Chapter 3

Regina could not sleep at all that night. Every time she closed her eyes she saw both her lovers walking away from her and she would begin to cry all over again.

When morning finally arrived, Regina found herself sitting at her kitchen island with a mug of coffee in her hands. "If I don't make a decision soon I could lose both of them." she thought with a deep sigh.

As she sat, she tried to imagine her life without either woman. Just the idea of choosing one over the other made her feel sick.

Regina sat up a straighter as she heard the front door open. As soon as Henry walked into the house he was hit with the smell of coffee and he immediately knew where to find his mother.

"Hey mom." he leaned down to kiss his mother on the cheek before sitting opposite of her.

"Good morning Henry." Seeing him gave Regina her first genuine smile she's had since Mal left the hospital room. "How was your evening?"

"Pretty good. Spent most of the night introducing Violet to The Legend of Zelda."

"How'd that go?"

"She said it was okay but, it reminded her too much of Camelot," he giggled, "She asked if I could teach her how to play Pokemon next time. She thinks Pikachu's cute."

"She's right. Although if I remember correctly you preferred Squirtle when you were younger." She smiled at the memory of four-year-old Henry falling asleep while holding on to his stuffed Pokemon doll.

"Still do." Henry grinned. "Sooo, um…" his face fell a little, not knowing exactly how to ask what he wanted to. "How are you doing? With the queen, I mean. You okay with her being with you again?"

The mayor was actually taken slightly aback by the question. "I really haven't thought about it that much," she shrugged.

With so much that had happened in the past 24 hours, her being bound to the queen again was the least of her worries, especially since Henry had stated that he was okay with it. She supposed though, that she was rather glad to have the queen back with her. With the queen came the new memories of her with Maleficent over the past few weeks. She would not trade that for anything.

"What do you mean you haven't...Wait. Where's Ma? She still asleep?"

It was such an innocent question, yet it made Regina's whole body tense. For a few moments, she stayed quiet, trying to think how best to discuss the situation with her son.

"No. She decided to spend the night with your grandparents." her voice was barely above a whisper.

"What? Why? Did you guys have a fight or something?"

"Not exactly…" she was still not sure how to explain everything to him.

Henry sat confused before realization dawned on him seconds later. "Does it have anything to do with Maleficent? Why she was with you guys at the hospital yesterday?"

Regina took a deep sigh then nodded her head while averting her eyes from her son's.

"So the rumors I've been hearing about her and the queen are true then?"

"Yes," she whispered so low that Henry could barely hear her. Questions of fear ran through her mind. "Will he hate me again? Will he think I never loved Emma? That it was all an act?"

"Okay."

Regina at silently turning to look son questionably and blinked several times before speaking. "That's it?"

"Well, yeah," he shrugged. "I mean, it's not like you were cheating on Ma. Plus, Mal's pretty cool. I like her."

"You do?" her voice was a mix of surprise and hope.

"Yeah. It's not everyone who can say that they know someone who can change into every kid's favorite mythical creature." he paused when he heard his mom chuckle. "And she maaaay have taken me flying once or twice."

"She what?!"

"Calm down, it was my idea and we were both careful. Besides, a few quick laps around the town are nothing compared to surviving Neverland."

Regina frowned in spite of her son's logic, but she decided not to argue any further.

"So, what are you going to do?" Henry asked carefully.

"I don't know Henry," she mumbled as her gazed drifted downward once again. Her heart knew exactly what she would like to do about the situation. She was just very doubtful that the blondes would be okay with the idea.

Henry reached across the island and placed his hand on him mom's wrist to get her attention. "Try not to worry too much Mom. You'll figure it out, you always do. Just follow your heart and do what feels right."

Regina rolled her eyes, "God, you're starting to sound more and more like your grandmother."

Henry smiled at her teasing, "Can't help it, it's in my blood."

"Don't remind me," she smirked, her mood had dramatically improved. She was so thankful to have a son like Henry, he always knew what to say to lift her spirits.

