dress because if you don’t, Snow will take charge and there is no fucking way I’m walking down an aisle wearing something that’s probably pink and ruffled, sequinned and covered in bows!”
Emma chuckled as Mulan attempted to prise Ruby’s fingers away.
“I mean it!” Finally her fingers dropped as she turned to face Mulan.
“This affects you too, babe. You won’t look good in something shiney and puffy or god forbid something that resembles a table cloth! You know what Snow is like, she has zero taste-“
Ruby suddenly stopped, her face paling.
Emma looked from Ruby to Mulan, noticing her face was also pale.
“I’m gonna be sick.” Ruby rushed before she bolted and vanished behind a hedge.
“Watch out for Regina’s flowerbed!” Emma shouted before her eyes fell back on Mulan.
“Why do you look so pale? I didn’t see you drink anything?”
Mulan shook her head slowly before clearing her throat.
“Um… this bridesmaid thing… you don’t have to, I mean - don’t feel obligated or anything and I don’t want to presume It’s just… dresses. Not really my thing.”
Emma smiled and patted Mulan on the arm.
“Actually I was thinking of making you best man number three. Henry’s too young to make some decisions and honestly, David is almost as bad as Snow when it comes to style but you I trust!”
Mulan let out a relieved sigh.
“Besides, not many woman can carry off a suit but we sure as hell can.” Emma continued with a smirk as Mulan grinned.
“That we will!” She agreed happily, “thank you Emma. That means a lot to me.”
Emma smiled as Ruby suddenly appeared, one hand wiping at her mouth.
“Well that sure as hell tasted better going down” she mumbled as Emma screwed up her face.
“Too much information, Rubes.”
Ruby chuckled as she wrapped an arm around Mulan’s waist.
“So, where were we?” she asked as Mulan motioned to the cruiser they had borrowed for the evening.
“We were going home.”
Ruby frowned.
“Nu-uh. We were talking dresses and how Snow won’t be choosing the material, style or colour because if she did we’d end up looking like a packet of skittles walking down the aisle. And I’m not wearing a hat!”
Emma placed a hand on Ruby’s arm.
“Ruby, there is nobody else I’d want as a Chief Bridesmaid and I’m sure Regina will agree although you may be sharing the title with Mal.”
Ruby shrugged.
“That I can handle. Mal is a classy bird!”
“‘Maybe don’t call her that to her face, though?” Emma suggested as Ruby grinned.
“All is well with the world. Mal won’t force me into crimson fabric with bows from here to the Mason-Dixon Line.”
Emma looked at Mulan.
“Take her home.”
Mulan nodded and tugged at Ruby.
“Okay, okay! I’m going! But… I love you Emma, you know that right? And I love that you’ve found your person.”
Emma beamed.
“Love you too Rubes and thanks. We’ve both found very special women.”
Ruby smiled and linked her hand in Mulan’s, giving the deputy a soft smile.
“That we have.”
Regina immediately curled into Emma’s side as soon as the blonde took a seat beside her. Emma’s arm circled the brunette’s shoulders, a smile curling on her lips when Regina let out a soft hum of content.
“I don’t envy Mulan taking Red home.” Zelena mused as Emma shrugged.
“At least she has the cruiser. That one time I had to walk Kathryn home? Never again!”
Regina chuckled as Zelena edged closer to Mal on the sofa opposite.
“It’s that saviour complex of yours. Personally I would have left her to find her own way home.”
“Don’t be so cruel.” Mal scolded as Zelena shrugged.
“Sometimes you have to be cruel to be kind.” Zelena murmured before she shuddered.
“God, I sound like mother!”
Emma felt Regina tense beside her as the brunette slowly shifted on the sofa. Emma squeezed her shoulder as she cleared her throat.
“Speaking of mother… we saw her earlier today.”
Mal slowly took Zelena’s hand in hers and Emma immediately saw a look of concern flash across the older blondes face.
“Oh?” Was Zelena’s only response as Mal shifted forward a little.
“Saw her where, exactly?”
Regina remained silent, possibly lost in thought as Emma placed her free hand on Regina’s stomach as she often did, whether to soothe Regina or herself she wasn’t quite certain.
Regina finally answered.
“At Rumples shop. Emma and I paid him a visit to discuss the mirror. She appeared soon after.”
Zelena nodded before a smirk appeared across her face.
“I imagine her presence unnerved Rumple a little?”
Regina placed her hand overs Emma’s as she nodded in the affirmative.
“He seemed intrigued about her reason for being here. I think he’s worried she has ulterior motives.”
