Epilogue:

At the loft, Snow was busy preparing dinner. The meal was going to be special and she even called Emma to make sure she shared it with them after her shift at work. The latter would not have had the courage to do anything but eat and fall in bed. She returned moreover later than expected. She pulled off her jacket, which had become visibly too heavy for her shoulders, and sighed. When she saw her mother standing in front of her with a big smile, she thought she was not out of the woods yet.

"Are you ready for a family dinner?"

"We're never prepared enough for that." Emma whispered, more to herself than in answer to her mother. She hung up her jacket when she finally met Snow's gaze, apparently upset by her reply.

"Thanks …"

"Sorry Mom. I'm so tired, don't take it personally." Emma took a breath and answered with a smile a bit forced, mainly to show her goodwill. "I'm ready for a good dinner with my family. But after a long and essential shower …" She finally replied as she felt her tank top stick to her skin.

Her mother nodded and then returned to her occupation.

In the shower, Emma remembered the storm, the anger, the magic. Their fight against Rumplestiltskin had been tough but they had somehow managed to repel the monster. Even so, she had not heard from him since that day. She was expecting, any time now, to see him appear suddenly to ask her explanations about Henry's father. What was his interest? Emma got the answer from the ex-cat – Captain Hook. It's a small world. Throughout the globe, she had met Rumplestiltskin's son, she had fallen in love with him and they had conceived Henry eleven years ago. This story seemed to her far-fetched but who was she to judge? The daughter of Snow White and Charming? Also having powers that she did not know until then!

At this disconcerting idea, she stared at her hands and then waved them like the wizards of her native world, but nothing happened. She wondered if she could replicate the magic shield she had invoked with Regina. Regina – thinking of her made white sparks crackle between her fingers. It was not the first time she thought of her lover in the shower, but it was the first time since they had combined their magic and defeated the Dark One. It triggered something in her, something powerful and uncontrollable.

Suddenly, she heard a noise in the bathroom. She cut off the water for a moment as a shadow approached the shower curtain. Emma held her breath and began to open it first. The blonde screamed and jumped out of her skin as the curtain opened abruptly.

"Regina?!"

Emma was holding her chest, she thought she was dying of a heart attack.

"Sorry, I did not want to scare you." Replied the Queen in all her glory, her smile, her manners, her look, all recalled the fallen monarch. It had become a source of arousal for Emma.

She jumped again when her worried mother knocked on the bathroom door.

"Emma?! You're okay? I heard a scream."

"Yeah, I'm okay. I just almost fell."

"Oh ok. Be careful then!"

"Yes Mom!"

"Ooh, Mommy worries about her little girl …" Whispered mockingly the brunette, who was undressing.

"Shh … If she hears you she'll wring my neck!"

"Maybe you should leave the door unlocked? Just in case …" Continued Snow.

"Don't worry, I'm almost done!" Emma rolled her eyes. Her mother could be so protective sometimes. Assuming that Snow had left, Emma looked back at Regina. "What are you doing here? It could have been my mother in the shower!"

"I actually counted on it … Well, I'll do with the girl." Regina replied, feigning a disappointed pout.

Emma laughed at the nonsense of her brunette who did not take long to join her.

Regina stuck her body against her Savior who sighed with pleasure, she then leaned over to caress her lips with hers.

"I heard your call …" Breathed the Queen.

"A-ah? A call? I didn't call you …" Emma managed to reply despite her growing desire to finally put her lips against those of her lover.

"Your magic did it, look …" Regina turned her eyes to Emma's hands.

They were crackling again, copying purple manifestations in the palm of her lover's hands. She approached one of her hands from Regina's, the tension became more and more intense. When their fingers intertwined, the two women no longer resisted touching and kissing each other. Their bodies were one against the other, filled with a burning passion. It became more and more difficult for them to restrain themselves. Yet they had to be as discreet as possible, it was both frustrating and exhilarating for Emma who was now hanging on Regina, legs around her waist, arms around her neck. They kissed passionately when the Queen took advantage of the Savior's disadvantaged position, she pressed her against the wall of the shower and fingered her roughly. She stifled the scream of the blonde by pressing a little more her lips on hers but did not lower the pace so far. She held Emma's waist firmly with her second hand and controlled the pace as much as the vigor of her comings and goings. The bathroom was filled with a colorful cloud, the color of their respective magics – one darker and thicker than the other.

They were breathless so they stopped for a moment the kissing session to look straight into each other's eyes. Their magic was there too, shading their irises. Regina's were brown and purple while Emma's were a mix of green, ivory and golden. They remained a moment to contemplate the beauty of their eyes, feeling all the love they had for each other, then resumed their activity with fervor, as if their life depended on it.

Regina felt Emma's legs tighten around her and her nails sink slightly into her back as she reached a powerful but silent orgasm. She had to hold her against her as her thighs slid down. They felt dizzy, as intoxicated by the smoke that was now dissipating. Regina kissed her lover one last time before getting out of the shower. Emma already felt the lack of their caresses.

"Why are you leaving ?" Asked the blonde with a pout.

"Because I'm not going out of the bathroom arm in arm with you in front of your parents." Regina smiled at Emma's lack of common sense when she was full of post-orgasmic endorphins. Still in shock after such pleasure, the Savior was sitting in the shower, still trying to get her breath back. "And I leave Henry at home?"

"Obviously not. The family dinner is with my parents, Henry and … you?" Emma answered while getting up.