Henry laughed as he stood up, "I'm gonna go meet Violet for breakfast at Granny's. Just had to come by and grab my backpack."

"You could call her to come over if you want. I could make you both something to eat."

"I know, but I also know you need some more time to think."

Regina nodded and looked her son straight in the eye, "Would you really be okay if Maleficent became a part of our family?"

The boy nodded, "I just want you all to be happy."

Regina stood up to hug her son, "Thank you, Henry."

Henry immediately returned the embrace, "I love you, Mom."

"I love you too, my little prince." She let go of her son who grabbed his backpack by the front door before leaving the house.

Once Henry left, Regina sat back down to finish her coffee, using her magic to reheat it. She was weighing the pros and cons of what she was thinking. In the end, she knew she would be risking everything by suggesting her solution to Mal and Emma, but she also knew that this is what her heart truly wanted.

After she placed her mug in the dishwasher she leaned against the counter and took a deep breath. She silently prayed that the blondes would be open to her idea.

It was late in the afternoon when Regina finally summed up the courage to call Emma and Maleficent to ask them to come over that night to talk. She had texted Henry earlier asking him to spend the night with either his grandparents or Violet again, knowing that they would need privacy once the blondes arrived.

She became even more nervous once she called Emma and the sheriff told her that she and Mal were together and had been talking all day. Both the blondes agreed to come over, telling her that they had something to talk about too. She was scared to death that the other two would ask her to choose between them.

Regina paced the foyer of her home, waiting for her lovers to arrive. She walked over to the mirror that hung on her wall for what seemed like the hundredth time that afternoon, wanting to make sure she looked her best.

It had taken her an hour before she had called Emma to decide what to wear. She had finally decided on a pair of jeans, that she only ever wore at home or when she went out to play with Henry when he was younger, and a red v-neck shirt.

She thought about wearing something more glamorous, but she also wanted to feel as comfortable as possible for the conversation that she was about to endure. Plus, she remembered both her lovers stating that they thought she never looked more lovely than when she was relaxing at home. Remembering them both saying that had brought a smile to Regina's face.

Logically, she knew it was just her own nervousness making her question her outfit further, but that did not make her stop trying to smooth out her hair and straighten her shirt twenty times.

The mayor was so on edge she nearly jumped when she heard Emma's bug pull up in her driveway. She went to the window and looked out to see both blondes getting out of the car. How Emma convinced Mal to ride in that thing was beyond her.

Regina stood up straight and took one last deep calming breath before the doorbell rang. She opened the door to find her lovers standing side by side. Emma wearing her signature red leather jacket with a white t-shirt and jeans and Mal wore a dark blue sweater with black colored jeans she had also let her long hair down instead of her usually pinning it up. Apparently, they both wanted to be comfortable during this talk as well. They also had unsure looks on their faces. Needless to say, those looks did not help to calm Regina down.

"Thank you both for coming." she stepped aside for the blondes to enter before closing the door behind them.

"No problem," Emma shrugged, "Like I said we both have something to talk to you about too."

"Right," the brunette did her best to put on a polite smile even though she knew both of the other women would be able to see through it.

"Well then, let's go into the study and I'll get us all drinks then we can talk."

The other two women followed behind Regina as she led them into the room, each sat down on the couch while the brunette poured them all a glass of her famous cider. Once Regina sat down in the chair opposite of the couch Maleficent began to speak.

"Regina, love, Emma and I have been talking for the better part of the day and we both have come to an agreement…"

"Mal, please wait," Regina interrupted, "I know you can both tell how anxious I am about this conversation, no matter how hard I try to hide it. So please let me say what I need to before I lose my nerve?"

When she received a nod from both women she took a sip of her cider before continuing.

"First, I want to apologize to you both. I never meant to cause either of you so much stress."

"You have nothing to apologize for Poppet."

"Yeah Regina, neither of us are angry with you."

"I appreciate you both saying that," their words did help her confidence, but only slightly. "But that does not mean that there isn't a decision to be made."

She paused briefly when she noticed Emma and Mal exchange worried looks.