“Like he’s one to talk about motives.” Mal chuckled, taking a final sip of cider before she placed the glass back on the table.
“He was gracious enough to give us some space.” Regina admitted before turning to Emma.
“Thank you again for also giving me some time with her. I know you were worried.”
Emma ran her thumb over Regina’s stomach slowly, before placing a chaste kiss on the brunettes forehead.
“You didn’t say how your talk went.” She murmured softly, recalling the afternoon which had gone by in a whirlwind of activity preparing for the evening meal, not giving either of them much time to discuss Cora’s appearance.
“It was fine. She.. she wants to spend time with us.”
Regina was now looking at Zelena who bit her bottom lip before shrugging.
“I suppose we should… I mean, she did save my life.”
Mal had slipped an arm around Zelena’s waist as the redhead sighed.
“I’m so torn. A part of me finds it difficult to accept she has changed. All I remember is the person she used to be, the one who sent me away as a child but then I see images of her standing in between me and Robin-“ Zelena’s voice faltered slightly as Mal placed a kiss on her cheek.
“I understand. Believe me.” Regina’s voice was sincere.
“There is no harm in listening to what she has to say.” Mal suggested as Emma nodded.
“I can’t begin to imagine what you both went thought because of her but… I saw things, when I passed through the mirror.”
Emma looked at Regina, a silent question passing in between them before Regina nodded. She knew what Emma was asking, and it was only fair the tale be shared with her sister and close friend.
“I saw parts of Regina’s past.” Emma continued before she swallowed hard.
Talking about this was never easy. Regina immediately understood as she cupped Emma face and ran a thumb over her cheek.
“Share what you wish my love, there’s no rush.”
Emma nodded into the touch before she looked back at Mal and Zelena who both wore similar looks of concern.
“I saw the way she was treated. By him…” Emma paused before shaking her head,
“My grandfather.” She managed before she shuddered.
“That must have been difficult to bear witness to” Mal offered, her eyes softening as Emma who nodded.
“I wanted to kill him.” she admitted as Regina wrapped her arm around the blondes waist.
Steadily Emma continued
“What was really hard for me to watch though was the flashbacks of Cora, and how she treated Regina. Especially when I had the real thing standing beside me, watching every scene play out with me.”
Zelena’s gasped.
“That… Christ. How did she - mother… how did she react?!”
It was a fair question, one Regina had also asked Emma.
“Well. Let’s just say I threw up and she looked like she was about to join me. She looked genuinely defeated when she saw her own actions play out in front of her very eyes. I can sense when someone is playing me and truly? I think she’s legit. She kept apologising over and over but I told her I wasn’t the one she needed to apologise to.”
Regina nodded.
“She apologised to me. This afternoon. I got the feeling she wanted to say more but she had to go. At the moment she can’t control her movements so to speak, although she said she was working on a way to prolong her visits. It seems at the moment she can only stay for ten minutes or so.”
Zelena glances at Mal before she looked back at Regina.
“That sounds about right. When she came to the Rabbit Hole the whole episode was over within fifteen minutes. When you arrived I could tell she was being pulled back.”
“How does she think she can prolong her stay?” Mal asked as Emma looked back at Regina.
“And how does it make you feel? Knowing she may be able to control her visits?”
Regina sighed and shrugged gently.
“Honestly? I don’t know how she will manage to stay for longer periods of time. If her motives are true there is nothing more I would like than to be able to rebuild a relationship with her, especially with nugget on the way. Family is important, you’ve all taught me that.”
Regina looked at Mal and then Zelena with a smile on her face before her eyes landed on Emma, who was still running the tips of her fingers across Regina’s stomach almost absentmindedly.
“You gave me that.” Emma whispered back, her eyes full of wonder as Mal and Zelena slowly stood.
“I think it’s time we gave the lovebirds some peace and quiet.” The older blonde murmured as she took Zelena’s hand.
Emma and Regina finally broke their gaze to look up, the former blushing as the latter began to stand before she was gently pushed back down by Zelena’s hand.
“We know the way out sis. Relax. You’ve done a lot this evening. Thank you. We appreciate it and we’re so very glad you are both back safe and sound.”
Regina blinked a tear away as Zelena kissed the top of the brunettes head before she moved and did the same to Emma.
“Lunch tomorrow? We can talk about mother dearest.”
Reigna nodded as Zelena’s and Mal took their leave.
“Zelena is right, babe. You did amazing tonight although I’m still not sure why you gave Hook all the leftovers.”
Regina chuckled at Emma’s screwed up face as she slowly ran a finger over the frown lines, easing them.