"Yes. Your mother invited me this morning, pretending that 'now we had to leave our grudges aside and find a way to form a real family'." Regina made a face as she put on her skirt. "I had to accept it quickly to stop her tirade. Even at the other side of town I could see rainbows and birds dancing over her head."

Emma laughed at this idea, her mother was sometimes a real cliché of herself.

"It's especially necessary to convince my father …"

"Think about it. I'm supposed to be here by 15 minutes, so hurry out of there to put on something sexy."

"Hey, give me some time! I have to take another shower because of you!"

"Phew … You're complaining, really?" Now dressed, Regina lightly kissed Emma who barely had time to enjoy it. She now found herself stretching her lips to emptiness. She groaned in frustration, letting the water run down her face again.

Once clean, she finally came out of the shower, dried her body and opened her wardrobe. She examined her clothes and wanted to wear a simple t-shirt and sweatpants but that would not have been to Regina's taste. Especially that the Queen was always perfectly dressed, sexy but professional. The blonde did not have chic or elegant clothes, but she knew what the brunette liked. She put on a pair of blue jeans that perfectly hugged her curves, a white top with a cleavage to captivate a particular person. She quickly put on her makeup, and when she heard the doorbell, rushed to the door before her mother had time to move. Mary-Margaret was a little tense and smiled at David, who joined her in the same state.

Emma opened the door to the two loves of her life. Henry's face was hidden behind a large bunch of flowers as his adoptive mother smiled warmly, delighted by her lover's choice of clothes. The Queen detailed her for a brief moment but it was enough to make the little sparks reappear in the Savior's hands. Regina winked at her, glad to cut a dash.

"Hey, welcome! Come in!" Said Emma finally. Not knowing what to say, she shifted to let them in. Henry handed the flowers to Snow, who took them and caressed his head, then he went to hug his biological mother and went to his grandfather who raised him in the air.

Regina hugged Emma and then pulled away quickly, feeling too uncomfortable in front of her – step-parents? – for a longer greeting. She nodded at Snow and Charming and the little group was now in a circle, smiling at each other, now feeling closer. Regina was not really used to it, so she pulled away a bit to take off her coat that Emma grasped.

"I'm happy you're here … again." Emma took advantage of the coat still in their respective hands to caress one of hers. Regina gave her a slightly tense smile and Emma held back a laugh. "Don't worry. They won't bite."

"But I do …" Replied the brunette who was trying to relax as best as she could.

After half an hour, the atmosphere was already more relaxed. The discussions were far from idle and Emma felt from time to time a hand on her thigh. An affectionate gesture that caused her intense heart palpitations.

A comfortable silence came suddenly as the Prince decided to address the Queen without looking up from her plate.

"So Regina, when do you think to make my daughter an honest woman?"

She almost choked on the food she had just put in her mouth while Emma stared at him, dumbfounded. Snow held back a laugh for a moment before letting go.

"Charming! You promised me not to make that joke." Said Mary-Margaret wiping a tear at the corner of her eye. As she calmed down, she stared at the two women in front of her. They continued to stare at the blonde's father. Henry was enjoying the scene in front of him. He ate the food on his plate, imagining his two mothers in a wedding dresses.

"Dad, it's really not funny." Emma snapped, repressing a smile.

Charming had as much trouble as his wife to stop laughing, then threw a sorry look at Regina who would have joined them in their hilarity but had been far too busy finding an answer more worthy of her.

"Henry, can you help me clear the table before serving dessert?" Snow preferred to stay out of the fireballs that would soon cross the room if her husband did not stop his jokes. She would save her grandson too. The boy followed her without flinching, leaving the other three seated.

Regina took a serious look sipping the rest of her wine, then answered with the same utterance as Charming a few minutes ago.

"To answer your question David, I had thought to do it next month, they announce better temperatures. Your daughter is so much more appetizing with cleavages than turtlenecks."

The blonde had not had a good idea when she also finished her drink when the Queen was defying the Prince. The contents of her mouth spat out on her father's face and everywhere on the table.

She burst out laughing at the shocked look of the man in front of her. Regina had always had a talent for repartee and it was an irresistible part of her charm. The brunette was mentally keeping score and smiled at her father-in-law. The latter smiled at her then sponged his face with a table napkin, he seemed to give her this point.

"Ok, you two are now level." Emma interrupted, getting up to help her mother in the kitchen.

"My husband is still alive?" Snow hurried to ask, putting a scoop of ice cream on Henry's plate.

"More alive than ever. He seems to be having fun with Regina and it's mutual. I cannot believe it!"

"I knew that if Charming had known Regina as I knew her, he would like her! I'm glad he's trying to appreciate the person she is now. I was afraid that he would dig in his heels and reject your relationship."

"Well, after all she did to you, it would've been understandable."

"As far as I'm concerned, the Evil Queen is dead at the same time as this curse." As she handed her the plate, Snow's smile suddenly grew as she heard the laughter coming from the dining room. "And I think your father is of the same opinion."

Later in the evening, Emma was still amazed at the good atmosphere that had prevailed throughout the dinner and after. Regina took her aside – although there was no place to be in private in this damn loft – to offer to spend the night at her house. Emma did not have time to answer that Snow dropped a duffel bag at her feet while continuing her way to her husband and grandson, both busy playing a fighting game on TV. The blonde smiled as she looked at the brunette again.

"I think I have permission."