"I couldn't sleep last night because every time I closed my eyes I would see the two of you walking away from me."

"Regina…"

"Please Emma, both of you, just let me finish?" she was again met with two nods.

"This morning I tried imagining my life without either of you in it and…every time the thought just made my heart break in two. I love you both with all of my soul. Even when the queen and I were separated, we both still loved the two of you." She sat her drink down before she went to stand before the sheriff and dragon, fidgeting with her hands nervously.

"I know that the two of you are waiting for me to choose between you...but I can't. Mal, my cariña, you were my light when nothing was surrounding me but darkness. I only wish that I wasn't so blinded by my own selfishness to realize just how much you truly meant to me. I also wish that I had been brave enough back then to thank you for your teachings, your patience, and most of all for your love. And Emma, Baby, you gave me the greatest gift of all, our son. It took me awhile to accept not being Henry's only mother, but I honestly don't know how I would have survived these last few years without you. You believed in me during a time when I hardly believed in myself, and that helped give me the strength to fight the darkness that had consumed me for so long."

As she spoke, both the blondes eyes glistened with unshed tears while Regina already had some pouring down her cheeks. Slowly, Regina sank down onto her knees in front of her lovers. Her hands reached out to hold each of her lover's and she held them closer to her.

"I don't deserve either of you, much less both of you, but I need to have you both in my life. So please, don't make me choose one of you over the other because I can't, not without ripping out my own heart. I…I want…" Regina's lips were trembling with fear of the rejection she thought would come. She tilted her head down, not having the courage to look her lovers in the eye.

"I...I beg of you to consider allowing me to continue to be with you both."

Regina brought both Emma and Mal's hands together to place a kiss of their knuckles at once as more tears fell, her lips still trembled as she spoke.

"I know...that neither of you feels the same about each other, but could you please consider being in a relationship? All three of us? If not, I...I under...I understand...but pl...please don't make me choose." Her eyes closed and her body heaved with soft sobs as she finished.

A few quiet moments pass until she felt a hand beneath her chin, prompting her to look up. By the small touch alone she could tell that it was Maleficent's. She raised her head and was surprised when she saw both women smiling down at her. Her breath was still shaky as both women reached out to wipe her tears away.

"Oh, my dear Regina. We would never make you choose between us." Maleficent spoke softly as she ran her free hand through Regina's dark tresses.

The brunette sniffled, trying to get her tears to completely stop, "Really?"

"Really." Emma moved over on the couch just enough so that she and Mal could pull Regina up to sit between them. They were quick to hold Regina's hand once again after she sat down, their other arms went around the brunette's back. "Mal and I both know how much you love us Angel, and we love you too much to ever force you to make a decision like that."

"Which goes back to what we were trying to tell you Poppet. Emma and I met at Granny's earlier today and after talking for some time...well, we came to the same conclusion that you did my love."

Mal and Emma both smiled larger when they saw the brunette's eyes go wide. "You did?"

"Yes, we did." Emma leaned over to place a small kiss on Regina's temple. "We would try just about anything for you."

Regina smiled as she relaxed into both her lovers arms, "So you would both be okay with being in a relationship with each other?" she asks looking at them, her eyes full of hope.

Mal nodded, "Yes. We both admitted that we've found each other attractive for a while now, however, neither of us acknowledged it. We also respect each other greatly, if nothing else because we know the other would stop at nothing to ensure your safety and happiness." she squeezed Regina's hand gently.

"Besides," Emma spoke up, prompting the other two to look at her. "It kinda figure's we would fall for each other too. Mal and I have already had a fight to the death and I know you and I used to dream of doing that when we first met." Emma smirked and playfully pinched Regina's side.

Regina briefly pulled away as she and Mal laughed.

"I love you both so much!" the brunette leaned in to kiss Emma's lips before pulling away to do the same to Maleficent.

She smiled brighter when the blondes leaned over her to kiss each other as well. It was too early for either of them to say that they loved the other, yet, neither could deny the passion that stirred within them during the kiss.