“Let’s say I took pity on the one handed wonder.”
Emma scoffed.
“Yeah well don’t take too much pity on him or he’ll be here for breakfast, lunch and dinner!”
Regina smiled and pulled Emma in close.
“I love you, Emma. So much.”
Emma’s frown finally faded as she reached and took Regina’s hand in hers.
“I love you too, Gina. When they told me you had disappeared through the mirror… god, I was terrified. I thought I’d lost you.”
Regina squeezed Emma’s hand.
“Darling, that is how I felt when you first vanished though the portal with Zelena and Mulan and again when we all tried to pass though and only you and Snow arrived on the other side. The thought of not seeing you again petrified me!”
Both embraced.
“Yeah well, I know we live in Storybrooke where wierd shit is the norm but I’m not letting you out of my sight ever again. You, Henry or nugget.”
Emma then placed both her hands on Regina’s waist before gently edging her white shift upwards, fingers soon finding skin before she gently kissed against and around the brunettes navel.
“I’m getting bigger.” Regina almost groaned as Emma chuckled, her hot breath caressing Regina’s skin.
“I am!” She continued as Emma looked up.
“You’re beautiful.”
Regina blushed as Emma continued her feather like kisses across Regina’s stomach before slowly pulling the shirt back down, her head lifting as green orbs met brown.
“And tomorrow afternoon we have a doctors appointment.”
Regina groaned.
“Lovely. Someone else who can see how fat I am!”
Emma chuckled before her lips finally found Regina’s.
“Beautiful.” Emma repeated before she deepened the kiss, a sigh escaping her lips.
Regina felt the warmth of Emma’s lips as they slowly moved against her own. The blonde never failed to make small butterflies career around her stomach when she kissed like that.
“Perhaps we should take this upstairs.” Regina suggested in between heated kisses before Emma suddenly pulled back. The brunette immediately missed the contact and couldn’t help a scowl appear across her face.
She had been enjoying those pliable lips…
“Shit! I nearly forgot! I have something to show you in the garage!”
Regina’s scowl turned into a frown.
“The garage? But it’ll be cold! Can’t it wait until morning?”
Emma stood and held her hands out to Regina.
“Nope! I have to show you now, trust me - you won’t want to wait!”
Regina followed Emma along the hallway, before tugging on her lower arm.
“Are you absolutely certain this can’t wait? I happen to know we have a very large bed waiting for us upstairs-“
Emma turned and grinned.
“Regina Mills, soon to be Swan-Mills. You horn dog!”
Regina blushed before her brows furrowed.
“Swan-Mills mmm?”
Emma shrugged.
“I’ve been playing around with both ways and Mills-Swan makes us sound alike a law firm.”
Regina couldn’t help a laugh escape her lips before quirking a brow.
“Horn dog?!”
This time Emma blushed before she raised Regina’s hand and pulled her towards the kitchen.
“Why would you call me that? I’m nothing like those horrible battered, deep fried.. Things!”
“Wieners.” Emma corrected as she continued to pull Regina towards the back door.
“I beg your pardon?” Regina spluttered as Emma finally stopped and turned, both hands now on the brunettes hips.
“Babe, corn dogs are deep fried wieners. And I wasn’t calling you that. I called you a horn dog - not corn, cause you know - trying to beguile me with talk of beds? That’s horn dog talk, look it up.” And with that Emma winked and continued to tug Regina towards the door before she quickly unlocked it.
“Tell me.” Regina asked stopping abruptly before Emma turned to face her again, “tell me or I’m not moving another inch.”
Emma sighed.
“Fine! It means you’re horny! Lusting after me and-“
Emma was cut off as a pair of plump lips quickly covered hers. The movement was so sudden, Emma opened her mouth only to find a probing tongue enter quickly, exploring and teasing the tip of her own making Emma groan out loud.
Regina stopped and stepped back, a grin on her face.
“Darling, I think we both know you’re the horn dog in this relationship although I admit to lusting after you twenty four seven-“
Regina was then cut off as Emma’s lips crushed against her own, making Regina groan out in pleasure.
“Let’s settle for both being horn dogs, kay?” Emma whispered into Regina’s red lips as the brunette nodded, another gasp leaving her lips as Emma’s fingers suddenly cupped her backside and squeezed.
“I thought there was something pressing you needed to show me in the garage.” Regina husked into Emma’s pale lips causing Emma to groan again only this time in frustration.
“Damn it. I almost forgot! Come on!”
Emma then pulled Regina through the door as the brunette huffed.
Me and my big mouth…
Finally they got to side of the garage where Emma paused.
