As Emma flies over Maine for the dozenth time, her heart aches more and more. Henry's at her side, sleeping off his excitement. He has come to like flying, but Emma has yet to let him fly alone. Even at 19 now, he's still too young to be by himself… Or at least that's what she tells every one. It's really just an excuse to come back. An excuse to have a family meal, enjoy a night cap at Granny's, sleep under silk sheets, and see her.

Henry left for school in Atlanta last year, and Emma followed him, picking up a job and renting an apartment near campus. Regina never wanted him to leave, but more than that, she couldn't leave, so Emma took one for the team. Emma just got her family back a few years ago, and leaving was harder than she imagined. Now it just keeps getting harder.

Once the plane lands, Emma shakes Henry awake. "Time to go, kid."

Henry wipes drool on his flannel sleeve and yawns in her face. She grimaces and shoves him away, eliciting a soft chuckle from the ever-growing boy.

"Thanks for letting me tag-along," she says handing him his bag from the overhead compartment and pulling her leather jacket over her shoulders.

"You always come with me."

"Well, I know." She continued, following the mass of passengers impatiently shuffling down the aisle, "I just know some day you're probably gonna want to fly alone."

"When that day comes, just buy our seats separate. You have to come back with me. I'm the only reason you're gone."

They exit the plane and both sigh when they hit solid ground again, neither overly keen on the numerous plane trips Regina foots the bill for.

Henry nudges Emma in the shoulder when her grounding takes a bit too long. "Ma, Mom's gonna be waiting for us." Emma sets her jaw and nods, following him.

"You get more nervous every time."

"Do not."

"Do so. It's just home. What are you so worked up for?"

Emma shrugs. "Feels weird coming in and out all of the time. These long weekends take a toll on work."

"Liar."

"Am not."

"Am so," he mocks. "It's Mom, isn't it?"

Emma steps on the escalator down to baggage claim and stares at him. "Why would she have anything to do with it?"

"You tell me," Henry says as he nods his head to Regina holding a sign reading Swan-Mills at the base of the escalator. Henry's 18th birthday present to himself was hyphenating his last name. Emma spent nearly 3 months hiding her jealousy from him every time he reminded her. He smiles when Emma's eyes widen and cheeks redden slightly. His chuckle pulls her out of the trance, and she swats him just as they step onto the bottom level.

Henry pushes through the crowd into his mother's waiting arms.

"Oh, Henry, I've missed you so much." She pulls his head down and stretches on her tip toes to kiss his cheeks and forehead before pulling him into a hug.

"You too, Mom," he mumbles into the top of her head that now sits below his chin.

"Hey, Regina," Emma says as she settles in at Henry's side.

Regina squeezes Henry one more time then moves to hold Emma's shoulders. "Emma," she says sweetly before kissing her on the cheek.

Still not used to the greeting from every trip to Maine, Emma fights a gasp and a blush. She glares when Henry chuckles at her.

Regina slowly glides her hands down Emma's covered arms, stopping at her wrists. She studies the apparent staring contest between son and mother. "What?"

"Nothing," Henry laughs and walks to retrieve his bags.

Emma moves to follow, but Regina tightens her grip on her wrists. Regina smiles. "I've missed you as well."

Emma rolls her eyes. "It's only been a month."

Hurt flashes in Regina's eyes, and Emma instantly knows her mistake. Regina recoils into herself, crossing her arms, and a fierce Madame Mayor glare sets on her face.

Emma reaches out and takes Regina's elbows. "I'm sorry. I've missed you too. It's just hard to imagine you feeling the same."

Regina looks Emma from head to toe then holds her gaze. "I am permitted to desire stability in my home, and you happen to be an integral part of that. If you wish to be missed less, stop joining our son on his monthly visits so I have no need to expect you." Regina turns on her sharp heel and stalks toward Henry who is pulling the last of their bags from the conveyor.

Emma grumbles to herself and follows. Henry's eyes widen as he looks between the two of them. He glares at Emma. "What'd you do?"

"What!" Emma stops short. "Who says it was me?"

"It always is, dear," Regina snarks, a smirk gracing her lips.

Emma huffs as the Mills stare at her. "Well, are we leaving or not? I'm starving."

"Are you ever not?" Regina asks, leading them to the car. As Regina pulls the keys from her pocket, Henry rushes forward and takes them. He holds them up triumphantly.

"Shot gun!" Emma yells and rushes toward the Mercedes in the pick up line.

After loading bags in the trunk, Emma moves to the passenger door where Regina is standing. "I called shotgun," she states but wavers when Regina stands firmly. "Let me just get the door for you." She opens the door and gestures for Regina to sit then slides in the back seat.

Henry laughs and makes a whip sound. Emma sticks her tongue out and huffs as she settles into the back seat, trying to not to let loose the smile that wants to grace her lips. It's good to be home.

The car ride is relatively quick if not bumpy from Henry's lack of practice. Although she would likely never admit it, Emma enjoys having Henry at the wheel. He always seems genuinely happy, and although she is over being relegated to the back seat, she loves watching the two of them and listening to Henry's recap of the month. Regina insists on every detail, and Henry has yet to disappoint.

As they cross the Storybrooke line, Emma releases a breath she didn't realize she was holding in. Regina glances over her shoulder at Emma and watches with a raised eyebrow.

"Car sick," Emma lies.

That raises another eyebrow. "Since when?" Emma just shrugs so Regina rolls her eyes. "One of your superpowers certainly is not lying convincingly." She turns back around. "Regardless of what you believe, we are all glad to have you home, dear."

"I'm glad to be home too." Emma fiddles with her hands and catches Henry's eye in the rearview mirror.

The car slows in front of Granny's, but Regina pats him on the hand. "Home first, Henry. I have surprises…" She turns to Emma. "For both of you."

Emma's eyebrows about hit her hairline. Getting gifts from Regina is not something she has gotten used to, especially outside of her birthday and Christmas.

"What is it?" Henry asks excitedly.

"You will see soon."

They stop at the mansion on Mifflin Street and neither Henry nor Emma can help the goofy smiles adorning their faces.

Before Regina can open her door, Emma leaps out of the car and does it for her.

"Thank you, dear," Regina says sweetly and squeezes Emma's forearm as she passes.

Emma looks over to see Henry's smirk. Narrowing her eyes, she silently tells him to shut the hell up. She tilts her head slightly and notices another Mercedes behind Henry. This one red. She spins to Regina. "Who's here?"

"Pardon?" Regina stops at the porch just before opening the door.

"The car. I've never seen it."

Regina waves nonchalantly at the car. "Oh that just belongs to a handsome gentleman I know."

Henry and Emma both gape at Regina and shout in unison, "What?"

"Handsome?" Emma squeaks out.

"Very," Regina responds, her smirk intensifying. She opens the door and with one last glance over her shoulder says, "And he's staying here this weekend." Regina enters the house, leaving the door open behind her.

Henry retrieves the bags from the trunk and moves next to Emma who is still staring dumbly at the open door with her mouth open. "This guy better not be our surprise," Henry mumbles.

"Maybe I'll stay with my parents," Emma says quietly.

"Ma," Henry whines. "You can't just give up that easily.

Emma snaps her head to him. "Excuse me?"

Henry rolls his eyes. "You haven't dated any of your obnoxious boyfriends since I was 16. I'm not dense."

"That doesn't mean anything."

"It does with the way you look at Mom."

Regina calls from the house. "Are you two coming in? I made lasagna. And Henry, you can try my cider tonight."

With one last glance at each other, Henry and Emma race inside.