Emma and Mal took a moment to look at each other and smiled before leaning in to kiss Regina on her cheeks, making her giggle.

"There's just one last thing we need to talk about," Emma spoke.

"What's that?"

"Well, we thought since this is new for all of us that we should just keep it under wraps for now. Like you and I did in the beginning."

"Does that sound agreeable to you Poppet?" Mal asked as she tucked a strand of hair behind the mayor's ear.

Both blondes chuckled as the brunette nodded eagerly. They were not promising her forever, not yet anyway, but it's a start and she could not wait to see where this new relationship leads them.

"Good. Then, for now, this will be just between us, the kid, and Lily."

"Henry sort of already knows," Regina smirked as Emma raised her brow.

"What?"

"He came by earlier and could tell something was bothering me. It didn't take him long to figure out that it was about the three of us."

"What…" Mal's voice only revealed the slightest hint of her nervousness, "What did he say about us possibly being together?"

Regina squeezed the dragon's hand "He said that he just wanted us to be happy, all of us and that he would be fine with you becoming a part of our family."

Maleficent breathed a sigh of relief, knowing that she had the support of her lovers son. She only hoped that Lily would also be okay with her mother's new relationship.

Her face must have been easy enough to read because Emma let go of Regina's hand and reached over to put her hand on Mal's knee. "Don't worry about Lily. She'll be just as happy for you as Henry is for us. She told me a while ago that she's just glad that she has you in her life. I don't think she'll care about anything else, especially not over who you choose to love."

"Thank you." she whispered to Emma with a grateful smile.

"Speaking of our children, though, I would like to ask you something Mal." Regina's voice was more strong than it had been all evening.

"What is it?"

"What made you think taking my son flying around the town without my permission was a good thing?"

Mal shifted nervously at being caught, "Now Regina, you know I would never let any harm come to the boy. Besides," she then smirked playfully, "I may not have had your permission, but…" she trailed off and nodded towards the other blonde.

Regina turned toward Emma only to see her biting her lip and averting her gaze. "Emma!"

The sheriff looked at her sheepishly, "Well...it sounded like he would have fun. You know I have trouble saying no to him."

Regina glared at her for a moment before laughing, "Now I'm going to have to keep an eye on both of you around him."

The other two joined in the laughter then Regina turned to lean further back into Maleficent's arms while pulling Emma into her own.

"Thank you, both," her voice going quiet once again, "for giving this a chance...You don't know what it means to me." The mayor's cheeks tinted pink.

The blondes kissed her on her cheeks again, both thinking of how adorable she looked in that moment. Mal ran her fingers through Regina's dark hair while her other hand held onto Emma's. The three sat there, snuggled up against each other in comfortable silence for several minutes.

"So," Emma spoke up, "what do you guys want to do for the rest of the night?"

"I could make us all something to eat and then maybe a movie night?"

"That sounds good to me." Mal slowed her movements through Regina's hair. "As long as it's not one of those dreadful Disney movies," she said making all three of them laugh once again.

Later that night, Emma, Regina, and Maleficent found themselves cuddled up together on Regina's sofa in her living room. It had taken a little while for the other two to convince Mal that Star Wars was not like other movies owned by Disney and that she would like it.

As the credits rolled Mal turned to her girlfriends, "Okay, you were both right. I did enjoy it. Although I don't think I could ever imagine flying in a spaceship with a giant walking fur ball."

"Hey, don't talk bad about Chewy!" Emma shot the dragon a mock glare, "He's my favorite."

"He's Henry's favorite as well." the brunette commented, "Although I was always more fond of Leia."

"Why does that not surprise me?" Regina squirmed away when Mal tickled her side.

"Like you weren't just practically drooling over her too." the mayor countered.

Mal just shrugged and avoided the topic, "The little blue and white thing was cute as well."

Emma giggled at the other two before moving away to stretch her arms, "You guys ready for bed?"