“It’s locked. Do you have the key?”
Regina shook her head.
“Damn!” The blonde muttered as she began to pace to the front of the garage before being stopped by a steady hand.
“Magic, darling.”
With that, Regina waved her hand and the door opened.
“Awesome! Keep forgetting.” Emma blushed as she pushed open the door before turning, her nervous excitement now palpable.
“Close your eyes.”
Regina cocked her head.
“Babe. Please. Close them until I say you can open them.”
Regina sighed and closed her eyes, waiting for Emma’s hand as the blonde move behind her and placed both hands steadily on her hips.
“Move forwards and stop when I say.”
Regina obliged, hesitantly at first before finishing her step, immediately feeling safe with Emma’s secure hands on her waist.
“Okay. Stop. Give me a sec!”
Emma’s touch then vanished as Regina began to panic a little.
“Emma?”
“Okay, after three - one, two, THREE! Open em up babe!”
Regina’s eyes flew open.
There, beside Emma, was the most beautiful crib she had ever seen, hand carved and gleaming!
Regina was speechless as Emma began to fidget beside the beautiful masterpiece.
“So….” she asked gently, a hand perched on the side of the crib as the look on Regina’s face changed from one of astonishment to amazement.
“It’s… my goodness, Emma! It’s beautiful!”
Emma watched in awe as her wife to be began to circle the crib, eyes taking in every minute detail before she finally placed a hand on top off Emma’s.
“How?” she asked, sounding a little out of breath as Emma chuckled.
“Well, obviously it wasn’t my doing. I may be good with these babies-“ Emma wriggled her fingers with a smirk before she continued, smile still on her face, “but I can’t take the credit for this. Woodwork was never my forte as a kid, just ask Mr Cotter - he had no hair left by the time he’d finished teaching me woodcraft. I nearly lost a thumb.”
Regina ran the thumb on her free hand across the smooth surface of the crib before she finally looked at Emma.
“Not that i’m uninterested in the trials and tribulations of young Emma and the arts and crafts….”
Regina nodded to the crib again before she gave Emma’s hand a squeeze.
“What? Oh! Right. The crib…. All thanks go to Marco. It’s awesome, right?”
Regina beamed. Awesome didn’t even come close!
“I can’t believe he’s made this for us, it’s truly wonderful and the workmanship is just-“
“Shit hot.” Emma interrupted as she crouched down on her knees and began to take in the details on the side of the crib she had missed before.
“Eloquent as ever Miss Swan but yes, I concur.”
Regina then attempted to crouch down too, the movement taking her a little longer as she huffed, a hand now on her stomach as she finally managed to lower herself to her knees not caring about the hard concrete floor.
At least it was clean.
“These carvings are so detailed…”
Regina’s voice broke off as her eyes took in the crib, a fingertip dancing across the smooth etchings and marking.
Emma felt a warmth surround her as she took in Regina’s wide smile and bright eyes.
“He’s one hell of a carpenter.” Emma acknowledged as Regina’s hand suddenly reached out and pulled her forwards, placing it on her stomach.
Nugget was kicking.
“Holy crap, nugget is applauding!”
Regina laughed as one hand remained on top of Emma’s, the other still running circles across the cool wood.
“Only our kid would applaud with her feet.” Emma mused as Regina suddenly felt overcome with emotion, tears now falling freely down her face.
“Babe?”
Emma’s voice sounded concerned as Regina shook her head and laughed again.
“I’m just overcome my love, with such beautiful things. This crib. What Marco has done. Our baby. You. Henry. Finally being able to tell everyone we’re engaged. It’s so much but in the best of ways.”
Emma slowly stood, helping Regina do the same as strong arms circled her waist.
“You deserve this and so much more Gina because you-“
Emma kissed the tip of Regina’s nose.
“Are-“
Slowly she placed another on each cheek before leaning back.
“Loved!”
Finally one last kiss on the lips before Regina pulled her in close.
“I also have comfortable breasts.” The brunette murmured into Emma’s ear causing the blonde to laugh out loud.
Regina smiled at Emma and the dimples that made her so unbelievably adorable.
“As are you too, my darling. Loved by so many for being the amazing, beautiful, courageous woman you are. Especially by me. Now, what do you say we finally get to bed?”
Emma cocked her head, her cheeks ruddy and smile still bright as she bit down on her bottom lip before replying.
“That’s depends. Do I get to test how comfortable your breasts are? You know… for science….”
Regina grabbed Emma’s hand and poofed them both to the bedroom, her laugh echoing along the way.