When Mal and Regina nodded all three headed upstairs to the bed that Emma and Regina had shared for the last few months. Both knew there would be plenty of room for their new third party. The brunette especially was looking forward to sharing her bed with both of her lovers on the same night. The thought made a bright smile grace her features.

Once in the room, all of them used their magic to change into their favorite sleepwear. Regina wore her blue silk nightie with darker blue boyshorts, Emma had on her tank top and boxers, and Mal wore her Spike shirt and purple panties.

The sheriff couldn't help the small laugh that escaped her when she saw what the dragon was wearing as the three sat close together on the bed with Mal in the middle. "My Little Pony? You didn't strike me as the type to like that kinda stuff."

"I don't. Poppet gave it to me." Mal smirked at Regina who blushed.

"Seriously?" Emma asked with a raised brow and a smirk of her own.

"Yes, although she has never told me why she enjoyed the cartoon so much."

"I don't." Regina tried to bluff. "I just thought it was a cute shirt for you."

"That may be, my love, but those adorable pink cheeks of yours tell me there's more to that explanation," Mal said while tapping said cheeks.

"So does my superpower. Come on Gina, you know neither of us will laugh at you."

"You just laughed at the shirt." the brunette accused.

"Yeah…" Emma scratched the back of her neck, "but in my defense, I wasn't expecting the big bad dragon to be wearing a shirt with a little purple baby one on it." She turned back to look at said dragon. "Although it is super cute on you."

"Thank you, Darling."

Emma smiled at the term before both she and Mal turned back to Regina whose face still held a blushing tint and waited for her to answer them.

Regina sighed and resigned herself to her fate as she started talking. "You both know I was fond of horses as a child. Whenever I was alone I would often imagine living in a world surrounded by them. In all of my fantasies, the horses could talk to me while we played. I would even imagine some of them having magic strong enough to battle my mother's. So when I first discovered the show...it was like my favorite childhood memories had been put onto a screen for me to see. It was quite comforting to me."

All the time she was talking she turned her head away from the blondes. She only looked back when she felt Emma stretch her arm out across Mal to cup Regina's cheek to turn her towards them. "That is the most adorable thing I've ever heard Regina." She smiled at the brunette and stroked her cheek before lowering her hand.

"That was a beautiful story, Poppet. Perhaps in the morning, you could introduce us to the show."

"But I thought you said that cartoons were mind numbing when I gave you that shirt. You said you only wore it because it was comfortable."

"True," the dragon nodded, "but that was before I knew it meant so much to you. I'd be more than willing to watch it if you wanted me to."

"Ditto. I'm more of a Scooby person, but who knows, I might like watching it. From what I've heard the rainbow one seems pretty badass."

Regina smiled widely at her lovers "You two really are the most perfect people in the world."

"We think the same about you Angel." Emma leaned forward to kiss Regina passionately.

When she pulled away Maleficent moved to kiss Regina as well. The blondes then locked eyes before sharing the second kiss in their relationship.

Emma hummed happily as they pulled away, "I think I could get used to this new arrangement if it means I get to kiss two hot women like that every day."

"I believe I can as well." Mal leaned over to kiss the sheriff on the cheek. "Now, let's all get some rest, we've all had a long day."

They all crawled under the soft sheets, Regina immediately laid her head on Mal's shoulder, snuggling into her side. Emma moved to do the same, but then hesitated not knowing if the other blonde would be okay with it. She smiled and relaxed when she felt the dragon rub her back, encouraging her to mimic Regina.

Regina spoke when both she and Emma were settled against the dragon, sleep already in her voice. "I love you both so much."

"We love you too. Sweet dreams Regina, Emma." Maleficent placed a small kiss on the crown of each of her girlfriend's heads, making them both smile softly.

"Good night." Emma closed her eyes, but then opened them only a moment later. "Just one last question Regina."

"What's that Baby?"

"I'll never be able to get away with calling you 'Poppet' will I?"

"Oh Hell no." the mayor mumbled and closed her eyes as the other two giggled.

As sleep overtook them Regina thought that she had finally gotten what she had wanted most of all. She got her happy ending.